Provoking a Graceful Bloom

Frederick was still the same man. Yet somehow, he didn't feel like himself anymore.

He was once a man so confident and full of fire, but he looked nothing like that tonight. As he faced Selena, he looked like a man troubled by love and weighed down with sorrow. He even seemed somewhat weary.

Selena poured him a glass of liquor.

Frederick had always come to her when something was on his mind, whether he was happy or troubled. Tonight, it was clear he was troubled.

After several stiff drinks, he finally looked at Selena and quietly asked, "How is your brother's injury?"

"It's better," Selena replied cooly, her face showing no emotion.

Frederick knew as well as she did that some wounds would never truly heal.

He gently took her hand in his. "Lena, please don't be angry with me. It was my fault that day. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you."

In truth, he had always treated her well over the years. He never got angry at her, and if he even spoke harshly to her, he'd immediately apologize. He also never used his status as a prince to lord over her, except for that one time three days ago.

Selena lowered her gaze and instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Frederick held on tighter.

"Lena, please don't be mad. I don't understand why I've changed like this."

"Changed how?" Selena asked as she looked up at him.

His face was marked by pain and confusion, and he looked utterly lost.

But he was Frederick, Warbringer of Aurensia. He had faced countless battles and weathered every storm without ever showing a flicker of doubt. Even if the very mountains fell around him, he would remain unshaken.

When had he ever seemed so troubled before?

Suddenly, he said, "Lena, my heart belongs only to you. It always has, and it always will. There will be no change to our marriage plans. Next month, we wed. From that day forward, I will love no one but you."

If this had been the old Frederick speaking, Selena might have felt deeply moved. But as she recalled the murderous gleam in his eyes directed at her that day, she suddenly felt that whatever he said no longer held much meaning.

"Are you upset?" Frederick's voice grew heavier as Selena stayed calm and silent.

She raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion, "Why should I be happy? Isn't that the promise you made to me previously? Why must you say it again now?"

Was he really saying those words to her, or was he trying to remind himself in a different way?

This time, Frederick avoided her gaze. After loosening his grip on her hand, he picked up his glass and took a slow sip.

Selena was running out of patience. She still needed to tend to Sally and Sebastian. Seeing her impatience only made Frederick's frustration grow. She had never behaved like this toward him before.

"Lena, can I share what's on my mind with you? Are we still like we used to be?" he asked.

Why had he loved Selena for all these years? Because no matter what he went through, she never left his side. When he was punished for crossing the king, everyone else quickly turned to flatter his brother, the fourth prince. But Selena stayed loyal, always by his side.

She was Frederick's safe harbor. No matter the storms he faced, returning to her was the only thing that brought him peace. And now, he hoped he could still find that comfort with her.

"Lena, I think... I might have fallen for that wretched woman."