Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 166: The Purpose of Golden Princess

Camille was surprised with the sudden reveal, she knew about the position called 'golden princess' in Golden Camellia, she read about it once. But she thought no one had that title anymore. Because in the Emperor's generation, there was no daughter. The late Emperor had many sons instead, which was rare. 

Golden Princess Elena led Camille inside the palace and then brought her to her office. Camille was sitting face to face with Golden Princess Elena. Elena noticed the uneasiness in Camille and then chuckled, "What? Are you nervous because you are facing a golden princess now?"

"NNo, ma'am, but I don't know what I will do here"

"Oh, little girl, first lesson, never say I don't know in front of anyone. It only shows your fragility," Elena started lecturing young Camille.

Camille nodded hesitantly, because she was still unsure what this old lady wanted from her. She protected her from the Emperor, which was out of her calculations, but it was not always a good sign either.

"You must be confused as to why did I bring you here, right?"

"Yes"

"Well, first, I want to know about your background, and then I shall tell you something important. This important thing will definitely help you out surviving in this palace."

Camille was afraid that this old lady would use this vital information about her when she grew older later, thus she refrained and only lowered her head.

Elena sensed the restraint and alertness, she sighed, then started talking, "Camille, do you know what a Golden Princess title means?"

"Un I read in a book once, Golden Princess is a title for golden blood's royal princess, only one in every generation. Um golden princess should be smart, charismatic, and talented!"

Elena smiled, "You know about the general description of Golden Princess, I assume you read it in a book? Good."

Camille blushed and smiled shyly, "II read a lot in my spare time"

Elena nodded approvingly, she observed the six years old Camille's gestures and expressions, and she sneered in her heart, 'A good faade, but not enough.'

Elena's hand cupped her diamond cane and asked something, "Golden Princess is an honourable title, it is similar to your mother's title, Great Princess of Arctyr. But it is not bestowed upon your birth, a golden princess title must be earned."

Camille jolted, this old lady knew about her mother and her origin, "HHow could"

"Oh Camille, I'm so old already, don't you think it is reasonable for me to know some information here and there? I have my people."

Elena smiled, she could feel the hostility in Camille and like a mind reader, she told her, "Keep your hostility away, Camille. I don't have anything against her. I don't have anything against your origin either."

Camille didn't lose her alertness, she looked around to see if there was any soldier or spy hiding, "How could I know if you are being honest?"

'Ah, much better. This is the much better version I want to talk to,' Elena cheered in her heart.

"Are you searching whether I have any soldiers or spy here? Well, Camille, I can read the scenario in your little brain like an open book," Elena said lightly while chuckling. Camille's feet went cold, there was so much intimidating aura around that old lady that made her want to run away.

She stood from the chair and took a few steps back, she planned to open the door and ran away, probably hid somewhere and ran from this small palace. But it was surprisingly locked, even though she remembered that there were no guards outside.

"Are you trying to run away like a busted naughty kid?" Elena giggled, as if she found something funny, a trapped small mouse. "I already signalled the servant who hid near the front door to lock the door. You are trapped here."

Camille was never in so much fear as this one, even against that madwoman Empress Eva. At least Empress Eva was like a raging bull, crazy but mindless. But this woman, Golden Princess Elena, was so calculative and able to read her like an open book. She was afraid that Elena would soon realize how Camille already planned everything against the Emperor and Empress.

"Little Camille, tell me, what kind of deliberate plan you created to convince Emperor Leopold that you are a good girl, a pitiful one? It sounds interesting, I may need to experiment with it."

Camille's heart sank as she couldn't stand anymore. Elena whose eyes were closed the whole time finally opened her eyes slowly, then part of her eyes turned ink black. She tapped her cane and approached Camille with her ink black eyes.

Camille felt like she was facing a terrible monster, even though the appearance was that of a gentle old woman. But she knew that Elena was hundred times more terrible than Empress Eva.

Camille closed her eyes, she cowered near the door with her hands covering her head. Her knees trembled and her feet were so cold.

"II'm sorry!" Camille blurted out of fear.

Elena finally burst out laughing, she laughed with her raspy voice, "Ahahahaha, okay okay, I'm sorry. I was just trying to show you what we can do as golden princesses!"

Elena soon turned into her usual old, elegant angel once more which shocked Camille. There was no more intimidating aura, but only that same gentle warmth. Elena pulled Camille and sat her again on the chair. Camille was dazed the whole time.

"Did I surprise you?" Elena grinned, "Well, since I believe I did, no need to be shy. We are the same kind of person, Camille. You can tell me everything."

Elena put on some emphasis in her last sentence. Camille gulped, somehow, in her heart, she felt both secure and insecure in front of Golden Princess Elena. But the last sentence really hit her hard.

"We are the same person?"

"Yes, you and me, we are destined to be golden princesses. We are a white coated monster."

"White coated monster..." that name was stuck in her head. Somehow, she could feel there was a relieved feeling inside her heart.

'So, I'm not the only one' she stared at Elena again and then nodded.

Camille started telling all her life in Cold Palace with her mother, all the things she had learned about their background and her current and next plan against the Emperor and Empress. She was left bare without any chance of hiding at all in front of Elena. It was as if there was a deep connection between them, Elena didn't seem to be surprised. She just nodded and smiled slightly sometimes.

Camille had a lot to tell for a six years old, and spoke eloquently for her age, perhaps too eloquent. Elena was more than satisfied after knowing the true Camille. The one that had potential to scheme and hurt, the one that would control her surroundings. Just like her old days.

After Camille told everything, Elena asked, "Camille, do you know what the purpose of the Golden Princess is?"

"To be an inspiring princess for the nation?" Camille replied doubtfully.

"Well, that is given for when you receive the title, you will be an inspiring princess for the nation," Elena grinned, "The true purpose of Golden Princess is to balance out the power in Golden Camellia."

"To balance out the power?"

"Because golden bloods are a bunch of charismatic lunatics, we might be physically and intellectually superior compared to normal people, but we have many flaws, especially because every golden blood will go crazy someday. That's why having only one absolute power in this country will be a disaster."

Camille listened to Elena's words attentively, she had the urge to ask something, "So Emperor Leopold is crazy?"

"Yes, do you think it's normal for him to marry a peasant, ugly maid than the Great Princess of Arctyr?" Elena sneered, "Well, because his generation does not have any golden princess, he is the absolute power here. He can make any law without any reprehension."

"How about the people?" Camille wondered.

"Golden Camellia is a prosperous country, as long as there was no natural disaster that swept the whole country, the people will know nothing and care nothing. Because their basic necessities are fulfilled already."

Elena held Camille's hand and stared straight to her eyes, "That is why, Camille, I want you to be the next Golden Princess."

"A golden princess" the six years old Camille was staring at that golden circle's eyes, just like hers. There was a certainty in her heart that this was her purpose. But there was something stuck in her heart.

"If If I agreed to become a Golden Princess, can you help my mother?"

Elena's smile faded. She shook her head slowly, "I cannot. Camille, your mother is still a Great Arctyr's Princess. She is my enemy."

"But she is a kind woman"

Listen to me, Camille, I am a pure Golden Camellia Royalty. I will not help your mother because that would give the Emperor a chance to frame me for treason and kill me. I am too old and I don't have any resources to fight him. But I can support you, my position is too solid for him to shake, as long as I don't do obvious blunders."

"But, my mom"

"You can save your mother when you are strong enough, that's why, I urge you to become Golden Princess. If it's not in his era that you can control the balance of power, at least in his son's era, you must take control. Because I can see the fall of Golden Camellia if this absolute power goes on."

And also, Elena finally whispered the last reason in Camille's ear, 'You can get revenge on the Emperor and Empress. Don't you want to see their fall?'

Camille was already certain that this was her path, but hearing the last reason and the power to help her mother. She was finally assured.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes, I shall be the new Golden Princess."