Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 200: Fair Game

Aster was working inside the Velvet Castle for a few days because he agreed to help House of Viete to fix the economy after the financial ruin caused by Aster's mother. He made many plans which were sorted by Floren personally and then they discussed it.

Although Velvet Castle was indeed beautiful, he hadn't seen Ramuja for a while. He ordered Ramuja to stay inside Lantern Palace, because Aster didn't want Ramuja to get emotional over his work with literally any man.

'His jealousy is getting more and more ridiculous, last time he got jealous of a guard because I promoted him. I promoted him because we need a new chief to command the guards! Is this what having a relationship feels like?'

'Well, I only need to attend this last party tomorrow and then return back to Lantern Palace.'

This was the first time Aster accepted that regular noble gathering invitation. Because he thought that he would get even more allies there. And the social gathering was explicitly stating that it was meant for the nobles to have fun and talk casually with each other, not to discuss anything political.

The party organizer said that they wouldn't allow any royals to attend the party in order to avoid any political movement inside a noble social gathering.

***

Charles kept his calm gaze in front of these young maidens. He was in a regular gathering party for aristocrats. Honestly, he hated this kind of unnecessary event, but it was important to show their face to the crowd.

Because all these high aristocrats, they were all both powerful and stupid, especially the young nobles. Most of them were spoiled rotten by their family that they couldn't think for themselves, usually, only one out of all the siblings in a noble family was sensible enough and then took the mantle as the patriarch or matriarch for their noble houses.

Besides, he already has a plan.

"Your Highness Crown Prince is still as handsome as ever!" said one girl with a red dress coquettishly, she winked at him. He replied with a light nod and warm smile, "Miss Erina is also as beautiful as always."

The girl called Erina blushed instantly, followed by the giggles of her friends or envious stares from other girls.

Charles was used to this, they were all important subjects for him anyway. Their personal value might be less than zero, but their houses were all important to keep the stability. They were also good enough to follow all his instructions whenever he suggested something, which indirectly benefited him.

A maiden approached Charles and then asked cautiously, "Pardon me, but is it true, Your Highness and Grand Duke Aster are dating?"

Charles stayed silent, he glanced at this maiden that asked this, followed by the girls who were expectant. Charles' lips curled up, "I am but a humble man in love, I do love him, but it seems Aster doesn't love me that much."

"How can it be! Your Highness is perfect in every way! Grand Duke might have an ethereal beauty, but his position is still lower than you! He shouldn't reject you at all," one girl said.

"Yes, besides, Grand Duke is very detached socially. To be very honest, I've never seen him with any friends and he didn't like to get approached too!"

"True, true! Your Highness, may I know if you really got rejected by Grand Duke? Because his expression looked reluctant whenever he faced you," another girl asked.

Charles clenched his fist, but hid it immediately. He shook his head slightly, "He is the one that asked me to marry him, but Aster is a very shy man. I understand that all of you are anxious, but don't worry. We will eventually settle down when he is ready."

"Then, what about your fianc, Helene?" 

"Helene and I are on good terms, but we both agree not to continue the entanglement, because it was arranged by my Father Emperor. I allowed Helene to chase the man of her dream, and I shall chase mine too."

Charles smiled at the girl and asked, "But please, don't hate Aster for not admitting it right now. He is not used to be surrounded by people like this."

Charles then heard one of his fans rush, and she informed immediately to his idol, "YYour Highness, Grand Duke Aster actually came to the party!"

Charles immediately rushed to the main door. Aster was using a slightly yellow doublet and gold embroidered pants. He was standing straight and he got down from the carriage, followed by the unsightly people who tried to approach him and asked him about anything they could think of.

Aster looked disturbed, but dared not to curse them. He showed a smile and answered some questions. He was almost like a celebrity. Charles stared at him and proudly approached Aster. He hugged Aster shoulder to lean to his embrace and then he said, "What is my darling Aster doing here? I know you are very kind, but you have to greet the nobles first.

Aster was surprised with the sudden appearance of Charles. Because he was informed that Charles wouldn't come to this party, thus this party was suitable for him to attend. Who would've known that it was another trick by Charles.

The people were crazy about these couples in love, Grand Duke Aster and Crown Prince Charles, it was like seeing two best men fall in love with each other.

Aster gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw, but continued acting as a good noble and then went inside the palace. When the main door was closed, Aster immediately brushed Charles' hand on her, "You are disgusting."

"Disgusting? What's so disgusting about admitting my love."

"You are deliberately going to spread the rumor about us in love again, right?" Aster accused him.

"Rumor? It's already a fact."

"It will stay as a rumor and will not change."

Charles laughed, and then whispered, 'Listen here, Aster. I'm patient enough to flatter you, but you should know your limit. There are many nobles here, I don't want to use force in front of them.'

Aster gulped and subconsciously nodded. After that night incident, he felt like his fear, anger and this unspeakable feeling of pity muddled into one.

"It's good that you didn't bring your useless servant. Or else, he would ruin the fun," Charles said maliciously. But Aster frowned, "I ordered him to stay and train, what is the use of this noble gathering anyway, they only talk about having fun, without knowing their own risk."

Charles didn't reply, he only smiled and pulled Aster inside the party. The people were shocked when Crown Prince brought this ethereal beauty. It had been a long time since they saw Aster. Because Aster was only available when people wanted to talk about business with him.

"Milord Grand Duke is coming, welcome to the noble party, Milord"

Aster looked around, there were many unrecognizable faces, which made him even more disinterested. As much as he hated to admit it, Charles was indeed the only one he knew.

Charles laughed, not long after, there were a bunch of young maidens who rushed to them and said, "Lord Grand Duke! My god, you are even more amazing than I imagined!"

"Who are you?

"I'm Crown Prince's biggest admirer!"

"No! That's me!" Young maidens fought one after another, trying to claim something unattainable for them. Aster's gaze darkened, he realized that all of them had these admiring eyes to Charles, every single of them, as if they were worshipping him.

'You finally realized it, just now, huh?'

Aster's back shivered, he took a step back as he tried to escape, but Charles was holding him tightly, 'This is not a regular party, this party is hosted by me, filled with my people too.'

These people were Charles' worshippers, and they were ready to do anything as long as it was all instruction from Charles, Aster whispered, 'Fine, what are you trying to do?'

Charles laughed, he escorted Aster to the podium. Aster could see everyone, every face, and surprisingly, most of them were young nobles.

'Erina from House of Tule, Visca from House of Veries' Aster listed them all and he felt dread instantly, "Charles, release me, now."

Charles smiled, he tightened the grip on Aster's hand even more and then kissed him on the lips. He was plundering Aster's lips greedily. Aster was too slow to react that all his lips and inside his mouth were plundered by Charles.

"Taste sweet, as always," Charles said. He laughed while Aster's face was burning in anger. His chest palpitating violently, he punched Charles as hard as he could, but to Charles, it was like a kitten scratch. So cute.

"There you go, everyone! Grand Duke Aster is my lover and is allying with me," Charles announced in front of the crowd, "As a good lover, before striking any deal with him, you should tell me first. Because I want to help him naturally, I don't want any bad proposal to come directly to Aster, understand?"

"Understand, Your Highness."

Charles laughed and then whispered at the stunned Aster, 'Darling, I heard that you are playing some tricks against Rosalie. I don't need her, honestly, but since you cut my connection with the Golden Princess, I believe this is quite fair, right? I cut half of your connections.'

'Why don't you just give up and love me instead? Then we don't need to play the same boring game like this,' Charles kissed Aster's neck gently.

Aster looked at the people who were looking at him and Charles with their admiring sparkly eyes, he gulped. He couldn't say anything to refute. Thus, he stayed silent while bearing the humiliation in his heart.

'Am I really hopeless against him?'