Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 203: Adversary in the Autumn

"Charles accelerated his progress to take the throne?" Aster was listening to the shadow guard who reported the activity around Roagelt, the capital of Golden Camellia.

"Yes, Milord. After your arrival in Lantern Palace, Crown Prince has accelerated his progress, he starting to be even more active in many noble events or peasant festival, according to our informant inside the palace, there are many nobles who went in and out the Golden Palace to meet him," the informant reported everything.

"How about the Emperor himself, he must've noticed this, right?"

It was not right if Uncle Emperor didn't notice this. Charles was known for his grand stage, where he would steal all the attention and left people mesmerized with his absolute charisma. It was impossible if Uncle Emperor didn't take any measure into his consideration.

The informant shook his head, "Emperor Audric IV has been quiet the whole time. He didn't participate in any event nor he had interest in maneuvering his position around the politics of Golden Camellia. He is almost soulless, Milord."

Aster's expression became solemn. He couldn't let Charles ascend smoothly, because it would trouble him even more.

'This should be his revenge after I rejected him again in that castle'

'Is this intentional? He hastens everything so he could destroy my duchy as soon as possible?'

Aster nodded and said to the informant, "You've done a good job, I'll reward you later. My next order would be, try to observe the Golden Palace's court order. If you notice any changes in the ministry, immediately inform me. There is a chance that Charles would shift the court to his favor and then tumble his father with the legal power."

"Understood, Milord," the informant bowed his head obediently and then disappeared.

Aster sighed, he looked outside and noticed that the leaves had turned yellowish, "Autumn is here"

Aster never understands why, but every time something bad happened, it always happened during autumn and winter. He had a bad premonition, but it was logical of course.

Because Charles was indeed the worst enemy you could ever face.

Aster saw Ramuja and Irion training rigorously on the training yard, and he smiled, "But I will not give up. This duchy and everyone in it, I will not fear."

Aster took the quill on the table and started writing a letter directed to a woman, 'To Esther Yvette, Second Princess of North Fort Kingdom.'

***

Mariette was preparing to return back to Great Arctyr. She was Great Princess, the second-in-command in Great Arctyr. Unlikes the Golden Princess in Golden Camellia, Great Princess in Arctyr served as the ruler when both the king or queen were absent.

"How long will you stay here? You know that everyone in Great Arctyr supports you the most, they will be dissatisfied if I ruled for too long, especially the court ministers who keeps begging you to marry their daughters."

Tuskan sighed, he already swore to himself that he would not marry anyone except Aster, so he stayed true to that oath, "I will return when Charles finally releases me from the contract. Also, if I am the one in charge, we cannot help Aster at all. At least, you can still help him in the name of Great Arctyr."

Mariette smiled meaningfully, "You seem to be very concerned about Aster."

Tuskan blushed instantly, "YYou are just imagining, I don't care much about him"

"Eehh just confess that you are in love with him, right?" Mariette teased his brother and chuckled, "No need to deny it, it's all written in your face."

"TThen, if you know it already, just keep this a secret!" Tuskan tried to reprimand his sister. Mariette giggled and hopped inside the carriage. Tuskan closed the door and said, "Take care."

"Tuskan, I am far stronger than you. I should be the one who worries about you," Mariette seemed to be in deep thought for a minute and then continued, "If you want to chase Aster, you must know that he absolutely despises rough and dominating men. Don't be like that guy"

When talking about a rough and dominating man, it immediately reminded Tuskan of Charles, he shook his head, "I will not be like him, trust me."

"I trust you, naturally."

Mariette and Tuskan said their farewell and then the carriage set off. Tuskan was now alone in this mansion in Dionde City. Of course, he was with his men, but he still kept it low. He didn't wear his grand robe or guarded by countless soldiers. He looked like a regular rich noble in the big bustling Dionde City.

Since Tuskan got the notice from Charles that he was accelerating his goal to take the throne, Tuskan had to obey and he had to prepare himself. Because he would be helping Charles whenever possible.

'Well, this is also a good time for me to meet Aster often, I miss him a bit.'

Tuskan blushed immediately when he remembered that moment when Aster kissed him in the Garden in Lantern Palace. Aster's soft lip brushed his lip slightly when he gave him the flower kiss.

Tuskan fiddled with the part where his lips and Aster's touched, "I I want more."

Tuskan fidgeted uncomfortably, whenever he remembered about Aster, his body was hot all over and his mind became mushy.

"Your Majesty, there is a letter from Crown Prince, it is an invitation to Autumn Banquet in Roagelt," his commander entered the room without any permission and briefly saw his powerful great king fidgeted like a maiden in love for a brief moment until he returned back into a cold man.

Tuskan cleared his throat and took the letter, he opened it and read the content briefly and said, "Send the letter that I will definitely attend the banquet."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the commander left the room in a hurry.

'Aster will come too, right? That's the best time to meet him.' Tuskan thought as his mind flew into a wonderland.

***

Lisa and Jon Woods were kneeling deeply in front of Lord Harion, there was a blissful smile plastered in their face. As if they just heard great news.

"Hm? Why are you two coming to my office? Is there something you want to report?" Lord Harion asked. Jon raised his head and replied;

"Yes, Milord, this one and my family will move out from this area, we will resign."

"Resign? What will you guys do? Where will you move out to?" Harion was slightly concerned. Although Lord Harion was mostly silent and observed everything from afar, he always took care of all his workers and subordinates.

He had known Woods Family since his young days, since they already devoted themselves to House of Di Arlingdon for a long time.

"This one's sister, Merry Woods has become very popular in Dionde City, she collected enough money to buy a house in Dionde City. We will move to the city soon, asking for Milord's permission"

'Merry that girl who had a relationship with Ramuja? Didn't they break up already?' Ramuja already said that he would devote himself to Aster, so he broke up with Merry in favor of his master.

'It seems that the girl has already moved on from Ramuja, I guess I can let them off without troubling Aster now.'

"Alright, I will grant you permission to leave my business and I will give you recommendation, so you will be treated fairly by the guards around the borders. I will also prepare a carriage for you two."

Jon and Lisa were very touched with Lord Harion's kindness, they prostrated in front of him and thanked him excessively, "Thanking Milord! Milord is very generous!"

Lord Harion smiled, and then continued, "If you can't find a job in Dionde City, I will put you two in Lantern Palace to work as a servant. I'm sure Aster would gladly accept you."

Again, Lisa and Jon thanked Lord Harion and praised him to the moon and back. Lord Harion scoffed and then told them to leave the room.

Lord Harion was alone in his office, nothing changed after the death of his wife, Camille Di Arlingdon. He still did his job as businessman, although he already transferred almost all his assets to Aster anyway.

It was his heart that had changed. It felt even emptier than before. Harion opened the drawer and took a medium painting of Camille and Aster. When Aster was still a baby, Camille was beside him all the time. Harion decided to hire a painter to paint Camille and baby Aster.

In the painting, Camille was holding baby Aster while Aster was sleeping peacefully. She looked gentle and beautiful as always. She looked a bit tired, but she didn't lose her luster at all.

"At that time, I thought everything would be perfect. You, I, and Aster..." Harion caressed Camille in the painting, "But I know that marrying you means that I have to give up all my freedom, because this is what you are born for, to be the one who balance the power in Golden Camellia."

"Maybe you are ruthless and unforgiving, maybe our son thought so too. But I know that you are protecting him and preparing him to face his fate."

"Camille, our son is doing well, I will help him if I need to. But I know he is surrounded by people that love him too, don't worry about that slave, he is also a prince. His ruined kingdom has been restored after the destruction brought by the royal family. He will be able to protect Aster soon."

"Camille, we fought a lot. But when you are not here it feels a bit lonely."