Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 204: Autumn Banquet in Golden Palace

Aster was staying inside his mansion in Roagelt, the capital of Golden Camellia. He was surrounded by two stylists that tried to give him the best apparel for the autumn banquet, they were supposedly the best tailor and stylist in Dionde City which he brought to Roagelt so they could style him before the banquet.

This was a protocol held by Grand Duchy or any high aristocrat houses. There would be stylists and tailors that catered to their apparel, so they always looked good in every public occasion.

Aster was no difference, at first, he tolerated these two people, but it had been three hours and they hadn't decided which one for him to wear. They kept repeating the same thing over and over;

"This one is good on Milord, he is amazing in diamonds!"

"No! He is better in gold! Don't you see how pale his skin is? Diamonds will only make his skin too pale!"

"Are you crazy? Too much gold is tacky! Milord has this aloof aura! Don't you want him to look untouchable and classy?!"

The vein in Aster's temple popped, he yelled at them, "You two, go out! I will pick one myself!"

The tailor and stylist were shocked, but when they saw the time, they finally realized that they already wasted so much time arguing. Usually, they were very synchronized with their choice, but this was the first time they dressed the new Grand Duke.

It was astonishing that Grand Duke Aster basically fit any kind of clothing as long as it didn't look rough, though he did fit a rough and edgy style, but it wasn't proper for a nobleman like him.

They apologized and left the room. Aster took a deep breath to calm himself, he saw the clothes that were scattered around and frowned. He found everything to be either tacky or plain.

He looked around to find other good clothes, but he spotted Ramuja instead. He was standing near the door, gazing at him for three hours, but when their eyes met, Ramuja immediately lowered his head.

An idea suddenly popped in Aster's head. He called Ramuja, "Ramuja, come here."

Ramuja approached and kneeled to his master, "Yes, Milord."

"Pick me one garment for Autumn Banquet, we only have one hour before we have to go."

Ramuja stared at his master intently and he thought in his heart, 'Milord is better without any garment at all.'

Ramuja shook his head immediately to dispel his perverted mind, he looked around and then glanced at his master who looked at him expectantly, 'Everything you wear is good, Milord.'

Honestly, Ramuja was unsure himself. Because it was true that his master really fit any kind of clothing. His physique was beautifully slender with a hint of fragility, and his face was stunning, yet it didn't show any weakness, especially with his deep eyes and calm, prideful gait.

Ramuja imagined his master stomping him with a boot and whipping his back, his body seemed to be a bit excited. He spotted tight leather pants and slim fit, scarlet colored doublet that would exactly exhibit all his lord's body features. He picked it for his master.

"This is your choice?" Aster was slightly surprised, Ramuja nodded, "Well, you do have a great taste."

***

The Golden Palace was twice bigger than Lantern Palace, which was already huge by the world standard. It was adorned with a lavish gold gate that lasted for hundreds of years, and many golden statues. It was indeed the epitome of a wealthy country.

The banquet was held in both the Roagelt square for the peasant, and inside the closed gate of Golden Palace for the aristocrats. Aster's carriage entered the gate and he was greeted by the sight of the guards guarding the pathway.

The banquet was held in the open space of the main courtyard. There was a great amount of food and drinks served for all guests.

In the autumn banquet, personal guard was not allowed. So, Aster ordered Ramuja and Irion to watch over the tower, just like other guards from other houses. Aster opened the carriage door and the people already gasped in awe, as always.

Aster was used to the stares and gasps, so he ignored them nonchalantly and walked straight to Uncle Emperor who sat solemnly on a throne.

People gasped because of how alluring Grand Duke Aster looked. He was already a top-class beauty in the entire country, everybody knew that, but today, he looked alluring and dangerous.

Grand Duke Aster's hair was combed back neatly, he wore tight leather pants, a slim fit doublet that really showed his body. The doublet was scarlet colored, with golden buttons and he wore a dark red rose choker. Coupled with his cold countenance, it made him similar to a rose. Alluring and tempting, but undoubtedly dangerous with his thorns.

Aster smirked and bowed his head slightly, "I am here to pay respect for the powerful Emperor Audric IV, may Golden Camellia prosper until the last eternal petal falls."

Emperor Ludwig was staring at his nephew from head to toe, his smirk, his confidence, his absolute beauty to shock people. It reminded him of his beloved big sister Camille. For the first time during the whole banquet, the Emperor finally smiled, "I heard that Dionde City is in great condition after you become the ruler, you inherit many of your mother's traits."

"Thank you, Uncle Emperor."

Charles was standing beside the throne, he was gazing deeply at Aster. His fist clenched, 'These people, they dared to see Aster's alluring display freely like this. I will gouge their eyeballs!'

'Why is Aster wearing this kind of alluring garment anyway. He just invited many people to drool over him!'

Aster glanced at Charles, and he also grinned at him, "Crown Prince Charles is here too, you look very gallant and handsome as always."

Charles's chest palpitating, he grabbed Aster's hand in front of the Emperor and asked, "Why are you wearing this?"

Aster acted confusedly, but there was no fear in his eyes, "It is a statement. Please let go, this is very improper in front of Your Majesty."

Emperor Ludwig's eyes turned black when he saw this. He heard the news that Charles and Aster were a pair of lovers and the people already accepted them as a pair of lovebirds, which was ridiculous.

'If I and my sister can't be together, they shouldn't be!'

Aster glanced at Uncle Emperor's dark gaze and he sneered in his heart. After reading the note from his mother, he finally noticed how mentally unstable Uncle Emperor really was.

- My brother, Ludwig, Emperor Audric IV, is actually very childish and petty. You should play around this to induce some dissonance. -

Charles couldn't care less about his father. He was really mad because Aster was carelessly taunting him like this. He really hated it when Aster was not under his control, "Are you deliberately taunting me like this?"

He put on some force on his grip as he wanted to drag Aster. He wanted to rip Aster's clothes and get him a regular big tunic, so no one would be able to see Aster's body at all.

Even better, he wanted to lock Aster in his room, so no one would be able to see him at all.

Instead of being scared, Aster smiled, "Don't be rough, there are a lot of people here. I don't want them to see you as a rough man."

Charles finally noticed how everyone's eyes were on them. He gritted his teeth and let go Aster's hand. The people actually saw this as a sweet moment between Charles and Aster. Aster was alluring everyone with his clothes, but it only made Charles jealous.

'I know what they are thinking, but this is a golden opportunity to make Charles restless. He is a man full of control and command. As soon as something is not in line with his prediction, he becomes more and more restless.'

Aster left aggravated Charles and the Emperor who was also in deep thought. He lazily leaned on a wall and sipped on a light wine, 'Phew, glad I researched a bit about this. This one is very light in alcohol, so I should be able to hold it.'

Everybody stared at Aster, but nobody dared approaching him, because he always looked detached and cold. But today, they didn't dare to approach because they could feel the dangerous aura around him.

And then, a man approached him, he wore a raven colored velvet vest which complemented his raven hair. He smirked at Aster as he picked a rose and presented it in front of Aster, "This beautiful rose for a beautiful man," he bowed lightly.

Aster saw the blood dripping from the man's finger and he said, "You are bleeding from the thorn."

"I know, isn't that very novel? I'm plucking a beautiful rose, but I have to hurt myself to pluck it, just like when I meet you. Isn't that right, my dear Aster?" he showed his handsomely devilish smirk, "Or have you forgotten about me?"

Aster smiled and accepted the rose, "Of course not, how could I forget the one that had helped me to return to Grand Duchy, isn't that right, King Gaum?"