Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 209: Steel Beats Iron

Aster was in his office with Esther Yvette. Esther was sitting properly, lips perked up and bowed her head slightly, "Thanking Grand Duke Aster for inviting me here."

Aster laughed dry, he felt that Esther had changed. Back then, when he was still a Young Lord, Esther would respect him, but would still act informal in front him. But after he became the Grand Duke, it felt like she alienated herself from Aster.

"I feel like I'm talking to another person here," Aster commented lightly. Esther giggled, she also covered her mouth while doing so.

"It is just Milord's imagination. But you are still my higher-up, nonetheless. I cannot just act rashly in front of you, proper etiquette should be maintained, is it not?" Esther explained, which Aster nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, but the reason why I want you to be here, will be more than just maintaining formality with each other," Aster smiled.

"I believe so, there is no reason for you to invite me unless we are going to strike a deal."

Aster and Esther seemed to have a tacit understanding with each other. They nodded together and Aster put his hand under the table and then put a document in front of Esther, "I wonder if Second Princess of North Fort would like to ally with me, will you?"

Esther stared at the enveloped document, she seemed to have thought of something, and then she shook her head, "That depends whether this will be beneficial for both of us, or I will be your puppet. Because I will deny the second choice, obviously."

"That would depend on your perspective," Aster said. He leaned towards Esther and then said in a low voice, "Do you want to topple the country or not?"

The grin on Esther's face seemed to raise a bit more, she also replied in a low voice, "I wonder if it will give me a better position as a woman in my kingdom."

"Oh, it will, if we are successful of course. So, it depends on your commitment," Aster opened the document and showed the contract to Esther, "You only need to sign here and we shall be an ally."

"It seems you are too rash, Milord," Esther's gaze deepened, she glanced at the contract and stared back at Grand Duke Aster, "I will not sign it until we have reached a tacit agreement, I am currently your underling, but doesn't mean that I will jump into a tiger mouth."

"Understandable," Aster closed the document again, and then called his servant, Ramuja, "Give me the recommendation letter on my desk."

"Yes, Milord."

Ramuja returned with a small letter waxed with Grand Duchy Stormhill stamp and wrote, 'Recommendation letter of Esther Yvette,' on the front. Aster slid it to Esther's side and continued the conversation, "This is your recommendation letter, it will give you a spot to any kind of position you want in Dionde City, just tell me. You can also stay in Clearwater Academy as the new headmaster if you are that gutsy too. But I will not guarantee whether you will survive or not."

Esther stared at the letter, now her firm ideal started shaking. This recommendation letter specifically made for her by the one and only Grand Duchy Stormhill, was like a gold mine to anyone in Clearwater Academy.

Grand Duke Heroin never had any recommendation letter, while the late Grand Duchess Camille made some, but the people that she recruited disappeared the next day, even their record in Clearwater Academy was erased.

For Esther, she had been living as the Second Princess of North Fort Kingdom, her position was basically nothing. She was not a man, and she was not the first child like her older sister, Helene. She was not a prominent soldier like Helene either. She was basically a weak child that was lucky enough to be born as a princess.

But that was it. She had nothing to boast about.

She knew that Grand Duke Aster was not a simple man. This guy said that he wanted to topple Golden Camellia lightly, as if it was like flipping the table, 'Since he has just started, then that means he is going to topple Crown Prince Charles' era. That guy is so powerful, I don't know if it's wise to fight against him.'

"Still not convinced?" Aster raised his brow.

"I am considering it," Esther said.

"Well, remember that your sister is already a devout follower of Crown Prince Charles, so North Fort will obediently follow your sister as the future queen. Do you want your kingdom to be the lap dog of Charles?"

"I do not," Esther replied curtly. The last thing that she wanted was seeing her beloved kingdom become the lap dog of the Crown Prince. While it was true that the Crown Prince never treated her kingdom badly, the Crown Prince would only use the kingdom's manpower for war and suppressing the others.

Because Crown Prince Charles was praised for his bravery and his power to conquer many countries already. They got rich because Golden Camellia colonized half of the world. The soldiers were ruthless to the bone, and would suck the resource of the colonized country until there was nothing left.

'I don't condone colonization; it is just another way to survive. But if he only went to conquer again and again, then North Fort would have no one to protect our own kingdom.'

North Forth Kingdom was located far north, while other soldiers could guard the kingdom well from the barbarians, they were not suited to live in such cold places. At most, they could only survive for a while before returning to their warm and fuzzy blanket.

"What is your plan?" Esther asked.

The grin on Aster's face seemed to have a hint of maliciousness, "Betray your own kingdom."

"WHAT?!"

"Yes, betray your own kingdom," Aster hummed lightly, "I want you to make a deal with the barbarian of the north."

"WWhy would I do that? This is ridiculous!" Esther reacted wildly, which was understandable. She loved her kingdom so much to even consider treachery.

"Relax, this is for the greater good," Aster said. He leaned back to his chair and tapped the armrest with his finger, "The barbarian never gives up, right?"

"Yes, they never surrender. Because our kingdom has eternal winter, we have never been able to track their whereabouts. Every time they run away inside the snow storm, they just disappear from our sight, and it's too risky to chase them."

"That's why, they make the perfect diversion," Aster explained carefully, "Make sure that your kingdom has finally been desecrated by the barbarian by the time I command you to do so, I will send some of the skilled soldiers from Arion and have them to be your 'loyal' follower. They will be the one who defend the kingdom while the North Fort soldiers are leaving the kingdom to help Crown Prince Charles. You will be regarded as the hero, and your position would naturally elevate."

"Milord, this is crazy"

"Indeed, but this is the perfect way to ruin the powerful image of Charles Audric Camellia, the soon-to-be Emperor Audric V. People would think that Charles is so ambitious that he forgot about his own empire."

Esther's palms were sweating. She never knew that the seemingly innocent Grand Duke of Stormhill could have a solid plan to ruin a Great Empire like this, "Milord, if this fails"

"Trust me, it will not. But if it does, somehow, then I will be the one who safe you and your kingdom," Aster tried to give Esther that sense of security.

"Also, about the soldiers of Arion did you?"

"Yes, Duchess of Arion is my ally," Aster nodded. The confidence that Grand Duke Aster exuded was amazing enough to make her unable to think correctly. As if this man in front of her had the power to force her to sign the contract.

'If he really has Duchess of Arion and the legendary soldiers of Arion, then it should be more than fine...'

Soldiers of Arion were as amazing as the best soldiers could be. All of them were skilled fighters, had the perfect obedience, great killing machines and their descendants also inherited the blood of the legendary soldiers.

Duchy Arion had always had the best military power in Golden Camellia, but after General Wirgard fell ill, they only followed the powerful Mistress of Arion, Merse Thana.

Merse Thana was ruthless and cruel, but she had a deep sense of justice. Since she knew that the political circle of Golden Camellia was very toxic and cutthroat, cutting ties with all of its previous allies was the correct choice to do. 

Because everyone wanted to have the power of Arion.

"How did you ally with her? She is known to be very difficult"

"Of course, I have my own way," Aster grinned, "But Arion is in my hand, I just don't want them to die meaninglessly if the Crown Prince knows about this. So, will you sign?"

Aster opened the document again and gave the quilt to Esther. Esther stared at the document for a while, and then decided to sign it.

Aster nodded with satisfaction, "A smart choice."

"I trust you to direct me, we shall be partners," Esther extended her hand. They shook hands in agreement.

***

Esther returned back to Clearwater Academy after they reached an agreement. Irion who knew about the plan had something in his mind, "Milord, may I know why do you choose Esther instead of her older sister, Helene? Helene might be on Charles' side right now, but there is always a chance."

Aster grinned, "Steel beats Iron."

"Do you mean that Esther is stronger than her sister, Helene?" Irion asked.

"I've observed how Esther dealt with the pressure in Clearwater Academy. She is the dean of Clearwater Academy, she doesn't have any backing at all, even her kingdom turned their back on her. But she is able to control everyone and even the royal family couldn't shake her position, do you think she is simple?

"No, Milord. I'm sorry for doubting your choice."

Irion stepped back, and not long after, Aster ordered him to leave. There were only Ramuja and Aster inside the room, Aster glanced at Ramuja who looked restless and asked, "You missed our daily walk today, what happened?"

"Pardon me, Milord, it's about the new maid called Merry"