Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 215: Unfavorable Situation

Aster had a headache for a few days already. He had been trying his best to stay afloat amidst Charles' aggressive intervention. Charles had been accelerating his quest to usurp the throne far too aggressive for Aster to handle.

'First, he already cut my connection with Gaum. He took over the control for Fulk, the shortcuts I planned are all closed off for Duchy Arion. And I can't use Viete's road, because Floren is in a 'relationship' with Rosalie. I cannot raise the suspicion of the Golden Princess.'

'What is he doing targeting me anyway? There are a lot of other houses to suppress, I'm not even on his father's side!'

Aster ruffled his hair in frustration. He threw the gold quill to the floor and then stood from his chair. He left his office and walked around the corridor to calm his nerves.

He paced around the corridors of Lantern Palace, from one side to another, then he stopped in front of a room that he had never visited for almost ten years, probably more than that.

The door was carved with a small deer and a bunny playing together, depicting a happy time, cartoonish indeed. Aster chuckled, 'I still remember I keep talking to these two carved figures, uh the deer's name was Bimbi and the bunny was Jack.'

Aster would usually ask for Bimbi and Jack's permission to enter the room, as if they were the guardian of the room. Aster laughed, "Miss Bimbi, Mr Jack, I want to enter!" Aster spoke with the carved images in the way he used to speak it back when he was just a five-year-old.

He twisted the knob and the door was opened, Aster hopped as he entered the room, maybe the stress made him do ridiculous things, but he would love to revisit his old playing room, "Aster is here! Let's play everyone~!"

The toys that he had played when he was a kid were scattered around in the purple carpet. Toy swords, toy houses, toy soldiers, blocks, dolls, all kinds of toys. In the middle of everything, a big, bear-like figure was sitting dumbly. He was holding two toy soldiers that were actually too small for his big and rough hands.

Aster was staring at Ramuja astonished, while Ramuja was staring at his master dumbly.

The situation was indeed very awkward.

"WWWhat are you doing here?!" Aster pointed at Ramuja, his face was beet red. He remembered that he actually talked to the figures on the door, and even hopped to go inside. Ramuja must've heard and saw everything.

Ramuja was still sitting dumbly, trying to process the situation. He put down the toy soldier carefully and tiptoed, so he didn't step on any toys. After a while, Ramuja finally got out of the swarm of toys and then kneeled in front of his master, "MMilord, what are you doing here"

"THAT WAS MY LINE!"

"I uh I was just checking the room, Milord," Ramuja replied, of course it was not convincing enough. Looking at all the toys that were scattered around, Ramuja must've taken his time here to play with everything.

"Did you actually played with all my toys?"

Ramuja was ashamed, he kneeled deeper, almost prostrating and murmured softly, "Yes, Milord"

Aster facepalmed, "It's been a week since our date, and you said you are busy training with Irion. Is this your training? This is the reason why you couldn't attend me for a week straight?"

" pardon this servant, Milord" Ramuja replied softly.

Actually, Aster wasn't mad at all, but it was just so ridiculous that he had to process everything in his brain.

A twenty-year-old man, playing with all these toys every day for a week straight without a break, what kind of joke was that?

Ramuja seemed to notice the ridiculing eyes of his master, he started speaking, "Milord, this servant has never seen so many weird toys. Back then, in my real hometown, my only toy was a spinning top. When I was brought here, I never saw any toys anymore. I'm sorry for being childish, Milord."

Aster looked at Ramuja's deeply ashamed kneel, he sighed and then turned his back, "Go play, but return all the toys back to the chest after you are done."

"MMilord" Ramuja wanted to interfere, but Aster walked out and closed the door. Aster peeked from the window, this window was used by his parents to watch over him while he was playing.

Ramuja was standing still, seemingly in big dilemma. He looked around, and then decided to sit between the toys and played again.

Aster smiled and walked away from the corridor.

'It's a bit ridiculous, but Ramuja seems to be having fun with so many toys.'

Aster sighed, 'But it's been a week since we have our time together, he's just playing with toys the whole time. This is just like dad did, he would spend days without talking to anyone, adorning his weapon collection.'

Aster was grieving in his heart. Just when he was about to return back to the office, a man appeared in front of him and kneeled, "Milord, I have news."

Aster was startled, but he quickly fixed his countenance and asked, "What is it?"

"Crown Prince got the support from North Fort, since he already got the support of half of the noble houses in Golden Camellia, I believe he will usurp the throne soon."

Aster took a heavy breath, he had been thinking about this, but this called for a plan B, "Irion, follow me."

Irion followed his master back to the office, Aster sat on his chair again and then took a new blank paper and took another gold quill. He started writing something with full concentration. After a while, he wiped his sweat with a tissue and then handed the letter to Irion.

"This is my will to transfer, in case the situation went out of control, I will transfer the power over my shadow guards and all matters that I hid from the public eyes to you. Of course, I have my father to transfer all my visible wealth in case something happens to me, he is still eligible to lead anyway," Aster said solemnly.

Irion read the will of transfer, and his hand was shaking horribly. He looked at his master with his lips slightly trembling, "MMMilord, nothing nothing will happen to you! You will be okay! I promise that you will be alright!"

Irion was looking at the will of transfer again and it felt like his eyes were burning, he wanted to tear this piece of paper, "YYou will not need this paper, Milord!"

Aster was looking at Irion's exaggerated reaction, it was understandable that Irion or Ramuja would be frantic if he gave this letter to any of them. Because it was basically a way to transfer over your power after your death.

But Aster seemed to have something in his mind, he had the bad feeling that a terrible omen would happen soon. Maybe it was just a feeling, but it was better to be prepared in any situation.

"I will not die, but in case something happens, I just want my people to stay united. Because I will never give up. As long as my blood is still running, I will not give up," Aster said resolutely. Which pacified Irion a bit, but he was still anxious.

"Milord, I will tighten the security around the Lantern Palace from now on, you don't need to panic!" Irion said anxiously.

Aster chuckled, "It's you who are panicked. Relax, I will find a way to deal with Charles," Aster stood from the chair and took the letter that he stored inside a drawer near the window, "Anyway, I've heard the news about Winter Feast, they said they are going to held the Winter Feast in Lantern Palace this year, is it right?"

"Yes, Milord. The envoy from the Golden Palace said to me that the Emperor would like to host the Winter Feast in Lantern Palace," Irion explained.

"Hm after the incident in Autumn Banquet, it would be quite distasteful for Uncle Emperor to host another grand ball in Golden Palace," Aster hummed slightly, and then said, "Alright, say to the envoy that Grand Duchy Stormhill will host the Winter Feast, but I want the feast to be held in the Dionde City Main square, we can use the Dionde Grand Hall for the aristocrats, and the peasants will also be able to enjoy Winter Feast with free meal in the street."

"Milord, It will be really expensive"

"Yes, I will fund the Winter Feast. Don't worry, I have more than enough to host thirty more similar Winter Feasts before I have to rethink, just say it to the envoy."

"Understood, Milord."

Irion left the room and hastily went to meet Golden Palace's envoy. Aster was staring at the scenery outside his office solemnly, 'This is the only way Charles wouldn't do a sudden intervention during the feast, because the public eyes are all on him. He has to think twice before raiding the main square with his men.'

'This is also the way for me to promote the vast disparity of wealth between the Royal Family and Grand Duchy. I may have nothing more than money, but I have plenty for them to shut up.'

Aster sighed, "The situation is quite unfavorable now."