Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 221: The Last Winter Feast III

Aster was sulky during the party, everyone was eating, chatting some were going to the dance floor and started dancing with their spouse or new partner. It was like a regular Winter Feast where all you had to worry about was whether your stomach had enough room to eat more.

But for Aster, all of this happiness was just a mirage that soon would shatter. He glanced at Charles whom, since the moment the Winter Feast started, hadn't let go of Aster's hand at all. Charles grinned, "Are you nervous?"

"Not really," Aster chuckled mirthlessly, he gave a sharp glare at Charles and then looked away. There was no use of fighting against him right now anyway, maybe it was just because Charles was too powerful and cunning, or maybe he was just too stupid to outfox this guy. He still lost in the end.

Charles caressed Aster's cheek in front of the crowd like it was nothing and whispered, 'It will be painless, in a blink of an eye, everything will end, and you will be my Empress.'

Aster clicked his tongue in annoyance and ignored Charles, he looked around, trying to spot the soldiers that would raid the Winter Feast. Dionde City was a military-free zone, it was forbidden by law to wage a war inside Dionde City, because this city was a neutral economic capital of Golden Camellia.

However, because of this, Dionde City didn't have any soldiers to defend against any attack, the city relied on the soldiers sent by the Emperor to defend against any foreign attack.

'Of course, it only applies against foreign attacks, what about internal attacks? From the Crown Prince himself?'

Aster sneered, he had to admit that Charles was skillful enough to use Dionde City as the battlefield. Because Emperor Ludwig didn't bring many soldiers with him anyway, because it would scare the Diondians.

'He also knows that most Diondians are city people who are not capable of defending their house against foreign attack, they are mostly peaceful business people.'

Charles laughed at Aster, he knew that his sweet Aster must've been trying to spot the soldiers that would raid the party soon. He leaned to Aster and said, 'They are not here, because you see, I know that you are working with Merse Thana. Some of her legendary soldiers are guarding outside. I will have to attack your citizens first, so Merse is forced to use her soldiers to rescue the people before they got massacred.'

'Now, it's really up to you, my Sweet Aster. Will you use her legendary soldiers to save your people, or to save yourself? It is your choice in the end.'

'Oh, also, don't try to stop Merry's song. If you dare to do it, I will give no mercy all the people of Dionde, and you will know how Dionde has turned scarlet red tonight.'

Aster's hand trembled in both anger and fear, he wanted to get up from his seat and started rescuing his citizen, but Charles gripped his hand hard, so hard that he could hear the bones cracked slightly.

Aster winced in pain, "Llet go"

Charles smiled meaningfully, where do you want to go? The party isn't over yet, no, the main attraction has yet to be delivered. You are the host of the Winter Feast, you should enjoy the party."

"Charles, you are a sick bastard," Aster said harshly. Charles only replied with a light smile.

"It is you who make me like this. But I will never hurt you, trust me," Charles replied gently. But in his gentle tone, the maliciousness was unveiled, which made Aster shivered.

The noble guests were enjoying, but amidst the good atmosphere, a man was standing still, directly staring at Aster. The glass in his hand cracked as he tried to hold his anger, his eyes were pained.

'I'm sorry, Aster. My contract with Charles only gives you pain,' Tuskan put the glass on the table and looked at his pocket watch, 'Almost time.'

Tuskan walked to the throne and gave a respectful nod towards Emperor Ludwig, "Your Majesty, I have to leave now, it has been a pleasure staying in Golden Camellia for a visit."

Emperor Ludwig gave a light smile and stood from his throne, he shook hands with Tuskan and said, "When the time comes, please come back to Golden Camellia again, you still have an unfinished business, right?"

Tuskan was a bit surprised with the Emperor's words, 'Does he know about Charles' plan? What is he going to do? Or he is'

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

Tuskan didn't want to speculate for now, what he needed to do now was to save his loved one, he walked towards Aster who was sulky the whole time. There was a trace of anxiety in his face, which only pained Tuskan even more, he bowed his head lightly, "Grand Duke Aster, thank you for your hospitality, Dionde City is really a nice city. I would love to stay for a long time, but I have my duty."

Aster stared at Tuskan for a moment and immediately said, "Thank you for your visit, but you need to leave now."

'You want me to leave now, is it to save me from the incoming massacre? What about you? Your life is at stake, and you still have your people and your friends in your mind.'

'Aster, sometimes, I wish you can be more selfish, ignore your duty.'

Tuskan nodded, "Yes, I shall leave."

Tuskan ignored Charles and immediately left the party. The party continued, until at one point, Charles stood up and said, "We have a special performance from the popular Diva of Dionde, Merry Wood!"

Aster's breath stagnated, the chatter was no more as Merry stepped up to the stage. Merry glanced at the Emperor and bowed deeply, she glanced at the Crown Prince and did the same, but she didn't bow at Grand Duke Aster at all.

Merry cleared her throat and opened her mouth with, "I shall sing a new song, this is called The Dream of Flowerbed."

Merry opened her mouth and started singing.

 ~ In my dream, I met you in the Flowerbed.

 You were beautiful, when the moon showered upon you, you were ethereal.

 You laid on the flowerbed, hugging me tightly,

 Singing a song about our pure love. ~

Everyone was enjoying the song, it was beautiful as always, Merry had the voice that could hypnotize the people, since it was really beautiful, like a mermaid song. And then, Merry's expression changed, it became malicious and she continued;

 ~ I was just a sex slave, but you shake your ass to me.

 You suck my cock, lasciviously begging me to stuff it inside.

 You are my lord, my master, my bitch.

 You are Aster Di Arlingdon, Bitch Duke of Stormhill who shake his ass to a sex slave. ~

Everyone gasped in horror as Merry seemed to be unbothered with her vulgar song that directly accused Grand Duke Aster. Everybody looked at Aster whose face went pale, blood had been drained from his body. He swallowed his saliva a few times, but it got stuck in his throat. He wanted to stop her, but Charles bound him with his threat.

 ~ 'Oh, a poor bitch lord, not knowing that his sex slave is lying to him.

 His mother tried to warn him plenty of times, but he is busy with his stupidity.

 Just like what she said once,

 Ramuja and Merry have been dating for years behind your back, he lied to you the whole time. ~

The last sentence shook Aster greatly, he felt like his head was pounded by a thousand hammers and soon, his eyes changed colour. Black, Golden, Black, Golden, repeatedly.

"He lied to me?"

Soon, Aster's couldn't see anything, but he could still move his body. Everything was pitch black in front of him.

'He lied to me, lied to me, lied to me.'

'He really did, didn't he? It's just me who is in denial.'

'But what does it matter in the end.'

'Because I love him, so I will forgive him, all of his sin. Because I love him. I love him. I love him. I love Ramuja.'

Charles saw the change in Aster, he thought Aster had fainted, since he was unresponsive. He grinned and commanded, "ATTACK!"

In a few minutes, countless soldiers swarmed the Grand Ballroom of Dionde, the noble guests were scared and confused. They gathered together, trying to protect the ladies and kids.

"ATTACK THE PEOPLE OF DIONDE CITY, DESTROY LANTERN PALACE AND THAT SEX SLAVE CALLED RAMUJA!" Charles commanded loudly.

Lady Merse who was inside the Grand Ballroom was going to use her legendary soldiers to protect Aster, but when she heard the loud cries from the citizens of Dionde City, she commanded, "Protect the people, Grand Duke Aster wants you to protect the people of Dionde city!"

The legendary soldiers obediently went to the city and protected the citizens of Dionde City. Charles laughed maniacally, "You are mine Aster, everything about you is mine!"

Aster, whose body was getting weaker, finally stood from his chair and walked to the front weakly. He was blind, everything was pitch black in front of him, but his instinct moved his body.

"I must protect my people Ramuja my duchy I must" Aster said weakly as he tried to move his body as hard as he could, tears dropped from his blind eyes.

"I am sorry"

Aster couldn't maintain his consciousness any longer and he finally fainted.