Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 248: Suspicion

Ramuja landed on the harbor again and then went inside his hiding house near the harbor. When Ramuja opened the shack, he was surprised with the sight of his men ready with their combat armor, even the assassins were already sharpening their knives. When they saw their prince returned unscathed, they were stupefied.

"What are you guys getting ready for?" Ramuja asked.

"MMy Prince! I thought you were already fighting with the soldiers of the Great Arctyr in the royal ship" the commander said. He was already holding his helmet, ready for a war.

Ramuja raised his brows, "I was just visiting my master, I don't wage war on them."

"But My Prince you were so different before, we thought you would kill everyone on your way to Grand Duke Aster. You were really frightening a few hours ago."

Ramuja smiled thin, he shook his head, "I'm sorry for making you worry, I'm fine now. Besides" Ramuja fished out the small box in his pocket and then opened it. The soldiers saw nothing, it was simply an empty ring box.

"I put a ring on it," Ramuja smiled, "Sun Kingdom will have a queen soon."

The soldiers were cheering happily and the house became boisterous, full with anticipation. They took off their combat armor and then congratulated their prince, "My Prince! Congratulations on your engagement!"

"NoNo, I only put the ring on him, so he wouldn't be married to anyone until I can save him," Ramuja blushed slightly. He lowered his head as he observed the empty ring box, 'Milord, I bought this ring with the money I collected to buy my freedom back then. And, I regret nothing.'

After the boisterousness, the commander ordered his men to lower their voice and then bowed to Ramuja, "My Prince, I promise that we will be able to save our future queen, Aster Di Arlingdon!"

Ramuja regained his sense of regal again, he had been kneeling so low for his master that he forgot for a minute that he was still Prince Rama of Sun Kingdom, he nodded and said, "Good."

***

Meanwhile, the celebration for the wedding of Florentino Viete, Marquis of Viete, and Rosalie Anna Camellia, Golden Princess of Golden Camellia was held in Velvet Castle. There were many people attending, from the regular nobles who often attended parties, to new faces that came from faraway kingdoms to congratulate the newly wed Golden Princess.

Although the groom was a very unpopular choice, due to his debauched past, it seemed that the Golden Princess truly loved the marquis. They looked happy together, sharing their first dances and enjoying the wedding party.

The nobles couldn't blame this marriage on the groom and brides, because they truly loved each other. Instead, they blamed it on Emperor Charles. He was the one who bestowed the marriage of the Golden Princess and Marquis Viete.

'The Emperor forced his sister to marry that lascivious marquis, he could have wed the Golden Princess to marry somebody else.'

'Maybe he is trying to slander his sister. Since Golden Princess Rosalie married a wasteful marquis like Florentino, she wouldn't have enough reputation to keep herself high and mighty. Besides, Golden Princess Rosalie really has nothing on her, compared to her predecessor, the late Golden Princess Camille.'

'Yeah, she is already a waste either way.'

Charles heard everything, and he only scoffed. These stupid nobles always saw everything through the value and power. They didn't even see the most basic use of a man and woman. Charles didn't care who Rosalie would marry, but that slut Florentino Viete was her golden circle, he doubted that Rosalie would be willing to bear any child other than with Floren.

'I just need her to complete one simple task, so Aster wouldn't be pressured about children once he became an Empress. After that, Rosalie can die and I could care less about it.'

'Maybe I should do that so there will be no power struggle coming from Rosalie later on' Charles smirked as he developed his plan. He was talking with some high nobles from other countries, and when he faced the Great King of Arctyr, he shook his hand warmly.

"It is a pleasure to meet Great King Tuskan here," Charles said.

Tuskan smiled and responded, "Congratulations for Golden Princess' marriage. I wonder if Emperor Charles will marry soon."

"Oh, I will marry, but I'm waiting for my Empress. He has been a bit stubborn," Charles chuckled, "But it's fine, he will return sooner or later. I will find him and make sure that he will never be able to escape."

Tuskan shuddered. He thought, after half a year of separation between Charles and Aster, he would slowly forget about Aster and moved on. He could just marry anyone and they would kiss his feet out of gratitude.

'Golden circle is truly a terrifying curse'

They talked about trading between Golden Camellia and Great Arctyr, so far, the relations between these two rulers were really good, partly because Great Arctyr helped Emperor Charles to invade Dionde City. It was the thing that made Tuskan feel really guilty towards Aster.

After Charles finished talking with Tuskan, his eagle eyes were looking around. He was waiting for that guy to appear, 'Irion Swordheart, Aster's guard medal subordinate. No matter how you try to disguise yourself, I will know that it's you.'

As his eyes were screening the party, he noticed that Great King Tuskan was making some suspicious gesture. He was sitting on a chair sideways with other guests, but his hands were hanging behind the chair.

Then, a man walked past Great King Tuskan and then his hand brushed with that guy. That guy was wearing quite thick makeup, it wasn't unusual within the noble circle, but it was still frowned upon.

'Tuskan is suspicious, he was always an awkward guy. How could he talk with these people so openly? They are all women from other countries. Also, that guy'

Charles tried to find the guy with thick make up who brushed past Tuskan, but he just vanished into thin air. Charles was getting even more suspicious, he didn't want to suspect Tuskan for hiding Aster. Because the chance was almost impossible. Tuskan helped him destroy Dionde City. Knowing how dedicated Aster was for Dionde City, if Aster was in hiding right now, the last place he would visit was definitely the Great Arctyr.

'Aster is someone with high pride, he would rather die than hide under the guy who helped destroy his city.'

'But there is always possibility for everything' Charles knew that his instinct was rarely wrong, he recalled the next schedule he would have in Great Arctyr, 'I remember that I have to send an envoy to attend the Autumn Festival in Great Arctyr later.'

Charles observed around, and he immediately found the best candidate, "Merry, come here," Charles said. Merry who had been enjoying the party while being surrounded by many men immediately came to Emperor Charles' side.

'Ah, it worked! Emperor Charles must've been jealous because I got flirted with by many men!' Merry was joyful, since the disappearance of Ramuja, she was a bit lonely. Because she lost one of her lovers, temporarily.

'Ah, Ramuja must've been changing his mind now. Instead of fighting for Bitch Aster's freedom, he must be fighting to steal me away from the Emperor!' Merry was dancing in the cloud, not knowing that Charles scoffed at her.

'What a ridiculous woman, but she is really unique indeed. Somehow, wherever she goes, she can stir up some huge trouble without even knowing what she did wrong. She is that epitome of disaster, a good pawn.'

"Why are you letting yourself be surrounded by many men?" Charles asked Merry. He grabbed Merry's hand tightly, "It's very unpleasant to look at."

"DDon't misunderstand, Your Majesty! I don't have any feelings for any of them! I uhm" Merry blushed, she sat beside the Emperor, "I am only loyal to you."

Charles almost crushed this girl's hand, because she dared to sit beside him. He was holding his anger, but she was always getting on his nerves.

"Well, I want you to prove your loyalty to me then. You see, that guy over there" Charles pointed at Tuskan, "He said that you are a gorgeous lady, but he is a very awkward man. He is the Great King Tuskan from Great Arctyr."

Hearing the word 'Great King' and 'Great Arctyr' already made Merry excited. She knew that she was gorgeous, but to also attract a Great King, that was legendary!

'Oh my god, Great King is also very handsome. He is very tall, and he has a gorgeous skin! He will fit well with me!'

'Ah, Prince Rama, Emperor Charles, and now Great King Tuskan, they are all in love with me. What to do should I become the ruler of three big monarchy?'

'I mean, it's inevitable. I am beautiful, I'm also a noble now, and my voice is amazing!'

'Also, it seems Emperor Charles is already accepting that I will also marry other men. His love for me must be really big, because he let me marry other men too'

Charles almost laughed out loud, because he could read everything in Merry's mind. This girl was delusional, but this was the perfect pawn he needed, "You see, I love you so much, but I will never stop you for anything that you want. There will be an Autumn Festival, similar to Autumn Banquet in Great Arctyr later. I will send you as an envoy there. If you want to talk with Tuskan, you have to chase him during that event, since he is very shy. Understand?"

Merry nodded excitedly, "I'm glad that Emperor Charles is fine with me marrying other men too. I know that your love is so great for me," Merry's head was on the cloud, "Thank you, Emperor, for letting me become the future queen of other places too. But I will rule justly!" Merry was already imagining how she would be hailed by three giant kingdoms as their ruler.

'Ah, I am like a heroine in a novel.'