Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 250: Nineteenth Birthday

"You don't need to do this, Tuskan. This is really unnecessary, you have a lot of documents to work on today, right?" Aster pulled Tuskan's sleeve. Although he couldn't see, he could hear the maids entering his room and loud chatters filled his room. They were preparing for his birthday today.

"What do you mean unnecessary?" Tuskan frowned, he had been busy planning Aster's birthday in this room. It would be attended by only two people, Tuskan and Mariette. But this was the least that he could do, because Aster turned nineteen today.

"You don't have to do this, my guests would only be you and Mariette anyway," Aster said. Tuskan sighed and continued ordering the maids around for the decoration. It took four hours until everything was ready, and the cake was brought to the room. It was a tall, three-levels cake befitting for a high aristocrat birthday.

Mariette came to the room a bit late, when she arrived, everything had been settled. Tuskan led Aster to a chair near the cake and then looked at Mariette, "Perfect time, we are about to start."

Mariette laughed out loud, she pointed at Aster's dazed expression, "Tuskan, you are more excited about Aster's birthday than Aster himself! Look at his expression!"

Tuskan glanced at Aster who was still dazed. He was wearing a funny hat that was similar to what a kid would use during their birthday. Tuskan felt funny himself, "Ahahaha, I just want Aster to be happy for his nineteenth birthday!"

Mariette drew near Aster and then said, "Aster, congratulations on your birthday today. I know that you are unhappy because of the situation, but at least you still have both of us, is that okay?"

Aster finally responded, he smiled at Mariette's direction and replied, "It's fine, you guys did more than necessary to be honest. But I appreciate it a lot."

Aster pulled Mariette's sleeve, so Mariette's cheek was at the same level as Aster's face. Aster pecked Mariette's cheek lightly, "Thank you."

Aster grabbed Tuskan's sleeve on his left, he also did the same and kissed Tuskan's cheek, but it missed slightly and Aster kissed the end of Tuskan's lips instead, "You too, Tuskan."

Mariette felt that her heart turned soft. She never had this kind of little brother in her life. Because Tuskan had a hard shell, he was born to rule and was raised as a tough king in the future. There was no sign of Tuskan kissing her cheek or cuddling her like a dependent little brother.

Mariette hugged Aster from behind and then showered him with kisses on the cheek, "Ahhh! Aster, you are so cute! You should be my twin brother instead! I will spoil you to death!"

Aster was a bit surprised with Mariette's sudden intimacy, but he accepted it. After what Mariette did for him and Ramuja, he had a solid respect for Mariette. She was commanding, firm, but did not abuse her power at all.

Meanwhile, Tuskan was silent, but his hot gaze penetrated through Aster's consciousness, Aster asked, "Tuskan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Tuskan casted his eyes down. He was afraid that staring at Aster for too long would be bad for his heart. There was an awkward silence for a few minutes, Mariette broke the silence by cutting the head of the cake and put it in front of Aster, "This is the head of the cake with candle, I'll sing for you."

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Aster~ Happy birthday to you~ Go make a wish and blow the candle."

Aster giggled, he blew the candle in front of him and the excited claps from Mariette filled the room, "Congratulations for your nineteenth birthday! What is your wish?"

Aster grinned, "It's something unachievable for the time being, it's not worth mentioning."

Mariete knew what was in Aster's mind, but decided to play it dumb and ignored it. Meanwhile, Tuskan was still silent, he still gazed at Aster. Although Aster was blind currently, but somehow, Tuskan felt that Aster could read all his thoughts.

He felt that Aster already knew everything within his heart, which made Tuskan feel vulnerable.

Mariette took the knife and then held Aster's hand, she cut the cake with Aster and then said, "Do you want to give the first slice to me or Tuskan?"

"Tuskan," Aster said without hesitation. Mariette pouted, "I thought we are closer than this, I feel betrayed," she joked. She pulled Tuskan who was dazed to Aster's side and then ordered Tuskan to kneel, so he was at the same level as Aster who was sitting.

Tuskan was unsure whether Aster chose him first because there were only two people on his birthday, or there was something more about it. "Open your mouth, Tuskan," Aster said. Tuskan opened his mouth and ate the small slice of cake from the fork.

"Aster, may I ask you something?" Tuskan opened his voice suddenly.

"Hm? What is it?"

"If" Tuskan gulped. He had been thinking about this for so long, but when faced with Aster's curious expression, it got him chickened out. Tuskan clenched his fist, 'Don't be the loser that will never say his love! Aster is your first love, you must try it! Man up, Tuskan!'

Tuskan took a deep breath and then continued, "If you are to be the Great Queen of Arctyr, would you accept the proposal?"

There was silence for one minute, two minutes, three minutes, both Mariette and Aster were completely stunned with Tuskan's question. No, rather than a question, this was an indirect marriage proposal!

"TTuskan, what in the world?!" Mariette reacted first, she wanted to pull Tuskan away, but he seemed to have a firm resolution in his heart, he continued, "Think about it, once you have becoming the Great Queen of Arctyr, you will have enough power to show up again in the public, you will definitely be accepted by the people of Great Arctyr. You can also return back to Golden Camellia without fearing Charles anymore"

Aster was stupefied, but he was not completely surprised. Because he knew that Tuskan loved him, it was just a matter of time that Tuskan would propose to him. But Tuskan proposed on his nineteenth birthday instead, 'So bold'

"So you are proposing to me?" Aster asked.

"More or so yes," Tuskan nodded firmly. He was ready for rejection, he knew that Aster's heart was already occupied, but he didn't want to lose before fighting. He didn't want to regret his cowardliness. He waited for a reply from Aster, but what he got was silence instead. Aster seemed to be in a huge dilemma in his head.

Aster bit his lip, 'I don't want to break his heart Tuskan is far too kind, I don't want to be the heartless bastard who destroyed the heart of my biggest benefactor'

'But I don't want to marry him either. Because because I'm already engaged with Ramuja, I think'

Aster took a deep breath and then replied, I'm not sure, but we have plenty of time, right? I don't want to marry someone out of the blue, the best answer I can provide is that, I will think about it. Is that enough for you?"

"Yes," Tuskan nodded firmly again. This was far better than he expected, because he expected an outright rejection from Aster.

'So that means, I still have a chance,' Tuskan thought. Mariette was looking at this scene from the side and she sighed;

'It was clear that Aster just didn't want to hurt Tuskan's feelings. I know that his heart has been taken by Prince Rama. As much as I want to support my brother, I can't lie that Aster and Prince Rama's love is different.'

Mariette said nothing and acted as if nothing had happened, she tried to shift the topic, "How about we play some games?"

***

It was a tiring day for Aster, but it was fun. Because he got to celebrate his nineteenth birthday, although he did it in the Great Arctyr with only Mariette and Tuskan as the guests. But he was happy.

'I just wish that Ramuja is here though'

Aster recalled his wish, his wish was very simple indeed, he just wanted to see Ramuja again. He finally met him about a month ago, but it was barely a reunion due to the restriction.

When midnight came, the moon was at its peak and the balcony was opened. Aster was immediately awakened by the sound and he asked, "Who's there?"

A man approached Aster and then knelt in front of him, "Milord, I am Prince Rama's subordinate. I've been watching over you from time to time because Prince Rama wants to know about your wellbeing here."

"He said that he really wants to come for your birthday, but he is not really good at stealth and he has been sleeping for more than three days now."

"Three days?! What happened?" Aster was panicked. He thought that everything would be fine until their next plan, but Ramuja slept for three days means that something was wrong.

"Yes, Milord, but it is not due to illness. He was just tired. He spent almost the whole month searching through the mountains and jungles of Golden Camellia, he is searching for something. He finally found it a week ago."

"What is he searching for! If he needs something, I can just ask Irion to give him the money. His health is the most important!"

"Milord, this thing that he is searching for cannot be bought by money, Milord, this is his gift for your birthday," the spy took out the medium sized box in his bag and then opened it, he took the thing inside the box gently and placed it in Aster's hand.

Aster's finger trifled around the gift from Ramuja, and then he knew it immediately.

"This is"

"Yes, Milord. Prince Rama gifted you the Gardenia of Blooming Desire, the flower of eternal marriage. He doesn't buy it with money, nor is it gifted by someone else. He searched far and wide without rest to find this sacred flower for you."

The spy remembered how Prince Rama had lost weight and looked really haggard, but he was really happy. Prince Rama handed the flower to him and left a message for Milord Aster.

"Milord, Prince Rama wants me to tell you this"

I will be the last person who gives you the Gardenia of Blooming Desire. Ramuja.