Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 252: Connection

Ramuja was finally woken after he slept for the whole week, he only woke up, dazed, ate and then slept again. He was like a hibernating sloth for the whole week. It was reasonable though, he spent the previous month searching for Gardenia of Blooming Desire, at first, there were plenty of his soldiers who followed and helped him search. But they were unable to keep up because Ramuja refused to take a rest at all. He only slept one hour at most daily during his expedition.

It was understandable that almost ninety percent of his initial followers decided to give up and begged him to rest, any normal person would die under such circumstances.

But Ramuja was determined to find that flower, since he was unable to meet his master, then at least, he could give him something really memorable, 'Also, I already gave Milord a temporary engagement ring, of course I have to give him the Gardenia of Blooming Desire too! If Gaum and Charles can give him that flower, then I can too!'

After Ramuja woke up from his deep slumber, the first thing he did was to take a bath and then searched for Irion. He went out and then looked around, the soldiers were still training and some were resting on the side. But Irion was nowhere to be seen.

"You, where is Irion?" Ramuja asked one of the soldiers, he bowed deeply at Prince Rama and then replied, "My Prince, Sir Irion left the mansion yesterday, he is preparing to attack Vassal Kingdom Rhea."

"Vassal Kingdom Rhea? Attack?" Ramuja was startled. There was no information about this previously, and he thought that they had to stay still until autumn season came.

Ramuja went inside Irion's office and found a letter, and found the head butler was clearing the office. When Prince Rama entered, the head butler bowed immediately and said, "My Prince, Sir Irion said to me that Prince Rama should stay put, because something would happen soon in Vassal Kingdom Rhea.

***

At midnight, Irion entered the Rhea Palace with ease. He had lived in this palace for a short period of time when Milord had to run away from his mother, 'How nostalgic, this palace was the shelter for Milord who tried to regain his footing.'

He jumped from one building to another, he slipped through the night watchers and then appeared behind them, he slashed their necks clean and then jumped and landed on a balcony.

'Ah, damn, I think I'm still too slow, there is so much blood in my knife,' Irion sighed and wiped the bloodstained knife with his handkerchief. Irion was already a highly skilled assassin, although he was still not as proficient as Jain Tellah.

'Jain died too early, it would've been easier if Jain is here. He can kill this vegetative king without even a drop of blood on his knife,' Irion never liked to kill someone stealthily. Because he took pride of himself being a royal knight. But assassination had so many use, including silently killing someone and framed his relatives.

Irion opened the balcony door and saw Gamasiel Cresthold laying on his bed. His vigorous body was just a matter in the past, he was now thin and pale. He closed his eyes peacefully, unmoving like a dead person. But if you checked his heartbeat, he was still alive, barely.

Irion walked to his side and checked his breathing, "Wow, Prince Rama really did you harsh, I feel bad."

Irion scratched his head, he really did underestimate Prince Rama. Because Gamasiel was in this state after fighting with Prince Rama. Irion checked Gamasiel's condition, "Broken backbones, lacerated tissue, uh cracked skull. Man, you are lucky that you are not dead, yet. But, it's your fault for touching Milord Aster. You know that he is not someone to be messed around with."

"Anyway, I will kill you right here, right now. No hard feelings, but I need your kingdom to fall down. You will see from heaven that your people are killing each other for a slice of bread, and you will see your gorgeous palace ransacked by angry civilians. Don't blame me though, blame it on your brother. He is just too willful. What's the use of him participating in the massacre anyway? To avenge the late Empress Beatrice? She is bound to die because of her own naivety."

"Oh well, you can blame yourself too, at least you partake in this downfall by easily jumping into the honey trap set by Milord. He is far more dangerous than you think!" Irion was very happy when he recalled the moment his master schemed against many people, "Ah, Milord is just so awesome, I hope he can return soon. I can't wait to be whipped by him, I will ask for a hundred whips!"

"Ah, I talked to much, pardon my impertinence," Irion put his knife on Gamasiel's neck and slashed it clean, 'Well, it's clean kill kind of,' Irion wiped the knife again and confirmed that Gamasiel was dead.

'It's time to meet Milord's mole, I remember that he lives in this palace because he is an important minister for the livelihood of the people in Rhea.'

Irion closed the balcony and then jumped to one building after another, he ended at the top of the western palace, it was mostly inhabited by high ranking ministers whom Gaum ordered to stay and live in Rhea Palace, 'Milord said that he is living in the room at the end of the building.'

Irion jumped from one balcony to another and landed on a balcony at the furthest side of the building. Irion knocked the balcony door politely and after three knocks, the man inside lit a candle and stared at Irion in his corridor.

Irion showed his guard medal to the man and the balcony door was finally opened. Irion opened his mask and then asked, "Ah, I really don't realize that you are Minister of Economy in Vassal Kingdom Rhea."

"That is alright, I don't like attention anyway. Any attention from the nobles in Golden Camellia is deadly," the man said. Irion nodded in tacit agreement.

"How is Aster?" the man asked.

"Well, Milord is alright, but he does need your help in this. But is it alright though? Your life might be in danger after this, because your decision will inevitably ruin the kingdom in one go."

"It's fine, I just want to help Aster. We are still distant cousins, but because I fell in love with a slave, Aunt Camille casted my family away."

"That's unfortunate but did you?"

"Yes, I married her. I already have two sons," the man said, "If you are curious why I would help Aster after years of anonymity, that's because Aster is secretly helping my family to survive, because King Gaum forbade me to bring my wife who was a former slave here."

"Since Aster also fell in love with a slave, I guess it makes us a comrade."

Irion nodded, Milord Aster mentioned from time to time that he had a distant cousin that was talented in economy, but got exiled because he chose to marry his slave lover rather than retaining his noble status. Turned out, this guy had been hiding in Rhea and was secretly hired by Gamasiel due to his talent.

"Well, let's make this a success for Milord Aster and for all of us, Sir Adder," Irion said.

***

Merry was pacing back and forth as she wiped the sweat on her forehead. She had been summoned by her lover, Emperor Charles to his chamber.

'Emperor Charles finally summons me back, does this mean that he already forgives my slip-up that time? I mean, he shouldn't be angry for too long! Even though his love is divided between me and that bitch Aster, I obviously have more worth!'

The chamber door was finally opened and the head butler escorted Merry to meet Emperor Charles.

"This noble, beautiful lady is present in front of Your Majesty Emperor Charles," Merry bobbed a curtsy in front of Charles.

Charles scoffed, 'Noble, beautiful lady, what a superb confidence.'

"Well, Merry, you know that I can't be angry with you for too long," Charles said.

"Yes! Your Majesty, you shouldn't be angry for too long! I mean, look at your appearance right now, you look sleepless and tired, you must've been thinking about me day and night. But it's alright I forgive you, Your Majesty. Because uhm because I love you" Merry responded enthusiastically.

Charles laughed and ignored her usual stupidity, he smirked, "Well, it's fine. I am alright now. I've been sleepless because I keep thinking about sharing you with Great King Tuskan and Prince Rama. I think I'm ready now."

Charles almost laughed because what he said sounded very stupid, but Merry was so moved with his words, she thanked him happily, "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will be your good Empress too!"

"I want you to meet Great King Tuskan in Great Arctyr, there is an Autumn Festival in Great Arctyr Palace soon. You will be the representative from Golden Camellia, you're a graceful woman, I'm sure you can be a great representative," Charles smirked, "Make sure to look around the palace, it will be your palace too after all."

"Yes! Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Merry wanted to hug Charles, but Charles just pushed her lightly and he left the chamber.

Merry looked at Charles who finally left the chamber and she pouted, 'Ah, he is still embarrassed to hug me. Oh well, at least now I have Emperor Charles' love in my pocket! Once I get Great King Tuskan's love, I'm ready to be the queen of three kingdoms!'