Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster's grieving expression turned cold when his mother finally left the room. He didn't want to face his mother right now. All he could bring to his duchy were shame, guilt, and problem. If his mother stayed for too long, his pretense might crack.

He looked at the corner of the room and called his subordinate, "Jain, you can come out now."

Jain emerged from the hidden corner, he hid very effectively that Aster 100% knew his mother hadn't realize anything. Jain kneeled in front of Aster, "This subordinate is under your order, Young Lord."

Jain looked up at his master. He frowned in his heart. After that spring festival incident, Young Lord hadn't talked to anyone including him. His expression was always bleak and it got even worse after he reported the circulating rumors around the city about him and Crown Prince.

"Young Lord, may this subordinate know if there is something you need? This subordinate is saddened seeing Young Lord's current state," Jain said.

"I need you to-- No, never mind," Aster's hazy eyes looked down, he was indeed disinterested because his mind was constantly filled up with the thought of Ramuja.

'What if Ramuja had an accident? What if someone aimed for his life? What if--' His mind was constantly flooded with what if scenario.

Aster sighed, there was nothing beneficial for worrying like this. He needed to clear this obstacle quick. Whatever it is, as long as he could meet him again.

He took his handkerchief from the drawer and sprayed his perfume on it. He looked at it with unrestrained disgust. Such thing he needed to do to make Charles did his bidding.

Aster walked out while ordered his subordinates to stay in the room. He went to Charles' room alone. The guards were expecting him, thus, they opened the door immediately. Aster saw Charles reading some document in his desk. His eyes took a small glance and instantly turned bright golden. He put down all his work and approached Aster.

"My darling, do you agree with my term before?"

Aster nodded. He handed his perfumed handkerchief to Charles. Charles snatched it and smelled it in ecstasy.

Aster gazed at his powerful cousin. This man in front of him was the fierce, mighty Crown Prince of the Golden Camellia Empire. He had no challenger for the throne, backed with many powerful houses, was great at politics and a military genius. Golden Camellia flourished even more under his campaign since he never lost any single campaign.

His matchless chiseled handsome face was an added bonus for him. There was no maiden in the entire empire that didn't worship him.

But this very same Crown Prince, was actually crazy in front of him. He acted like a dog and smelled his perfumed handkerchief fervently.

'Disgusting,' Aster said in his heart.

After a while, Charles pocketed the handkerchief and guided him to the sofa. They sat together side to side. Charles hugged Aster's waist and opened a document he already prepared.

"This is the document I prepared for the trial. All the houses here had case of corruption and bribery. However, they were not big enough to be noticed, I doubled the amount of gold they took in order to put Mother Empress down."

Aster read the document. These houses were the one that still supported the Empress even after the spring festival incident. They saw that Empress position in these few months had been shaky. Thus, most of them had pulled back their support and took neutral stance.

"Good," Aster said coldly.

Charles raised his left brows, "I wonder, why would you need to drag these houses too? No house is free from small corruption, we can still eliminate Mother Empress without destroying these small houses, and they still have families and servants to feed. "

Aster glanced at Charles and proceeded to read the document again, "We need to give warning to other houses. Once these small houses got destroyed by implicating themselves to Empress, we can cut all the way out for your mother."

Charles was stunned after he heard Aster's answer. He did this solely because Aster was requesting it, these houses weren't that important either. However, hearing Aster replying nonchalantly, he couldn't help but smile.

"How can you be so ruthless and cute at the same time?" Charles said. His golden pupil shone bright, reflecting only Aster on his pupil.

Aster scoffed. He didn't answer that ridiculous remark, but he could only feel one thing, disgust.

***

Grand Duchess was greeted with the sight of her brother, Emperor Audric IV grooming his hair, checking whether the pin on his robe was at the right position et cetera. The servants who were standing behind him could only nod whenever the Emperor asked them about his appearance.

Why? Because Emperor Audric IV was always handsome and mighty, praising his appearance was like pouring a glass of water into a lake. Even though he already hit 38 years old, he still looked youthful and strong. Emperor Audric, whose real name was Ludwig, was the prince that the maiden had dreamed back then. It was a pity that he married to the ugly Empress. Though, fortunately, none of his child resembled the Empress at all.

Emperor Audric turned his head when he heard the door opened. His face brightened and he walked enthusiastically to his big sister. However, before saying anything to his sister, he ordered all servants to leave the room.

"Big sis, are you here to visit me or asking for my work?" Emperor asked with bright golden pupil shone in his eyes.

Grand Duchess curled up her lips, "Both." She replied.

They sat on the chair and the Emperor immediately prepared the tea and cake for his sister.

"According to your imperial edict, a special trial will be held a week from now, have you prepared everything?"

Emperor nodded with proud smile plastered on his face, "Everything is according to your plan. The supposed assassin has cooperated with us, and few houses are willing to testify against the Empress."

"Empress?" Grand Duchess snorted, "That is your wife."

Emperor's gaze darkened, the smile on his face disappeared, "Don't say that, big sis. I will exile or kill her soon."

"Well, I just need you to do everything right. Remember, I don't have patience for error."

"Yes, everything is under control. I already forbid Empress to leave her chamber, also had hindered all her communication. And it was all justified under the agreement of the ministers," Emperor replied. "However, there is one thing that surprises me."

"What is it?" Grand Duchess asked. She had received all the information from her subordinates that everything was under her control.

"That... I thought Lady Merse, the Empress' sister would protect her. But she actually volunteered to testify against Empress, her own sister."

Grand Duchess chuckled, "Oh, about that. You don't need to worry. It was still in my reach," she said.

Lady Merse wasn't in her priority, because it would be hard to destroy sibling relationship. But Aster was able to ruin it in one sweep.

'As expected, my son is truly outstanding.'

After everything was clear, Emperor Audric approached his big sis and sat obediently, "Big sis, since I have done everything well, can you give me a kiss?"

Grand Duchess smiled, "Close your eyes," she ordered.

The Emperor closed his eyes, and then he felt something moist brushing lightly on his cheek, almost touching his lips. He opened his eyes and met with the beautiful gaze of his big sister, their noses almost touched.

"You done good, my cute brother." Grand Duchess said and lightly patted Emperor's head.

In Emperor's eyes, it was the most beautiful moment he had experience after years of alienation between them, "Yes! Thank you, big sis!"

Grand Duchess' smile cracked. She couldn't help but showed a small smirk.

'Oh, my dog brother, so stupid and harmless.'