Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 253: A Walking Disaster

The news about the death of King Gamasiel spread fast. Because Vassal Kingdom Rhea itself was a small vassal state, the news already made it to the ears of the people in the afternoon, on the same day of King Gamasiel's death.

The court ruled the king's death because of prolonged injury and he simply couldn't sustain his life longer. But, the rumor about an assassination also spread as fast, or maybe faster than the actual news from the court.

It was rumored that King Gaum himself was the one who ordered an assassination to his older brother, why? Because the head doctor who took care of King Gamasiel said that his health has been getting better and better, and there was a high chance that King Gamasiel would recover soon.

King Gaum himself wasn't a bad ruler, but compared to his mighty older brother, what he had was just his charming face. Which was not enough to rule the kingdom. The monarch's funeral was held in the evening to prevent the body from decomposing. King Gaum made a heartfelt speech about his older brother, but there were whispers everywhere, they were accusing King Gaum of being greedy and killing his own brother for power.

Gaum heard everything, but he kept a straight face, until the night arrived and he returned back to his palace. He went to his room and then raged inside his room, "ARGH!" Gaum destroyed everything inside his room to calm his rage. He was furious because that useless Gamasiel still created trouble even after his death, and the real culprit behind the assassination was still missing.

"This must've been Aster's doing. He finally realized that I colluded with Emperor Charles during the Winter Feast Massacre," Gaum's handsome face twisted and turned ugly, he gritted his teeth, "It is him that killed Empress Beatrice, and it is him that pulled out his money aid after he became Grand Duke. He deserves it! He is the ruthless one!"

Gaum kept raging, he imagined Aster was standing in front of him, he grabbed the thin air and then choked the imaginary Aster until Aster begged, "Aster, do you know how much I want to make you my useless bitch!"

After a while, Gaum finally relaxed and he ordered the guard to call Sir Adder, the Minister of Economy in Vassal Kingdom Rhea. Sir Adder entered the King's room, and he saw the furiousness in King Gaum's eyes. Sir Adder bowed his head respectfully, "Does Your Majesty have any task for this minister?"

"Yes, the economy in Rhea will be in turmoil soon. Because there are people who still live in Rhea because they are loyal to Gamasiel, once he is dead, they will leave. Go create a policy that prioritizes the peasant first, they are the top priority, I don't want any riot to happen."

"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty," Adder eyed Gaum and said, "Your Majesty should take a rest, you look very tired."

Gaum hummed and then kicked Adder out, Adder smirked as he walked through the corridor, 'I pledge my servitude to Gamasiel, since he is dead now, you have no control over me, Gaum.'

***

"Ah, everything is ready." Merry checked three luggage she would bring to the Autumn Festival in Great Arctyr. She was satisfied with the choice of clothing, she was actually thinking about asking Emperor Charles for dresses just now. However, fortunately, Emperor Charles was sensible enough to send some new dresses as gifts, "Ah~ Emperor Charles is so generous! He must've been thinking that I am the most beautiful, of course I have to wear the most beautiful dress too!"

Merry danced around the hallway as she asked her servants to bring the luggage to the carriage. She had to leave her palace early, because she would board the ship in the evening.

"Merry Do you really have to go? Be careful there, I sew a dress for you," Lisa came out of her room and asked her about the decision. Merry was tired of seeing his nagging mother, because she was still not used to this lavish lifestyle. She still dressed like a regular peasant, and she still ate like a regular peasant!

'If only I have parents like Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Stormhill, that would be nice. They are two good looking aristocrats with distinguished backgrounds and looked very good together.'

 'Meanwhile, I'm stuck with my mother,' Merry looked up and down and checked the clothing that her mother wore today, she scoffed and sneered to her mother, "Just shut up mom, you are not helping at all with your useless preaches! Just go throw away your rag clothes instead!"

Lisa was holding a dress that she sewed alone, she wanted her daughter to look good in Great Arctyr, since she was the representative of Golden Camellia, "At least, take this dress with you, I sewed it myself, it should look good on you."

Merry looked at the dress on her mother's hand. It was an orange dress, while it looked good at the first glance, but if one inspected a bit more, they would realize that it wasn't an expensive dress. Merry was disgusted.

"I am a noblewoman now, I don't wear this kind of cheap dress! You are going to embarrass me in Great Arctyr with your slave dress! Throw it away!" Merry yelled at her mother.

Lisa was shocked with her daughter's remark, she stared at the dress that she made. "But I made it myself" Lisa said.

"Ugh, I don't have time for your low taste!" Merry didn't seem to care about his mother's words anymore and she jumped to the carriage, and then she left her mother with a scoff.

'What is she thinking anyway! I told her many times that we are a noble now, we don't wear cheap stuff! I will be the queen of three kingdoms, and that kind of dress she sewed is like the dust cloth! Ugh, why do I have to be born from a slave like her, it'd be better if I'm born straight as an aristocrat instead!' Merry scowled.

'This is why that Bitch Aster has a fun and easy life! Because he is born from a rich, high aristocratic family. His parents are very handsome and pretty, so he got the best out of both. He also has many people protecting him! He was born lucky, and he still manages to be a bitch, what a waste!'

***

"The Autumn Festival will be held tomorrow morning?" Aster asked Tuskan who was walking side by side with him. They were walking around the garden filled with autumn flowers.

"Yes, everything has been prepared, I'm sorry that I can't meet you for the whole day tomorrow, because I have a lot of guests from other countries as well," Tuskan said.  

Aster chuckled, "What of it? It's fine, remember, your duty as a king is really important, you can't just abandon your duty because of nobody like me."

"You are not a nobody," Tuskan replied firmly. He held Aster's hand tightly, "You are not a nobody for me."

Aster had a faint smile on his face, he was unable to refute it either. Because what Tuskan said was true, Aster was important in Tuskan's heart. The premise was clear. It was Aster that wanted to distance himself, but Tuskan was a tough and stubborn man.

"Well, just do your duty well. Oh, you said that the guests are free to roam around the palace during the Autumn Festival, right?"

"Yes, the noble guests can roam around freely, while the selected peasants can only enjoy the party in the main courtyard. That's why, it's really dangerous for you to roam around, I hope you understand," Tuskan said.

"I will hide inside my room for the whole day, no need to worry," Aster smiled, but his smile turned into a bitter one, "How about the representative from Golden Camellia? Will Charles attend the festival?"

"No, Golden Camellia said that they will be sending a representative, a noblewoman will attend the festival instead."

"A noblewoman? You mean, Golden Princess Rosalie? She just got married for a few months, I don't think she will accept being separated with her husband for now," Aster frowned.

"No, it's not Golden Princess Rosalie. The identity of this distinguished noblewoman is well hidden, Golden Camellia said that she will be a surprise for the party," Tuskan looked at Aster worryingly, "We know that Charles is a sly fox, we don't know whether he already realizes that you are hiding here or not. But it's better for you to stay safe. DO NOT leave your room, okay? I will put two servants in front of your room instead of guards to avoid suspicion."

Aster chuckled, "You worry too much, it will be fine."

Tuskan gazed at Aster's sunny face. The more he stared at this person, the more he couldn't take his eyes off Aster. Like a deep fantasy, Aster simply drowned him into a never-ending dream full of sweet love.

'Even if you got discovered, I have a way so Charles will never take you back. Although you might resist, this is for your own good Aster'