Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Charles was still distressed over the incident yesterday. He was unsure how would that filthy slave owned Aster's personal pin.

Although it was just a brass pin, the lowest personal pin that could be handed to someone, it was still Aster's personal pin. As far as he remembered, Aster never gave his personal pin to somebody else other than his parents and himself. Charles took the pin from his vest, the same stringless harp with 'A' in the middle, but this one was made out of silver.

Charles remembered when he entered Aster's room and found a box with Aster's personal pin. Many brass pins, a handful of silver pins, and a single golden pin. In Golden Camellia, It was a tradition for a noble entering adolescence to get their personal pin as the symbol of their high identity.

Charles intently observed Aster's golden pin, a stringless harp with the 'A' letter in the middle. It was a beautiful pin.

It looked like Aster hadn't give any of these pins to anyone other than his parents. It was obvious, but Charles was saddened. Because Aster hadn't give him a pin yet.

Then, something brewing in his head immediately, like a surge of ideas.

'No, There is no way Aster didn't give me a pin. He might want to give me a surprise.'

'Yes, it must be his surprise for me. Then, he forgot about his surprise about this pin. Thus, he left me hanging.'

'Hahaha, oh well. I will take one. He will give it to me soon or later anyway.'

Then, Charles proceeded to take a silver pin from the box. He was about to take the golden pin. But Golden pin was only given to married spouse. Charles chuckled, he would take the silver pin first, that golden pin will be his later anyway.

'He will hand me that golden pin later, when we are married.' Charles said in his heart.

***

Charles was on his way to the palace after almost six month of forced deployment by his Father Emperor. He was flustered when he was forced to leave as soon as possible after the winter feast. He also couldn't dig any useful information whether an insider forced father to do this.

However, he realized that his father's power in the Empire is unchallenged, how could someone push his father to do this. Thus, he was willing. Although, leaving Aster alone only gave him heartache.

His dreams were constantly filled with Aster, his happy face, laughing, frowning, sadness, surprised. All those expression were deeply imprinted in Charles' mind. Thus, he hurriedly finished this campaign. Charles did some unspeakable thing that he normally wouldn't do in this small war. But he couldn't hold longer. He had to see Aster before he went crazy.

His carriage entered the Golden Palace. This palace was huge and coated with gold. The walls, doors, are all coated with layer of gold. Even in Emperor and Empress chamber, the furniture was real gold.

Indeed, his Golden Camellia Empire was the richest Empire. It was due to four centuries of stability, thus, Golden Camellia could expand and occupied other lands. They found gold mines and finally monopolized half of the gold trade in the world. After that, Golden Camellia naturally expanded in many other sectors.

Charles smiled, this Empire would be his when his Emperor father died. He would be crowned as Ludwig V and this Golden Empire...

'All of it is my Aster's. My Empress...'

Charles chuckled whenever he remembered about his cousin. He followed the small welcome feast custom in the main hall. This was a regular custom to honor him, since he returned with another glory for the Empire.

Many of noble ladies, from fifteen years old to twenty were invited. They knew that Charles was already engaged with Helene, Princess of North Fort. But they still tried to entice and smiled coquettishly in front of the Crown Prince.

Of course, their act was just repulsive in Charles' eyes.

'Too ugly. Too lustful. Too ambitious. None of them are on par with my Aster.'

However, Charles showed no repulsive expression, he just smiled in front of these noble ladies. Which only create a fatal attraction for these girls. A Crown Prince who was powerful by status, extremely intelligent and physically strong, plus his signature 'Golden Royal' handsome face. It was a dream for these ladies to be married to this man.

Helene who stood far from her fiancé found that Charles was uncomfortable. She walked to his side and took Charles' hand. "Pardon me, but I have something to talk with my fiancé," Helene said.

Those Ladies were infuriated whenever they saw Helene. Jealousy, anger, and envy all bundled up, but they could say nothing when she dragged Charles out. One of them sighed, "Crown Prince has been engaged. I know I still have time, but it's hard to catch his attention."

"Crown Prince doesn't seem to like Helene so much. Trust me, they will annul their engagement soon," other lady said with low voice.

"There is still another man who is as perfect as Crown Prince..."

"Oh, you mean, Young Grand Duke Aster? Aster di Arlingdon?"

"Oh, yes! He rarely showed up in parties or events, but if you saw his appearance, you will be stunned!"

"Erin? You saw Young Grand Duke?"

"Yes! I saw him in winter feast. He is... I'm not sure how to say this. He is extremely dazzling. He is... oohh... under the moonlight, you could see his shining golden hair, his perfect features, his deep eyes. When people said Young Duke of Stormhill's has ethereal beauty, they were not joking!" Erin said. Her eyes were looking at the golden chandelier as she recalled that appearance that made everyone's jaw dropped during winter feast.

"Beauty? Does Young Grand Duke have feminine appearance?"

"No. Well, he is not chiseled-handsome like Crown Prince! He is beautiful, but... not in feminine way. He is... simply breathtaking."

The ladies were in silence after that, their minds were simply in daze, imagining about Young Grand duke Aster.

Helene dragged Charles to a more secluded area of the palace and let go of his hand. "Sir, you can always say no to them."

Charles raised his eyebrows. Helene, his official fiancé was his subordinate in many wars. Since she was a female lieutenant, which was rare. Their engagement was very abrupt without his Emperor father giving him any notice. Thus, he was unable to refuse because the deal had been sealed.

It felt like there was someone who pushed Emperor Father.

"I don't need your help. I am still searching for Aster there." Charles replied coldly. He didn't hate Helene because she was also forced for this engagement, but he felt a bit displeased. He had that constant worry that Aster might act cold to him because he was Jealous due to this engagement.

Helene sighed. "Sir, Young Grand Duke is not here. He is in the south garden, sitting alone there."

"Hm? Why don't you tell me sooner!" Charles immediately rushed to the south garden. It was quite far from his position, so he hastened his steps.

Helene saw the figure of Crown Prince getting farther and farther. She smiled. She loved that man before, but knowing that his heart was only for that person. She ought to find another man.

"It just hurt, a bit." Helene said.

***

Charles entered the south garden. There was a garden pavilion and he saw Aster smiling while looking at the freshly blooming flowers. He leaned his left hand on the wooden railing and used his right hand to fiddle with few flowers sitting besides the railing.

Charles saw the blooming smile in Aster's face, and inadvertently his heart had a blooming desire.

My heart longed for you

The more they pushed me away

The more my heart desires

And it burns me with lamenting fire

I am not saintly pure

But my heart is

Quench my thirst

with your presence I am in bliss.