Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster smiled while focusing his attention to these flowers. The flowers that bloomed during spring were beautiful, but he couldn't move his eyes from the fact that he spent his time in this garden alone without his servant.

Ramuja would follow him around with that dazed gaze. Aster noticed every glance that Ramuja did. When Ramuja secretly glanced at him whenever he checked on the flowerbeds, when Ramuja was dazed every morning in front of his door, when Ramuja was worried about Aster's health even though he was tortured a week before. Ramuja might do nothing other than gazing at him. But those eyes never lied.

'His eyes were so pure without hidden intention...'

Aster's fingers fiddled with white lily, he smiled, 'He is so pure, like this white lily.'

"Aster..."

Aster stopped his fingers and turned his head. He knew this voice, the deep voice that would hypnotize people around, the majestic voice that demanded respect and sowed pressure in people's mind.

"Charles, welcome back..." Aster said half smiling. The previous smile he had before slightly faded. However, he kept his courtesy.

Charles was ecstatic when he saw Aster was smiling at him. He wanted to pounce Aster, hug him and kiss him.

However, he still needed to restrain himself. Thus, Charles replied, "Yes, I am back early to see you."

"See me?" Aster was puzzled. He didn't remember that they had any urgent discussion or whatsoever. "Do you have something to tell to me? I don't see going back so early only to find me is a good thing while you're on a campaign."

"Do you... not miss me?" Charles asked. His gaze darkened. There was a hint of anger in his eyes, which he covered quickly.

Aster suddenly realized about Charles' weird behavior before. Deep soft gaze, intimate gesture, love letters. He thought it was just Charles stressed about the empire matters that it made him confused. But seeing this... he almost could see the transparency of Charles' intention.

If that was true, then Aster had misspoken before. He quickly showed a frightened expression and said, "I--I do missed you. But Charles, abandoning the campaign just to meet me isn't a good thing to do. You might get protests from other people."

Charles' gaze softened again after he heard Aster's reason.

'Is he worried about my wellbeing?' Charles' heart felt itchy. There was a very pleasant feeling growing steadily in his heart. He approached Aster and sat beside him.

"It's fine, I finished the campaign early with success. Do you underestimate my ability as commander?" Charles said while laughing lightly.

Aster had a hunch that Charles was really in love with him. It was still unthinkable for him because Charles had had a fiancé already. It felt scandalous. However, this might be the best time to test it.

'Let's see if he responds to his...'

Aster sighed. He looked down and his whole appearance looked pitiful. "Of course I never doubted your ability. I'm actually happy that you wanted to see me. But, even now, you shouldn't visit me often."

"Why?" Charles frowned.

"Because... your life might be in danger..."

"Danger? What danger? You should be well protected in this palace."

"... Few months ago, there was an assassination attempt that targeted me and Lady Merse of Thana." Aster started looking depressed again, he clenched the hem of his white shirt. "I asked Lady Thana to lend me her people to protect me for a while. The assassination attempt failed at me, but in the end, Lady Merse also got targeted and was severely wounded..."

Charles had no memory of Lady Thana, his aunt from Mother Empress to have a relationship with Aster. He felt a bit sense of crisis because Aster actually let someone else to protect him. However, this was not the most important case. Charles clenched his fist. Someone dared to target Aster...

"Did you brush against someone in the palace?" Charles asked calmly.

"How can I? I spend my days locked in my room..." Aster sulked, "I am able to visit this garden because your Mother Empress had to attend a noble event for few days outside."

"Locked? She-- my mother Empress locked you up!?"

Aster was surprised when he saw how fierce Charles' expression had become. Something terrible sparked inside his mind. His lips curled up for a second before turning back into the saddened expression.

"I know Aunt Empress doesn't like me. But to lock me up for three months without any explanation..."

Charles eyes darkened. His golden circle slowly disappeared as he realized something.

'There is no one who hates Aster more than Mother Empress...'

'I was out of the palace for almost five months and no news about this assassination attempt came to me. Even Rosalie stayed silent.'

'If it's not Mother Empress, then who else can cover such big incident.'

"Had Lady Merse visited you again after that assassination attempt?" Charles asked.

"She visited me again a month ago. Her wound has been healed, although it left obvious scar on her face. It was strange that she didn't even visit Empress Chamber."

Charles finally concluded all the information Aster had given and the suspect of this was obviously his own mother.

'Wretched! She even dares to stage an assassination to her own nephew.'

"Aster, I am sorry." Charles said suddenly.

"Hmm? What are you sorry for?" Aster asked.

"I'm sorry I can't protect you," Charles reached Aster's hand and held it softly, he brought Aster's hand to his face and kissed the back of Aster's hand. Charles could smell the faint fragrance of Aster's perfume in his wrist and was intoxicated for a second.

'He smells wonderful... like always...'

Aster was obviously uncomfortable. But he tried to cover it as much as he could and showed shy expression.

"It's not your fault, you're busy with the campaign anyway," Aster said sheepishly. "Well, you shouldn't visit me too often. You might be targeted by this person."

Charles' smile dimmed. He knew Aster wasn't stupid. He was too naïve and kindhearted. Aster must've known already about this person who targeted him, it was obviously Mother Empress. But he decided to stay silent because he never thought someone could be that evil.

'If you decided to stay blind, then I will follow along my darling.'

'Let me eliminate this threat for you...' Charles said in his heart.

Aster picked a gardenia and gave it to Charles. "Well, I haven't welcomed your arrival from battle. May your glory stay true to our golden camellia," Aster said and smiled softly.

Charles stared at Aster deeply before taking the gardenia.

"Thank you, Aster. However, I prefer you to welcome me like this..."

Charles put the gardenia on Aster's mouth and kissed him deeply. He enveloped Aster's waist with his left hand while his right hand hold the back of Aster's head. He tucked his fingers in Aster's wavy golden hair.

'My darling Aster, your everything is intoxicating for me.'