Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Charles walked to his sister's garden pavilion. He reported his war to Father Emperor and Mother Empress. However, he wasn't even looking to his mother. He reported everything and left immediately.

'I almost couldn't hold myself to choke that woman.'

'She dared hurting Aster... she dared!' Charles clenched his fist. He disliked the palace conflicts. That was why he spent more time conquering other land or going on a diplomatic mission rather than stay in this wretched golden palace full of dangerous scheme.

Emperor and Empress had never had any affair. They stayed strong and filial together. However, still water runs deep. Charles understood that Emperor and Empress were fighting against each other to cement their position and dominate the country.

Father Emperor was currently the one who held the most power. However, his Mother Empress wasn't weak either, holding the highest military house in Golden Camellia alongside strengthening her own house. It was as if she prepared for something.

'But lately, her power has been deteriorated tremendously.'

Charles had inquired about the problem between his mother and his Aunt Merse. He then realized that Mother had lost the strongest forte she had. Lady Merse from House of Thana controlled the strongest military house in Golden Camellia. General Avern, Aunt Merse's husband, loved his wife so much. Although they were rumored to be not in a good relationship currently, but General Avern was still devoted to his wife.

Knowing the moment was right, it was time to safe Aster. Thus, he wanted to meet his sister to plan the elimination of their mother.

Charles entered the pavilion only to see Rosalie giggled like a lunatic. She sat on a long sofa directly facing the window while holding something and giggled repeatedly.

Charles peered at Rosalie's servant with questioning eyes. The servant understood and said, "Young Marquis Florentino from house of Viete visited Her Highness about a week ago. Young Marquis and Her Highness Princess exchanged their silver pins."

Charles smiled upon hearing this. He had long known that Rosalie had fallen in love with this promiscuous young marquis from House of Viete. However, he couldn't really help her either, because this house was directly under Aunt Duchess.

Now, that marquis had intention to visit Rosalie first, that must've been from the order of Aunt Duchess.

Charles sat besides his sister while gazing at the garden outside. Rosalie didn't even noticed someone was beside her until a while later. Her golden eyes slowly dissipated and turned to normal golden circle. She turned her head and saw Charles.

"Oh, Charles. Pardon me, I didn't notice you here. Well, how was the war?"

"It's okay. Everything is going well... except for Aster." Charles replied, not beating around the bush and continued, "It's time to eliminate her."

Rosalie went silent. Her fingers still caressing this silver pin from Florentino Viete. She rose up and walked to a table. She took a book from the drawer and gave it to Charles.

"This was all information you needed about mother's current situation. It also contains an incident relating to Aster before," Rosalie said. She sighed, "I'm sorry, I couldn't really inform you about that assassination attempt. Because Mother Empress her been trying to cover it."

Charles opened the book detailing about how many houses had deteriorated and fallen out of favors. And almost all of them were Mother's support houses. Golden Camellia Empire was a huge country, there were plenty of vassal kingdoms and even more countless noble houses.

"Then, do you have a plan to strike Mother Empress?" Charles asked.

Rosalie twisted her brows and chucked as if it was funny. "Isn't it obvious already? We need to frame her amidst her confusion."

"And when do you think we have such moment? Mother Empress is a very cautious person."

Rosalie smiled. She already knew that Charles would ask this. "Spring festival is coming soon. There will be people from various classes attending in the city hall. They would be a good spectator for this, but we need Aster."

Charles immediately caught something. His eyes became sharp, "You planning to shame Aster and frame it to mother Empress, right?"

Rosalie's calm expression finally showed a hint of surprise. Charles caught the intention easily.

'He is actually very smart when Aster is not around...' Rosalie said in her heart. Since Charles already understood her intention, she just nodded.

Charles' eyes became chilly. He stood from the sofa and said, "I won't allow it. Try to find another method!"

Rosalie shook her head. Actually, this was a plan directed by Aunt Duchess. She was just a mere tool for her. Thus, she had to convince Charles to agree with this. However, knowing how crazy Charles would be if something involved Aster.

"We don't have the right to decide this. Aster is the only one that could do this. Why don't you go and ask him?" Rosalie said.

Charles went silent, and then nodded after a while. Before he left, he asked Rosalie with a calm and clear voice, but his eyes looked like predator who was eyeing his prey, "Rosalie, you're not under Aunt Duchess' order, are you?"

Rosalie stilled. She finally realized that she had been caressing Florentino's pin constantly for hours. She looked at Charles' gaze and her heart sank. Charles or Aster shouldn't know this matter about her and Grand Duchess cooperation or she would be dead.

She kept her calm expression and said, "Are you questioning Viete's house intention as direct subordinate of Aunt Duchess?"

Charles didn't reply, but his gaze was still sharp.

"Well, you know that Aunt Duchess has been very busy dealing with Father Emperor. Florentino Viete had slipped and visited me secretly," Rosalie explained.

"... I see. You need to be careful with Aunt Duchess," Charles said. "Then I will be seeing my darling Aster. I will ask his opinion about this," Charles' gaze softened instantly whenever he said that magical word 'Aster'.

He left Rosalie pavilion. His gaze hardened again when he left that pavilion. He was unsure whether Rosalie was working under Aunt Duchess.

'That dog Marquis wouldn't dare to step inside this palace without the permission of Aunt Duchess.'

'But what Rosalie said is correct. Aunt Duchess has been busy dealing with Father Emperor. I doubt she has time controlling all her vassal houses.'

Aunt Duchess wasn't particularly dangerous, nor that she held any real political power. She was just acting under the order of Uncle Duke while he was busy doing his business. There was also no reason to be guarded against her.

'If Rosalie really works under Aunt Duchess. Maybe all she could do is just to watch over Aster.'

'But... something feels wrong... Rosalie feels off.' Charles wasn't someone who judge based on feeling. But he definitely saw something wrong with Rosalie. Rosalie was usually a very careful and considered everything before taking an action. But today, she was very shrewd and too cold.

Charles wasn't sure what was wrong and he kept pondering about it. But when he saw the window of Aster's room. He saw Aster sitting quietly while reading a book. Charles' eyes lit up, his smile bloomed.

'I will investigate this later. Aster must've been waiting for me to come.'