Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 143: The Cresthold In Love II

"Will you take this Gardenia of Blooming Desire?"

Aster gazed at the king of Rhea kneeling in front of him and presenting that sacred flower, the Gardenia of Blooming Desire like presenting a birthday cake, an unwanted surprise for him.

Aster saw the lustre of the flower showered by the moonlight, it was exactly the same as the one owned by Gaum before. The pink with slight white on the edges, the rare flower every girl had dreamed about.

Yet, these brothers handed this to him because they like him, like small children with their puppy love.

'Do they understand how sacred and important this oath of gardenia is? The rarity and importance of the gardenia of blooming desire?'

Instead of happiness, Aster got annoyed instead. He felt like a maiden proposed by the white knight, the maiden does nothing but to wait for the white knight to come and save her like a damsel in distress, which disgusted him.

'I'm not weak and I will not let myself look weak in front of everyone, including this person.'

Aster gazed at Gamasiel's deep gaze, then asked, "Lord Gamasiel should know that presenting Gardenia of Blooming Desire is a sacred tradition, to hand it like this, it's disgraceful."

"I know about the tradition, and I do not joke about this," Gamasiel said firmly.

"We barely know each other, it is strange for Lord Gamasiel to hand me the sacred flower," Aster replied nonchalantly.

"But you are in my dream every day, you are haunting me with your presence in my head, and I do not want anyone other than you to be my queen. I please trust me, I will make you happy," Gamasiel said sincerely. His eyes were full of hope.

"You are being ridiculous," Aster rolled his eyes, "Lord Gamasiel, I do not marry someone that I don't know much, and I will not be a queen, that is humiliating, I am a man."

Gamasiel's hand trembled, he didn't expect Aster to be so harsh on him. His gaze darkened, he said, "At least, please take my gardenia."

If someone rejected a marriage proposal, but still accepted the flower, then he or she was still unsure, and he or she would have one week to reconsider before giving the final answer.

Gamasiel still hoped that Aster took his gardenia, at least. But Aster shook his head and said, "I don't want to accept it, I don't want to give any hope to you, Lord Gamasiel."

Gamasiel immediately grabbed Aster's hand and put his gardenia in Aster's palm forcefully, "You should accept this first and reconsider, I will wait for a week."

"I refuse." Aster said harshly.

"I will wait for a week," Gamasiel repeated, "Please remember that you are now in Vassal Kingdom Rhea without the protection from your grand duchy."

"Are you threatening me with my position now?" Aster glared.

"Just please reconsider, for now, you are not able to leave this palace for the whole week until I get my answer," Gamasiel said.

Gamasiel turned his back and left the room. The Gardenia of Blooming Desire was still in Aster's palm, he really wanted to rip this gardenia in his hand, but he didn't want to spark more anger in Gamasiel.

Aster had thought that this place was safe, but he didn't realize that his past deed caught on him. He wouldn't have been stuck in this kind of situation if not because he agreed with Rosalie and Charles' plan back then.

Aster looked at the gardenia, and then put it inside the small drawer beside his bed uncaringly. He needed a rest to think clearly tomorrow morning.

***

Gamasiel walked silently to his chamber. He slumped on the bed weakly and sighed deeply.

"Is this even correct? I love him, but I just abruptly proposed to him, I feel like being forceful to him is too much. He looks mad and scared at the same time," Gamasiel said.

"It's okay, brother. Aster has a big pride, it's hard to conquer him," Gaum said calmly. 

Gaum often came to his brother's chamber and talked about the state affair or just sibling talk here, because Gamasiel trusted no one but his brother and vice versa. Gamasiel murmured, "I hope that he will reciprocate my feeling."

"He will, don't worry. Just trust me, with you marrying Aster, we could merge the Grand Duchy Stormhill with Vassal Kingdom Rhea and stabilize the kingdom," Gaum reminded Gamasiel of the benefit of marrying Aster.

Gamasiel frowned, "That is not the most important thing, Aster doesn't need to merge his house with us, as long as he would marry me, I'm more than satisfied."

"Yes, brother, I was just giving you some reassurance. What you are doing now is the right step," Gaum explained.

"Hmm." Gamasiel nodded. He didn't like the expression of his white bunny showing disgust towards him.

'Maybe Aster was indeed too nervous and shocked,' Gamasiel pondered.

Gaum left the room with a smirk on his face. He didn't know that his brother trusted him so much that Gamasiel took his advice point blank.

He liked his brother when he was mighty and capable, but now he had turned into a daydreaming king. Gaum was way too tired to work for his vassal kingdom. He went from one country to another, attending as many parties as he could while assisting him for the throne.

'Because Gamasiel is basically useless as the king now, why not give the Kingdom Rhea's throne to me instead? I'm much more capable.'

'But still, I can't believe he actually proposed to Aster that way.' Gaum was still amazed by his brother's braveness and stupidity. Of course, Aster would be mad, his brother basically pressured Aster to say yes in a dire situation like this.

'Gamasiel is really lovestruck, I guess people in love really do become stupid,' Gaum chuckled.

'Not me of course, I love Aster, but he is something I can't get unless I can overpower him. I will play it slow until I can capture him.'

Gaum had thought about it, Aster was a prideful young lord, he could only be owned by overpowering him. But Gaum was still nothing now.

'Aster will struggle against Gamasiel, this is the best way to measure how powerful this caged canary is.'

Gaum was amazed on how well Aster handled the politics around his duchy, although he was still not as prolific as his mother, Grand Duchess. But Aster had the quality. Gaum didn't want to face his future lover as an enemy without knowing what Aster was capable of.

Aster was in a disadvantaged position right now and he was facing the king of a vassal kingdom, if he passed this, then Gaum would take better measures in order to overpower him later.

Gaum's smirk widened.

'And when I defeat Aster into submission, I can have everything, including him too.'

***

Aster was sullen in the morning, he didn't have a good sleep.

'I'm yet to deal with my mother first, but this bastard king just gives me another trouble.'

Knock! Knock!

"Who?" Aster asked.

"It's Ramuja, Young Lord," Ramuja replied from outside.

Aster's countenance brightened slightly, he said with a softer voice, "Come in, Ramuja."

The door opened with Ramuja bringing a trolley of fresh food, "Young Lord, please eat breakfast first, you must be hungry, I hope this will replenish your energy."

Ramuja took out a warm chicken porridge from the trolley and sat beside his master. He scooped the porridge with a spoon and fed his master. Aster was a bit uncomfortable with Ramuja feeding him like this, thus he said, "My body is okay, I can eat it myself."

"No, Young Lord, you need to preserve your strength, please let this servant feed you. You did this to me too, once."

Aster remembered that he indeed fed Ramuja in the workers hut, and that was because Ramuja accepted his punishment and refused to eat anything because Aster told him so.

Aster's heart softened, his worries dissipated slightly. He smiled and opened his mouth. This was the first time someone fed him except his mother, but of course the intention was different.

Because every time Ramuja fed him with a spoonful of porridge, Ramuja's face beamed with ecstatic smiles, as if feeding Aster was one of the greatest pleasures for Ramuja.

'Because you keep doing this to me, Ramuja. Your small gesture, your hidden happiness, it's all like an open book to me.'

'How can I not fall in love with you?'

Aster's cheek turned red. He lowered his head and said, "I'm full, you can take the trolley away. Also, prepare a warm bath for me."

"Yes, Young Lord."

Ramuja went outside to prepare for a warm bath. Aster calmed his heart down, because staying around Ramuja too much was not good for his heart. He could feel his heartbeat quickened every time they were close.

While waiting for his warm bath, Aster wondered what he could do in one week to fight this crazy king. But he was disadvantaged, the only thing he could do was

Aster's eyes darted on the door, he called Irion who was outside, "Irion, come here!"

Irion hurried to his master and kneeled, "Yes, Young Lord."

Aster's smile disappeared, he immediately asked, "How many hidden soldiers and shadow guards have we trained so far?"