Gardenia Of Blooming D_e_s_i_r_e

Crown Prince Charles entered the room that was previously owned by his mother Empress. This room was abandoned now, two months after Empress jumped from the fourth floor of high tower, this room was empty and the servants were all either dismissed or executed.

Charles took the handkerchief from his pocket. It wasn't his, it was Aster's. He still kept that handkerchief as a reminder whenever he felt that his mind was about to burst thinking about Aster. He stared at the handkerchief, smiled and then fervently smelled it as if it had the most wonderful fragrance in the world.

The handkerchief was washed everyday to keep its pure white color, but Charles could still imagine the first time Aster gave this perfumed handkerchief to him, it was the day before his late mother Empress trial, this handkerchief was his bribe.

Charles' smiled and his smile was filled with infatuation, 'Ah, Aster, I couldn't wait until you become mine completely, should I take you somewhere? Where nobody can see us, so we can have our time together...'

As Charles was lost in his fantasy, someone opened the door. Charles immediately pocketed the handkerchief, and turned around. But it was actually his sister, Golden Princess Rosalie.

Charles' guard lowered and he fished out the handkerchief again.

"Oh, Charles, what are you doing here?" Rosalie asked. She closed the door and then sat on a sofa.

"I'm just here to see the future room of my Empress," Charles replied.

"You mean Aster? Well, you don't seem to have progress with him yet, to plan such bright future, pfftt..." Rosalie chuckled.

"Shut up, Rosalie. You don't even have the chance to meet that s_l_u_t Florentino without being a slave to Aunt Duchess," Charles said, poked Rosalie's sore spot.

Rosalie was about to argue, but already knew that it was pointless anyway. Since both of their situations were true. Rosalie slumped on the sofa, she took the personal silver pin of Florentino Viete and kissed it gently. "It's fine, I will find a way to free him and his house from Aunt Duchess' grasp."

"Then, what is your intention to come in this room?" Charles asked.

"I just have free time to visit this place. It was Mother Empress' room, I used to come here and have a chat with her. It's been two months since Mother Empress' death." Rosalie recalled. She smiled, but somehow, that smile had no warmth on it.

Charles laughed mirthlessly, his pupils darkened, "And do you regret it? Killing our mother?"

Rosalie's smile deepened and said, "No, it's just unfortunate because she died too early, I couldn't grasp some power from her to stabilize myself."

"The inner circle of aristocrats are in turmoil after Mother Empress' death, but it the peasants have different opinion," Charles said.

"Haha, do you know what people said about us?" Rosalie giggled. "They said that the Empress was such a vile woman, plotting against a young man just because Crown Prince and Young Duke of Stormhill are very intimate. They praised Father Emperor for being a good king and stand for justice, they pitied Aster and lifted his position in their eyes as a pure man who was unfortunate. They pitied us for having a vile mother."

Rosalie couldn't help but snickered, "They really think like that! It was hilarious when I received that information."

Charles' complexion brightened, "I heard they romanticize my relationship with Aster as a forbidden fruit between two men."

"Yes, they did," Rosalie replied.

"This is nice, they need to support their future Empress anyway."

"But, what would you do to reach Aster now? I heard he refuses to meet you for the past two months, even locked his door."

Charles fell into silence. True, Aster seemed to have isolated himself after Empress' death, refused to meet anyone.

"I will find a way, besides, I still need to find that woman from the south," Charles said.

"A woman? I thought you're only interested with Aster," Rosalie raised her brows.

"No, it's not like that. I need to find this woman to secure my position first. After that, I will start occupying neutral houses and expanding Golden Camellia."

"Hmm... you make me curious about that woman."

"You will see her later, don't worry."

Rosalie shrugged, she had no right to press Charles about this. In the end, as long as it benefits him and didn't cross with her plan, she didn't have to worry.

They fell into silence again, until Charles opened his mouth, "You are still under Aunt Duchess currently, you know that she is dangerous, right?"

Rosalie's body tensed instantly. Her eyes showed obvious fear, she fished out her handkerchief and wiped cold sweat that somehow secreted immediately after two words were uttered.

Grand. Duchess.

Charles pitied his sister. Rosalie was a careful girl, but she was obviously not strong enough to have her own foothold in Golden Camellia. Besides, her golden circle was that promiscuous marquis under the rule of Grand Duchess, she was doomed to walk on this path.

"I... I planned to write a letter to Uncle Duke," Rosalie answered nervously.

"Uncle Duke? Grand Duke of Stormhill? Why?"

"Because he has equal power with Aunt Duchess, he just prefers not to be seen in political sphere. He holds greater economical power than her."

Charles knew that, of course everybody knew that. Uncle Duke held the strongest economic power in Golden Camellia, just under Emperor and Empress. He was just mostly absent in every parties or meetings.

"So you planned to ask for his shelter?"

"Yes, I really need to escape Aunt Duchess before it's too late for me," Rosalie said nervously.

"I see. Well, you can find me if you need help desperately," Charles said.

"Thanks, brother." Rosalie smiled and nodded.

It was always like this, the pair of sibling was never close to their parents, but relied on each other. They had mutual understanding over many things, and mostly knew about each other's secrets.

"Well, I'm going. Don't stay here for too long, it might be dangerous," Charles said.

Rosalie felt something was wrong from Charles' sentence. She furrowed her brows, but said nothing. She got up from the sofa and followed him out, and they parted in the corridor.

Charles walked in the corridor, his mind was very cautious. He had the feeling that there was somebody else Mother Empress' room. However, he realized it too late, just after they talked about many things had his hunch emerged.

'Someone spied on us, but I think I haven't spilled a lot.'

'Rosalie... I hope she knows what she is doing.'

He needed to go to the south, thus, Charles went to his room and prepared few things. The spy, he needed further investigation before catching someone who dared to spy on him.

'I still have campaign in the south for one year, and that woman... I need to bring her.'

Charles folded Aster's handkerchief and put it in a box, every time he went somewhere, he always did this and bring the box with him. Something like this, should be treasured.

'Aster, wait for me.'