Gardenia Of Blooming D.e.s.i.r.e

A week after the spring festival incident, people were talking about the series of shocking moments happened during the festival. They talked about the perfect-as-painting male spring goddess, the assassination attempt, savior who protected Spring Goddess, the overly intimate Crown Prince and Spring Goddess. The news went rampant from mouth to mouth.

However, people didn't seem to be able to find the identity of the savior, no news about the assassination attempt, the real relation between Crown Prince and Spring Goddess et cetera. However, there were rumors circulated, one was confirmed already, that Spring Goddess was the only heir of Grand Duchy Stormhill, the richest house in the empire.

'Then, is it true that Crown Prince loves this Young Lord from Grand Duchy?'

'I'm not sure, because they are related. They're cousin...'

'Cousins?! I--Is this incest?! But the empire has banned incest since two hundred years ago!'

'The Crown Prince has unbeatable status, you know. Who knows that ban will be lifted soon...'

'How could that be?! That's sinful. No matter how perfect that Young Grand Duke is, they are both man, and still related!'

'Oh, you know that The Empress is the one that choose spring goddess every year right? I heard from someone, that Empress is dissatisfied with Crown Prince and Young Grand Duke's relation, so she deliberately shame him by choosing him as spring goddess!'

'Yeah! I heard that she is also the one who planned the assassination!'

'What? No way! Empress is such a kind person!'

'Well, who knows, she comes from a faraway kingdom, we don't know if she's bad or not, she might pretend this whole time!'

'Yeah, unlike Princess Camille, we already know how kind and charitable our previous Golden Princess Camille, the current Grand Duchess!"

'True, the Empress might get jealous of her too.'

'Could it be... that Empress wants to take out her jealousy to Grand Duchess' only son?'

'How cruel...'

***

Grand Duchess chuckled reading the note from one of Rosalie's subordinate. He recorded one conversation between few people in the city with his note. Grand Duchess put down the note and sipped her tea calmly. Rosalie was anxious this whole time and finally asked, "Aunt Duchess, do you... participate in spreading the rumors?"

Grand Duchess raised her eyebrows, "I only let they know that the spring goddess was my son. After that, the rumors spread by itself."

"Then, you don't spread the rumor about Mother Empress?"

"No, I don't need to do that. The people would speculate by themselves," Grand Duchess chuckled, "After all, that is all I need to do. Spreading the fact that Aster was that spring goddess, whether they want to speculate, I would let them do."

"Then, how could they connect about this incident and framed Mother Empress easily? The rumors have already reached many outer cities!" Rosalie asked in panic. She expected that this would happen, but the rumors spread like a wildfire. And most of them framed her Mother Empress.

"I know your fish brain couldn't fathom it. But I already laid the trap since the day Aster entered this palace. All this is just the result of my plan. So, that mother of yours cannot be saved anymore," Grand Duchess, said. She peered at Rosalie, "Now do you regret it? Your mother has death sentence lingering on her neck."

"I never regretted it. I'm just..." Rosalie casted her eyes to the teacup. Rosalie didn't regret it. It was unfortunate that her mother had to bear this, but her mother wasn't exactly useful for her anyway. She was just scared to Aunt Duchess more than before.

'If I had one misstep, can I even save my head from her?' Rosalie shook in fear. But she only bowed down to avoid eye contact with Grand Duchess.

"However, that slave who protected Aster. I might have to say thank you to him. Because of his impulsiveness, the impact I got to create the rumors is even more potent," Grand Duchess laughed. Then, in a few seconds, her eyes turned really cold. "Now, I think that slave is more dangerous that I thought he is. But I cant kill him now."

"You can't? But Aunt Duchess, he is just a slave, a sex slave. You could make him disappear in an instant."

Grand Duchess' eyes grew colder, "I could. But my husband protected him. We have different interest in heart. However, in terms of power, he is equally matched with me."

'Equally matched?! Someone equally matched with Aunt Duchess?'

'Then, maybe...'

Grand Duchess glanced at her niece and curled up her lips a bit. "Well, I have to visit my son. He must be in a bad state right now. Now, Excuse me," Grand Duchess rose up from the chair and walked out.

Rosalie took a deep breath. Something started buzzing on her mind. But she could ignore it now, at last the monster had finally left the room.

***

Grand Duchess walked to Aster's room and the only guard who guarded the door immediately opened the door for her. She saw Aster who sat silently, looking outside as if he was thinking about something far.

Grand Duchess approached her son and took the chair to sat beside him. She put on her agonized expression and held Aster's hand.

"Aster, are you okay?"

Aster finally realized someone was in his room and saw his mother. He immediately bowed down, "I'm sorry, mom. I just..."

"No, it's okay," Grand Duchess said hurriedly.

Aster showed a mirthless smile. "I must be an embarrassment for the Grand Duchy."

The grip on Aster's hand tightened. Tears welled up on Grand Duchess' eyes and she took her handkerchief with one hand.

"M--my son, I--I don't blame you. As long as you are okay, I don't blame you..." Grand Duchess said, her voice shaking, "I--I will find a way to fix this!"

Aster shook his head. His face was pale with lifeless expression, as if the shock caused him to numb his liveliness.

"You don't need to. I just hope that everything will be solved," Aster said weakly. He slipped his hand off from his mother's, "I'm sorry that I couldn't live up to your expectation, mom. I promise I will do better here. Now, I beg you to leave..."

"Aster?" Grand Duchess asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. I need time to be alone, I'm sorry, mom."

"... No matter what, I'm always proud of you, Aster."

Grand Duchess sighed deeply. She rose and left the room with face full of grief and sorrow. Then, she returned to her room. Her servants immediately left the room and stood outside with the guards. Grand Duchess sat on the corner of her bed and chuckled lightly

"I thought he would be sadder than this..."

"But he seems well, much more than I expected. Even capable of putting pretense in front of me."

"As expected from my dearest son."

Grand Duchess' chuckle turned into low laugh. She seemed to be very satisfied, "Now, to the last piece, I need to meet my cute little brother."