Chapter 194 - Little Rabbit and Little Deer

"Oh my, this is quite a grand welcome for someone humble like me," Lady Merse laughed in joy, the silver mask that covered the right side of her face glinted. Aster was considerate enough to line up all the servants in front of the Lantern Palace to greet Lady Merse.

Aster gave out his hand to help Lady Merse step down from her carriage and then he said, "Well, I just think that Aunt Merse never came to Lantern Palace, so I want to give you the hospitality of this palace."

"It works well," Lady Merse smiled, she looked up to observe the lush dome that covered the main courtyard of Lantern Palace, "It is indeed beautiful, just like what people said."

"I'm glad you like it," Aster smiled cheerfully, "Well, this dome is also the only reason I can greet you outside, otherwise, I will get rashes…"

"Then, we shall head inside soon, I don't want you to get hurt," Lady Merse said anxiously. She grabbed Aster's hand and took him inside Lantern Palace, completely ignoring all the servants and guards that greeted her. Aster was a bit surprised as well, but Lady Merse looked genuine enough for him to lower his guard down.

The servants followed Aster and Lady Merse inside the palace. Aster already prepared a small feast for Lady Merse personally, but she didn't seem to be interested. She was only interested in listening to Aster trying to give her a warm welcome.

"I've prepared many of Dionde City's signature food for Aunt Merse to try," Aster said, he looked at Lady Merse with glittering eyes, as if he was waiting for Lady Merse to compliment him.

Lady Merse laughed and patted Aster's head gently, "Aster, I'm almost 42, I can't eat that much. Rather than that, I would like to have a conversation with you."

Aster was a bit down casted, because he prepared everything since dawn to greet Lady Merse.

Lady Merse seemed to notice Aster's disappointment, she walked to one of the tables and took a slice of cake. She tasted it and said, "Oh, I love this one, I'll take the whole cake after we finish our discussion, is that alright?"

"Yes!" Aster grinned, "Aunt Merse, let's go to my chamber, the balcony view is really nice!"

***

Aster started to get comfortable with Lady Merse, probably because Lady Merse reminded him of his late mother, but with less scheme and more warmth. He went inside his chamber with Lady Merse and accompanied her with two maids and Ramuja as Aster's guard.

Lady Merse didn't take any of her guards, she said that her guards shouldn't be wary against Aster.

Lady Merse and Aster sat face to face, they drank cold tea in this hot summer. She smiled at Aster and asked, "Aster, in your invitation, you said that you want to talk about something. Mind telling me whether it's regarding our potential political alliance or just because you miss me?"

"W—Well, it's the combination of both…" Aster smiled sheepishly, "I want to talk about Grand Duchy of Stormhill and Duchy of Arion's future alliance, but also because Aunt Merse is the mistress of the duchy."

"If it's not me, you are not going to invite Duchy Arion? Why?" Lady Merse asked curiously.

"I will not. Because Duchy Arion is a high military house, if it's not you who rule inside the duchy currently, I'm afraid the Royal Family would've snatched the Duchy of Arion before I could do anything."

Lady Merse nodded satisfied, "It is wise for you to understand the nature of the houses in Golden Camellia. While Duchy Arion is a high military house, I still take a neutral stance because I see Crown Prince Charles as an ambitious person. I don't blame him for his nature, but if my house joined his alliance, then he would probably use my army to slaughter many people."

"That's why, I want to create an alliance between our houses," Aster said. "I don't plan to attack anyone, but Charles said that he would eventually swallow my duchy. Since Grand Duchy is unable to recruit any soldier, except some guards, I can't protect my region against any incoming attack from other houses."

Lady Merse smiled amusedly. She was going to ally with Aster anyway, but she wanted to test him. She always had the feeling that Aster was not so innocent and simple, but whether he was cunning or crafty, she never had the feeling that Aster would harm her at all.

"I see, tell me then, if I'm allied with you, what kind of benefit will my house get? I know Grand Duchy Stormhill is a rich house, incredibly rich in fact, but my house didn't lack money in particular."

"I would create a shortcut for the people inside the region of Duchy Arion to travel easier to Dionde City," Aster said confidently.

Lady Merse was surprised, she thought Aster would beg for her alliance, but he actually gave something so promising. "What kind of shortcut?"

Aster ordered the maid to take the map on the table and he spread it in front of Lady Merse, he pointed at mountainous region of the map, "This is Duchy Arion, in order for the people to go to big cities, including Dionde, they need to circle around the mountain and had to take farther road because of the border with House of Viete and Fulk. I will grant the permission from Viete and Fulk to open the road for the people of Arion. Thus, it will save them almost five hours to reach Dionde."

Lady Merse was stunned with Aster's idea. Because it was almost impossible to do, knowing that Fulk Barony wouldn't open the gate for anyone unless they paid a hefty amount of fee. And Viete had its lascivious Marquis that always demanded for a beautiful man or woman to be sold to him. Thus, the people of Arion didn't even want to touch the Viete region.

"This is unexpected," Lady Merse went silent for a second and then asked, "Aster, do you think you can do this? I don't even mind if you just want my alliance, I will give it to you. No need to give me some sweet promise like this."

Aster felt that his pride was hurt because Lady Merse doubted him, "Don't worry, Aunt Merse. I will open the road for your people!"

Lady Merse sighed. Every time she observed Aster, she always noticed this glaring trait of his, 'Aster always exudes pride, confident, and sometimes even haughtiness. I'm afraid if I say no, it would hurt his pride even more, he was like a prideful little rabbit.'

'Well, in the end, I do want to ally with Aster anyway. It doesn't matter if he is successful or not in opening the road, but if he is successful, I will count that as a bonus.'

Lady Merse already saw Aster as her own son. Because she never had any. Aster often invited her to a party or feast, which she rarely attended because it was too far and she was really busy with her work as the mistress of Duchy Arion. However, she was always ready to help Aster whenever possible.

"I accept, give me the doc.u.ments," Lady Merse said lightly. Aster was stunned for a second, because he didn't know it would be this easy.

"Y—Yes! This is the doc.u.ment!" Aster took the doc.u.ment under the table and put it in front of Lady Merse.

ady Merse chuckled, "You hid the doc.u.ment under the table, did you in any way already predict that I would say yes?"

"N—No…" Aster couldn't help but to grin a bit, "Well, maybe."

Lady Merse signed the paper easily and said, "I trust you, Aster. I know that you are not a bad person. But you should remember that the world is not kind to a naïve kid. So, I want you to always be careful."

"Yes, Aunt Merse…"

Lady Merse sighed and patted Aster's head, "Even if you don't offer me anything, I would gladly swear my allegiance to you."

Aster stopped his sheepish act and stared at Lady Merse straight in the eyes, he tried to detect any kind of lies. Because that kind of words, although Lady Merse said it lightly, was actually a heavy burden for an aristocrat to say.

And he didn't detect any hostility or lies. Lady Merse really trusted him this much. And it made him feel guilty. He gulped and then said, "T—Thank you, Aunt Merse. I will not disappoint you."

Lady Merse smiled again, then her eyes darted at the figure behind Aster who had been staring at her with obvious hostility, "Aster, may I know who is the guard behind you?"

"Oh, this is Ramuja! He is my personal servant and guard," Aster said excitedly, he pulled Ramuja to his side and continued, "A—Aunt Merse might not notice it, but Ramuja is really strong, so he is a good love--- loyal subordinate."

Ramuja said nothing, he only stared at this woman in front of him with great hostility. As if he had been burying a deep hatred towards her. Lady Merse finally realized who this man beside Aster was, her gaze darkened as he scoffed lightly.

"I see, well, he must be a good servant for you. Because he is able to gain your trust. You seem to be very excited about him, do you have any special preference for this servant of yours?" Lady Merse asked while she was glaring at Ramuja.

Aster's cheek reddened when Lady Merse asked that, he lowered his head and mumbled, "P—Probably…"

"It's good to have a simple, loyal servant," Lady Merse complimented. But if someone observed her tone and expression attentively, they would realize that Lady Merse was obviously hostile to this servant called Ramuja too.

Lady Merse spent the night in Lantern Palace, because travelling back to her duchy took so long, so she would return tomorrow morning. She had dinner with Aster before going to her guest room.

The guest room was really big and soundproofed well, as expected from the wealthy Grand Duchy.

Lady Merse was wearing a white gown, her hair was dr.a.p.ed down and she was sitting on her bed. Not long after, a silhouette appeared near the window and the window was opened wide. A big man approached her with his eyes showing tremendous anger.

"Do you still remember me?" he asked.

Lady Merse laughed mockingly, "So we meet again, Little Deer," Lady Merse raised her right brow, "Or should I call you, Little Bitch."