Chapter 214 - Two Wounded Hearts

Charles was waiting in his chamber, he was waiting for the news to come, and just when he thought about checking it himself, his spy finally returned.

"This subordinate has the news for Your Highness Crown Prince," he said.

"How is it?"

The spy was hesitant, because the news was definitely unpleasant to hear for the Crown Prince. He gulped and mustered his courage, "Milord Grand Duke Aster kissed his servant under the Asterite Tower, they are positively in love."

Charles took a deep breath, there was no change in his countenance, he still stood calmly and then gazed at this spy coldly, "Good, you may go now."

"Y—Your Highness, please give this subordinate the order to eliminate Grand Duke Aster's servant, I will definitely be able to do it!" the spy initiated. But the Crown Prince didn't seem to be interested.

"My plan to dethrone my father is more important than just a random servant. All I need to hear is whether Aster is doing well or not, I will take the initiative after that. You may go now before you piss me off," Charles waved his hand in annoyance.

The spy nodded and disappeared from the chamber.

Charles looked around, there were plenty of these v.i.r.g.i.n beautiful men and women in his chamber, ready to be deflowered. His loyal subordinate had this weird idea again. He sighed and said to all these people, "All of you, leave the room now."

The people were surprised, they were ready to hand their v.i.r.g.i.n.i.t.y to the mighty Crown Prince, some of them were in for the money, but some were sincerely idolizing the prince.

"Your Highness, are you sure you don't want to try me first? I can—"

"LEAVE!!"

Everyone scurried and left the room hastily, the Crown Prince was way too scary to handle when he got angry or impatient. After the room was empty, Charles walked to the balcony and stared at the sight of Dionde City from his balcony.

He could see that Aster was able to increase the living conditions of the majority of the people in this city. The unemployment rate decreased quite significantly, and Dionde City's GDP contribution for Golden Camellia almost doubled in less than a year.

Charles smiled, "You really are an amazing man, Aster. How could I not adore you like this?"

Charles c.a.r.e.s.sed the silver pin that he took from Aster's room. The silver pin was still as clean as the first time he took it. Charles always kept Aster's silver pin in his pocket, because it was the source of his strength.

"Aster, everything has come to this point. I don't want to hurt you, but I guess there is no choice."

"They said, all the Emperors of Golden Camellia are the strongest Emperor in the world. Because they are wealthy, powerful and inherited the golden blood. They said we are blessed to have this golden blood, can you believe that, Aster?"

"They said, our golden blood is the blood of the gods. We are blessed with extraordinary talent in everything and we are born to rule. That one, I will not deny."

"I wonder how you will see me when I become the strongest in the world. Should I clip your beautiful wings? If I do, you cannot fly anymore, but you will stay with me. If I chain your leg, you cannot leave anymore, you cannot see anyone but me."

"It will be the greatest reward for me, no gold can make me feel better."

"I wonder what will I become if I don't love you, Aster."

"I will probably become the greatest killing machine our grandpa always wanted me to. I will feel nothing, but at least I won't suffer this heartache…"

Charles imagined that Aster was beside him, pouting his lips cutely, begging to be kissed. Charles bowed his head slightly and kissed the mirage that he created in his eyes.

'I love you, Aster. I will never abandon our childhood promise.'

Few minutes later, a shadow emerged behind him. Charles returned his solemn gaze and asked, "How is it?"

"Everything has been set, we are waiting for your order."

"Hold, I will order you when the time comes, thank you, Helene."

"Yes, Sir," Helene said firmly. However, she noticed the lonely back of her supposed 'fiancée' and said, "Sir, you need to let it go."

"What do you mean?"

"About Aster… Sir, he has moved on. Please realize that obsessing over him is very foolish of you."

Charles laughed, as if it was something really funny. He couldn't be mad at Helene, because this woman had been with him through thick and thin. He had a thin smile on his face and said, "Maybe, if I didn't fall in love with Aster, I would gladly marry you instead."

Charles leaned his elbow on the rail and he chuckled again, "But my golden blood said that my true love is Aster. I'm sorry for abandoning you, Helene."

Helene fell silent. She didn't know how to react in this situation, he raised her voice hesitatingly and then changed her mind, "I… I'm okay, Sir. You cannot force love."

"Yeah, you cannot force love…" Charles seemed to mumble that sentence a few times, "If you want to marry someone, just tell me. I will be funding a grand ceremony for your marriage."

"No need, Sir. I will not marry."

"Oh? Really?" Charles finally turned his back. He leaned his back on the railing and he raised his brow, "You are a beautiful warrior from North Fort Kingdom, you are also the first princess. There are plenty of suitors."

Helene sighed, she drew near Charles and then tiptoed. She kissed Charles on the lips and then took a few steps back, acting as if nothing had happened, "Because I will not marry someone that I don't love. I love you, but just like what I said, you cannot force love. Now if you excuse me, I have to check the surroundings first."

Helene disappeared, leaving the stunned Charles alone. Charles was unresponsive for a while, then he wiped his lips with his thumb, 'As expected, that hot sensation only comes when I kissed Aster.'

'But you cannot force love…'

An hour later, the door was knocked, and the voice of his loyal subordinate was heard from outside, "Your Highness, the girl called Merry has arrived, as you requested!"

"Let her in," Charles replied. His subordinate, Acron, was excited. Because this was the first time his master finally requested a girl. When he saw the appearance of Merry, he was positive that this girl was his master's type.

Merry entered the chamber, the chamber was spacious, though not as spacious as Milord Aster's chamber. There were many books and papers scattered around, "Come here," she heard a voice calling her.

A man, probably around his early-mid twenty, was leaning on the railing. He rested his elbow on the railing, showing his robust figure. He had a shoulder length brown hair that was tied back with silver ribbon.

'His face is definitely sculpted by god… so perfect…' Merry had never seen anyone so handsome before. This was the first time he saw Crown Prince Charles up close. He was handsome, sharp, and exuded a domineering aura that made anyone kneel in front of him.

'Aster is a cold, soft beauty that will make anyone drown in fantasy, especially with his mesmerizing eyes. Ramuja is handsome too, his s.e.xy chocolate skin and unadorned facial feature. But Crown Prince Charles is just…. Something else.'

'I guess it's logical that people think Charles and Aster fit together well. Because nobody could beat their beauty in this country, hm…'

'And Ramuja should've been mine! What is he doing mixing with these two gods anyway!'

Merry drew near Charles cautiously and kneeled, "This peasant heeds to the Crown Prince's summon."

Charles saw this girl from head to toe, he chuckled, "You do fit Aster's servant well, you will be a good couple together."

'Because both of you are ungrateful, conceited trash.'    

Charles could see this girl's real nature with his golden eyes easily. It was a wonder how Aster could be fooled by this girl and that servant of his.

Merry raised her head expectantly, "Your Highness knows Ramuja? Y—Yes! We are made for each other, until Grand Duke Aster comes between us…"

Charles rolled his eyes, he was not interested to hear a stupid girl story about that filthy servant, he said, "You don't need to tell me your story, I already know everything."

Charles pointed at a big bag on the desk and said, "That is two thousand gold coins, I believe you can live well with that servant until you grow old."

Merry stared at the bag greedily, she already counted the big house that she could buy and all the business she could purchase, then she would still have at least half of it saved until her old age. 

'Wait until Ramuja sees this, he might change his mind!'

Charles noticed the greedy eyes of this girl, and he sneered in his heart, 'Truly, a match made from heaven.'

Charles walked towards Merry and crouched in front of her, "If you want that, and want your lover back, you only need to do one thing."

"W—What is it, Your Highness? I'm ready to do anything!"

Charles grinned and whispered something to Merry's ears.