Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 284: A Family of Three... and Counting!

Sun King Rama's awakening after his three years of slumber was amazing news in the Sun Kingdom. King Chandra immediately held a national feast to commemorate Sun King Rama's awakening. He generously held a big feast and allowed all citizens of the Sun Kingdom to rejoice upon Sun King Rama.

Everyone in Sun Kingdom loved the new Sun King. Mostly because of his heroism and second, for his loyalty. The soldiers who went to war with Sun King Rama and survived told the tale of Sun King Rama and his lover, Grand Duke Aster, who was now the Emperor of Golden Camellia to their family members. And soon, the tale of Sun King and Emperor was widespread across the country and even the neighboring countries.

The soldiers told the people how Sun King was very obedient and loyal with his wife, but he was also very fierce and heroic when facing his subjects. They told them how ridiculously strong Sun King Rama was, he was ten times stronger than other past Sun King, and probably would never be surpassed by the future Sun Kings.

'Really? He can destroy the whole army by himself and suffer no injuries? How did he do that? The previous Sun Kings were not as strong as him! They are strong, but they are still human. You talk like King Rama is a demigod!'

'I'm not sure either, but he does look like a demigod. Maybe because his source of strength is different?'

'What do you mean?'

'Hm my general once said that King Rama is able to draw that much power because he has deep love and connection with his sun, Lord Aster. His love for Lord Aster is immense, it makes his power increase immensely too.'

'Ah! I know that the previous Sun Kings drew out power from their love to our kingdom. But Sun King Rama is different, right?'

'Yes. His love is solely concentrated for Milord Aster.'

'It's a bit weird that King Rama doesn't love our country as much as the previous Sun Kings. But his love brings enormous power, and it helps us to win the war and prosper the country, I guess there is nothing wrong with that.'

'Indeed. Our country is prosperous and secure right now. Nobody dares to invade us anymore because of King Rama's power. As long as King Rama is happy and our country is safe, there is nothing wrong with that.'

The chatters of the people filled the air as the Sun King Awakening national feast were held in every city.

Meanwhile, Aster and Ramuja were busy inside their room. Ardent was out, playing with Arya. Thus, they could have their quality time together.

Ramuja sat beside Aster and encircled Aster's waist with his hand, he kissed Aster's cheek and complained, "Wife, it's been three days since my awakening, and we are yet to do that"

Aster sighed, he flicked Ramuja's forehead and chided, "We are going to have a grand wedding in a week! Why are you so impatient!"

Ramuja pouted, "We haven't done it for three years, you need to compensate me"

Aster's lips twitched. He opened Ramuja's hand on his waist and took a big stack of documents from the drawer, "This is what you've missed for the last three years in Sun Kingdom. I will help you read it, and you will be the one who decides. It will take probably two days to finish everything."

Like a bucket of cold water poured over his body, Ramuja gulped when he saw the thick stack of documents, "Can we just ask Arjun to do this?"

"He is Prime Minister, not the King. He already sorts the one that really needs your decision, so it is not much. Your father is too old, and you are already officially the Sun King! Be more responsible, Ramuja!" Aster chided again.

'If I know being the king will be this troublesome, I will let Arjun be the king instead' Ramuja mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"NNothing!"

Aster's eyes peered suspiciously, he started opening the document and read it one by one. It was indeed a hellish day for Ramuja. He glanced at his wife over and over, hoping that Aster would get tired and wanted to play in bed, but true to his workaholic nature, Aster was not tired at all. It was Ramuja who got sleepy and tired instead.

After two hellish days of document review, Ramuja felt that he was a soulless plank, laying on the bed, unable to process any more document review.

Aster glanced at Ramuja and sighed. He closed the document and said, "Alright then, it's been two days since we got our free time. I know that you are tired, but this is for the good of your country."

"I know," Ramuja said. Aster locked him inside their room for two days, they unless it was time to eat and rest with Ardent, they were busy with document reviews.

Ramuja glanced at Aster who also looked tired, but was still able to work. Three years three years for Aster to rebuild the destroyed Golden Camellia, sort out the nobles and enrich the peasants. If not because of his talent and hardworking nature, it would be impossible for anyone to do.

Ramuja caressed Aster's face, he felt sorry. Because he was not able to help and protect Aster for three years, "Aster I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't accompany you for three years. It must've been hard in Golden Camellia."

Aster was silent for a moment, and smiled, "It is hard. But when I think about you, I know that you'll wake up someday, and I don't want you to see Golden Camellia still in ruin after three years. I want you to see me as a Great Emperor."

"Aster, you are strong. You are the smartest and the most capable Emperor for Golden Camellia," Ramuja's eyes were fully concentrated on his mesmerizing wife. After three years, Aster became even more eye-catching, he felt a bit insecure in his heart, really.

"Did you get close to anyone for the past three years?"

Aster rolled his eyes. He pecked Ramuja's lips and replied annoyedly, "I barely slept for the past three years because I am locked up inside my office almost every day. Do you think I still have time to cheat on you?"

Ramuja smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry. You know you are just too beautiful. I'm afraid that someone will covet you"

"If someone dares to covet me, I don't think he will live to see another day. Knowing that you'll probably go berserk again," Aster lowered his head and fiddled with Ramuja's fingers. "Ramuja, I know that you are strong, and someday in the future, you might need to go berserk again. But I beg you, please don't let yourself lose control. I don't want us to be separated."

Ramuja pulled Aster to his embrace and kissed his hair, "I promise you, I will never leave you alone, Aster," Ramuja said. But there was an entanglement in his heart, because he knew about his lifespan. He was bound to die at forty.

But he wasn't sure either, because he couldn't sense the purple light essence anymore inside his body after the purple aura got separated three years ago. He could still feel the warm orange aura inside his body though. 

Although his fate was uncertain, he didn't want Aster to be saddened, he promised him, "No matter how, I will never let anyone separate us. Not even god."

Aster nodded and enjoyed the moment, before the door was opened and a little boy's voice broke the atmosphere, "Papa! Arya is bullying me again! Wuwuwu"

Aster got up from Ramuja's chest and walked to pick Ardent up, "What did she do?"

Arya followed from behind and clicked his tongue, "You are such a crybaby! Uncle Aster, Ardent is scared of this!"

Arya showed the thing in her hand. A green caterpillar. Aster's face paled when he saw the green caterpillar, "AArya, would you mind putting that back to the garden?"

Arya seemed to notice Uncle Aster's expression and grinned mischievously, "Is Uncle Aster also scared with bugs?"

"N--Not really"

Ramuja saw that Aster and Ardent were getting scared by the bug. He stood up and pulled Arya up, "You little kid, don't you dare scaring my wife!"

The fierce and unrelenting Arya struggled and tried to punch his Uncle Rama with her small fist, "You are the little kid! You Slept for three years! I don't even sleep that much!" Arya struggled even more, "Uncle Aster is mine! When I get older, I will marry him instead!"

"You!" Ramuja actually got triggered by a little girl. He glared at Arya. "I will not ouch!" Ramuja felt that someone had hit his head.

"She is a little girl! You are scaring her! Be more sensible!" Aster scolded Ramuja again.

Ramuja felt wronged, this little girl was obviously not scared at all. Besides, she was the next Sun King. Ramuja could feel the fierce fiery aura from her. She would not be scared by her elder Sun King.

Arya stuck out her tongue. She was satisfied that Uncle Aster took her side. After their loud bickering filled the room. Aster decided to let the maid take Arya back to her mother. Meanwhile, Ardent was eating a cookie while sitting on Aster's lap.

Ramuja stared at the little Ardent with jealousy, 'I want to sit on his lap too.'

Ardent sensed his Papa Rama's gaze, he asked, "Papa Rama, why is Papa Rama staring at Ardent? Is Ardent cute?"

"No, you are not cute at all," Ramuja said curtly.

Ardent's tears welled in his eyes and he cried, "Waaaah! Papa Rama is mean!" 

"Ramuja!" Aster glared at Ramuja.

Ramuja sulked. Since Aster was busy taking care of Ardent, their sweet time had been greatly shortened. He had to rethink about having a baby soon. If Aster really got pregnant and birthed a baby, Aster would definitely ignore Ramuja for a long time, busy taking care of two children.

"Alright, Ardent, Papa Rama is just playing. Ardent is very cute and a good boy," Ramuja coaxed Ardent. Ardent stopped crying and sobbed while eating the cookies.

Aster smiled in satisfaction, "Ramuja, we are going to have a grand wedding in five days. You should learn how to be a good father. Maybe we will adopt a baby later, I want you to be a responsible father, okay?"

Ramuja nodded obediently. He gulped, because he wanted to say, 'We don't need to adopt, wife. We just need to do it every day until your belly is full of my seed. You'll get pregnant eventually.'

Aster looked at the scenery outside, Sun Kingdom only had two seasons, so the garden was still filled with flowers. He smiled, 'A sweet life.'