Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 171: The Business Devil is A Young Duke!

Three years had passed and Golden Camellia had almost returned to its former glorious state. Camille was now entering her eighteen birthday. She had bloomed into a beautiful Golden Princess that was adored by the people. She was gentle, kind hearted, talented in art and governing. She was hailed by the men as a goddess, and for the women, she was hailed as the epitome of a strong woman.

Golden Princess Camille had become the model of how a woman should be in Golden Camellia. She was also loved in Great Arctyr, although she was not allowed to visit the Great Arctyr because of her status, sometimes, she would send some financial aid of her own savings or send paintings she painted herself for the auction.

The money of the auction would be used to help those in need. She was perfect.

There were so many young, unmarried men lined up to propose to her. But she rejected everyone, her reason was because she was not ready for such a big commitment.

But she rejected all of them gently and softly, that those men didn't stop chasing her. Just like today.

"Your Highness Princess, these are the flower bouquets you get today," the maid brought in a wagon full of flowers bouquets in front of her.

Camille was sitting leisurely in one of the pavilions with her friend, enjoying brunch. She sighed, she had to applaud those people for their dedication, but she didn't want to marry any of them. They were just a bunch of weak noblemen with some money. They didn't have any significant power, nor any great achievement.

"Plant the flowers in the garden, but I will not write back to any of them," Camille ordered.

"My, my! Camille, you should really think about accepting at least one of them? How about this Marquis Viete, Apercino Viete? He has contributed a lot for the rebuilding of Golden Camellia."

"No, Lily, you know that I don't like any of them. And Apercino Viete is already thirty!" Camille was talking to Lily Berzhenia, young miss from Duchy of Silvor. They became friends because Camille found her worth, since the House of Berzhenia was quite powerful. Although Camille only treated her as a connection, it seemed Lily really treated her as her best friend.

"Well, just so you know, You are way too popular. I'm afraid there would be more and more of those men and they would never give up!"

"Not that I care," Camille rolled her eyes, "Anyway, my brother said he has his friend that would visit to talk about business."

"Business? You are going to handle some business?"

"Well, my father is on a long journey recolonising the countries that had rebelled during the war in our country. It would take a long time," Camille explained.

"Well, who will you meet anyway? Ugh, I already imagined a fifty years old man talking about boring stuff!" Lily made a disgusted expression. Camille only smiled.

"I'm not sure about this man, but his house was a dying duchy. Then he emerged and miraculously saved his duchy from ruin and even developed it further by doing business. I believe he's got a good enough portfolio to work with the empire."

"Wait, a dying duchy? Saved by businesses?" Lily's face turned pale instantly.

"Yes, it's Duchy of Stormhill, he is a young duke and"

"THAT'S THE BUSINESS DEVIL!" Lily reacted wildly, which surprised Camille, "Oh no! Camille, you should not make a deal with the business devil! He is scary, too scary!"

"Huh?" Camille frowned. As far as she studied this man's track record, there didn't seem to be any indication of corruption or anything.

"My duchy made a deal with him! Don't get tricked by his handsome look! He is going to suck your resource dry and make a deal you cannot reject! He is going to"

"Excuse me, missus, I believe you are talking about me," Lily jolted when she heard that familiar voice. She looked behind and instantly stood from the chair.

"CCamille, I have something else to do! See you later!" Lily scurried away as fast as she could, and she fell because she used high heels. It was quite comical. Which made Camille interested.

'What kind of deal Duchy Silvore did with him, that it made Lily scared to the bone?'

Camille observed the man in front of her, a twenty years old man. He was tall, with dark hair, and brooding eyes. He had that classic handsome face that would make many women swoon. But maybe because of his deep brooding eyes, it made him look unapproachable, he looked cold and serious.

"I believe you are Sir Harion Di Arlingdon, Duke of Stormhill, correct?"

"Correct, Your Highness."

"Please sit down, I'm sorry for my friend's lousy behaviour. She is acting weird just now, maybe it's because of Sir Harion's presence?" Camille smiled mysteriously, her eyes tracked every small gesture this duke made. Because if House Berzhenia could kneel in front of him, then he is not an easy person to deal with.

"She is just scared because I caught her father trying to smuggle some mining production to gain more profit," Harion replied coldly. It didn't seem to be much of a big deal for him.

"Oh? I've heard that you had a business deal with House Berzhenia. Mind to tell me the exact business you had the deal with?"

"It's a mining business, I promised them to develop their mines so they would be filthy rich, in return, I'd take 65% of the net income. Because I set out a deadline, they thought I couldn't develop their mines until it reached international scale, so they just agreed with it."

"And turns out, you are able to develop it and gain permanent profit?" Camille asked.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Interesting," Camille smiled, "It seems Sir Harion is a capable man for this empire project. I admire a man who knows his limit and capability."

Being complimented by Golden Princess Camille, Harion lowered his head slightly, a slight tint of blush appeared on his cheek.

"TThank you, Your Highness. You are also an admirable woman who controls many people, and able to stand above all" Harion complimented sheepishly. He looked shy and he subconsciously fidgeted.

Camille was a bit surprised with his compliment. He didn't say anything about the inspiring, gentle, kindness, generosity of 'Golden Princess Camille'. He was complimenting her ability to control the mass and to stand above all in Golden Palace.

It made her interested, slightly.

"Well, shall we start talking about the business? Mind you, I'm not an easy opponent to defeat," Camille warned Harion with her mysterious smile.

Harion resumed his straight posture and his eyes turned cold and brooding again. He was serious.

They were discussing a business deal that demanded Harion to construct many roads to the small towns and villages. Then, he could take profit from the special no tax for five years. All his businesses would not be taxed for five years as long as he made the roads, of course it was funded by the Empire.

For the first time, Camille was so shocked with this Young Duke's shrewd behaviour when discussing a business deal. He was not reluctant to stop you in the middle of your reasoning if it didn't fit him, he would give enormous pressure with facts that you couldn't refute either.

It was as if Camille was facing a devil with a suit.

"Your Highness, this is not right. I shall not obey your scam, the fund you offer is not enough to cover the cost of the construction. And reducing my tax by only 50%? I would rather not risk it all," Harion said shrewdly.

"You are not the only one in our list, if Sir Harion cannot accept this, then you can go. I believe you'll miss such a great opportunity, and it MIGHT ruin your track record," Camille said. She tried to threaten him. But Harion only scoffed.

"Your Highness, my track record is already evil as it is, but they keep coming at me. So, the conclusion is, they know my capability. The Empire must've known my capability too, since I believe there were only a handful of businessmen that would take construction at this moment. If you let me go, you'll have to settle with a lower quality construction businessman," Harion replied without mercy.

Camille wiped her cold sweat with a handkerchief. This was the first time someone could refute her. His pressure was enormous, after three hours of long debate, they finally reached the agreement. Although, in the end, both parties were unable to gain more than they wanted.

They made a neutral deal, both parties were profited, but not in an astronomical level as they would usually have.

This deal intrigued both Camille and Harion.

"Sir Harion is really what they call the devil businessman, I can't even win," Camille sincerely complimented him.

Harion lowered his head again, his blush had become more visible now, "YYour Highness also fits that Golden Princess title. You can pressure me so much with subtle pressure. I couldn't even reach my goal with the deal."

"I guess we are even," Camille sipped her tea, "I believe Sir Harion still have something to do, do you want me to escort you to the gate?"

There was something a bit sad in Camille's heart. It was such a waste if this talented young man left as if their deal wasn't really a big thing. Because Camille was still intrigued, still interested in him.

"If it's possible, I'd be grateful if Your Highness is able to escort me around the palace. It's been ten years since the last time I stepped my foot here. A little tour would be appreciated," Harion said. He hesitated, because he was unsure whether Golden Princess would say yes or just kicked him away.

Meanwhile, Camille was taken aback by Harion's initiative. He was basically asking whether it was okay for him to have a small 'date' with her. I was how the nobles in Golden Camellia asked for a date when they first met, because a palace or house tour was the sign of acceptance.

'He was like a ferocious beast when he talked about business. And he looks so unsure about this? A small date?'

True, Camille never accepted anyone to do a palace tour, but maybe, for this moment, she had the urge to say yes.

And she did, Camille nodded and said, "I shall give you a tour around the palace."

"WWWha thank you, Golden Princess!" Harion's brooding eyes were filled with happiness that it looked less intimidating.

"One more," Camille winked, "You should call me Camille."