Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster skimmed through the invitation list, there were few honorable guests that would join the banquet and he had to make sure they would get the best seat, and some tedious seating partner preference. The Grand Duchy did not kneel to anyone except the royal family, but an honorable guest would give a better chance of future cooperation or business, which might be profitable.

'Crown Prince Charles and Golden Princess Rosalie, eh, they are my cousins anyway, they are easy to handle.'

'Lady Berzhenia, The Duchess of Silvorè. She is my mother's colleague, she will be fine beside her.'

'Young Marquis of Viete, that narcissist would love the attention, especially from Rosalie. I'd give him the seat besides Rosalie.'

'Helene, Princess of North Fort, Charles' fiancé,' naturally, it was best to seat her besides Charles as his fiancé, but Charles insisted to seat beside him. Probably, because it had always been like that since they were kids.

'He is an engaged, adult crown prince anyway. Why would he favor sitting besides me after he is engaged.'

Engaged couples would prefer to be separated, together with their loved ones. Aster decided to seat these lovebirds on the furthest table with garden view. Charles should be grateful because he had to give the best seat to him.

'Humph, let's see if you can joke like usual in front of Helene. I bet you'd become a henpecked husband,' Aster snorted. It was quite well known that Helene was actually a female knight. Unlike a regular princess, she was fierce, strong, tanned skin, and had followed many campaigns as Charles' subordinate.

'No wonder they became a pair of lovers.'

Aster smiled, when he attended that engagement party almost four months ago, he saw what a happy pair of lovebirds standing in front of the crowds, pledging their love with rings in their fingers. He felt envious at that time.

He wondered about the possibility of love. The fuzzy feeling that would wrap your mind with nothing but amour. The kind of ecstasy-filled desire that blurred all logic. He had never been interested with anyone up to that point.

Aster recalled people he met and ladies his mother had introduced. They were all displeasing to his eye. They all have the same, foxlike aura that made Aster grow wary. Unlike that one serva--

"Young Lord," Aster glanced to his right, his servant was bowing to him, "This servant brought a message from the head maid, Young Lord's autumn garment has been delivered."

Aster stared at his servant and found that he was quite handsome, chiseled nose, deep dark eyes, bronze skin, and his clean features. He remembered when he saw this servant for the first time, he was thin and frail, stinky, and was just unbearable to the eyes. For this improvement, Aster praised his kindness.

"Young Lord?" his servant called him twice.

"Yes, you may go now."

"This servant excused himself.'

When his servant started withdrawing, Aster had realized something and asked his servant, "What is your name?"

His servant was surprised, but quickly answered, "Young Lord had graced this servant 'Ramuja' as this servant's name. Which is also this servant's original name."

"You can go now," Aster said nonchalantly.

After his servant left, he took the banquet's arrangement book and put a name under his name.

'Ramuja… huh,' Aster wrote his servant name under the column of the attendant. This was the first time he wrote this column. Usually, it was a random servant who became his attendant, as they were all the same in his eyes. Low, displeasing to the eyes, and sometimes dirty.

But for this one, he would make an exception. This servant, no, Ramuja, was his current favorite servant. He was a simple person, followed the order as intended and never tried to covet him. His only wish was to stay alive, serving Aster until he died.

Such servant, was he the lucky one? To obtain such precious loyal servant who would follow him without any question.

Aster shook his head, since his servant said that he would be happy as long as his Lord was happy, Aster kept thinking of how lucky he was to be adored by someone pure. His doubts cleared. There was no way this servant would hurt him.

'Surely, I am lucky.'

***

Aster stood in the hall with Ramuja behind him. He wore a dark yellow doublet, and white tunic underneath. The doublet was embodied with silver braids that sparkled under the light of the chandelier. The braid was supposedly made from threads that were soaked in real silver coating, which made the braid shine under the light. The braid continued to his tight fitted breeches. His polished leather shoes had a golden pin shaped like a golden flower, symbolizing his high status.

Ramuja wore a regular brown tunic, but if one inspected carefully, they would realize the quality of the tunic. It was silk, which was very expensive.

Aster greeted the guests who had just entered the hall. Colorful dresses, mix of perfumes and chuckle and laughter filled the air.

"Sylia Ausphere, Countess of Marshwood greeted Young Lord of Grand Duchy," said a girl a year older than him. Her house was the vassal of Grand Duchy of Stormhill. It was natural for him to be greeted respectfully.

Aster smiled but said nothing. The Countess had expected so, but still stunned when she saw his smile. Somehow, she felt that the Young Lord was in a good mood today.

The Marquis of Viete came with his bright red doublet that looked tacky to Aster, but somehow, the ladies favored him.

"This one welcomed Crown Prince Charles and Golden Princess Rosalie to the Grand Duchy, May Golden Camellia prosper until the last eternal petal falls." Aster greeted his cousins who came a bit early. Charles chuckled, took his hand and kissed it. Aster retracted his hand immediately.

Rosalie snorted, "Aster, you should stop seducing him already. He is engaged now."

"Who seduced him anyway, it was your brother who was too bold!" Aster fought back. Charles just giggled.

While the atmosphere was bright, Aster silently pondered about why Charles did not stay inside the same carriage with Helene. Instead, Helene came half an hour later, alone.

"Helene, Princess North Forth greeted Young Lord," Helene drew near him and bowed. Aster smiled, he wanted to ask her about the relationship with Charles, but it seemed to be a bad time to ask so.

After all the guests had arrived, everyone seated in the arranged table. There were many colorful expressions, but most of them were delighted, except Crown Prince and Helene, while Helene looked nonchalant, Charles' expression was dark and he looked mad.

'Was he not happy with my arrangement? I gave him the best seat already.'

Aster sighed, he would talk to his troublesome cousin later.

The Grand Duchy of Stormhill started their opening speech, but, rather than his dad, the Grand Duke who spoke, it was his mother Grand Duchess.

The aristocrats generally looked up to the Grand Duchess rather than the Grand Duke, as time passed by, they saw the Grand Duchess was in control of the grand duchy, while her husband was engrossed into his business.

Aster was bored, after this speech, everyone would speak to each other while enjoying the feast. He had no one to talk to. Unless, he decided to converse about random things to Ramuja, his servant.

'I would love to, but mother would be displeased for sure.'

Not wanting to join any useless conversation, Aster left the banquet to the garden with Ramuja.

He strolled around the garden, the cold of autumn was his favorite. Rather than heat, he preferred cold, even harsh winter was still better than summer.

He saw his servant shivered, his shirt was just a tunic without any warmer, but he insisted to follow him to the garden.

"You can go back to the banquet."

Ramuja's teeth chattered, but he replied, "This servant will accompany Young Lord."

Aster sighed. He expected that answer anyway. This servant of his could be headstrong sometimes.

He tried to ignore his servant, but it felt like his servant's cold shiver seeped to his heart. He felt uncomfortable leaving his servant like that.

"You're bothering me," Aster commented.

"This servant begs for Young lord's forgiveness, this servant is unable to control his body."

Aster rolled his eyes, this servant still doesn't understand that he asked him to go back. Ramuja would be sick if he stayed in this garden without warmth. Aster unbuttoned his doublet and took it off.

"Y--Young Lord, what does Young Lord want to do?!" His servant was flustered. His eyes saw Aster's exposed collarbone and immediately lowered his head.

"Hmm? I took it off for--"

"Aster!"

Aster's attention shifted to the sudden, grim voice who called his name. He saw Charles glared and walking his way. His Whole fixture looked menacing.

Aster gulped. Strange feeling of fear invaded his body, he had premonition that something ugly would happen soon.