Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster resumed his gentle face and smiled to this man called Gaum, "My name is Aster Di Arlingdon, Young Lord of Grand Duchy Stormhill, it is my pleasure to meet His Highness Second Prince here," Aster said. He smiled, but his smile didn't seem sincere enough, "Though, His Highness shouldn't kiss my hand like that, it is used for a man who is courting a lady."

He shook his head lightly, and his dark blue hair bounced. "Young Lord, your smile isn't sincere enough, I can see that you don't like my presence here."

Aster's smile faded. He snarled sarcastically, "Then, if you know that already, please be more sensible and leave."

"Oh, I'm here to avoid the bustling party. Shouldn't Young Lord be the one who leave? You are the star of the party inside, not here." Gaum chuckled.

"Then, you should leave, this garden is big enough for you to find another spot."

"No, can't do. I'm a sensible man, I'm here to court an interesting person," Gaum laughed lightly.

Aster was irritated enough to carry a death sentence. His birthday party was ruined because of his mother's announcement, Ramuja was nowhere to be seen, he had to hold someone's hand and now, this Second Prince of Rhea bugged him here.

"Well, since we have introduced ourselves, it is good that we should part ways. We're not close enough to share a talk," Aster said.

"True, we're not close enough," Gaum fished out something from his pocket and held Aster's wrist. He opened his hand and handed out something to Aster's palm. "Now, we're close enough to talk, right? I gave you my brass pin, just now."

"But--"

"Young Lord shouldn't reject someone who was handling you his personal pin," Gaum snickered, "It is rude to do so, right? Young Lord is a 'well mannered' man, surely you don't want to hurt my feeling."

"You--!"

"Hahaha, okay, I will leave now," Gaum's laugh became even more obvious, "I'm here to see what kind of man able to bewitch my older brother."

"Your older brother... Gamasiel?"

"Yeah, he is dazed all day long, thinking about certain someone," Gaum giggled, "I guess, I can see why."

Gaum walked around, circling Aster like a man observing an antique treasure, "We will meet often later, Young Lord. Please, bear with my presence, I will be staying in the city nearby." He chortled again and walked away.

'Obnoxious man, what a waste of good look.' Aster stomped his feet.

Aster opened his palm again, this was Gaum Cresthold's personal brass pin, shaped like a robin bird on a branch. He was about to throw this brass pin, but he felt reluctant.

Aster felt like, he would be acquainted with that man later. Thus, Aster decided to pocket this pin. He walked further into the flower garden, then called Jain, "Jain, come."

Jain jumped from somewhere and landed in front of Aster, "This subordinate greets Young Lord."

"Where were you? I didn't see you in the party?"

"This subordinate was present, but Young Lord was swarmed by people, I couldn't get close."

Aster sighed. It was true, he didn't get to roam around the hall because of those people.

"It's okay. Then, where is him? I have been waiting for him the whole day, and he didn't even show up," Aster frowned, "Don't tell me something happened to him."

"He is fine... and he is already in the duchy, Young Lord," Jain answered, but his tone sounded hesitant.

Aster's golden circle dilated, "Then, where is he? I need to see him!" he asked impatiently.

Jain observed his master's behavior whenever they talked about this servant. He checked on this servant background and identity and became even more baffled with his master's fascination.

"Young Lord, may this subordinate ask a question?"

"What?"

"... Is this slave important for you?"

Aster paused. His golden circle widened and almost took over the blue part of his eyes, his eyes almost turned golden, "Don't call him a slave, his status will be the same as you and Irion soon."

"Young Lord?!" Jain was stunned. If this was the case, then that slave was even more important than what he imagined. Jain clenched his fist.

"Tell me where is he," Aster's tone turned from asking to commanding. Jain knew that he couldn't hold this matter longer.

"He is sitting near the fountain, at the center of the west garden," Jain pointed. Before Aster left, Jain hastily asked, "Young Lord, he is just a low born..."

Aster halted his step, his expression turned grim like he was about to kill someone, "Don't you dare insult him again. I will spare you because of our oath, but I will not spare you twice, Jain Tellah."

Aster hastily left Jain who was too shocked to react.

Aster was near the center of the west garden and still saw no one. He circled the small fountain, but Ramuja was still nowhere to be seen.

He was frustrated. He sat at the edge of the fountain and called low, "Ramuja, where are you?"

Just when Aster was about to leave, he heard the bush shook few times. Aster attentively listened to the sound, and called again, "Ramuja?"

The bush near him shook again, he called him again, "Ramuja? Come out, I've been waiting for you."

Soon after, a silhouette emerged from one of the trimmed bush, a tall man with muscular build, bronze skin, sharp defined nose, and short black hair approached Aster carefully.

Ramuja was very tall and dwarfed Aster in front of him. Aster's head only reached his shoulder. He had a very masculine face even without facial hair, yet, his eyes exudes softness and warmth that Aster longed for.

Ramuja kneeled in front of Aster, "Y--Young Lord, pardon this servant's impertinence, this--this servant didn't mean to hide--"

Before Ramuja could even finish his sentence, Aster threw all his weight to Ramuja and they fell onto the flowerbeds. Aster was hugging Ramuja tightly. He was on top of Ramuja's body. His voice was hoarse, "Why are you so late? Do you know how anxious I am?"

"Sorry..."

"Sorry? Is that all you want to say!?" Aster released his hug, but he was still sitting on top of Ramuja's body.

Aster saw Ramuja lay on the ground while being surrounded with many white petunia and dahlia. His expression was anxious and concerned at the same time.

'My handsome and warm Ramuja...'

The picture that often came to his dream was finally realized in front of his eyes. Aster couldn't help but shed tear.

"Y--Young Lord? Don't cry..." Ramuja was panicked. He wiped the pool of tears in Aster's eyes gently.

Aster held Ramuja's hand immediately, and rubbed his cheek in Ramuja's palm. He closed his eyes while enjoying this gentle touch.

He felt something strange in his chest, a palpitating heartbeat that just kept getting stronger and stronger.

"Ramuja, I miss you..." Aster said.

'I miss you so much that I don't want to sleep. Because you are in my dream, sweetly tormenting me with your presence,' Aster said in his heart.

Aster opened his eyes slowly, and finally, his eyes had turned pure bright golden.