Gardenia Of Blooming D.e.s.i.r.e

It took almost twelve hours until they reached Dionde City. By the time they reached the city, it was already dusk. The lights from colorful oil lamps flickered around the corner of the street. The patrol guards light them one by one every night to lighten the street with colorful lights. It was really beautiful.

Aster recalled the last time he lived in this city. It was when he was around seven, the place was always nice, but it was never pleasant for him. Because he couldn't leave the Lantern Palace, the palace his dad built.

Dionde City was a coastal city, thus, if during spring until the end of summer, the temperature could be extreme. Aster recalled, that during summer, he would be locked in his room and sat between blocks of ice just for him to stand the heat every day.

He entered the school for noble kids when he was five, but the day he entered the school was during the peak of summer. Thus, his rash was severe and his body burned in pain, it felt like there was fire underneath his skin, his skin turned red and blisters appeared everywhere.

Other kids started screaming and crying when they saw Aster's hideous appearance. He ran and hid behind the teacher, he was frightened by these kids who called him ugly monster.

After that, he was homeschooled, Sir Douglass was his teacher since he was five years old. And he was never allowed to leave the palace unless it was autumn or winter. Yet, the doctor said that his skin condition was untreatable, that was why his parents decided to move and bought a mansion on top of a hill with cooler temperature.

'That's why I never have friend, except occasional visit from Charles and Rosalie.'

Aster gazed at the scenery of lined houses. Plenty of people walked around the city, many stores were open, and so far, the city was still beautiful and romantic, just like what was in his childhood memory.

Dionde City was the trade capital of Golden Camellia Empire due to its strategic location on the coast. It was also a romantic city filled with beautiful spots for couples. That was why this city never lost its glimmer.

The carriage got slower and stopped in front of the lantern palace gate. Knowing that Aster would come, the guards immediately opened the gate and the carriage entered the lantern palace. Immediately, they were greeted with the signature of this palace, the reason why this palace was called Lantern Palace.

"Wha…" Ramuja was amazed by the courtyard of this palace. The courtyard was covered with large dome made of steel. The steel dome was structured like spider web and it was covered with creeper plants and flowers. The dome was made so that Aster could play in the courtyard without getting his skin burned.

Aster smiled, "The dome is as beautiful as always."

What made it special was that, every night, the dome keeper would reel down many colorful lanterns and reeled it back up, hanging many of in the dome. Every night, the lantern showed many of its beautiful and calming radiance.

The dome was beautiful indeed, but Aster glanced at his servant who was awestruck with such magnificent scenery. Aster's lips perked up, "Do you think this dome is beautiful?"

Ramuja nodded, "Yes, Young Lord, it is magnificent!"

"Then, we can always visit this dome every night," Aster said. Ramuja didn't reply him because he was immersed with the scenery. But Aster wasn't mad, his smile bloomed, then he looked away and focused his gaze on the dome.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the main hall, a guard opened the carriage door and Ramuja stepped outside first, then kneeled when Aster exited the carriage.

The servants and guards in the palace bowed to him and said their greeting and continued, "Young Lord, we are the servants who take cares of the palace, please use us whatever you wished to."

"You have my appreciation. Now, rise," Aster ordered dignifiedly, "Are you the head butler here?" Aster pointed at the servant who greeted him just now.

"Yes, Young Lord."

"You had prepared two rooms for my servants, right?"

"Yes, everything is ready according to Young Lord's order."

Aster glanced at Ramuja and Jain who tailed him behind. He saw that none of the palace servants dared to raise their head and look at him in the eyes. Which he found a bit weird.

However, he was tired already, thus he paid it no mind and let the head butler to escorted him to his room. His new room was twice bigger compared to his room in the grand duchy mansion and it had been decorated nicely. Aster nodded in satisfaction and entered the room.

Jain and Ramuja followed him, but when Ramuja was about to follow him inside, Aster stopped him, "Ramuja, you can go now."

"Young Lord, is there something wrong?" Ramuja asked spontaneously. He tried to probe his master intention. "This servant… will tend all Young Lord's needs."

Aster massaged his forehead and said, "No, But I have to talk to Jain. Rest assured, you will tend me tomorrow morning, you must be here at four, understand?"

"Yes, Young Lord," Ramuja's smile dissipated, but he obeyed the order. He was escorted to his room. Now there was only Aster and Jain, they nodded in tacit understanding and Jain closed the door. He kneeled in front Aster and handed out two letters from his pocket.

"I believe these two would be from Esther and Irion," Aster took the letters.

"Yes, Young Lord, Esther Yvette agrees to accompany you to your inspection to Clearwater Academy in this city, for Irion… he is more than eager to meet you tomorrow, Young Lord."

"Oh? Irion is in this city already?" Aster raised his eyebrows

"Irion has been in this city since last week, because he found many potential recruits here."

"So, he is doing what I told him to do."

"Yes, he has been doing it efficiently, Young Lord," Jain's eye sharpened as there was still something disturbing him, "Young Lord, dare this subordinate suggests, you shouldn't be bringing your personal servant to Clearwater Academy or when Irion is coming to meet you."

"Hm? What is the problem now? I thought you and Ramuja are in proper term with each other."

"It's not about that, Young Lord, this subordinate believes that he is not well intended," Jain remembered what that slave had just said a moment ago. He was hinting that he could serve Young Lord in all kind of matter, including s.e.x.u.a.l need.

'As expected from a s.e.x slave, his filthy mind already fantasizes about Young Lord,' Jain gritted his teeth. His dagger was ready to slice that slave's throat, but his master might actually kill him out of revenge.

Aster's gaze sharpened and the golden circle shrank slightly, "You have no right to tell me whether I could keep a servant or not. My servant never harms me, so, you should keep your opinion for yourself."

Hearing the dismissive answer from his master made Jain even more angry than before. This slave was even more dangerous than he expected, but he couldn't do anything to eliminate this slave right now. He would need to find a time to strike.

"This subordinate understood."

"Good, you can leave now," Aster replied.

Jain retreated from Aster's room. He walked through the corridor and stopped in front of his room. His room and that slave's room was directly facing each other. Jain's eyes were as sharp as an eagle and his aura emanates killing intent, he fixed his glasses and said, "I will never let you touch my master, filthy slave."