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

Aster read the letter he received just now from Esther Yvette, Second Princess of North Fort Kingdom. It took her almost two weeks to reply to his letter, which displeased him a bit. Now, Aster's displeasure turned into annoyance, because in this letter, she said that she couldn't come because she was studying in Clearwater Academy in Dionde City, thus, she couldn't leave the dorm and city easily unless there was important event.

If he could, Aster would just ditch this idea of approaching Esther, because it felt such a hassle just for creating a partnership with a second princess of a vassal kingdom. Helene, her older sister, was in much higher position than her and was more respected. However, Aster couldn't approach Helene because she was the fiancé of Charles, thus, her allegiance to Charles was unquestioned for.

Besides, Aster had a plan for this kingdom. Since North Fort Kingdom was the farthest kingdom on the north of Golden Camellia, and was responsible for protecting the northern sea from attacks. The north was also the home for few tribes who separate themselves from Golden Camellia, but tried to attack the kingdom from time to time.

North Fort Kingdom was powerful in military, but poor in other aspects. Thus, someone like Esther, a female academician, wasn't really important for them. However, this was the point that Aster would exploit to slowly make North Fort Kingdom in his alliance.

"Jain, do you think I should approach this princess?"

"Yes, Young Lord, this subordinate believes that Esther Yvette should be a great help if it is according to Young Lord's plan," Jain said as his master already told his plan about North Fort Kingdom before.

"Alright then," Aster took the new letter from his mother and opened it. It was sealed with Grand Duchy's official stamp, thus, it should be an official matter regarding his new task to supervise business administration.

Aster read the whole letter and finally concluded that he would be going to Dionde City, the capital city of Grand Duchy Stormhill as an autonomous region in Golden Camellia. Aster sighed, he read from the old documents about Grand Duchy's task in Dionde City before, supervising business administration, tourism, and overall maintaining and improving the city if possible.

'But the time couldn't get any worse now.'

Aster remembered about his servant, and his worries surged up again, "Jain, has Ramuja stayed in his room since yesterday?"

"Yes, Young Lord."

"Did he eat the food I gave?" Aster asked. Even though he said Ramuja would be denied food for two days, Aster wasn't that cruel, especially to him. Thus, he ordered a maid to deliver him healthy food three times a day, even with snack. But under the pretense that maid pitied Ramuja.

"No, Young Lord. He never touched the food since yesterday."

"WHAT!?"

"That servant hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, Young Lord."

"Did you give him the fresh food, the most delicious one?" Aster asked again just to make sure. Jain nodded slowly.

Aster's face paled.

'Does Ramuja refused to eat anything because it is my punishment, or because he is mad at me?' Aster pondered. However, both possibilities didn't matter because in the end, his servant refused to eat anything for two days.

Knowing it would harm his life, Aster grew concerned; "If he still refused to eat anything until midnight, you shall force feed him. He needs to eat no matter how, understand?" Aster ordered Jain.

Jain still had his nonchalant expression, he paused and didn't directly said yes as usual, "Young Lord, that servant of yours can feed himself normally. This subordinate doesn't think he needs any force-feeding. Besides, he did disrespect you yesterday. This subordinate believes you already shows enormous grace and forgiveness for him, he should be punished more severely."

Aster immediately glared to Jain, "Did you just question my authority?"

Jain shook his head, "This subordinate dares not, but this subordinate has a question, why would you go this far just for a slave?"

Aster's glared softened, it turned into a disordered gaze and his golden circle started dilating slowly, "What do you mean?"

"Young Lord, this subordinate thinks that you don't need to be generous to a slave, he is by any means, your property."

"But, I don't think he is just a property..."

"But, Young Lord did purchase the slave with gold coins, his life and death is in your hand. If you order him to eat, he will eat. If you order him to die, he will kill himself," Jain's sharp eyes noticed the golden circle in Aster's eyes and seemed to catch something, "Thus, you don't need to be too concerned about him. If you want him to eat, just order him to eat. He doesn't worth your time. This subordinate suggests you to just focus on your task in Dionde City."

Jain's words hit hard in his mind. What he said made sense, Ramuja was technically still his property, his slave, and there was no need to be gentle and wholly concerned about him. But there was something in his heart that disturbed him, like a wedge that couldn't be removed.

'He is my property...'

'But, why does it feel so wrong?'

'What kind of feeling I have for Ramuja anyway?'

'Love? Don't be ridiculous! He is still a lowborn, there was no way I would ruin my Grand Duchy's reputation, especially in this current situation.'

'But I do like him around me, I missed him constantly, I dreamed of him every night. If this wasn't love... what else?'

Jain observed his master dazed state and said, "Young Lord, this subordinate believes that Young Lord's attachment to this servant is because Young Lord hasn't socialize with many young nobles, thus, you felt this slave is special."

"So you think, this feeling of mine towards him isn't special?"

"This subordinate believes Young Lord is still young and inexperienced, thus, you must be confused with your feeling. This subordinate suggests Young Lord to socialize with young masters from other houses. It will surely benefit Young Lord, and Young Lord wouldn't be unnecessarily attached to a slave."

"What benefit do I get for socializing with those vain guys?" Aster had a slight doubt, but it seemed that he already knew the answer himself.

"Since Young Lord is now an adult, it is beneficial for Young Lord to socialize more to open more options for trade or any kind of partnership. This is in line with Young Lord's original goal, right?" Jain replied precisely.

"Yes, you're right..." Aster seemed to make up his mind. He nodded and smiled to Jain, "Thank you for reminding me. I know my task in Grand Duchy is the most important."

Aster started writing a letter and put it in an envelope, then he sealed it with his personal wax stamp, "Jain, I need you to deliver this to Esther Yvette right away."

Jain received the letter and looked at his master with doubt, "Young Lord, shall this subordinate ordered my disciple to send this?"

"No, it must be you, personally," Aster made it clear that it must be Jain who sent this letter.

"... This subordinate understand," Jain nodded and vanished instantly in front of Aster. Aster sighed, it should take at least two days before Jain returned to the grand duchy.

***

Aster walked slowly to a room in workers hut. The hut was still empty because the serfs were still having dinner together in the field before returning to this place. Thus, he still had one hour left before they all returned.

Aster asked one maid about his servant's room and he was guided to a door.

"Young Lord, shall this servant notify the slave about your arrival?" the maid asked politely, but still kept her eyes down, fearing she would be stunned if she saw Aster's face for too long.

"No, no need. He is alone there, right? You can leave now."

"Then, this servant excuses herself."

Aster stared at the plain wooden door in front of him. There was the urge of knocking it, but it wouldn't be befitting of him, since he was the master of this place anyway.

There was also a doubt that what he did right now was right. His mother would probably get furious if she knew that his son actually went inside the workers hut just for a slave.

'But I couldn't lie to myself...'

Aster took a deep breath and opened the door slowly.