Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster shook his head. Something must've gone awry with his mind. He climbed the staircase quicker than usual, as his mind produced weird thoughts. He locked his room after he dismissed the maid.

He finally met his new servant. He thought he could act indifferent, just like what he did to everyone. But when their eyes met, he couldn't help but his nerves started tingling and he felt agitated for unknown reason. He knew he could stay for at least an hour more in the garden before the sun started hurting, but he cut it short because he was strangely nervous.

When he saw that servant's gaze, he felt numb, as if he couldn't move his eyes out of that numbness.

"Maybe because I rarely talk to anyone new, that must be it," he said to himself. He must've gone crazy for talking to no one.

Aster took a deep breath. He needed to clear his head with a bath. The maid had prepared his bathtub with sandalwood extract as fragrance, just like what he ordered for the butler to purchase during the yearly market yesterday. He took off his loose robe and walked to his bathroom.

The smell of the sandalwood tingled his nose. He clenched his teeth as he entered the cold bathtub. This was his daily activity during spring and summer, especially summer. The heat is unbearable and his skin will burn even if he is inside the mansion. He took a deep breath, and then released it as he cleared his mind. He was strangely bewildered for no reason.

Aster's morning bath was never long, he hated cold baths, but he preferred having this every morning rather than dying because of the heat. After a while, he took the bath towel and dried himself with it.

The maid had prepared his apparel today. A blue sleeveless doublet and white tunic made from silk, there was also a girdle and pants made from the same material as the tunic. He wore it like usual, since he had thinner body frame, he fitted in most clothing without any problem. He wished for a bigger body though.

Aster applied a bit of perfume, combed his wavy hair and finally went to the dining hall for breakfast. He met a few maids and butlers along the way to the dining hall, they bowed their head but Aster ignored them like usual. It was usual for him to do it. It was what Sir Douglass taught him about manners.

You shall not be affectionate to servants. You shall not be abusive to servants.

That was what Sir Douglass taught him before about servants.

He went straight to the dining hall, his dad was out in the morning to do his job, but his mom always waited for him in the dining hall for breakfast.

"Good morning, mother," Aster said. He sat directly facing his mom and wipes his hand with a kerchief before touching the silverware.

"Good morning, my DEAR son," she started the day with such a pressing tone. She put emphasis on that word, as if it was a big problem. "It seems like you have yet to love your mom. It's been five years since the last time you called me mom, don't you think it is vile."

Aster sighed in his heart. This was not the first time she talked nonsense. She kept insisting on such trivial matters, what was the difference between calling her mom or mother. "It's not a problem, dear mother."

"I forbid you to raise the fork until you called me mom."

"Mother, that's ridicu--"

"Mom."

"But, mother, I--"

"Mom."

"Mothe--"

"Mom."

Aster brows twitched, his mother was surely a strange one. He just didn't call her mom anymore because it was weird after he found out about how his cousins, Charles and Rosalie called their parents. He still called his father as dad, but that was because his dad knew the boundaries of intimacy in front of the public.

But his mom, she just called me 'Dear Aster' or 'Dear son' in front of everyone, even at formal parties.

"Yes, mom." Aster said, almost whispering.

"Ah, my dear, beautiful son finally called me mom," mom's stern voice disappeared. She squealed and started randomly rambling, almost like Rosalie when she saw that young marquis of the Viete house. Mom's face brightened up and her famed looks finally showed.

She was the famous noble woman holding the title of 'Golden Camellia'. Aster always heard people calling him the second Golden Camille because most of his facial features were inherited from his mother.

She had bright golden wavy hair, which shone under the sun. Her eyes were almond shaped, with bright blue eyes with pure black pupils, and golden rings circling around the pupil, the trademark of the Royal Family. Her features were exactly the same with him, small nose, thin lips and delicate eyebrows. The only difference was their eye shape.

"Aw, my lovely son, don't glare at your mom," Mother giggled, then her giggle stopped and the trace of loveliness vanished, "It is annoying that your eyes resemble your father's more."

Aster stopped chewing for a mere second, his nape shivered. He was yet accustomed with his mother's behavior throughout the years. He could take it as a joke, but she sounded hostile enough for him to feel nervous. As if she actually hated it.

Aster ate in silence, while his mother kept talking to him. They finished after a while, and one of the butlers approached them, "Milady, will this be the proper time to introduce Young Lord's personal servant?"

Mother's smiling eyes vanished when she looked at the butler, "Yes, bring him here, check whether he is clean or not."

The butler returned with a boy behind him, his head lowered, he walked funny, maybe because of nervousness. He wore a knee-length, blue silk tunic and loose black pants. He kneeled when the butler stopped, eyes still casted down and his breathing became heavier. The butler excused himself and silence went for a while. Aster glanced at his mother, her eyes showed displeasure, but it was understandable. Aster knew his mother always has this eye to everyone but him and dad.

"You. How old are you?" asked mother. She spoke as if she would chew this new servant, Aster sighed at his heart. This wouldn't end well. The boy opened his mouth, but no voice came, his fingers slightly raised up and down. Before mother lost her composure, he finally spoke.

"T--This servant, um… sixteen years old, your excellency."

Aster chuckled.

'I thought he was mute. Was he counting his own age?'

"I know what kind of servant you are. Shed your previous identity, you're not going to serve my son for his pleasure," said mother. Her face grew even more displeased. "You're filthy, but because my son favors you, then I will allow you. You shall not touch him, don't get too close to him, as he might contact an unknown illness from you. Understand?"

Aster gulped. No touching? Not even speaking closer? Then what was the difference between a personal servant and regular butler?

"Mom, Isn't it excessive?"

"What do you mean by excessive, dear son," Mother shifted her attention to Aster, "I merely instruct him not to harm you with filth. You're a precious gem to me, I don't want the shine of my gem dimmed because there is a dirty coal beside him."

"This servant understands your excellency," a faint voice stopped Aster's protest. The boy dared not to raise his head, but answered without uncertainty. Aster sighed. He thought he could finally be closer to someone, but that didn't seem to be the case here.

"Good. About your new name, let Young Lord give it to you," Mother stood from the chair and left Aster and his new servant with few maids cleaning the table. Awkward silence passed with the boy still kneeling, dare not to look at Aster's eye.

"What is your previous name?" asked Aster.

"This servant was named…" The boy seemed uncomfortable. He paused, seemingly waiting for Aster to interrupt him, but Aster sat silently, "… Slut. This servant was named Slut by the previous master, Young Lord."

The sound of falling utensils, followed by collected gasps filled the dining hall. The maids apologize to Aster before leaving the dining hall, leaving Aster and his new servant alone. Aster did not budge, he observed the boy and then said, "What is your original name?"

"Original name?" the boy paused, "Pardon this one's ignorance. This servant does not understand, Young Lord."

"Your name, before you were sold as a slave," said Aster lightly. Despite his young age, he was an overseer of a few gardens and businesses, employing slaves and commoners to work diligently. He hated giving names, thus, he would order them to use their real name, as it was more proper.

Again, the boy stayed silent, until he muttered, "Ramuja. This servant's original name is Ramuja, Young Lord."

"Then, your name is Ramuja now."

Aster stood after giving, or returning, his new servant's real name. He walked out of the dining hall, as he had class with Sir Douglass soon. Before he walked to the corridor, his new servant finally talked, but his voice slightly trembled, "This--This servant is truly grateful, thank you for your grace, Young Lord!"

Aster nodded and walked through the corridor quicker than before. His face was slightly red. He thought he looked cool and majestic in front of his new servant. Such manner would definitely make his new servant admire him, and then wanting to be his friend, just like other noble kids. Finally, for the first time, he felt grateful that Sir Douglass taught him on how to act as a Young Lord. He was afraid that his act would make his new servant scared, but that didn't seem to be the case. Aster left out a small chuckle.

'Ramuja. That's unique.'

Aster's mind pondered, as he thought about his new servant. He looked timid. Although their height was similar, the new servant had a slightly larger build despite being a slave. He also wondered about his new servant's previous name. The maid was surprised upon hearing his name, was it shocking?

Aster sat in the study room, waiting for Sir Douglass, as he ought to arrive fifteen minutes from now. Aster wouldn't dare to come late at Sir Douglass' classes. Sir Douglass would file complaints that he was tardy to dad, and then they would scold him together, and add an extra homework to do.

"Good morning, Young Lord," Sir Douglass entered the room. He was a middle-aged man, around the same age as his dad. He was well dressed with a suit, Wrinkled, but clean-shaven, black hair with strands of white combed with wax and a pair of downturned hazel eyes. He always looked indifferent and serious, only with Aster and his dad he'd sometimes smiled.

Aster replied his greeting before they started English literature class. Although it was a literature class, it was similar to discussion regarding literature and other things. This was the reason why Aster liked the class, since it was far more relaxed than other classes he attended.

"Young Lord, have you read a new book?" Sir Douglass inquired about his weekly progress.

"Yes. I am currently reading 'Eulogy of the Prince', written by my predecessor."

Sir Douglass fell silent for a few seconds, then he said: "Yes, Young Lord. Shall we have a discussion about it?"

Aster nodded, but before they started he wanted to ask about his new servant. "Sir, may I ask you a question?"

Seeing Sir Douglass smiled and nodded, Aster asked:

"What is slut?"