Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Aster hugged Ramuja's body tightly. Blood drenched his hands that were hugging Ramuja's back. He looked lost and scared that he couldn't say anything.

At the midst of commotion, Charles and his men subdued the 'assassin' who was his own subordinate. He didn't understand how could this happen. He was ready to shield Aster before suddenly a silhouette flashed in front of him and shielded Aster instantly. His movement was really fast to the point that Charles didn't see that person until he was stabbed.

It was him. That damned slave, that eyesore to him. Charles was about to unsheathe his sword and end his life right now, but he saw Aster hugged that slave tightly, as if that slave was very precious to him.

Charles gritted his teeth. He proceeded to subdue the assassin first. Charles immediately drew near Aster who was still in shock. He tried to pull Aster back, but he didn't budge. He tried it again to no avail.

Aster finally glanced at Charles and his eyes shook, "Charles! Please, please save him! Give him the best treatment, anything! I will pay for it!" Aster said frantically.

Charles was extremely angry because of this sight, he responded, "Let him go, Aster! He is just a slave!"

Hearing that, Aster threw a piercing sharp gaze to Charles. His hug was getting tighter to the now pale Ramuja. He said, "Don't you dare saying that again. His life is as worth as mine. Save him, I don't care how much I have to pay, but I want him to be alive." Aster said with cold voice. He sounded very different from regular Aster that Charles knew.

Charles gritted his teeth. His nails dug to his palms and it bled. If this place wasn't a public place, he would instantly separate Aster from this slave and execute him immediately. Charles took a deep breath and ordered his men, "Go take that slave to the city hospital and give him the best treatment."

His soldiers carried the order, they took Ramuja from Aster and carried him to a carriage. Aster followed behind, but Charles held his shoulder. "Aster, we should go back." Charles said with chilly tone.

Aster stared at him with the same detached gaze and replied, "Take me to the hospital, I need to be with him now..."

"ASTER!" Charles raised his voice out of anger. The grip on Aster's shoulder tightened, "He will be okay. I will give him the best treatment we can offer."

"No, Charles, you don't understand... I need to go there, I need to make sure..." Aster replied, his voice now sounded begging.

Charles felt like his soul was torn apart. To see his beloved Aster begging to save a slave, and even dared to talk back to him. However, Charles conceded to his request. Charles held Aster's hand and took him to his horse. He lifted Aster up and sat behind him. Charles rode the horse while his figure enveloped Aster.

Everyone in public saw this scene and was stunned. No one was ever able to ride with the mighty Crown Prince, but this... spring goddess...

Aster was muddleheaded. He didn't even feel uncomfortable to be seen like this, to be enveloped with Charles figure. All what was in his mind was 'No, Ramuja wont die. He can't die. He can't die like this!'

Charles followed the carriage from behind. This moment should be a joyful moment for him, since he can rode the horse with Aster, hugging him from behind, enveloping him with his scent. But he felt nothing, because he knew that right now, what was on Aster's mind was that damned slave!

Charles' gaze darkened. He bowed his head and kissed Aster's nape. Aster was unresponsive, of course. Charles let everybody in the festival saw this. After he saw countless shocked expression imprinted on people's faces, he finally could rest his heart a bit.

'Even though your mind was somewhere else, at least I can claim you in front of everybody.' Charles said in his heart.

***

Ramuja was taken to the best room in this hospital. The doctors immediately gave him medicine and treat his wounds. After everything was alright, the doctor reported to Charles, "Your Highness Crown Prince, this savior of Young Lord is fortunate! The wounds on his back didn't damage his vital organs. He is still unconscious, but he should be awake later."

Charles nodded. The doctor excused himself. Aster rushed to the room and saw Ramuja laid weakly on the bed. His chest moved up and down, showing steady breath. Aster took a chair and sat beside Ramuja.

Aster was extremely pained to see Ramuja in this situation because of him. Aster was about to hold Ramuja's hand before Charles gripped his. Aster looked up and saw Charles with his dark gaze, "You don't need to touch him."

After seeing Ramuja safe, he regained his composure. He looked seriously at Charles, "Charles, no matter what his status is, he protected me there..."

"It's just an act, my man wouldn't hurt you and I will shield you if not because of this..." Charles shifted his gaze to Ramuja. Again, the grip on Aster's hand tightened. Aster frowned.

"He still protected me, whether it was an act or not. He didn't know about it. Charles, I beg you... please..."

Charles almost couldn't contain himself. But seeing Aster begging expression to him, he couldn't utter a word. He loosened his grip and said, "I will give you a bit of time alone with your 'savior'. But if you dare to do anything..."

"I will not."

Charles turned his back and closed the door. He didn't want to do this, but he really was weak to Aster. He could only concede. However, Charles reassured himself, 'Aster will not do anything to that slave.'

Aster observed the outline of his servant's face. He was still handsome. He knew that Ramuja has strangely handsome face as a slave. Unlike Charles' sharp and breathtaking handsome feature, Ramuja's face gave the aura of tranquility and serenity.

But that handsome face was now pale, because of him. Aster held his hand and said softly, "If you died, what should I do? You will die in vain, because of your own foolishness..."

"You are stupid, you know. Even if you didn't know that it was an act, no sane person would jump and shield me like that..."

"Ramuja, you are a big fool..." Aster said softly. The golden circle in his eyes flickered and slightly expanded, "A big fool... but I like your foolishness..."

Aster knew he couldn't stay long in this place before Charles opened the door. He took something from his pocket, a silver pin. "This personal pin of mine, I was about to give this to Lady Merse to bind her. But it seems, someone here deserves that better..." Aster smiled, he opened Ramuja's hand, put the pin there, and then closed it it. He lowered his head and kissed Ramuja's hand.

"Until we meet again, my servant..." Aster showed his last smile before he resumed his cold face. He closed the door and followed Charles to leave this hospital.

***

Merry stood in front of the city hospital anxiously. During the Spring Goddess Ritual, she was separated with Ramuja and had to stand behind the crowd. She had small figure, if she dared to fit inside the crowd, she would be squashed to death.

Then, when she heard a woman screamed, panic broke out in the crowd, people tried to run away from the ritual area. Merry felt something was wrong, she rushed in and saw Ramuja in unconscious state hugged by the spring goddess. She wanted to go and help Ramuja, but the guards forbade her. Instead, they took Ramuja to this city hospital.

The royal guards guarded the hospital entrance because Crown Prince and Spring Goddess were inside.

After few hours of standing there, part of the crowd already dispersed around the hospital. Crown Prince and Spring Goddess rode together on a horse. From afar, she could see the face of this year's Spring Goddess who was actually a man. Even though it was obvious that he was a man, and had no trace of femininity, Merry could only agreed on her heart about one thing.

'That man is unreal... it feels like looking at a painting...'

'With the Crown Prince, they do look good together...'

After they left, Merry brushed her dazed mind and entered the hospital. She needed to check on Ramuja!