Gardenia of Blooming Desire Chapter 5: Eulogy of the Prince 2

Young Lord left the room after giving a new na. No, returning my real identity.

'Ramuja.'

It was strange. Since the first ti I beca a slave, I had given nas, sotis number, I was called 'Eight' as I was the eighth boy that entered that old master's chamber. I was 'Coal', as my skin gradually beca darker than my original brown complexion. I was 'Dumpster', because it was my identity as a reliever for the workers. Then, I was 'Slut', the personal na that my previous master gave before I was sold again.

Now I am Ramuja. The real na my parents gave before I was sold into that ship.

My chest felt stuffy. Joy and resentnt filled my mind, unable to blend. I was well prepared for another given na, because my identity was a pleasure slave. I didn't mind another wretched na, and I didn't mind 'Slut', 'Dumpster', 'Bitch' or anything at all. But I was not prepared for 'Ramuja'.

"How long will you kneel here," a tip of black shoe lightly nudged my hand, I looked up and saw the butler who took in earlier. Just like everyone else, his face showed displeasure, "Go follow Young Lord. Young Lord's classroom is at the end of the corridor."

After giving an instruction, he turned his back, took a handkerchief and wiped the tip of his shoe. I walked out of the dining hall, and followed the corridor to Young Lord's class. The corridor got narrower until I saw a single door at the end of the corridor.

I almost knocked the door, but I heard chatter inside the room. Young Lord was in his study right now. So, I stood silent in the corridor, waiting until Young Lord finished his class and gave a task.

I faintly heard Young Lord speaking with soone called 'Sir Douglass' inside. I know it was audacious for a slave to eavesdrop his master's matter. But hearing Young Lord being relaxed eased . The image of him smiling in the garden appeared in my eyes.

His shining golden hair, deep eyes and thin lips smiled at . It was beautiful. Unconsciously, my lips curled up. I closed my eyes, while eavesdropping, I Imagined Young Lord talked to with a nonchalant attitude and smiled.

"What is slut?"

I opened my eyes imdiately, the beautiful image dissipated as I heard the question Young Lord just asked.

"Young Lord, that-- where did you know that word?"

"My new servant, 'Slut' was his previous na. The maid was stupefied when they heard it. Was it sothing unpleasant?"

I felt the chill stroking my body. I thought Young Lord knew my identity and decided to accept . I thought my previous na was no big matter for him. So, I was happy when he took from the slave trader.

I gulped, my throat felt dry suddenly.

'Will I be returned to that despicable rchant?'

Image of sitting in a dirty cart with other starved slaves, waiting months until soone took , used and then left alone until I was half-dead flashed through my mind. I swallowed my saliva again and again to no avail. My breathing grew heavier; it felt suffocating even in this luxurious castle.

"It is sothing unpleasant, Young Lord," The teacher called Sir Douglass finally spoke after he stayed silent a while ago. I closed my eyes and rubbed the cold sweat in my palm.

"It is a humiliating word to call soone, an insult commoner had created. It--It is certainly not a word for you to fuss about, Young Lord."

"I see" Young Lord was about to continue asking before Sir Douglass quickly switched the topic. I took a deep breath. I thought Sir Douglass would outright tell Young Lord about the aning of my previous na. It was relieving to know that I wouldn't be kicked sooner than I predicted.

However, as I waited for Young Lord, I couldn't create the image of him nonchalantly speaking to and smiled brightly in my mind. The light smile on my face turned into a bitter smile. Because I realized that imagination would shatter if Young Lord knew my identity.

The door opened after 2 hours, I straightened my posture when I saw Young Lord opened the door. He was surprised when I stood in front of him. I kneeled, "This servant is waiting for order, Young Lord."

"Follow ." Said Young Lord.

I was surprised at how indifferent his tone was. He was eager and chuckling inside the classroom, why did he suddenly beco cold? I gulped once again, and then followed him from behind.

He was a few centiters shorter than , smaller fra, and his golden hair waved whenever he moved. He slled like sandalwood, and when I drew closer, I could sll a sweet aroma from his hair, like flower nectar. Which intoxicated even further.

'Young Lord slls sweet.'

I shook my head before my mind went too far. Young Lord would feel disgusted if he could read my mind.

We walked in silence to the east tower, the one where Young Lord climbed the stairs this morning. I silently followed him in this spiral staircase until we reached the peak of the east tower. A maid stood still in front of a door. She was surprised when she saw , but looked away and opened the door for Young Lord.

As I entered the room, the maid closed the door and I felt a familiar feeling of doing my job again. This situation, private room, closed door, alone with Young Lord

It was not my first ti. I had lost count on how many tis I did it. But I felt strangely nervous

"Young Lord, May I ask--"

"Silence." He cut short and I fell silent. I watched his image seep into my eyes. He hadn't moved a finger. He just stared at the flower garden outside, where we t this morning. The strange thought in my head slowly dissipated, replaced by Young Lord's piercing eyes. He looked sad and then he closed his eyes.

He dozed off not long after.

'Eh, sleeping? What is the point of taking here then?'

'Was Young Lord always this oblivious? Did he really not realize my true nature?'

If Young Lord bought as a regular slave, then I would not need to serve his urges. The idea of not being used as a pleasure slave excited . If I beca a regular slave, that ant I would be able to stay until I got old. So long I had a place to stay, even as a labor slave, it would be the best reward for .

"Mmm" the sound of Young Lord's mumble was funny. Tempted by the sight of Young Lord sleeping, I carefully approached him. My eyes were locked in his beautiful face, his long eyelashes fluttered and his bright golden hair waved as the sumr breeze passed the balcony. I didn't dare to touch his skin, but watching him sleeping made content.

'Young Lord really is a gorgeous man.'

I rembered the appearance of the Grand Duchess. Young Lord was really an exact replica of his mother. However, Young Lord's eyes were deep and piercing, like his dad that I saw yesterday. I didn't find it scary. I preferred his eyes rather than Duchess'. Because the Duchess had a condescending gaze on everyone, including . It felt like her eyes stabbed my guts, crippled my strength, forcing to kneel in front of her.

While Young Lord's gaze, while sharp and indifferent, it always had a calm aura in it. It was as if I was seeing a blue moon on a dark sky. When I was caught within his deep eyes, I was instantly drawn and enticed. I wanted to draw closer to subrge into his deep eyes. If the Duchess' gaze cut your guts and made you kneel, Young Lord's made you submit not by force, but by devotion of intoxication.

I locked my gaze to Young Lord and waited for hours without moving an inch until his eyelashes trembled. I took a few steps back and looked straight to the balcony. If Young Lord realized that I've been watching him like this, I could lose my head right now.

Young Lord yawned, stretched his body before turning his head on . He looked indifferent for a few seconds before he was suddenly taken aback.

"Were you here when I was asleep?" asked Young Lord. He lost his composure. For once, his eyes widened and the sharpness vanished, turned his eyes into such a big eye, much like a puppy.

I chuckled at heart, but answered with a slight nod, "Yes, Young Lord."

Young Lord's expression was funny. He looked stupefied, and then his face beca beet red. He opened his mouth, but pursed his lips before saying anything. He turned away and said; "You can go now."

He resud his usual indifference in his words. I wanted to giggle. If this was the way on how Young Lord showed his dominance, then he failed miserably.

"Pardon , Young Lord. But what should this servant do next?"

"I allowed you to study the mansion," said Young Lord. He took a silver bell and ringed it.

"Yes, Young Lord." The maid who guarded the door entered the room. She glanced at with disdain, but said nothing.

"Christie, take this servant of mine to a butler. He needs to know the mansion," ordered Young Lord. The maid, Christie nodded and permitted herself out. "Pardon this servant, Young Lord."

I turned my back, following the maid before my step was stopped by a hurried call from my behind, "You--"

I turned again and smiled at Young Lord, "Yes, Young Lord."

"Tomorrow, I ordered you to accompany from dawn. I expect you to co earlier," Young lord's voice got softer and his face turned beet red again, "Wait for in the east garden."

"This servant will wait for you in the garden before dawn Young Lord," I replied, then excused myself.

I couldn't hold my smile. Young Lord was very cute. His beet red face hinted embarrassnt that completely erased his supposedly domineering attitude. His stupefied look replaced his cold, indifference attitude when I saw him before. I was more than satisfied to know that Young Lord was not a ruthless man. It was enough to ensure my safety for now, at least.

He even asked to accompany him to the garden tomorrow morning. I had his favor already, wasn't it more than enough?

I followed the maid who passed over to a butler. Although the butler also showed contempt, he did not say anything degrading. He did his job strolling around and giving explanations on what was inside the mansion.

The sun was setting when the butler finished touring around. We stopped at the east garden where I t Young Lord today. The waft of various flowers swayed as I rembered the sll of Young Lord's hair. It was similar to this garden, fresh, sweet, but not overly sweet that would disgust you. I closed my eyes, imagining the presence of Young Lord here. But, before I imagined even further, I shook my head and slapped my own cheek.

'No, this is wrong. I shouldn't get myself chard.'

I slap my cheek again. I realized how deadly Young Lord could charm just with two etings. However, having Young Lord's favor as personal servant and not being disposed was more than enough. I shouldn't chase over the moon.

I scurried to the barrack, as the dinnerti for the serfs was about to start. I needed to eat, rest and wake up early tomorrow. Since Young Lord expected to co earlier to the garden.

My lips twitched and I curled up a bit. Imagining Young Lord standing in the garden made sowhat happy.

As the moon glinted on the sky

A night felt like days

Essence of impatience slowly ford

And I, we, waited