Gardenia of Blooming Desire

Chapter 207: Framed

A month after the incident, the aftermath of the autumn banquet in Golden Palace was huge. The news that Crown Prince Charles went rampant because of Grand Duke Aster's unscrupulous behavior spread like a wildfire, and the public opinion was split in two.

'Crown Prince Charles is too unstable! He can be another Emperor Leopold!'

'No! He is only like that because Grand Duke Aster was acting like an incubus! He is an outstanding man nevertheless!'

'So did Emperor Leopold! He was an outstanding man too, but he got crazy because of that witch Empress Eva! Who knows what will happen if Grand Duke Aster becomes crazy too? We will be doomed!'

'Now you blame Grand Duke?! He is just trying to enjoy the party! What kind of man would want to chain his spouse inside the bedroom forever! The Crown Prince is a psychopath!'

Aster laughed when he heard all these debates over their supposed 'affair'. Some of them supported Aster and Charles in their imagination, Charles only went insane for Aster, which proved that he was really devoted to Aster.

Some of them just wanted Charles and Aster to break up, because the relationship between them gradually became unhealthy. The debate spread like a wildfire that even the people in the remote area would know about the affair between the Crown Prince and Grand Duke.

Aster whistling happily while tending the flowers, he made sure that the autumn flower would bloom beautifully. He looked very happy, as if he was free from all the worldly matters about the love story between 'Aster and Charles' outside.

Meanwhile, Ramuja anxiously tried to open the conversation with his master about this, because this news seemed to have created an earthquake in Golden Camellia. The people were traumatized with the war between Golden Camellia and Great Arctyr, caused by the recklessness of Emperor Leopold and his witch wife, Empress Eva. They didn't want it to repeat when Charles became the new emperor.

"Milord about the news," Ramuja tried to open the conversation, Aster nodded and then continued checking the flowers one by one.

"Whwhy don't you clarify to the people that you are not involved anymore with the Crown Prince"

"I was never involved, he might be in love with me, but I never did," Aster replied lightly, "Withdrawing in this current situation is a stupid idea, because this is the best time to grab some more connection before Charles recovers. He takes a heavy blow with this news, everyone is doubting his capability as a ruler and it will take time to regain the trust back."

"But he is still doing his campaign even after the banquet"

"Of course, he is trying to stabilize his position first. That's why I said this is the best time to move, because Charles is handful right now. I already sent a letter to Esther Yvette, Second Princess of North Fort," Aster turned his head to Ramuja and smiled, "Have some trust in me, will you?"

"It's not that I don't trust you, Milord" Ramuja lowered his head, he fiddled with his fingers, "I'm just nervous, because you seem to be taking this very lightly."

"I do not take this lightly, I already know what I can do in this situation, that's why I am more relaxed," Aster sighed and then drew near Ramuja. He flicked Ramuja's forehead, "You are too dense, I am fine, don't worry."

"If you say so, Milord"

"Oh, I forgot to say this, but there will be a new batch of servants in Lantern Palace. Because I have to send many of them back to Stormhill mansion, my father said that he is going to live there for a while," Aster mentioned, "Follow me, I have to introduce myself in front of them, basic etiquettes should be maintained for the new servants."

Ramuja followed his master who went towards the main hall, when they arrived in the main hall, there were almost thirty new servants, men and women, some of them were young and some of them were already old enough to have a grandchild, usually old ladies.

Ramuja pondered in his head, 'My master is a very kind man, he is willing to employ old people to work here, although they don't not have much use compared to the young ones.'

When Aster showed himself in front of the new servants, they were amazed by the appearance of their new lord. Some of them already saw him a few times when he was inspecting around Dionde City, but he only went out at night because of his mysterious illness, and he was usually covered from head to toe.

Aster was used to the stares of the people, he chuckled lightly and smiled at them, "Welcome to Lantern Palace, I am Aster Di Arlingdon, Grand Duke of Stormhill and the owner of this palace"

Aster started lecturing the new servants about the etiquettes here, while Ramuja was screening the faces of the servants. He was trained to do so by Irion. Because at times, some servants might collude to hurt Milord, so he had to make sure that Milord was safe no matter what.

While he was screening the servants, his gaze stopped at a man in his twenties. He was wearing a simple tunic, while the others were staring at Milord, this guy was gazing at him with hostility.

Ramuja was shocked, his heartbeat skipped a bit. The guy seemed to notice the change in Ramuja and he smirked.

'JJon?!' Ramuja started panicking, he had never met the Woods family again after his departure from Lord Harion's logging business. He simply wanted to leave the past behind, because it would only hurt Milord if he knew about his infidelity.

After Aster finished all his explanation, he pointed at Ramuja. Ramuja jolted slightly, but he tried to keep his composure, "This is my personal guard, Ramuja. He will send you to the servant rooms."

Ramuja nodded and said, "Follow me."

***

Ramuja's hand was sweating when he finally assigned all the empty rooms to the servants. One room for two servants, this was what his master said to him. After everyone had been assigned to their destined rooms, there was only one guy left that had a room near his own room, he got a room all for himself, simply because he was lucky.

Ramuja unlocked the door and opened it, he said to Jon, "This is your room, you are lucky to have a room for yourself."

Ramuja acted as if he didn't recognize Jon and was about to leave before Jon gripped his hand tightly, "Ramuja, why are you so distant? Did you forget about Woods family?" he said grievingly.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you are talking about," Ramuja evaded their eye contacts, he brushed the grip from Jon easily and walked away. Jon watched Ramuja left silently until he opened his mouth again and only said one word, "Merry."

Ramuja stopped immediately, he finally walked back to Jon and said nervously, "LLet's talk inside."

Ramuja and Jon were inside Jon's room. They were like a brother before, but now, Ramuja was too nervous to act all familiar, while Jon was watching him with hostile eyes.

Ramuja opened the conversation, "II didn't mean to ignore you, I just don't want Milord to know"

"Know about what? About your life with us?"

"Not that I don't want him to know about Merry."

Jon scoffed sarcastically, "You are a bastard, a bitch bastard."

Ramuja was shocked by Jon's extreme hostility, "I broke up with her because I know she is much better with other men. I didn't deserve her."

"Hah! You said that after you slept with her, bullshit!" Jon raised his voice, he clenched his fist and punched Ramuja in the face immediately. Honestly, Ramuja didn't feel hurt at all, but he still got stunned when Jon said something about that.

"WWhat did you just say?!"

Jon laughed mirthlessly, "You want to break up after you take her virginity, even forced her to fill your sexual urges. How many times did you do it to her? She is my precious sister, you bastard!"

"I never touched her!" Ramuja denied immediately. It was true, he never touched Merry perversely, in fact, he never kissed Merry. It was her who forced him, and it was only once, in the garden.

"Don't lie to me!" Jon pushed Ramuja to the ground, he punched Ramuja again and again, but it seemed Ramuja was too strong for him, because Ramuja didn't feel the punch at all. Which only aggravated Jon even more.

"I didn't! I never touched her! She is lying to you!"

"Lying?! When we arrived at her house, she said you just left after you forced her to have sex! She said you treated her harshly, there are many bruises around her body. And you said that you never touched her?! What's your alibi? Do you think Merry is a bitch like you? Huh! She is a shy girl, she will not be entangled with other men!"

Jon's hand trembled, he tried to hold his tears, "She she is my precious little sister. She said she might be pregnant because you keep forcing yourself onto her. I trusted you to care for her, why why did you abuse her like this?"

Ramuja was pale. He felt like his blood was drained from his body. He had to swallow the hard reality, the reality that Merry was not as innocent as she looked.

'She framed me'