2025-11-15 11:17:53
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Inner Turmoil
Not long after, a young serving girl arrived carrying the dishes they had ordered. With careful steps, she arranged each plate on the wooden table, steam rising softly like delicate threads of mist.A warm smile blossomed on her lips as she looked toward Aji. “Please enjoy your meal while it’s still warm, sir,” she said with a gentle tone that matched the cozy atmosphere of the tavern.“Thank you,” Aji replied, offering a smile that was just as warm—perhaps even warmer.But that simple exchange, fleeting and harmless in the eyes of most, struck Ratih like a spark hitting dry leaves. Her heart throbbed with a mix of resentment and something she refused to name—jealousy. The moment Aji returned the serving girl’s smile, Ratih felt a sting sharper than she expected.Her beautiful face tightened, her lips pushing into a faint pout. The food that had appeared so delicious earlier suddenly lost its appeal. Even its aroma faded beneath the storm swirling in her chest.Aji, blissfully unaware
Special Mark
“Who are those two? And why do they move with such careful, deliberate caution?”A figure cloaked in pitch-black robes murmured the question through clenched teeth. His face was hidden beneath a dark hood, but his eyes—cold, narrow, and gleaming with menace—were fixed sharply on Aji and Ratih as the pair moved away into the night.Behind him, footsteps sounded softly.“Do you suspect them, Master?”The beggar who had earlier spoken with Aji and Ratih—Pranggolo—stood there, bowing slightly, his voice trembling with unease.“Do not appear behind me like a ghost unless you wish to be punished,” the hooded man snapped.Pranggolo flinched and lowered his head further. “Forgive me, Master.”“These days, suspicion is our greatest shield,” the man in black muttered, folding his arms beneath his cloak. “And those two… are strangers to this province. Unfamiliar faces wandering around at hours like this always warrant caution. I saw you speaking to them earlier. What did they ask of you?”“Nothi
The Red Rose
Though both Aji and Ratih wore calm expressions—each with a polite smile gracing their lips—their gazes never lost their sharpness. Behind the mask of gentleness, their senses remained alert, dissecting every detail of the man before them.To Aji, the beggar standing a few steps away was anything but ordinary.The man’s posture was firm, his physique strong, his breathing steady—far too steady for someone who claimed to have spent months begging on the streets. His clothes were torn and deliberately dirtied, yet no amount of grime could conceal the truth. This man was no beggar. He was a soldier in disguise.“What is your name, good sir?” Ratih asked gently, holding a few bronze coins in her palm.The man hesitated before responding, as though weighing his words.“My name is Pranggolo, miss.”“And how long have you been begging like this?” Ratih continued.“For quite some time,” he replied. “Six, perhaps seven months.”Ratih frowned slightly. “How did it come to this? You look healthy
Executing the Plan
Duke Hanggareksa furrowed his brows, clearly intrigued by the words Aji had left hanging in the air.“What task is it that you must carry out?” he asked, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity.Aji answered with a modest smile meant to hide the unease fluttering in his chest.“It is nothing of great importance, My Lord. Merely a small duty—one that can easily be postponed.”“Very well then. Let us head outside at once.”Duke Hanggareksa strode toward the door without waiting for Aji to respond.Aji gave a slow nod and followed the duke’s steps, matching his pace as they exited the great hall.Once they were outside, the duke resumed speaking, his tone filled with the firmness of a ruler who carried too many burdens on his shoulders.“Here is what I have planned. After the situation in Tanjung Rejo is settled, I will bring the three of you to meet His Majesty, King Wanajaya. However, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from the court officials… you, Aji, and also you, Rangga, must
Aji’s Revelation
Duke Hanggareksa nodded with calm authority.“Go on.”Aji stepped away from the duke’s table and made his way toward the entrance of the grand hall. The echo of his footsteps bounced faintly against the polished stone walls. Once outside, he immediately spotted Bargowo—massive in frame, towering like a mountain—brandishing his enormous blade while facing the seven palace guards.“Bargowo, stop at once!” Aji shouted from afar.The former bandit leader, known for his frightening visage and thunderous presence, turned sharply. The moment his eyes found Aji approaching, the rage that had flared within him dissolved like steam in the cold air. Without a word, he lowered the giant blade and slid it back into its sheath with surprising gentleness.Aji approached him with measured steps.“Why are you losing control again, Bargowo? I told you before—learn to master your temper.”The giant man lowered his gaze instantly, shoulders slumping. His fury, moments ago raging like wildfire, now dimmed
The Stirring of Bargowo’s Fury
Duke Hanggareksa furrowed his brow, a shadow of confusion passing across his sharp eyes. As far as he knew, the name of Prince Dananjaya—half-brother to King Wanajaya—was one of the best-guarded secrets within the royal court. The late King Suryajaya had deliberately concealed the prince’s lineage, for Dananjaya had been born of a concubine, a circumstance that could easily spark political friction. Only those with intimate ties to the inner chambers of Candipura Palace would ever have known the truth.His curiosity about Ratih’s parentage finally overcame his restraint. With a calm yet probing tone, he asked,“May I know the name of your father?”The question struck Ratih like a blow. Her eyes flicked toward Rangga, searching for guidance or perhaps courage. A knot tightened in her chest—a weight she feared would grow heavier if she spoke the truth. Revealing her father’s identity might entangle him in the dangerous turmoil unfolding around them.Before she could speak, Rangga answer
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