A group of people stood at the entrance of the royal palace causing a commotion, which attracted many passersby to watch; they did not get too close, just watched from afar.
Tan Rou felt like a monkey on display in a zoo, so she took her sunglasses out of her bag and put them on, both to block the sun and to prevent others from remembering her face.
Just then, an elderly gentleman emerged from inside the royal palace. He looked at the crowd and then said, "His Majesty the King requests your presence; please, come with me."
Tan Rou had never seen this gentleman before, but since he could relay messages from the King, his status must have been very high indeed.
Sure enough, Laka and Lindu showed him great respect; they nodded to him, then proceeded toward the royal palace.
The elderly man smiled at Tan Rou, "Miss Rou, the King and the princess have been waiting for you for a long time; please, come with me."
