Ayu Retno got goosebumps as well as Ayu Ratri. They didn't expect that marrying the king would bring horror like this after the king's death. Ayu Retno, in particular, had seen one of his aunts, who was also a concubine of the king, jump into the firewood with a blazing fire in the past, the sound of his screaming has not even faded until now.
In the past, when she was seventeen years old, she understood why her aunt made this kind of decision. A wife had to follow her husband anywhere under any circumstances. Like Drupadi, who is willing to be alienated in the forest to be with her husband's pandavas, she has to do that too when she gets married. But when she hears her own bopo's remarks, if she has to die with the late king, Ayu Retno shakes her head, not wanting to. She is so young, she doesn't want to die yet.
"Prepare your things, Ayu!"
"What about Gayatri, Bopo? She is the queen and empress of this country. Shouldn't she have done the pati obong instead of us?"
"Kebo Anabrang wants all of you to replace Gayatri because she is heavily pregnant. According to her, if anyone representing Gayatri like Madrim replaces Kunti to die with Pandu in the Mahabharata, then you should be willing to do this too! Don't ask much anymore, Ayu!"
Hearing Prabangkara's remarks, Ayu Retno immediately retreated and entered her house, where she was preparing to take all her things. Silk clothes, jewelry from gold, silver, jewels, and even copper she didn't want to leave a single one in this place.
"Take all my jewels!" She commanded all her court ladies.
And assisted by seven of his caretakers, Ayu Retno put all her jewelry in boxes and urns. After everything done, Ayu Retno came out.
As soon as he opened the door of his house, he came face to face with Candrasengkala. When Ayu Retno saw Candrasengkala, who was smiling at her and carrying so many things by accident, she immediately let go of the two urns she had carried until they fell to the floor.
As soon as the fragments of the urn scattered on the floor, all the contents of the urn came out instantly. Not only gold jewelry, such as dragon bracelets, ear studs, and sumping to krisnala coins, but there is also silver and copper jewelry. Ayu Retno has also stuffed colorful silk fabrics into the urn.
Candrasengkala's smile widened even more when he saw all the things. The young man took a piece of gold money and, with a furious face, he showed it to Ayu Retno. "Your husband just died, Ayu Retno, but instead of grieving, you are collecting treasures!"
"I have to put it all together so I can live outside the palace!"
Candrasengakala laughed mockingly. "Being the wife of a king, be it queen, empress, or concubine, has its own rules, Ayu Retno. You probably won't forget that, besides dying, they have to become hermits and live on the mountainside. You and all of them must no longer have a pleasant life after being widows, Ayu."
"I beg you, Candrasengkala. We once made love when we were young, allow me to live. First and foremost, for your love for me!"Ayu Retno pleaded, cupping her palms.
"You decide to marry a king instead of a soldier, Retno. And you should have run away, Ayu Retno. instead of saving your jewelry first! But I am grateful that, because of your greed, you are still here!
Ayu Retno was at a loss for words. Her whole body was cold, and her vision was blurred when she saw all the concubines dragged into the yard, and they all seemed to choose to save the jewelry instead their lives.
But, amidst the cries of the concubines and the resistance of those who refused to die. One concubine walked calmly towards the hall where the middle concubines were dragged to be gathered in one place.
The concubine was Hapsari with her brother Wirasesa, who kept crying, wailing, and begging at her feet that Hapsari would not give up and do pati obong.
But Hapsari did not flinch. The most beautiful concubine in Maespati history, who had even defeated the empress, was already dressed in all white; her hair was loose and straight. And her hair decorated with a string of white Jasmine. Hapsari had prepared to die.
"Now it's your turn, Ayu accepts your destiny bravely like Hapsari, whom you deposed as Garwa Padmi," Candrasengkala said, pulling Ayu Retno's hand, and Ayu Retno was forced to go down the stairs leading to the main hall alongside the man he once left for the king, and now he too must die for his greedy choice. Ayu Retno began to cry, not for the death of the king she had never loved, but for the choice she could no longer make.
****
Wirasesa wiped away the snot that kept melting in his nose. He who was both full of anger and despair choose to leave once the concubines had left, so he rushed towards the stables. He must immediately meet with Kripala. And draw up a plan for mastering the throne.
"You want to kill my sister to save your sister, Kebo Anabrang! Then the throne that should belong to your nephew must belong to my nephew. That is the price you have to pay, the result of your greed!
****
Wilayuda had been waiting for Wirasesa at the stables with a dark horse that had once belonged to the king.
"Bayu, the country's fastest horse, is ready to serve its new king, Wirasesa."
"The plan we've been working on for fifteen years must be implemented immediately, Wilayuda!"
"You take a breather; everything will be finished tonight." "What is clear is that you must act quickly; take the prince of Kripala before Swarpakala is crowned king, and you have less than three days!"
"I know, if I'm late, all we have to do is revolt; slaughter one dynasty until none remain!"
Wirasesa rode away on his horse, leaving Wilayuda alone.