"Sure, but why? Aren't there any princes from small kingdoms who could marry Rara Ayu?"
"Because Werkudara is the only one who can stop the human who has become a demon attacking Aruna Dwipa and all other islands in the archipelago. Therefore, Rara Ayu, who already has a husband, must be sacrificed. Her husband was killed directly by the king!"
"I still clearly remember how the young man's corpse was dismembered and used as food by the Kalawika. Kalawika is the name for a human who has become a demon, a prince." This time it was Wilayuda who spoke.
"It makes Rara Ayu crazy?" Prince Kripala wondered.
"Who wouldn't be crazy if such a fate fell on her, prince?"
"Who said that being a princess is easy?"
"And there's one thing that's even scarier if you remember."
"What's that? Prince Kripala asked.
"Rara Ayu is forced to serve Werkudara that night, and she attempts suicide to save her honor. She hit his head on a rock, and while the wound on her head made Werkudara lose his lust for her, it also made her forget about the rest of the world."
Prince Kripala trembled, holding back his rage; he hadn't expected to hear such things. He thought Wirasesa, his uncle, and his associates were only interested in power, but there seemed to be someone worse than them all, and that person was his grandfather and father.
"Therefore, we want the prince to lead us to carry out the rebellion."
"Yes, as well as dethroning the descendants of the late king."
Prince Kripala chuckled. "However, why should I? If you want to get rid of the late king's descendants, I have it as well; the blood of the two people runs through me!"
"But the prince, like us, is descended from ordinary people."
"A descent that is not considered and can be discarded at will if not required. And all of us, Prayogo added. The king's concubine's descendants are sacrifices that can be used whenever the king wants."
"What if I don't want to participate in your plans?"
"We can't force it, so we'll stick to our original plan, but we're hoping the Prince will still be our leader."
"Why? Is it because the Drastsa crown will choose its king, and you've all tried, but the crown will not be placed on your rotten heads?"
"Everyone remained silent to hear Prince Kripala's words because what he said was true."
Prince Kripala burst out laughing after seeing the mutinous faces of the rebels who remained speechless. "Okay, I'll do what you ask, but there are a few conditions."
"Conditions? What condition is the prince in?"
"My three lovers are allowed to keep me brought to the palace and those who will jail your Queen!"
"Lover? Does the prince have a lover?"
"Yes, but those don't deserve to be part of the prince's palace!" said Wirasesa.
Prince Kripala woke up and immediately threw his punch at his uncle without Wirasesa being able to avoid it. Everything there was immediately shocked. Tap believes in the actions of Kripala's silencing.
"I can kill any, uncle. It doesn't matter if it's my father, mother, or younger siblings, but not my lover. The three of them are not and can be insulted by uncles casually!"
"B... but prince, they...."
"Uncle, don't make me sick! I know you want to be a king, don't you? As a result, you try to control me by giving me power, but you can't. I'm not a moron! I even know a secret, and everything you do disgusts me as well. So, if you don't want me to castrate you, stop insulting them!"
"Please, Prince Kripala, do not do this and further divide our group!"
"Prayogo, I'm not a member of any group. If you don't agree to my terms, the deal will fall through."
"With the look in their eyes, everyone there seemed to be discussing something."
"We allow it. However, the prince's lover cannot be the queen!"
"Why?"
"A queen must be a virgin and a descendant of royal blood. People won't respect him. Otherwise, then the people will not respect the queen!"
"Then, I will make you all bow your heads to them!"
"Is the prince convinced of the prince's remarks?" A female voice sounded.
Hearing that voice, Prince Kripala immediately looked around the room, and he realized that among all the men there was one who covered himself in black clothes from head to toe and that only his eyes were
"Who are you? Why are you covering yourself like that?"
"Why doesn't the prince come and take off this covering?"
Prince Kripala got up from his seat and walked towards the mysterious woman. As soon as they stood face-to-face, prince Kripala immediately pulled the edge of the cloth covering his face, and as soon as it was open, prince Kripala was immediately stunned.
"Who are you? Why are you covering yourself like that?"
"Why doesn't prince come and take off this covering, by yourself?"
Prince Kripala got up from his seat and walked towards the mysterious woman. As soon as they stood face-to-face, prince Kripala immediately pulled the edge of the cloth covering his face, and as soon as it was open, prince Kripala was immediately stunned.
Standing in front of him was the figure of a beautiful woman. She has very smooth brown skin. Her hair is fine, black, bushy, and long; she has bushy eyebrows that shade her oval face, sharp eyes, small nose and when she smiles, two dimples appear on her face.
Prayogo spoke. "She is the daughter of Hanggareksa, Tantri Kalyana, and she is the queen we proposed to you, prince."
Wilayuda replied. "Because of that prince, the prince's three lovers are not allowed to be brought to the palace." But, even if the prince wants to take them along, they are only fit to be concubines!"
Prince Kripala, who was momentarily amazed by Tantri Kalyana's beauty, only laughed at their chatter. He had to admit that Tantri Kalyana was more beautiful than his girlfriend, but for some reason, he wasn't attracted to her. No matter how attractive Tantri is, she will not be the same as her lovers because, in the eyes of the current prince, Kripala, Tantri is not an ordinary woman; she is full of ambition and understands palace politics, and that will not be pleasant.
Kembang, Antika, and Puspita don't know about palace politics. Antika is a skilled warrior and tactician. Puspita is a healer who can cure almost any disease, and Kembang is a poison expert. Unfortunately, as they were not born into a noble family, the three of them can only be dancers, and a chance encounter with prince Kripala changes their lives as he is the only one who can protect them.
"How many heads can you behead, Tantri?"
"Behead?" Tantri asked shocked
"Yes, Tantri," I confirmed. "How many heads can you decapitate?" Prince Kripala said it once again.
"Tantri has never killed a prince," replied Hanggareksa. "My daughter is the daughter of a prince. She was groomed to be a queen. She is good at batik, understands palace etiquette, and has great courtesy."
"Unfortunately, I don't like the Hanggareksa display!" Prince Kripala responded. "I'm sure your daughter doesn't feel comfortable in this place either. Your daughter is also not a tribute I can just take!"
"But prince…."
"Thank you for your bribe, she is so beautiful, but I'm not interested."
Prince Kripala's words shocked everyone who was there.
"I admire your beauty, Tantri, but I'm sorry I can't accept you because you can never be like my lover!"
"Why not, prince?"
"They have a lot of advantages that you won't have."
"What's a prince? I can study if the prince wants."
Prince Kripala almost shook his head, but when he saw the movement of the girl's hand, he realized Tantri wasn't forced to be here; there was something else concerning this girl.
"My prince….."
"Okay, I'll take him to my place, Hanggareksa. If Tantri can get along with Antika, Kembang, and Puspita, then I will give her a good position, be it queen or empress."
"Thank you, prince. Then when are we going to attack the palace?"
"After I confirm all of your stories. Come on, Tantri, let's get out of this place!"