"Hah... it's quite close to my house, maybe I'll upload it on the PT website too..." said Alan excitedly, thinking that this could be a new opportunity for his novel.
Alan, increasingly interested in PT Dhaniel, tried to find out more information. He started looking for a complete address and contact person who could be contacted to send his manuscript. After some searching, he found the official website of PT Dhaniel and browsed the contact page.
On the website, Alan found the complete office address of PT Dhaniel in Bogor Pagelaran along with telephone numbers and email addresses where he could be contacted.
"Is it possible or not..."
Hesitantly, Alan opened the conversation on messages trying to find out more information.
[Good Morning, I'm Alan, the author of the story "Sins" starring Simon. I want to ask about the conditions for publishing it as a book. Can I get more information?]
"Like that, is it formal yet...?"
Alan, looked at his phone waiting for a reply, but he knew they couldn't possibly reply very quickly, and also what company would want to take a book that only a few people had read.
While waiting for a reply from PT Dhaniel, Alan pondered the possibility of them accepting his novel. He realized that his chances might be small, considering that his novel had just started and the number of readers was still limited.
However, without dampening his enthusiasm, Alan decided to remain hopeful and keep trying. He began to think about the next steps he could take to increase his novel's exposure.
"Maybe I should make another chapter."
Alan reopened the novel [Miracle] which was still ongoing, he had time to read it briefly then he was interested in the discussion, Orteg and Kratia chatted
***
I was on the balcony of the castle at the top, here I could see views of the places that were being repaired and also people passing by from a distance.
Next to me was Orteg who accompanied me from Stress.
"So, how much do you know about this kingdom now?" he said immediately.
I, who was enjoying the cool breeze, stopped suddenly, "What do you mean, Orteg...?"
"Has your faith been shaken by different point views? Or, because of words that make sense but are not necessarily true, your beliefs are wavering?"
"…I don't understand what you mean, Orteg."
"Kratia, we live in a world full of diverse points of view. Sometimes, what we believe may be tested by other people's perspectives. Just as this wind can change the direction of the flowers in the garden, other people's views can also influence us."
I pondered, digesting Orteg's words. "So, you want me to understand a different point of view?"
"No, but I'm telling you that you should look at the middle, neutral point of view."
"…I don't understand."
Orteg smiled gently, "Perhaps one day, when you learn and experience more, you will understand how valuable it is to look from a neutral point of view. But now, focus on your own experience."
"…"
"To be sure, I don't want you to betray Princess Elerona."
I turned my body, which was facing the view of the royal residence. I looked at Orteg's face next to me, "Why do you care so much about Elerona...?"
"…I'm going to tell you something that shouldn't be told, and here I'm the only one who knows it."
"Why would you want to tell that if it's so secret?"
"I believe you."
"…" I was speechless, but I nodded, "Okay, tell me."
"Elerona, the switched child."
"Switched?" I exclaimed in complete confusion.
Orteg looked at me seriously, "Yes, Kratia. Elerona is not the biological daughter of the King and Queen. He is a child who was switched at infancy."
I looked at Orteg with wide eyes, having a hard time believing it. "Switched? How did it happen?"
"I exchanged it myself."
"Why?"
"Because otherwise this kingdom might not survive in the future."
Orteg continued, "At that time, our neighboring kingdom was very rich, and they had just given birth to a daughter, Elerona. At that time, I, who was still young and full of ambition, planned something."
I listened with my eyes wide open, continuing to digest every word Orteg said.
"When Elerona was still a baby, I managed to infiltrate the neighboring kingdom and steal Elerona. Meanwhile, I left the Queen's newborn baby in the same place, making everyone believe that the baby was the King and Queen's biological daughter."
"What prompted you to do this, Orteg?" I asked with a face full of questions.
"Our kingdom was in a very difficult condition at that time, and I believed that by having Elerona, we could forge a strong alliance with a rich neighboring kingdom. This was a step I took for the good of this kingdom, Kratia."
I was silent, digesting all the information I had just heard, "In other words...?"
"Balance, this kingdom is about to collapse and I don't want that."
Orteg continued, "The current Elerona is not the biological daughter of the King and Queen, but she remains an inseparable part of this royal family. I do this in the hope that her presence can bring good luck and stability to our kingdom."
I'm still digesting this information with a heart full of questions. "What about Elerona herself? Does she know about this?"
Orteg shook his head, "No. I am the only one who knows this truth, and I promised to keep it a secret. However, I feel you need to know so you can understand more about this kingdom."
I felt torn between shock and duty to guard the kingdom. "What should I do, Orteg?"
"Take care of Elerona, until the end of your life," he said while patting my shoulder.
With those words, Orteg placed a heavy responsibility on me. I feel as if the world is placing a huge burden on my shoulders, but in my heart, I know that the balance and safety of this kingdom rests on my shoulders.
Slowly, Orteg walked into the castle leaving me on the balcony alone with a large burden.
"Why should me?"
< Chapter 21 > To Be Continued.