That day, Raksa felt something was different. The air in his village felt heavier, as if something was about to happen, though he didn't know what. After helping the old woman, everything seemed to slow down. He walked back home with weary steps, his mind still fixated on the event that had just occurred.
Along the way, rumors began to spread about the old woman he had helped. The villagers started whispering, saying that the woman was no ordinary person. Some said she was a very powerful witch, while others simply felt uneasy about who she truly was. However, Raksa didn't care about what people said. To him, she was just an old woman in need of help, and he was glad to assist her, even without expecting anything in return.
After returning home, Raksa sat quietly in front of his small, humble house. His mother, who was cooking in the kitchen, turned and smiled when she saw her son looking downhearted.
"Raksa, what's wrong? You look tired," she asked gently.
Raksa just nodded, trying to smile. "Nothing, Mom, I'm fine. Just a bit tired from working all day."
His mother seemed to hesitate, but she didn't ask more questions. She returned to the kitchen, while Raksa turned his gaze back to the evening sky that was growing darker. Suddenly, his thoughts shifted to the old woman. What would happen now? It felt as if something was waiting for him.
The next day, something unexpected happened. While Raksa was working in the field, a royal messenger approached him. The messenger was dressed entirely in black, with the royal emblem clearly displayed on his chest. In his hand, he held a rolled-up letter, neatly tied.
Raksa was taken aback and nervous. He lowered his head as a sign of respect, his heart pounding. The messenger gave him a quick glance, then handed him the letter.
"This is for you, Raksa," the messenger said briefly.
Raksa received the letter with trembling hands. He quickly opened the roll and read its contents:
"With respect,
We invite you, Raksa, to attend the royal palace on the specified date. The Princess wishes to speak with you about an important matter. We hope you can honor this invitation. Sincerely, The Royal Messenger"
Raksa was confused. An invitation from the Princess? That couldn't be true. He was just a poor young man from a small village, not someone of any importance in the kingdom. What could possibly interest the Princess about him? His mind was filled with unanswered questions. It felt like he was in a dream.
After a moment, Raksa gathered his courage and looked at the messenger. "When should I go?" he asked with a slightly trembling voice.
"Tomorrow morning. Be ready. The palace awaits you," the messenger replied before walking away, leaving Raksa still standing there, holding the invitation with trembling hands.
The next day, Raksa set off for the palace with mixed emotions. He felt afraid and anxious, but there was also a strong curiosity within him. Throughout the journey, he thought again of the old woman he had helped. Could this be connected to her? Was she really a witch? And if so, what did that have to do with the kingdom?
Upon reaching the palace, Raksa was mesmerized by the grandeur and beauty of the buildings that seemed like a different world altogether. The wide roads, meticulously tended gardens, and the majestic palace towering high made him feel small and out of place. He felt he didn't belong in such a beautiful place.
However, the royal messenger guided him into the palace, passing through long corridors adorned with red carpets and beautiful paintings. Finally, they arrived at a large room, where a young woman stood waiting in the center. She wore a stunning gown that shimmered in gold and silver, her hair neatly styled, and her face radiated an extraordinary beauty.
The Princess.
Raksa was stunned, not knowing what to do. He felt as though the whole world had suddenly become very small in the presence of this noble figure.
"Welcome, Raksa," the Princess's voice was soft yet powerful. "I know this must feel very strange to you. But I want you to know that your arrival here is no accident."
Raksa could only bow his head. The words from the Princess seemed to penetrate deep into his soul. Was this a sign that his fate had changed forever?
The Princess stepped forward and stopped right in front of Raksa. "I want you to be a part of my life, Raksa," she said softly, her eyes shining with hope.
Raksa gazed into her eyes full of hope, and for a moment, he felt like he was being drawn into a foreign world, a world far from the simple life he had known.
"What happens next, Princess?" Raksa asked, his voice sounding more steady than he felt.
The Princess smiled wider. "I want you to stay in the palace, to become a part of my life. I want us to form a bond that is stronger, both in heart and in destiny. But I also know this decision won't be easy for you. Our worlds are different, Raksa."
Raksa's emotions grew more conflicted. He knew that accepting this offer meant leaving his village and his old life behind, stepping into the complicated and secretive world of the royal court. But at the same time, he felt something bigger pulling him, something that made him want to know more about the Princess, the kingdom, and even himself.
"I don't know if I'm ready for this, Princess," Raksa said, his voice weak, though inside, he felt a growing determination. "I'm just an ordinary young man… can I truly meet all your expectations?"
The Princess looked at him with deep eyes, as if trying to read every thought in Raksa's mind. "No one is perfect, Raksa. We are all just human. But I believe you have the potential to be a part of this world, even in a different way."
Raksa felt confused, but there was something he couldn't deny. There was something inside him that wanted to walk this path, even though it was full of uncertainty and unknown dangers.
The Princess took a step back, giving Raksa space to think. "Take your time to think about it. I will wait for your decision."
Raksa could only nod. In his mind, his heart kept churning between doubt and resolve. The road ahead was so vast and full of mysteries, but he knew that whatever happened, his life would never be the same again. Slowly, he left the room, his steps heavy as if every decision he was about to make carried great consequences.
Outside, the air in the palace felt colder than he had expected. Raksa walked through the garden, his eyes fixed on the large trees lining the palace grounds. The calm atmosphere gave space for his mind to wander. Am I truly ready? he asked himself. What will happen if I choose to stay in the palace? And more importantly, what does the Princess really want from me?
Time, which had felt so fast in the palace, now seemed to slow down. Raksa stopped at a stone bench in a corner of the garden, sitting down to reflect. His old life, with its fields, humble house, and his mother's loving advice, now felt like a distant memory. But in the presence of the Princess, he felt as if he was being called to something much bigger.
"I want you to be a part of my life." Those words echoed in his mind. They felt so strong and laden with significance. The Princess wasn't just offering him a place in the palace; she was offering him a journey of fate that was full of uncertainty.
Raksa looked up at the sky, now fading into evening, as if signaling that a big decision had to be made in silence. But like the wind that changes direction without warning, he knew that his life had changed forever. And for the first time, he felt a little more certain. Perhaps, this was his place—somewhere far from the life he knew.
Not long after, a servant approached him with a letter from the Princess.
"Princess is waiting for your decision, Raksa," said the servant gently.
Raksa nodded, taking the letter from the servant's hand, and with a heart full of questions, he walked back toward the Princess's room. His steps felt more determined now. Whatever was going to happen, he knew that he had to make a decision, and it had to happen today.
Inside the room, the Princess waited with a smile full of hope. However, her smile faded into an expression of understanding when she saw the conflicted look on Raksa's face.
"Have you made your decision, Raksa?" asked the Princess, her voice soft but serious.
Raksa bowed his head for a moment, trying to gather the right words. He knew that whatever he said now, it would be a turning point that could never be undone.
"I... I want to know more, Princess," he finally said. "I want to understand why I'm so important in all of this. What exactly do you want me to do here? And can I really live up to your expectations?"
The Princess stepped forward, and for a moment, they simply gazed at each other. "Raksa, I know this journey won't be easy. But I believe you have incredible potential. Potential that will lead us toward great change. I can't promise that everything will be smooth, but I know that together, we can face it."
Raksa took a deep breath, then looked at the Princess with newfound resolve. "I choose to join you, Princess. I want to understand what I need to do."
The Princess smiled, this time her smile full