A crowd was forming in front of the commissioner's house. They'd been following the cavalry that unusually came from the capital city of Gadilengka. In the midst of the horse riders, there was a carriage driving into the house. With gold decoration on top of the red body and gold wheels, it was the most exquisite carriage they had ever seen.

A minute later, En Hesak came out of the house, flanked by the constables, with his hands shackled. One of the constables read out a piece of paper out loud so everyone could hear.

"En Hesak is arrested for stealing the food supplies that are meant for the survivors of the landslide and will face the trial in the capital city of Gadilengka," he said, bringing the negative reaction from the crowd. "He has been dishonorably discharged as the Commissioner of Rangsan. Thus, Sir Kusna Atyaja will be the temporary commissioner until the government of Gadilengka appoints a permanent officer. By the order of the Prince Regent Basandaya. Rain Season, Day 136th, Year 382, Nakyamuru Dynasty."

When the cavalry carried out the crates from his shed, the crowd got so upset that they started throwing things at the disgraced commissioner. The hubbub reasonably worried Jantra Kawa who was watching by the window of the commissioner's house. He knocked the door of one of the rooms.

"Your Highness," he said. "We need to leave. If we don't reach Bunyawi in an hour, Renggi Nanta will already lose all her hair by the time we get there."

"Sometimes she needs to learn to let things go and be done with it," replied the Prince from inside the room.

The door opened. From inside, a completely different man came out. The sick man was now shrouded in black jaskap with gold embellishment that showed his ties to the royal family. A piece of long patterned cloth called nayin of the finest fabric wrapped around his waist. His coarse and disheveled wavy hair had been combed neatly. The absence of mustache nor beard showed how young he actually was. His amber skin that perfected his disguise as a commoner was now squeaky clean. He was wearing a black head gear that was adorned by a piece of yellow topaz that made him appear as if he had a third eye. Yet it's his gold wing-shaped ear cuffs that clarified his status as the head of state.

"Shall we?" he asked as he led the way toward the door while his personal guard followed closely behind.

The evacuation barrack guards who had thrown one of them to the prison averted their gaze. It was unlawful for the commoners to look at the royal family in the eyes. But one of them managed to take a peek at the second man who was now wearing a shiny bronze armor that signified his rank.

As Jantra Kawa took on his helmet, he caught his peep and nodded at him. A simple gesture of gratitude for believing in him and letting him out of the cell to make that timely rescue. After this encounter, it's guaranteed that they would think twice before treating civilians like a piece of trash.

The crowd cheered when they saw the royal carriage rolled out to the street. It's hard for the Prince not to smile to see such support from the people who needed him most. Now that he had restored justice in Rangsan, all he had to do was to arrive in Bunyawi right on time.

Which he did not.

In a gazebo by the river in the heart of Bunyawi, there was a fair skinned woman sitting in the middle of eight men. Her high bun and gold hair accessories denoted that she's part of the aristocrats. The upper garment opened at the front called bikaya that she wore was made of green taffeta. It was secured with brooches made of pearl. For the bottom, she wore a long nayin. The book and quill that she carried gave her identity away. The secretary to the crown, Renggi Nanta Dipaswirih.

And at that time, if you look closely enough, you could see smoke coming out of her ears. She had to stay calm while those old noblemen ripping the prince apart for being late. It had been 45 minutes from the scheduled time and these people were not patient enough to wait any longer.

Finally, the clattering of horseshoes was heard from across the square. Soon, three horsemen entered the scene. They escorted an incoming carriage hauled by four black horses. Two other horsemen followed right after. They're all decorated with the official red color of the kingdom.

Once the carriage stopped, the only one in bronze armor came down from his horse and opened the door. When his nayin swept on the steps of the carriage, they all bowed to the Prince Regent.

"Your Majesty," the oldest man bowed deeper in his presence.

"It's 'Your Highness'," the prince corrected him. "I'm not the king."

It had been four months since his appointment as the regent, but some people kept misaddressing him. He was the last person in his family who worried about such thing. And yet, calling him 'Your Majesty' sounded so wrong that he always corrected them. Besides, ever since the triplets were born, his position as the successor had been pushed to the fourth line. That's the fate of a second wife's son in this kingdom, despite him being six years older than the Crown Prince and his sisters.

"My apologies," the old man choked by the speed of his words.

"No, it's my apologies for making you all wait this long," replied Prince Basandaya. "Shall we start?"

He jumped right into his intention of building more villages by the river. The discussion went for an hour as the noblemen kept questioning his reasons. Exasperated by their endless rambling, he asked them to join him on a walk by the riverbed.

"Umm... Your Highness," Renggi Nanta spoke up when she saw the look in their faces. "I fear that they may not be in their best shape to join you on your adventure along the slippery riverbed. Can I persuade you to stay to conclude this meeting?"

"No," the Prince Regent suddenly stood up, making them all got up on their feet. "If you cannot join me, please send someone that I can speak to about my intention. Come along, Renggi Nanta."

The secretary waddled to follow the prince who already made his way toward the riverbed.

"Your Highness, I really do think we should stay in the gazebo," said Renggi Nanta. "It's not safe here. There's been a landslide in the neighboring district, do you remember?"

"As if it happened this morning," mumbled Prince Basandaya. "I can't stand them, Renggi Nanta. Their way of thinking is much too outdated. Why can't they step down and let their sons takeover?"

"You know that's not how it works," answered Renggi Nanta. Catching the spark in his eyes, she quickly continued. "No. I will not help you set a meeting with Pram Bhanuspa to make a new law. Not for these people."

Jantra Kawa chuckled. "You know him so well, my lady."

"Something needs to be done," Prince Basandaya turned around to see if the group had found someone who would join him. "Something smaller perhaps."

A guard took his leave from the gazebo and marched down the path on his way. Upon his presence, the guard bowed and said, "Your Highness, I've been sent for your assistance."

"I see," the prince nodded. "Do you live around here?"

"No, Your Highness, but I grew up in Jenahan Village, a few kilometers from here. I used to come here to fish with my father and my friends."

"Splendid," the Prince smiled. "Now tell me..."

The party took a stroll along the grassy land while discussing about the place. It needed encouragement, but the guard managed to speak his mind about the Prince's wish. He had doubts that made the Prince promised to reconsider the whole plan.

Half an hour later, the party returned to the gazebo.

"Thank you for your insight, Sir... uh..."

"Imat Imawat, Your Highness," the guard answered the Prince. "Of the Fourth Squad."

Prince Basandaya raised his eyebrows. No title? No sobriquet? He noticed the iron armor he was wearing. A man of this age was still a fifth rank officer?

He turned to his personal guard who never left his side throughout the visit. Gaptin Jantra Kawa was only 25 and he's already a third rank officer and a commander of a 30-men unit.

Glancing at the other guards who were surrounding the group of old men, he noticed something rather worrisome. Two of the guards wore silver arm cuffs, which made them the second rank, the highest rank for guards who worked outside Smajawangsa. Yet, they were all probably around Pram Agrawi's age.

"Right," Prince Basandaya nodded at Sir Imat Imawat. "Thank you."

Once they rejoined the group, the prince announced that he had concluded his visit. He thanked them one by one and ensured that he'd send a message regarding his decision in two weeks time. After that, he bid his farewell and returned to his carriage, with Renggi Nanta followed as always. She fretted about how it's mostly Pram Histanu's job and that the Prince was too kind to assist him.

The Prince Regent just smiled. He knew very well of Renggi Nanta's habit of fussing over everything. But after she fussed about it, she quickly got it done. He remembered how she had handed him the entire itinerary for his grand tour to Questravia and Jinli. It had only been one day after he'd told his father. No one had asked her to do it. She herself had been against his decision in the first place. But lo and behold, his voyage had been all set.

That's why he had been against her retirement as the secretary of the crown. All head of state usually had their own private secretary whom they chose for themselves. Prince Basandaya believed there's no need to appoint a new secretary. He'd only rule for eleven months anyway. Besides, no one else had the credibility to do the job as well as her.

"Therefore, I shall meet you at Port Teratan in... an hour," finally, she finished talking.

"Right," answered Prince Basandaya. "Um, Renggi Nanta. Once we get back in the palace, I really would like to discuss a decree for regeneration."

"Your Highness..."

"People who has worked for five years on one position will be reviewed for promotion. There are more things for the detail. You think you can set up a meeting with Pram Bhanuspa and Pram Histanu?"

Renggi Nanta was going to argue about it. But now that the rule was more concise, she relented and said, "Very well."

"Thank you. You should go now. They must have expected my arrival, but not yours."

"Your Highness," Renggi Nanta curtsied before leaving toward her own convoy.

Jantra Kawa opened the carriage door to let him in.

"Come inside," ordered the prince. "I need to speak with you."

Jantra Kawa gestured at his squad member to handle his horse before getting into the carriage. It was uncommon for a royal family member to share their carriage with their guard, but the Prince Regent had been doing this from time to time. Growing up in Tenrana, he'd had to share the carriage with his cousins, or with his mother at least. And since his return to Ranundala, he had to stay in the carriage all by himself. It got lonely sometimes. So he used to bring Jantra Kawa in the carriage with him to keep him company.

The leader of the guards was just going to signal the coachman to start going, but the Prince stopped him from doing it. He caught an awkward conversation between one of the noblemen and Imat Imawat. The nobleman was rambling while Imat Imawat nodded guiltily. Did he just get the poor guard in trouble?

"Call him," Prince Basandaya ordered him. "Call Sir Imat Imawat."

Jantra Kawa popped out his head outside the carriage window and shouted, "Sir Imat Imawat!"

The middle-aged guard almost jumped hearing a loud voice called him out of nowhere. Noticing where the call came from, the nobleman shooed him so he'd go to the Prince's carriage at once. The guard rushed to approach the carriage.

"If you'd like to leave Bunyawi," the prince spoke without even turning to the guard, "you can always tell them that the Prince Regent himself asks for you to be stationed elsewhere."

Jantra Kawa looked up at him. It was subtle, but the prince noticed that he did not agree with his action.

"It's your choice," continued Prince Basandaya. "Whatever it is you choose, I wish you the very best of luck."

Imat Imawat was surprised too that he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you. I shall pray for your health, safety and success. Thank you, Your Highness."

Prince Basandaya nodded and Gaptin Jantra Kawa tapped the carriage twice. The coachman clicked his tongue and the horses began to pull the carriage away. The other four horsemen also moved toward the road to Port Teratan in the south of Gadilengka.

The clouds crept slowly over the sun, turning the earth dark and blue. The wind blew cold, as if sending them a message that the rain wasn't done with them yet. The dirt road took them out of the village where the convoy traversed the path on a cliff by the river.

Looking away from the river, Prince Basandaya stared at his guard. "I saw your disapproving looks earlier, Brana," he claimed. "Is there anything you wish to say to me?"