The doors were opened. Renggi Nanta came in while laughing with Jantra Kawa who already transformed back into himself. As soon as they saw the Prince Regent, Renggi Nanta opened her fan and hid half of Jantra Kawa's face. Now he looked like the Prince Regent even without the potion, thanks to the princely attire he was still wearing. 

"Y- Yo- Your Highness," the secretary stammered. 

"Relax, my lady, I am on my way to explain my genius idea to the Prince Regent," said Maharahi. "Saka Subarsang, close the door." 

Once Saka Subarsang made sure they were all alone, Maharahi proposed her clandestine project to the prince himself. Renggi Nanta, who initially seemed to object her insanity, gave her approval to this idea. She couldn't stop praising Jantra Kawa on his performance as a convincing Prince Regent Basandaya that the guard's face turned red. 

"But... wouldn't that mean I'm sacrificing Gaptin Jantra Kawa's life over mine?" asked Prince Basandaya. "I mean, I'm not the king. This seems appropriate if the person he's protecting is Pri." 

"Prince Tapriyasta doesn't have any enemy," said Maharahi. 

"Yet," added Renggi Nanta. 

"The threat on your life is far bigger than the threat on his life," said Maharahi. "I understand your concern for Gaptin Jantra Kawa's safety..." 

"But that is my duty, Your Highness," added Jantra Kawa. "I don't see any difference between escorting you and taking your form to protect you." 

"Except the amount of delicious food you get to eat when you take his form," Renggi Nanta grinned. Jantra Kawa blushed again. "I'm sorry, I can't help it. He was wonderful, Your Highness. You should've seen him. You'd be proud." 

"I'm sure I would," said Prince Basandaya. "But if he goes as me, who is going to lead his team? He can't disappear every time I have to go somewhere. Soon or late some people will find out that he becomes me. Or worse, they think he's a deserter." 

"I'm sure we can figure..." 

"No," Prince Basandaya cut Maharahi. "No, we can't just have him. We have to have someone else. We have to have more. I propose to get as many body doubles as we can." 

His statement left their mouths wide open. Even Saka Subarsang almost dropped the bottle he pretended to clean. 

"As many body double..." Renggi Nanta completely forgot that she's talking to the Prince Regent as she raised her voice. "That is absolutely mad!" 

 

"With all due respect, Your Highness, I think I'm perfectly capable of taking this role all by myself," Jantra Kawa also spoke up. He looked rather offended with the idea. 

"Not to mention how dangerous it is to let these many people know about this mission," added Renggi Nanta. "We've got too many people knowing this secret already." 

"Let me guess. Lir?" asked Maharahi. 

"She picked it up in an instant," Jantra Kawa nodded. "Almost slit my throat when I was on my way to the washroom. She thought I was an impostor. Well, I was... but, not that kind of impostor." 

"No, hear me out," Prince Basandaya stepped closer toward them. The other three also tightened the space. Saka Subarsang turned his head around so he could listen. "Let's say we found one man. If he dies, we have to find another one. Might as well find as many people as we can and confuse the perpetrators. Can't you see? I can be in many places at once!" 

Both Renggi Nanta and Jantra Kawa furrowed their eyebrows and took a deep breath to voice their disagreement, but it was Maharahi who spoke first. 

 

"Hmmm... marvelous idea, why didn't I think of that?" she commented. The royal physician turned to the secretary. "Yes, I understand your concern, but if we can pull this off, imagine what he can accomplish! I'm sure whatever it is the Prince Regent's trying to do with this kingdom may finally succeed in less than seven months if there are more of him."

"Exactly," the Prince agreed. "I have so little time here. And I will not waste any moment of it wallowing like a baby." 

"Nevertheless, I don't see how we are going to find the candidates for the double?" Jantra Kawa's question shocked Renggi Nanta. "As far as I know, I'm the only guard with yellow eyes that isn't far too different than His Highness." 

Maharahi smirked again, "Leave it to me."

After Renggi Nanta voiced her reluctant agreement, the party dispersed. Then, Maharahi instructed Saka Subarsang to take over her post as she disappeared into her dark and mysterious basement. She arranged twenty-five candles in a shape of a circle and lit it one by one. Each candle represented the twenty-five gods that had created the Sanuratna sub-region and the entire realm. A book and a jar of ink were placed beside her who soon entered the circle. Sitting with her legs crossed and her eyes closed, she began her meditation. 

Her lips hummed and hawed as she whispered the mantra to see beyond what her physical eyes could see. In a flash, faces of all the people in Ranundala came into her mind. Young, old, upper class, lower class. They all went on with their lives while Maharahi's supernatural vision passed through them, searching for men with yellow eyes and amber skin who were capable enough to fill the Prince Regent's shoes. 

Nineteen hours later, she opened her eyes. Her fingers were stained with blank ink and her book was filled. She called for Saka Subarsang before collapsed in the circle.