Prince Basandaya opened his eyes. His bed was soaked in his cold sweat. He could feel his chest pumping as he struggled to breathe.

It happened again. The explosion in Bunyawi terrorized him in his nightmare. The wounds had healed, but the pain was still scorching on his flesh. It's frustrating how a menial explosion could break his mind like this. He'd fought in a battle before. He'd experienced worse. That attack should've meant nothing. 

The door to the body double's quarters opened and Darga came stumbling in. His eyes were not used to the morning lights yet that he squinted when he looked up to the bed. 

"What's happening?" he asked with a wobbly voice. 

Amanji and Kinalu also came into the room, each holding a dagger. Meanwhile Hismar popped in from the door that led to the corridor. 

"There's no one here," he said. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" 

Prince Basandaya gulped. "Yes," he croaked. "It's just... nightmare." 

Amanji groaned and went back into his quarters while Darga lied down on the floor. Kinalu put the dagger back into its sheath. He poured a jug of water into a glass then brought it to the Prince. Hismar walked in and helped him sit up. 

"Dear gods, you're sweating," he said when he touched Prince Basandaya's bare back. "Would you like me to ask the maids to prepare your bath?" 

Prince Basandaya received the glass from Kinalu and drank the water until it's empty. 

"Thank you," he said to Kinalu. He then turned to Hismar. "That would be nice, yes. Please call them." 

Hismar got out of the room while Kinalu dragged Darga back into their quarters. When he returned, the Prince was pressing his chest, gasping for air as if he just did a ten mile run. His complexion was fading as his youth was engulfed with every breath he took. What a pity.

"The gods have a purpose for every pain, a reason for every struggle and a reward for every act of devotion," Hismar remarked. "So, never despair."

The Prince slowly glanced at him. He gulped. "Did your masters tell you that?"

"No, the dead told me," answered Hismar, invoking a puzzled look from the Prince. He continued, "I like to read the inscription on headstones."

Prince Basandaya chuckled. For a second there he had really thought Hismar could speak with ghosts. "It's a good one."

"I know," Hismar nodded.

A few hours later, Prince Basandaya was making his way toward Tableless Chamber, the private meeting room next to Renggi Nanta's office. The distress he had shown earlier just evaporated as soon as he stepped out of his apartment.

Tableless Chamber was the only place in Nakyagara Palace where the ministers were allowed to enter. The prime ministers would go to this room to deliver their weekly report to the king. The head of state wasn't required to meet with the councils themselves, but they were more than welcome to join. 

He just reached the great hallway of the northern wing when Prince Grahuri stood in his way. His uncle who usually appeared carelessly cheerful looked a bit depressed that morning. 

"Bas," he called him. This was not a good sign. His good sign would be calling him 'Your Royal Highness The Prince Regent' while cheekily smiled.

"What is it, Uncle?" Prince Basandaya passed Jantra Kawa who stood between him and his uncle. He led him to the side of the hallway. 

"Are you out of your damn mind?" the mustached man appeared even bigger when he was angry like this. "What were you thinking breaking the engagements of your sisters like that?" 

"Are you angry with me because I did the right thing or because I did the right thing without consulting you first?" replied the Prince Regent. 

"The right thing?!" Prince Grahuri's face turned red hot. 

"The Kingdom of Potiti has failed to hold their end of the agreement," explained Prince Basandaya. "They let Irungirung Island fall into Nui's hands. I'm not letting Tastri go if we can't get Irungirung Island. I'm sure Father would agree." 

"It's just one island!" 

"It's Irungirung Island. That's where the coffee and the coconut grow. I don't care about the rest of them." 

Prince Grahuri crossed his arms on his chest. "And Angkuripan?" 

"You said Prince Yurangga hasn't made any contact with the palace for a year. He's going to claim the throne for himself. A war is brewing, Uncle. I'm not sending Tistara there for slaughter and I don't want our kingdom to have to send our army to fix their problem." 

"What if Prince Yurangga is just... unoccupied?" 

"For the entire year?" Prince Basandaya raised his eyebrows. "Your uncle didn't take a year to gather his forces once Grandfather was crowned king. It's the same thing over and over again. Brothers fighting for power." 

"Do you think Prince Yurangga is going to win?" 

"It doesn't matter who's going to win. We will not be a part of it. And yes, I think he's going to win." 

"I think so too," Prince Grahuri's tone weakened. "What about Chamnam?" 

Prince Basandaya just gave him his signature stare. And it's enough to light Prince Grahuri up on fire again. 

"You cannot break an official engagement just because Jiyani says she dislikes Chamnamese food!" the minister of foreign affairs exploded. 

"She's nine!" Prince Basandaya screamed back. "I don't know who persuaded Father to promise his six year old daughter to a thirteen year old rascal, but it's preposterous! And I don't see any advantage for us to keep it going." 

"Just because you disagree with it..." 

"Pri also disagrees," cut Prince Basandaya. "What? Do you think I don't consult him first? I have to make sure he will not back down on my decision once he becomes king." 

"You consulted your seventeen year old brother but not me?!" 

Prince Basandaya was just going to shout back when Princess Ritoja came running. She looked worried. "What are you two doing?" she hissed. "Your voices are tearing this palace apart." 

"Are you aware that your son just broke the engagements of all of his sisters?" Prince Grahuri didn't hold back. 

"Dear gods, Bas! Tell me you did not just do that," scolded Princess Ritoja. 

"As a matter of fact I did," stated Prince Basandaya without regret. "And I'm glad that I did. There's nothing any of you can do now. It's all done and dusted." 

"You may be the head of state, but this is a serious matter that needs more than one head to solve," Princess Ritoja spoke calmly. "Why don't you let your uncle and the council handle this type of business. You can handle the lighter business, like the rituals, openings and festivals." 

"Yes, that is a very good idea," said Prince Grahuri. "I cannot agree more." 

Prince Basandaya took a short breath. He couldn't scream at his mother the way he did at Prince Grahuri. Not only he never did it before, but the Dowager Princess also always spoke with such calm and collected tone, which was unexpected because Tenranese people were known to have high temper. It influenced him to also always speak in polite manner. 

"Mother," he started. "This decision may seem to be unreasonable at the moment. Dangerous, even. But in due time, you will see why I had to make it. Besides, in the future, Pri can always take action if necessary."

Listening to his gentle explanation calmed Prince Grahuri. He didn't bark back. Princess Ritoja also didn't make any further comment. Everyone was back to their levelheaded state. 

"Now that we're all on the same page, I have to excuse myself to meet with my prime ministers," said Prince Basandaya before he continued his traipse down the hallway. 

After the meeting with his prime ministers, Prince Basandaya joined the preparation of the mask festival parade. Half an hour later the South Gate opened. Hundreds of spectators were waiting on the side of the road to see the annual entertainment to celebrate the end of the rain season. The palace musicians led the convoy with their instruments. Their mask only covered the top half of their faces, so the wind musicians could play comfortably. They were followed by the palace dancers whose clothes and movements entranced the crowd. 

And then the crowd cheered when Prince Basandaya and his guards appeared on the back of their horses. Although they all wore a mask and rode a white horse, he was easily identified as he was the only one in the group that was wrapped in a glittery coat. Due to his mask, the crowd were allowed to look right at him though they were still expected to bow in his presence. 

Prince Tapriyasta and his guards rode right behind him. He also received a warm welcome for he, as the Crown Prince, would open the mask theatrical performance at the South Square later that night. 

The three princesses were participating while sitting in a horsedrawn landau. They waved at the crowd who waved back at them. Princess Ritoja was supposed to join them, but since she just became a widow, it was advised to her not to show any kind of joy until the death completed an entire year. 

After the rest of the noblemen marched along, the people's representatives also joined the parade. More musicians, dancers and artists from all over Ranundala enlivened the festivity. 

 

Since the parade would cross the road in front of Pram Jiragul's home office, he hosted a celebration for his colleagues so they could see the parade. While waiting, Pram Dirmaja leaned in toward Pram Bhanuspa who sat by his side.

"Have you heard about the Prince Regent's decision to break all of his sisters' engagements?" he whispered. 

"Is he going mad?" replied Pram Bhanuspa. "All of them? At the same time?" 

"Yes. I have a bad feeling that this will not end well." 

"Do you know how he managed to break the engagement in the first place?" 

"I'm not sure, but I overheard Prince Grahuri screamed at him earlier today. He was as shocked as we are. So I suppose through his personal correspondence?" 

"That means the secretary had a chance to give counsel or inform Prince Grahuri."

"But she didn't."

"So what do you think he has in mind?" asked Pram Dirmaja. 

"He's trying to prove that he will be a different ruler than his father," said Pram Bhanuspa. "Hmph, that's what happens when you let a child sit on a throne." 

"Imagine what Prince Pri will do." 

The three old men quickly turned their heads around and found Il Dyang Wisangka sat behind them. For a second, they thought it was Pram Agrawi or Il Saka Kirasmi. They could be in trouble if it was either of them, because their job was to report everything to the head of state, including the personal feelings of his employees. If they said the wrong thing about them, they could kiss their position goodbye. 

However, Il Dyang Wisangka was one of the ministers. He was no closer to the Prince Regent's ears than they were. 

"What do you think, Il Dyang?" asked Pram Histanu. "Are you going to have a problem in your department?" 

"I can't say for sure," answered the fifty-something man in a dark blue stand up collared shirt called jerwan. "I agree with his decision to call off the engagement with the prince of Angkuripan, although I'm not sure about the others. Which is why I don't think we need to make a big fuss about it." 

"You're just as delusional as he is," Pram Bhanuspa turned back around dismissively. 

Il Dyang just smirked at the nosy old men who quickly ignored his opinion once it's different than theirs. At the same time, Pram Jiragul's valet announced that the parade would come soon. They got up off their seat and went to the balcony. As the Prince Regent waved at his ministers, blissfully unaware of the restlessness that he had created, Il Dyang glanced at a black-clad man on the rooftop. With just one nod, the Shadow disappeared.

Five days later, the Prince Regent and the crown prince's presence was required at Port Utagara to commemorate the fallen heroes of the Utarka Bay War. The entire program would take hours, from the journey there to journey home, although they would not engage for more than an hour. Since Jantra Kawa must attend as himself, Renggi Nanta selected Hismar and Amanji to become the Prince in case they needed more time.

After lunch, the maids came knocking at the Prince's bedchamber. Each of them brought a tray in with them, one carried the upper clothes, one carried the nayin, one carried the sandals, one carried the head gear and another one carried the jewelry. They were just going to take the Prince's jaskap off when he told them to leave them there.

They bowed and went outside the room. When the doors were finally closed, Hismar's head popped out of the connecting door between their quarters and the Prince's bedchamber.

"I hope you still remember your training," Prince Basandaya strode to the small space between the back of his bed and the wooden panel on the wall. He turned the head of the decorative firebird on the bed headboard to the left. The swirls on the wooden panel moved and created an opening to the secret hiding room. After he entered the spacious hiding room, the wooden panel swirled back and closed.

Hismar took off his clothes and started putting on the prince regent's formal attire. The first one was the inner shirt. It was cool and made of cotton. Then came the nayin which he had to wrap around his waist and tie in a specific knot. After that, he must wear the jaskap. A little combing on his new hair, then up went the head gear and down went the sandals. Last but not least, he had to put on the ear cuffs, the brooches, the cuff links and the rings. 

His mind was recalling the Prince's lesson of which ring for which finger when his eyes noticed the beautiful cuff links upon the dark purple velvet cover of the gold tray. The cuff links were adorned with a star-shaped magenta-colored diamond that matched the pattern's shades of his nayin. 

"Darn pretty, isn't it?" 

Amanji's voice startled him. When his mind was muddled with thoughts, his awareness wasn't as sharp as it used to be. 

"Yes, it's... it's..." Hismar nervously put the cuff links on, "what is it?" 

"It's a Bragya diamond," answered Amanji who was dressed as a guard. "Only the noblemen can acquire such precious stone. Last time I went to Pram Haksatra's garden party as the Prince Regent, everyone's trying to show theirs off. Although some of them were clearly fake." 

"Oh," that's all that came out of Hismar's mouth. 

"Temptation, temptation," Amanji sang as he went out of the room.

When Amanji closed the door, Hismar quickly put everything on. He then crept back to his quarter that was left empty. Kinalu and Darga were guarding the bedchamber on the outside. 

The man in gold threaded clothes pulled a drawer on the right side of his mattress. Under the papers and notes, he unearthed the pendant that he'd hidden in his mouth when Maharahi had stripped them naked. It was actually a ring. And it had the exact same Bragya diamond, only with a cut of a lotus flower.