For a few seconds, Princess Tistara's smile gradually evanesced. It was too late for Kinalu to avert his gaze now that they stood face to face. 

"Hold it right there!" ordered Princess Tistara. 

Kinalu quickly looked down.

"You," Princess Tistara pointed at him. "Who are you?"

Kinalu gulped. "My name is Kinalu, Your Highness."

"No, I mean your position." 

Right. Silly me.

"I'm the personal guard for His Royal Highness The Prince Regent."

"Just a guard? How dare you look at me in the eyes?"

"My apologies, Your Highness," Kinalu bowed farther.

The maids were giggling. This wasn't the first time a guard was caught looking at her in the eyes. Even they got in trouble once in a while for doing so. 

"Yes, Your Highness." 

"And don't let me catch you breaking the rule again."

"Absolutely, Your Highness."

Kinalu bowed once more before going to get a bucket of water and some soap. The gardeners watched in confusion when he suddenly took a position in front of one of the statues and began brushing. But no one bothered to question his action, so they shrugged and moved on with their work.

Hours later, a shadow fell on top of him. Kinalu didn't immediately look up to see who it was, in case it's someone he shouldn't be looking at again. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" Jantra Kawa's voice made him able to finally take a long breath. 

"Her Royal Highness The Princess Tistara ordered me to do it," answered Kinalu with a mocking tone when saying her name. He turned around and made sad puppy eyes. "Save me." 

"You're the personal guard for the Prince Regent who works for Renggi Nanta Dipaswirih under me," said Jantra Kawa. "You shouldn't be taking orders from anyone else." 

"Well, do you expect me to say 'no, I don't think so, Your Highness' to her?" 

"Fair enough. But then she doesn't really know whether you're doing it or not, does she?" 

Kinalu clicked his tongue. "Dammit. You're right." 

"Come on," said Jantra Kawa. "Renggi Nanta is waiting for us. She said she needs to discuss the upcoming schedule." 

And so, Jantra Kawa rescued Kinalu from his punishment. They both crossed the palace to the prince regent's bedchamber. Strangely, when they entered the bedchamber, it was empty. Kinalu was just going to check on his quarter when Jantra Kawa stepped behind the bed and turned the firebird's head. The wooden panel opened and showed the seven people who were having a secret meeting there. 

Once Kinalu joined them, he pushed another button near the door that closed the wooden panel. Even with the nine of them in the room, there was still enough space for more. 

Prince Basandaya was sitting on a bed with his legs up while wincing in pain. Saka Subarsang was massaging his foot that had been injured during the incident back then. Maharahi and Amanji were discussing about the plants in the jars that Saka Subarsang brought. Hismar was sweeping the floor in the corner. Meanwhile, Renggi Nanta and Darga were in the middle of a ferocious argument. 

"Your Highness," Jantra Kawa bowed at the Prince Regent. "My lady. Maharahi. Boys." 

"Gaptin Jantra Kawa," they all replied at the same time. And just like that, order was restored. 

Renggi Nanta opened the meeting by telling them that they were two months into harvest season, which meant the rituals, traditions and festivals would start. The harvest season spanned for five months long in Ranundala. During the last three months of harvest season, Prince Basandaya would be jam packed with royal engagements and official duties, both as the prince regent and as the governor of Smajawangsa. She proceeded with presenting the programs that would undoubtedly take place and appointing the body double for each program. After that, she allowed Prince Basandaya to make adjustments. 

Next up was the question-and-answer session for the body double. While they were asking and answering, Prince Basandaya explored the tray that Saka Subarsang had brought with him. There were various bowls, jars and bottles that fascinated the Prince. He took a bottle that had was labeled with a crown symbol. 

"That's the potion that can turn them into you, Your Highness," informed Saka Subarsang. 

"Really?" Prince Basandaya opened the bottle and smelled it. It somehow had his musky wooden scent. "What happens if I drink it?" 

"Uh..." 

Renggi Nanta yelled at Darga that made Jantra Kawa clear his throat. It reminded her that she was in the room with the Prince Regent, so she lowered her voice as she continued her session. 

"Alright, why don't you drink it?" Prince Basandaya handed the bottle to Saka Subarsang. "Just in a small dose so you get to turn in a short while. I want to see what happens if someone else drinks it." 

"But, uh..." 

"Saka Subarsang, you should never refuse the Prince Regent's request," Maharahi whispered. "Go on. Entertain His Highness." 

"Very well," Saka Subarsang took the eyedropper, put it into the bottle and the dropped it into his mouth. 

"No more question?" asked Renggi Nanta. The body doubles just traded looks with each other. "Finally. Thank gods. I need to return to my work. Gaptin Jantra Kawa, I hereby hand them to you. You can do whatever you like with them. They're yours. Your Highness. Maharahi. Saka." 

Renggi Nanta pushed the button to open the wooden panel. Her steps were stopped by someone else who stared right into the secret room where five yellow eyed and short haired men were huddling on the floor, Maharahi was studying two strands of hair and Prince Basandaya was laughing at another Prince Basandaya with brown eyes.