Kanjeng Ibu

Nyai Kasmirah pulled Sekar's body up, then helped her cover her naked body. "What is this?" asked Nyai Kasmirah while looking around.

Three people were covered in blood as if there had just been a war. And it has been confirmed by some of Nyai Kasmirah's bodyguards that they are not breathing. "What happened?" Nyai Kasmirah asked Sekar again.

Sekar was also taken aback by what he had witnessed earlier and had no idea how to explain it to Nyai Kasmirah."I only helped my father, who was beaten by the three of them," said Sekar.

Nyai Kasmirah on her hips. staring angrily at Sekar. "You stupid girl!"

"You said you wanted to run away from him, but now you want to help him?" Nyai Kasmirah pointed at Darma, who fell on the ground and fainted.

Nyai Kasmirah was right; she regretted helping Darma. What Sekar got was Darma beat, slapped, and handed over to the three men. Darma has no feelings, even for his own daughter. He does that.

"Do you still want to go to the palace as a concubine?" Nyai Kasmirah pressed Sekar.

Otherwise, I would have left you here with him. And don't expect you to ask me for help again. "

Sekar immediately woke up from his daydream and stopped thinking about Darma's attitude towards her. "No Nyai. I will still come with you, "said Sekar.

Sekar grabbed Nyai Kasmirah's arm and pleaded. Sekar doesn't want to take risks. Maybe it's true that Darma needs help now, but after Darma recovers, he will definitely sell Sekar to the bookies again.

Nyai Kasmirah sighed in annoyance. But she will still bring Sekar because this girl is considered very profitable for her.

"Hurry in and clean your body!" Nyai Kasmirah's orders Sekar obeyed the woman's orders and went back into her embroidery house.

"How did they get killed?" Nyai Kasmirah thought Sekar couldn't possibly kill them under such circumstances. Then Nyai Kasmirah ordered her guards to clean up the three bodies that were there and take care of Darma.

"Take care of them! I didn't want to get into trouble, because the contest was accelerated by two more days. Make sure this doesn't spread out! "

***

Meanwhile, from a distance and in a dark place. Two men watched Nyai Kasmirah and some of her bodyguards. One of them had to make sure that Nyai Kasmirah had saved Sekar.

"Poor girl," said Umbara.

"What do you mean, Baginda?" Krisna, who was next to him, did not understand.

Umbara sighed, saving the whole story she had just found out about Sekar. The girl who had piqued his interest from the first time he met her

"Never mind, forget it!" Umbara walked away, followed by Krisna, who didn't get any explanation about what he just said. They returned to the palace quietly, and it wasn't until the morning that Umbara was already resting in her luxurious room.

The next morning, the whole town was horrified by the news that the Concubine search competition was being accelerated. And tomorrow is the day when they will all be selected and enter the Concubine's house in the palace. Many people are scrambling to register themselves. The opportunity to become a part of the palace will not come to everyone, especially from the lower classes. Their rank will rise if they become part of the kingdom.

"Come in!" Umbara, who was still being served by several people to wear the king's oversized clothes, heard a knock on the door and Krishna's voice calling his name from the front door.

Krisna bowed respectfully, then Umbara gave a code for all those who served him to leave the room. And let Umbara talk privately with Krisna.

"What is it?" Umbara asked Krisna after all the maids left her room.

"Kanjeng Ibu is calling for you." Krisna explained his purpose in coming to meet Umbara early in the morning. Even though changing clothes is not finished, Krisna has stopped these activities.

"Mother must be concerned about me speeding up this contest," said Umbara.

"Okay. We're there now! "

Umbara came out from inside the King's residence after continuing to wear his clothes. Please note that in the kingdom there are four separate large buildings consisting of the King's Residence, the Queen's Residence, the Concubine's House, and the House of the Guards, which are combined with the hall where the royal dignitaries meet. The four buildings are not far apart, but are separated for the sake of the King's interests and convenience. Now Umbara was followed by Krisna and four other guards who accompanied them to the Queen's Residence. Meet his mother.

"Kanjeng Ibu, Baginda has come." A servant girl informs Bhanurasmi.

"Tell him to come in! And leave us alone. Don't let anyone come near until I call you. " Bhanurasmi gave orders.

Because the position of the dead king, who is none other than Umbara's father, has been handed over to Umbara, Bhanurasmi's position is no longer that of a queen. The seat of the queen or the king's consort is still vacant. And that is the purpose of this Bhanurasmi calling her son there.

"Kanjeng Ibu, how is your health?" Umbara bowed respectfully and gave the first greeting to the mother.

"Mother is fine." Banhurasmi said with a smile "Sit down!"

"Glad to hear Mom is okay." Umbara sat in front of Bhanurasmi. "May I know what mom is calling me?" asked Umbara then.

Bhanurasmi took a deep breath before speaking. "Son, what's with speeding up the contest?"

Umbara's guess was right; his mother would definitely have a problem with it. because everyone who was listening was also in a hurry to speed up the preparations. Umbara smiled at her mother. "Nothing, mom. I just want everything to be done quickly and I want to do other tasks, "replied Umbara.

"You don't need to be in a hurry." Bhanurasmi expresses her opinion.

Umbara shook her head. "There's still a lot of work to be done, mom. Other royal duties also await, so for this one there is no harm in speeding up. " Umbara argued that he didn't tell his mother the honest reason. What will Umbara say? Want to meet Sekar soon? Her mother must not like it, and will ask more. No, Umbara should argue.

Bhanurasmi nodded in understanding. Accept Umbara's excuse. "In that case, okay. Now I will talk about the next queen, Umbara. "