ASMARADANA CROWN PRINCESS

Chapter 4

From the beginning, I counted seven years ago when I was only eight. This palace is officially my home. 

The house where I will grow, learn and understand all that looks sacred, clenic, and dignified. 

This building stands in the center of the city. A nadir point that no longer needs to be asked about its history. It can be said that this building looks haughty yelling at the modern buildings around it. OLD BUT GOLD, a suitable term for this building.

All sorts of renovations have been done often, but in no way detract from the ancient and classic entities that stand out from this building. Each wooden carving adorning the palace's pillars and gupolo statues perched at each entrance of the building adds an undeniable impression. Unable to time. 

I sat in front of my room, the atmosphere this morning as usual. Silent, quiet, there was only a breeze blowing, because the rules in the palace did not allow people to shout. We have to be polite and here there are uploads. The proverb says "you are polite I am disinclined", a classic phrase that is rarely echoed in today's times. 

Living in the palace is heavy, born and inner I say if this is what I feel. If I am not strong it is natural, because there is something in me that is confined, I tame it intentionally.

***

I was still staring at the swaying grass. I'm tired of being here, I'm tired of waiting until it's time to go to high school. I will enjoy my daily routine as always. Stroll around the palace, participate in being a courtier, and any activities in the palace.

School is an escape for me. The escape that freed me from all sorts of regulations that were in place in the palace. But said Ayahanda, life does have to have rules so that all orderly and safe. But the classic saying goes, rules are made to be broken. 

Life is full of debate. And, those debates were often polemics in the palace. 

I stood up, tidied up the kebaya and the array I was wearing. My hair is regular in the bun. This is how I am, if I have to start my activities inside the palace walls. 

I took my foot to the Kencana ward and the museum that was open to the public. There I can see tourists who come to visit to enjoy the history education tour. 

Keraton, not only be a tangible proof of Javanese cultural civilization or as the highest lighthouse of Javanese culture. This is the end of the Islamic Mataram journey.

So, from childhood I have been in check by sharing paugeran or benchmarks and rules that I must obey, outside the palace or in the palace. So that I may become a truly qualified princess of the King. But, I sometimes get bored doing it. I need something extreme and full of adrenaline. 

"Ndoro's daughter, isn't school?" I turned and smiled, a courtier greeted me. 

I'm shaking. "No, Mbah. Haven't... Now Lilah's on vacation!"  

Abdi Dalem smiled meaningfully. "House vacation." 

I nodded steadily. "That's a big deal, Mbah. How happy Lilah has a house as well as a tourist spot." I grinned, then sat down to accompany the courtier. 

"Don't sit down, Kanjeng Sultan will be angry!" That twilight mouth that was already wrinkled reminded me quickly. 

I'm shaking. "Sitting equally low standing equally high." I said then smiled sweetly. 

"Don't be so ndoro princess. Don't..." 

I sighed, I climbed the stairs and smiled again. "Oh yes Mbah, do not ask Lilah to stand or squat. Lilah wants to sit back." 

The courtier shook his head. He smiled, then kept quiet again.

"Well, is breakfast?" 

"Ndoro the princess..." 

"Will you still be a courtier?" 

"Still ndoro princess..."

"That you have a grandchild?"

"The princess ndoro..."

"How much?

"Five ndoro princess..." 

I reached into my phone tucked inside the stagen. I looked up Baskara's name in my contact list and made a phone call. 

"Chap... Lilah stay yes. If you are tired of rest. Let Lilah greet the tourists." Abdi dalem estri just smiled and nodded. 

[ Hello. ndoro princess. What was? ]

[ Hello, Bus. Dateng to the house now. I need a friend! ]

[I'm busy ndoro princess, my brother from out of town just came! ]

[Take your brother home, have a picnic! ]

I turned off the phone unilaterally before Baskara made excuses for disobeying me. 

While walking around, I carefully observed the visitors. Who would have thought, my eyes were focused on the back of a man who was bent, the back was very familiar to me, the back of a teenage boy from the Sastrowijoyo family who was aiming at an object with a professional camera.

Oi... He was not wrong to come here, but he also knew I was staying here despite living in a place that visitors should not go to. 

I turned as fast as light, with slow steps I distanced myself from her range, her eyes or the camera shot. I'm lazy to meet him. 

Now, I'm at the exhibit and storage of paintings from earlier kings. 

As if some visitors were aware of my arrival, I smiled and bowed respectfully. 

"Raden ayu Dalilah... Can we have a photo together?" ask one of the visitors politely. They were staring at me full of twinkle. 

Mother said, I cannot be arrogant. If only the photos should allow, except the signature!

I lined up neatly and was at the front, because the rules in the palace did not allow tourists to turn their backs to courtiers or palace princesses. 

One, two, three shots were captured with the camera of one of the visitors. I smiled and nodded as the traveler thanked me before continuing to look at the other paintings. 

"By it..." 

That call... I turned around and sighed, Bimo Asmoro Sastrowijoyo smiled broadly as she looked at me who was a sour-faced one. 

This is what a nightmare feels like during the day. It was exhausting and I was helpless. I have to be friendly with anyone. Including the young man in front of me. 

"Vacation?" I asked for pleasantries while looking at his face fixedly. Mother taught me good manners in speech, so now I can see her, see her whole face clearly. He's kind of like his brain is smart.

"Take your time!" he answered while looking at the painting. 

"Okay, if so enjoy it" I said then turned my head. I was uncomfortable lingering near her. Bimo smiled in angled manner. "Photo together because I'm here as well!"

My eyes are perfectly round. "Photo!?" many ensure.

Bimo nodded, he set up his camera and put it in a flat place. "Use a self-timer, so be prepared!" abugn.

I snorted, I put my hands together in front of my stomach and put on a forced smile. 

"If you're willing, sincere dong!" before standing behind me. 

The basic.. tourists want a lot! Why Bimo, where is Baskara?

                     HAPPY Reading 💗