Queen Without Crown

Chapter 150 The New Contestant

The unexpected arrival of King Badre in Princess Pertiwi's room made everyone there seem frozen. Moreover, the ongoing conversation is quite sensitive.

Princess Pertiwi nervously tried to explain. "Dad, we were talking about.."

"I love Princess Pertiwi." Bagas suddenly cut the girl's words.

"What?" The view of King Badre turned to the young immigrants who worked to help his father who worked as a healer.

"No dad, I love him." Princess Pertiwi tried to bestow blame on herself.

"You love her?" King Badre looked at his daughter.

Princess Pertiwi nodded timidly under the gaze of her father. He only hoped that his father would forgive Bagas.

King Badre looked at Bagas. Observing the young man who was trying hard to stand before the ruler. King Badre saw that determination. A spark in the eyes of the Alsatian youth.

"Do you know the consequences of telling me that?" Ask King Badre on Bagas.

The young man nodded. " Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you still dare?" Ask King Badre again.

"I am willing to be punished for my stupidity." Answer the young man.

"Dad, don't listen to him. I was the one who forced him. I told him to come here and make him confess his feelings." The princess ran over. He was now in the presence of King Badre, blocking the man's view of Bagas.

"Pertiwi, take care of your attitude!" Her father's resolute voice made the girl step aside.

"Young man, should you say clearly your intention and purpose?"

"I would like to propose to Princess Pertiwi." Said the young man.

King Badre looked at Bagas. In his heart he admired the courage of the young man.

"What can you give my son?"

"I will give my whole life to love him and make him happy."

"Are you aware that my daughter has lived very comfortably in this palace since birth? Can you give me the same?" Challenge King Badre.

"I may not be able to take Princess Pertiwi to the magnificent palace, but believe me Your Majesty, I will make her happy so that she will not miss all the luxuries of the palace."

"Why are you going to do it? What's with love? " The question of King Badre is somewhat of an understatement.

Bagas thought for a moment. He stared at the face of the girl who made him reckless against a ruler. "Of course, love."

Prok.prok..

"Well, that's great. You think all life's problems can be solved with love? What if your wife's stomach is hungry? Or if she is wearing shabby clothes while usually she is wearing the best silk? Can love overcome all of this?"

"I'm sure I can, Dad. I'd rather live poor with Bagas than treasure but not happiness." Princess Pertiwi could not bear to see her father continue to smear Bagas.

"Pertiwi!" King Badre.

"Let me decide my own way of life, Father." The girl looked at her father with determination.

King Badre was somewhat gobsmacked by his daughter's stubbornness. But isn't it when a person falls in love as if he's flooded with energy to sustain him. And when a person loses love, he turns like a grass that is plucked up to its roots and thrown into the hot sun.

King Badre did not want to forcibly take away the energy that currently controlled his daughter. The girl could lose her spirit. He just had to figure out a way for the girl to realize for herself that her chosen young man was not as great as she thought.

"alright. Because you're so stubborn, my daughter. Bagas, I can't accept your proposal right away. That's not fair to other applicants. Therefore, you will follow the rest of the matches that we hold. There's still enough time if you want to win it." King Badre said at last.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Bagas bowed in gratitude. At least now he had a chance to fight for Princess Pertiwi.

*****

Eldrige was approached by Princess Juwita and her friends while the man was talking to Eshwar. She did not expect that they would all gather in her room.

"Eldrige, can you help them?" Princess Juwita looked at him expectantly.

"Help what?" Ask Eldrige. In fact he himself was busy thinking about the dark energy he had set up in this palace.

"Will you train Kak Bagas to win the match against those suitors?" Pinta the girl.

"You mean, Bagas took part in the competition?" Eldrige's forehead wrinkled in wonder.

"really so. Bagas loved Pertiwi very much, therefore King Badre allowed him to attend the match."

"Are you aware that your uncle only wanted to show Bagas that his efforts were in vain? His opponents are well-trained and skilled people."

"That's why he needs your help. Please train him."

"You don't seem to be the Eldrige I know anymore. My Eldrige will do anything to help someone in distress."

"sorry. Eldrige has now lost his magical abilities. I can't do any more miracles." Eldrige said sadly.

"Your words are as if you're sorry because of me you lost your precious magic power." The girl was no less sad.

"No, Juwita. There is nothing more precious than you, including my magic power." Eldrige grabbed the girl's hand.

"Do you know what Bagas said to my uncle? He'll give his life for Pertiwi." Princess Juwita looked at Eldrige with teary eyes. "Can you imagine how determined it is to fight for it? At the very least, give him a chance to prove it."

"Good, Juwita. I will obey your will. I'll train him. But you don't expect too much." Eldrige said in the end.

"Thank you, Eldrige." The girl's smile melted Eldrige's heart.

Eldrige approached Bagas and took him outside. They talked privately about the training Bagas needed. Although Bagas will be faced with people who have the ability on it, Bagas has had a chance to get skills education during his school. Even though it was only a little because the school he chose was a medical major.

"We'll practice archery and play the sword. Martial with empty hands. I hear the Dewanata love physical strength fighting games." Eldrige.

"I'm willing to practice as much as possible." Bagas looks excited.

"We're not going to train too hard because it can work your muscles." Eldrige.

"good. I'll do whatever you suggest." Bagas.

"good. We start training tomorrow morning. Meet me on the small hill behind the palace. Don't forget to bring archery equipment." Eldrige said before ending their conversation.

As they were all saying goodbye, Eldrige held Princess Juwita's hand.

"What's up, Eldrige?" Ask the girl.

Eldrige approached the girl and pulled her in his arms. He placed his chin on the head of Princess Juwita. Both of his eyes were closed enjoying the fragrance emanating from the strands of the girl's hair whose roots were beginning to return to their natural color.

"I miss you." Eldrige.

The girl looked up her head while looking at him with a pair of beautiful eyes.

"I've missed you too." Said Princess Juwita with a rustling chest.

Their views meet each other. The girl could see a full of longing earnestness in the man's gaze. And he drowned in it, and was washed away.

*****

After the hunting match, there is a gap of a week before the next game is held. During that narrow time Eldrige trained Bagas in the morning and evening.

Although at first Eldrige was a bit pessimistic if the young man was able to master archery and martial skills in a short time, but now the man admired the spirit and cleverness of Bagas in receiving training.

The young man was now able to reach the target within a distance of 70 meters. That is quite good considering at the beginning of practice Bagas is only able to aim without even approaching the target.

"You're pretty decent, Bagas." Praise Eldrige that afternoon when they finish training.

"Thank you, Eldrige." The young man looked very happy.

"I think I misjudged you. It turns out you're very persistent and clever." Eldrige praised him again.

The young man smiled widely. Tomorrow he will try to aim at the target from above the horse's back. Although his difficulty level was higher, yet he was not at all daunted.

They were now walking under the partially dark sandalwood trees covered in the shadow of the trees in front of him. The atmosphere was quiet and strange. At this time, there should be the sound of birds returning to their nests. Yet one is invisible. Even the wind was awkward, Eldrige could feel it.

Bagas shuddered as he cast his gaze in all directions. But his eyes caught no shadow or suspicious movement.

"Beware, Bagas. This silence must not deceive you." Eldrige's warning made the young man's heart flutter. It was as if something was going to surprise him.

Bagas looked at Eldrige while trying to calm his heart rhythm. Suddenly without a warning, Eldrige jumped into the air while swinging his sword which reflected the twilight light. The sword was agile to snatch and hit something invisible.

Trang!

Sparks of fire scratched one side of Eldrige's sword and continued to move upwards to the end. It was as if the man was in a power struggle with someone Bagas could not see.

The young man just stood watching Eldrige move there and there while occasionally jumping in the air like he was on a stunt. His braided silver hair swayed following his movements.

Blars!

The sound of explosions was heard. Eldrige staggered back a few steps. The tip of his sword formed an elongated line on the ground. Blood flowed at the corner of his lips, yet his tall body remained upright standing like redwood trees growing in the Lucshire forest.

"You all right, Eldrige?" Bagas approached him with an anxious look.

"I'm fine. My enemy must have been injured as well. We better go home now. Don't mind what happened just now. Stay focused in your training so you can keep up with the game well." Eldrige walked back after sheathing his sword again.

Bagas followed his steps behind. There were so many questions swirling around in his head but now was not the right time to ask them.