The Wife of the King's Pay

Chapter 23 The Offer Works

Cleantha helps Zevira into the house. He did not care about his legs that began to hurt due to too much movement throughout the day.

At the door, Mr. Darma greeted Cleantha and Zevira.

"Madam, inside there is the Grand Mistress Marina. He's been waiting for the two of you from now on" said Mr. Darma looking anxious.

Zevira responded to Mr. Darma casually.

"Yes, sir, there's no need to overdo it like that. I'll see Mama Marina soon."

Cleantha recalls that the King had a conjoined mother named Ny. The marina. That means the mother-in-law has come to visit him.

"Clea, hurry and take me to the living room. Mama Marina is very impatient."

"Yes, Brother."

As soon as she arrived at the living room, Cleantha saw a woman in a magenta dress sitting on the sofa.

The parasite exudes elegance as well as arrogance. She deserves the title of royal queen mother.

Despite her age of half a century, the woman's skin is still tight with makeup that is very fitting to decorate her face.

Ivyna ran over to hug the woman.

"Grandmas."

"Ivy, honey, you just got home from school?"

"Yes, Grandma."

Mrs. Marina stroked softly on Ivyna's cheeks.

"Ivy, Oma kangen once. Now Ivy change clothes first and then have lunch."

"Okay, Grandma."

"Mama Marina, why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" greet Zevira.

"Vira, what am I supposed to say. Isn't this my home, too. I can come and go whenever I like. How's your leg progress? When can you walk normally?"

Zevira's voice sounded low.

"I don't know yet, Ma. The doctor just suggested that I stay diligent in my therapy."

"Patience, Vira. Maybe you'd better get treatment abroad so that your legs heal quickly."

Mrs. Marina glanced at Cleantha who was standing behind Zevira's wheelchair.

"I'm here because I heard that the King is getting married again. Frankly I'm surprised that you gave your consent, Vira."

"I'm self-conscious, Ma. With my current circumstances I cannot serve the King. Therefore though I am sad, I declare that the King has a second wife."

"Your sin is incredible. Then which one's my new daughter-in-law?" ask Ny. Marina curious.

"Clea, let's introduce you to Mama Marina" said Zevira holding Cleantha's arm.

"Good day, ma'am" said Cleantha.

The girl came forward and kissed her hand. Marina with all due respect

Sharp eyes, mrs. Marina was endlessly observing Cleantha. As if to give a thorough assessment of Cleantha from head to toe.

"So you're the King's new wife. You're so young like a college kid. What was your name?"

"I'm Cleantha, Madam."

"Don't call me, madam. Just call Mama Marina the same as Vira. If the King hears you calling me Madam, he can misunderstand me."

"What family are you from, Cleantha? Is your father a businessman? And what's the name of the company?" ask Ny. Marina's full of probes.

"My father was just an ordinary factory employee. But now my dad is sick, can't work anymore."

Hearing Cleantha's confession, Mrs. Marina turned cynical. From his expression, it was obvious that he was degrading Cleantha's social status.

"You're from a middle-class neighborhood. I think the King will choose a wife who is equal to him. Like the Zevira. He comes from the honorable Narendra family. I can't believe the King's taste has changed drastically."

Zevira held a smile when she heard the insults that were thrown by Ms. Marina against Cleantha.

"Mama Marina, the King married Cleantha not to be the main escort. It was only natural that he did not care about Cleantha's origin. The king just needs a young girl to know for himself how men are."

"Oh so," replied Mrs. Marina nodded her head.

"But Cleantha, after all you are already part of the Adhiyaksa family. You have to adjust to the ethics and lifestyle of the upper class. One of them is how to dress and walk. Your clothes are so unpleasant to look at."

"Clea had only been the King's wife for a few days. Understand if he is still carried away with his old habits. Later over time he will throw away his cheap clothes, Ma," said Zevira pretending to defend Cleantha.

Mrs. Marina took a long breath.

"Cleantha, you have much to learn from Zevira about how to be a graceful and honorable woman. Obey Zevira because she's the mistress of this house."

"I understand, Ma," Cleantha replied bowed.

"Mama Marina, let's just go to my room for a chat" Zevira asked.

"Yes, can. I need to say something important to you both."

Zevira tells Bi Dewi to deliver her to the room together with Ny. The marina.

Cleantha returned to her own room. He looked at his clothes in the mirror while muttering in his heart.

"Is this shirt I'm wearing so embarrassing? I don't deserve to be in the middle of a big family. My presence will only disturb and trouble Lord King and Sister Vira."

...****************...

Zevira was able to catch a look of anxiety on the face of the King's stepmother. He knows the real character of Mrs. Marina is so desiring the inheritance of the Adhiyaksa family for her biological son.

"Vira, is Cleantha a good girl? Usually if a lower-class girl marries a rich man, they only have one goal, which is to master her property."

"Just calm down, Mama Marina. There I am. I will not remain silent if Cleantha intends to seize my husband's wealth."

"Has Alvian come back from London?"

"Had arrived two days ago. Next week, Alvian will start working at the Adhiyaksa company."

"The king will not break his promise, Ma. I promise I'll always help Mama Marina and Alvian."

"Thank you, Vira. I'm relieved that you're supporting Alvian."

Mrs. Marina stood up from her seat.

"Vira, I have to attend a charity invitation with my friends. I'm home now."

"Mama won't wait for the King?"

"No. Next time I'll come visit you" said Ms. Marina hugged Zevira.

...****************...

Until dinner, the king had not yet returned from office.

To fill her time, Cleantha accompanied Ivyna drawing and coloring with crayons.

"Ivy, you're very good at drawing. This is a picture of a rabbit?"

"Yes, Mommy Clea."

"Which part is not colored? Mommy Clea will help color it to finish quickly."

"Mommy Clea dyed her carrots and grass," the little girl replied as she took the crayon.

"Ready, Ivy."

Witnessing the familiarity of Cleantha and her daughter, Zevira is displeased. He tells Ivyna to stop his activities.

"Ivy, it's time for you to go to bed. You have to get up early tomorrow."

"Yes, Mommy," said Ivyna obediently.

"Ningsih, where are you? Clean up this mess and accompany Ivy to bed."

"Sorry, Madam, I just helped Mr. Darma clean up in the kitchen," replied Ningsih hurriedly come.

"Sir Vira, let me take care of Ivyna's drawing equipment" Cleantha said.

"OKAY. Please also clean the chairs and table, Clea. I can't stand to see these crayon marks. I'm gonna take a break."

Zevira told Bi Dewi to take her to the room. While Cleantha was busy tidying the drawing tools and cleaning the dirty table.

"Clea, what are you doing here?" asked the King to surprise Cleantha.

"Tu..an, you're home?"

The King's countenance looked furious seeing Cleantha acting like a servant.

"Jawab my question! Did I pay you to be a maid in my house?"

"No, Mister. I'm just helping save Ivyna's drawing equipment."

"I told you to rest, but you ignored my words. Let's go to the room now!" the King's orders drew Cleantha's hand.

The king locked the door to her room and interrogated Cleantha like a detective.

"What have you been doing all day?"

"I just.call Brother Vira to pick up Ivyna at school."

"You go to school when your feet are still limping" muttered the angry King.

"What else is that?"

"Nothing, Sir."

"Lying, Mr. Darma says you cook for Vira and serve her.

The king raised his voice intonation.

"Listen, Clea, you are my legal wife even if it is only above the agreement. You can only obey my orders, not others. I ask you to take care of your attitude. Don't behave as a servant anymore in front of Zevira. Understood?"

The stern warning from the King made Cleantha's guts shrink.

"I understand, Sir."

The king sighed while taking off his work coat.

"Are you not an accounting scholar?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Have you never worked?"

"No, Mister. I just graduated. Actually I want to work as a career woman according to my ideals."

For some reason Cleantha was compelled to pour out her heart to the King.

"Then I'll give you a job in my office, rather than you wandering around and doing some weird shit."

"Work in Adhiyaksa's office?" reset Cleantha.

"Yes, I'll have Dion arrange your work. Starting next Monday, you can work in the finance division."

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