I Love You, J!
Chapter IX - Planning a Mission

I swallowed spit. If I may choose, I would rather retreat to the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The 1800s in Indonesia were heavy. But I have not been able to go anywhere, advance to 2023 or more backward.

“You are ready to enter the palace, Kirana?” ask Mas Yudha.

“Oh, obviously not ready, and will never be ready,”. “Why should I be a spy?”

“Because only you can get in there without looking suspicious,” explained Mas Yudha. ”Didn't you say yesterday you're ready to do your job? Why change your mind now?”

“It seems like something is wrong with you, Kirana,”. “Have you stopped admiring Prince Natawijaya? You want to accept this job because you want to be her ladies, right?”

I glare. So I'm a fan of Prince Natawijaya? This prince is handsome. Am I the duty of Mas Yudha?

“Jumanta let Jantaka take care,” said Mas Yudha. “If he sees you, he will definitely approach you again.”

I took a deep breath. All right, I need to know who this Jumanta is, and also Prince Natawijaya whom I supposedly admire. When I didn't know my ex's face? If I accidentally met him how? I should also know the face of my idol in 1809.

“Good. Tell me what to do,” I said.

“I will accompany you to the duchy, Jantaka will meet the workers and supervise the movements of Jumanta,” explained Mas Yudha.

“Jumanta corruption time,” cetusku.

“What do you mean?” ask Jantaka.

“Corruption,” I emphasize. “It could be he who takes the rights of the workers. Wasn't he the one assigned to oversee the project by the Netherlands?”

“Could it be like that?” Jantaka frowned. “Daendels is very cruel. I think Jumanta only receives wages for himself. Daendels' original goal was to take advantage of the indigenous people. He forced and threatened for the construction of the road to cost many lives. People can't do anything but obey.”

“Padalaan time is quite short in Indonesia,” mutteredku.

“What did you say?” ask Jantaka.

“Ah no,” I shook my head. I almost slipped.

“You know something, Kirana?” ask Mas Yudha.

“No, no,” I dodged. “Firasatku Daendels will not be long in the land of Java. That's why he encouraged the project to quickly finish.”

“You mean, he was only briefly assigned here?”

“Maybe.”

Mas Yudha seemed to be thinking about my words. I want to smile and see it. Mas Yudha in 1809 is much better than Mas Yudha in 2023. At least the old version of Mas Yudha does not know and want to hear my opinion.

God, what brings me to this day? How can I get back to 2023? And can I take the old Mas Yudha into the future and exchange it for the 2023 version of Mas Yudha? My brother needs to know the hard times of forced labor!

***

Mas Yudha and I went to the Duchy of Sukaraja in a cart of groceries to be sent to the palace. I still don't know exactly where I am now. That's definitely not Batavia because I didn't see the tram.

The journey to the city centre takes three hours. That means that the Jantaka place was not too far from the city center, considering we rode a horse-drawn carriage, similar to a future delman model. We passed through rice fields and residential residents until finally entering the gate of the duchy.

“Wow, so cool,”. It's like what I saw on old photo sites. It was like being in a colossal movie.

“It is not your first time to the duchy,” said Mas Yudha. “But you are impressed as if this is your first experience.”

“Ah, I'm just excited,”.

We went down in front of the cottage near the market. From a distance we could see the tightly guarded palace gates. This cottage itself belongs to a physician who became the teacher of Mas Yudha. At least that's what I got from Mas Yudha's words.

“You can't wait to meet Kinasih, right?” ask Mas Yudha.

Who is this Kinasih? Is he my friend? The daughter of the physician?

We were just about to knock on the door when the wooden board was opened from inside. I saw a beautiful woman behind it. Her smile was sweet and sincere, her hair was curled up, making her neck appear level. The ivory white cloth wrapped around his body. His aura was like spilling out.

I'm stunned. So this is my best friend?

“Kirana? Why bengong?” yasmin asked, ah wrong, this must be Kinasih, the daughter of the physician.

Even his voice turned softer. Looks like Yasmin has saved the world in her previous life. He looks perfect in this old-fashioned version.

“You still think of Jumanta?” ask Kinasih again.

Aish, Jumanta again. Who the hell is this jerk? I shook my head hard.

“No! Stupid time with Jumanta!” I said ketus.

“Wah, what is this Mas?” ask Kinasih to Mas Yudha. “Last time Kirana came here, she cried until it was hard to stop because Jumanta played with other women. Apparently you are well aware of Kirana, if Jumanta is not a good young man.”

WHAT'S?!

So even in the past I was cheated on? So, is life so gini? Looks like I received the curse of being the victim of a seven-line affair.

“Why do you look surprised now, Kirana?” ask Kinasih. “You okay? Did you meet Jumanta again?”

I shook my head again. “I'm just nervous about having to run a mission.”

Kinasih smile. “There's me here. Keraton employees are allowed to leave at certain hours. We can meet here, it won't be a problem you visit the house of the healer.”

I'm nodding.

“Let's talk more slowly,” Mas Yudha. “Where is Ki Sura?”

Kinasih led us to a more spacious living room. “Dad went to Mulyosari, many workers need treatment. That forced labor is really outrageous.”

We sat in a circle on a mat of coconut leaves.

“Did they eat well?” my many.

“You see for yourself, Kirana. They just eat potluck. Didn't Jumanta often invite you to accompany him to the road project?” tukas Mas Yudha's.

Argh, Jumanta again. I'm getting upset again.

“Perhaps Kirana meant, after she didn't come again, did anyone else care about their food? Kirana used to share lunch, although because of that she had a storm with Jumanta,” explained Kinasih.

“Already know its nature like that, why still want with that jerk,” grumbled Mas Yudha.

Well, this is Mas Yudha. I like to grumble when I think I'm wrong.

“Link that time I was blinded by love,” I said indifferently.

“Don't till you're blinded again by love. Your task in there is quite heavy,” Mas Yudha reminded while pointing towards the palace. “Do not let your guard down because of the handsome prince. You have to find out, what is the plan of the palace.”

I'm nodding. If what I'm investigating is a prince, it means he's a direct descendant of the king and rules the duchy. He has obtained titles and positions, in contrast to Raden who has not been given a position to govern.

I try to remember who Prince Natawijaya is. I've read it, but he's not as popular as Paku Alam.

“You will come to the selection of palace employees tomorrow morning, stay here overnight,” Kinasih said. “I will teach you the rules of the palace first.”

I have no other choice. I've been to the duchy. I also want to know what kind of prince I usually see in history books. Is he really what the history books describe?

“Ah, one thing you should remember, Kirana,” Kinasih said again. “You fall in love easily, there is one person you should be aware of. He was a cousin of Prince Natawijaya who was also the son of the regent of Mulyosari, his name was Raden Ananta. She likes to play women and often be near the prince, lest she see you.”

Mas Yudha smiled. “It's okay, if Raden Ananta comes near you, dig up as much information as possible. He was indeed indifferent, but he must have heard of his father's plan,” he said.

“Don't be crazy, Mas,” prevent Kirana. “Too dangerous approaching Raden Ananta. He was happy to bring the girl he liked to his residence in Mulyosari. You want to hand your sister over to a boy like that?”

“What do you think, Kirana? Your skills are getting better, right?” ask Mas Yudha.

Heh? A martial artist? I never learned martial arts. Oh my God, how is this? Can I go back to 2023 right now?