Jatukarmas
Chapter 23

The servants at the palace of the empress Galuh Putrika Sundari panicked. They were confused looking for the harp that their master had coveted.

If his wish is not fulfilled, Galuh Sundari gets angry and slams anything nearby.

This has happened since Galuh Sundari's pregnancy was detected a month ago.

She was only proud when she announced her pregnancy at the family assembly. The King and Queen welcomed the news of their daughter-in-law's pregnancy happily.

Instead Raden Jayanti Suryapaksi, the father of the baby even showed a flat and confused face.

The following days Galuh Sundari passed by lonely and depressed. Her husband deliberately avoided meeting her.

Do not give proper attention to a pregnant wife. Not even asking for news.

Galuh Sundari.

Bagus Saksena who visited him to take a break, had reprimanded his carelessness.

"Wouldn't it be destroyed if you were pregnant before five years of marriage?" Nice Saksena lamented.

"Dinda alpa, dinda is so stupid .." Galuh Sundari's tears ran.

Satisfied Bagus Saksena saw his sister. He stroked the top of Galuh Sundari's head fondly.

"Here you go, it's all over. Now dinda already has a prospective offspring. The position of the dinda has been strengthened by the successor to the throne of Panjalu in the womb of the dinda. So relax, dinda. Nothing else will threaten the position of the dinda."

Galuh Sundari wiped his tears with a silk handkerchief.

"But Kanda Suryapaksi ignored the servant. Dinda has lost her love. What would I do without love of a husband" Galuh Sundari scowled.

"Dinda is his queen. His first and only wife. The mother of the future heir to the throne of this kingdom. What's less, Dinda? To restore the attention and affection of Adi Suryapaksi, I will find a way for you later," persuaded Bagus Saksena.

Galuh Sundari hugged her brother.

" Is that true, kanda?"

"really. So live quietly here. I will return to the Janggala. If your business is done, you will visit dinda again ."

"Good, kanda. Dinda will enjoy life quietly and comfortably here....!"

Galuh Sundari smile . Soon he remembered something.

" Servant, where's my soy sauce?" boisterous shouting.

Nice Saksena shaking her head.

Today the servants are busy checking in the gardens of the palace in search of harps. Some of them went from market to market.

Of course, not a single harp was found, because it was not yet in season.

*******

Raden Jayanti Suryapaksi received a golden kundai skewer returned by the Duke of Aryawisena. The precious object is one of the hereditary family heirlooms used as a wedding gift for Galuh Citrawani.

"So Dinda Citrawani annulled our marriage by returning this heirloom .." murmured Suryapaksi.

For some reason, there was something that felt slipping in the depths of his heart. There was something that felt flying, floating, so that his heart felt empty.

Grasping the kundai piercing with a trembling hand.

King Aryaeswarya looked at his son and the Duke of Aryawisena in turn.

" If it is indeed the will of Nanda Galuh, you must be lascarya, nanda Raden. Nanda must be sincere. Nanda must not impose his will for the sake of his own happiness over the suffering of others." King Panjalu advised his son.

King Aryaeswarya loved Galuh Citrawani who he considered his own son since childhood.

During this time he could see how the treatment of Suryapaksi on Galuh Citrawani.

If indeed Galuh Citrawani must be divorced from Suryapaksi to be free from the pressure of the bathin, he will give his blessing.

Different from the Queen. Suryapaksi's mother could not accept the marriage of her precious son destroyed.

Although he insisted that Galuh Citrawani be pursued and found wherever the girl ran . The king remained with his decision to announce the status of Galuh Citrawani's freedom from marriage ties with Raden Jayanti Suryapaksi.

The cloudy sky became a witness when Raden Suryapaksi pronounced the annulment of the marriage and restored the status of Galuh Citrawani's daughter to the Daha palace.

The handover of the girl was symbolically received by the Duke of Daha and Raden Nareswara and all the Daha courtiers accompanied by raindrops began to water the temple.

The tears flooded, sobs of the Queen, the court ladies, the princesses and the ladies.

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"Can't be !" the guard said firmly. " Ki Kartala has ordered us to keep my lord Raden from being bullied !"

"But I was ruled directly by the empress Galuh Sundari ! Which is the higher position of the empress or Ki Kartala?" protest Sari the waiter.

"I dare not argue. Because Ki Kartala's orders mean direct orders from my master."

"Huh !"

Sari turned back to the empress' palace to report.

Later, Galuh Sundari arrived at the prince's palace accompanied by his ladies and guards.

Proudly, without heeding the prohibition of the gatekeeper, Galuh Sundari breezed in.

Raden Suryapaksi was examining an object in the study room when Galuh Sundari suddenly entered.

The crown prince raised his face and frowned at the sign of dislike.

"Who let you in ?" ask Suryapaksi .

"Kanda, why can't you come in? Dinda just wanted to cheer up the kanda." with spoiled Galuh Sundari sitting on the long chair.

He placed a pot of hot herbal drinks on the table. There is a cup for Suryapaksi.

"This is my servant bringing drinks to prevent colds. Kanda is too busy working so forget to eat forget to drink."

"I'm busy, dinda. You better get out."

How flat her husband's voice. Galuh Sundari's nape feels cold as water.

"Dinda knows you are saddened by the return of Citrawani's status. Dinda also felt a sense of loss. All this time Citrawani dinda has been considered a brother. How much Dinda Citra left us." lamented Galuh Sundari.

"Hamba did not expect that dinda Citra had the intention to leave. If dinda knew from the beginning, dinda would try to prevent it..."

Jayanti Suryapaksi froze in her chair. Sundari's words that pretended to be sad were like salt poured over his heart wound.

It has been weeks since the order to return the status of Galuh Citrawani's daughter to Daha. Suryapaksi never left his residence.

The search for two lost heirlooms has been handed over to Raden Surya Kencana with the help of Raden Nareswara.

Even the royal affairs had been taken back by his father who had been gradually healed.

Every day Raden Suryapaksi shut himself up in his residence. There is a sense of disappointment, loss of spirit, sadness that he himself does not know what causes it. Today is coupled with a sense of annoyance and annoyed to see the presence of Sundari.

"Dinda, go. Kanda wants to be alone !" suryapaksi. He tidied the teak table in front of him.

When he saw Sundari still sitting quietly, Suryapaksi sighed. Exasperated, he stood up. Then step out in anger.

Galuh Sundari hurried to his feet.

She chased her husband out while calling. But the shadow of Suryapaksi is no longer visible.

Withstanding the cries, Sundari rushed towards his residence

From then on, for the next few weeks Galuh Sundari never met her husband again. Suryapaksi did not visit him. Galuh Sundari could not find her husband anywhere she searched.

Where did Suryapaksi go?

It turned out that he went to the palace of Galuh Citrawani which was still run by the servants according to his orders.

He always sat alone in the health room owned by Galuh Citrawani. Every morning he came and sat there to finish his work.

Sometimes he took a walk in the mulberry garden, looking at the lush green leaves that became the food of Citrawani's pet silkworms.

Sometimes he sat on the edge of a large bathtub owned by Citrawani.

In his eyes was always the shadow of Citrawani. It was as if the nimble girl was still in the palace. Teaching acupuncture to his servants.

Exercising somersaults that until now had not been asked his name by Suryapaksi.

In the bathtub, as if seen back the image of Citrawani soaking in flower water while singing.

The corners of Suryapaksi's lips form a smile. Shaky smile.

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