THE TEARS OF KUMARI KANDAM
CHAPTRE 14

"Where is the demon?" braheim asked as he carefully examined every corner of the bathroom.

Haala just shut up. "Are actually as important as what the two of you talk to have to discuss it here?"

Haala is still silent, because she is busy mediating for her heart and logic which is now being fiercely chattering. The words of Daxraj, Jihan, Murat, and Laasya that began to ring in Haala's ears seemed to drag her back to the grievous reality. There is nothing wrong with what they say considering that he had forgotten the position, because he had unwittingly fallen into the preferential treatment of Braheim.

Haala turned to her left side, where there was a medium-sized mirror that reflected Braheim's charming face. Either a terrible disaster as what will come if Haala is lulled deeper by the charm. Now came the time for Haala's logic to take control, after a long time enslaved his weak heart. There should be no more love debate, nor romantic fantasies with a man who is impossible to have.

"It doesn't have to be that serious to think about the answer. Any answer you give will still irritate me."

Haala turned around, then bowed respectfully to Braheim. "Puni servant, Your Majesty."

Bheim sighed. "There's no one here, so stop making me even more annoyed with such an attitude."

"A subordinate should be polite, Your Majesty."

Bheim was silent for a moment. "I think there's some hidden purpose behind your words. I'm not a patient person so don't play riddles."

"Hamba is only a subordinate, and the servant has no intention of becoming a concubine."

Bheim was silent. "Then you want to be queen?"

"No, Your Grace. Servant just wants to be a shield for you and the land of Kumari Kandam" Haala retorted.

"You should have said that twelve years ago."

Bheim approached Haala with very fast steps, until in an instant he was standing right in front of Haala. Haala hurriedly lowered her head, as Braheim caught the motion of both of her eyeballs. But Haala looked up again, because the delicate hand of Braheim suddenly touched next to her cheek. Haala's heart started pounding, because this was the first time she was very close to Braheim.

"I will close the harem, empty the queen's throne, and entrust the successor here" Braheim said as he touched Haala's stomach.

Haala's heart was pounding even more, even the steady footing of her legs was slowly weakening as it was hard to believe what Braheim had just said with that trembling voice. Haala never thought that Braheim's preferential treatment of him was not just an appreciation of the superiors of his very meritorious subordinates, but his secret love for twelve years that turned out to be welcome.

"There are a lot of secrets I want to tell you, but there are too many eyes and ears here. Will you trust me and hold on a little more?" braheim added with a still trembling voice.

Haala unconsciously nodded, and closed her eyes as Braheim kissed her lips. There was something hot that seemed to shoot up the crown when the kiss for a few seconds turned into a dusty kiss. And had Braheim's vigorous movements not disturbed Yusef Bahadir's sword that escaped Haala's hand, the very womb of Queen Kumari Kandam would have planted the seed of the heir to the throne.

"Tell servant of your one secret, Your Majesty."

Braheim responded to Haala. "You're so stubborn."

Haala did not answer. "And very stiff," added Braheim.

"The servant cannot speak impolitely. It would be dangerous if the servant became accustomed in public later."

Bheim. "Yes, you have a point. I've always been a fool around you."

"So what's your secret?"

"That was my first kiss" Braheim replied.

"Will the head of the servant still be in its place even if the servant does not believe your words?"

Bheim laughing. "It's not time to explain anything to you yet, so be patient and trust me. I have to go."

Haala nodded. "Ah, one more. No need to worry about food, drink, or water in your bathtub. You're safe because I'm doing everything I can to protect you" Braheim added.

"Your Majesty."

Bheim looked at Haala. "Honestly, that wasn't my first kiss" Haala said.

"What's? Don't tell me if that demon is the first ka-"

"That's a servant's umpteenth kiss if counted by a servant's kiss with you in a dream for twelve years" Haala said.

"Are you teasing me? If so, don't try to do it to anyone other than me. Understood it? I'm goin. Don't call me anymore because I won't hold back for the second call."

"Your Majesty."

Bheim clucked, as he walked towards Haala. "Huh, Kumari Kandam could be in danger if he had a queen who was adept at flirting like this."

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

PRANGS!

"Get all of you out of here, you're not a prick!" yell Jihan while throwing a glass.

A dozen of Jihan's frightened personal servants immediately ran to each other to get out of Jihan's bedroom, especially in order to avoid the fate of misfortune like a waiter who a few days ago died on the spot after experiencing a great rebound in his head due to the bad habits of Jihan who likes to throw dangerous items into any place.

Jihan who was impatiently waiting for the good news from two loyal servants had to go back to bite a finger. I don't know what really happened to the two maids. When faced with Jihan, the two turned into idiots. Let alone remembering the task at hand, the two even wondered why they were currently wearing servant clothes.

"Actually the goddamn advisor was on whose side? He keeps helping me, doesn't that mean he likes me? But why does he always mess up? He was also not interested in gold coins nor my body. Then what's the purpose?" ask Jihan in your heart.

Jihan was intending to meet Murat that very second. With a thunderous cry Jihan called her servants, asking them to prepare for departure to the eastern palace. But in the middle of preparation, Jihan accidentally found a bottle of potion in the corner of the dresser drawer. Jihan stopped the busy movement of the servants who were decorating her hair, because they were attracted by the soothing scented herb.

"What's this?"

"Hamba was less sure because he had seen her for the first time, Your Majesty," one of the servants replied to Jihan.

Jihan twisted and looked at the contents of the bottle she was now holding. "I saw him for the first time too."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

Jihan nodded in response to her other servant. "Maybe the royal physician can give you the answer you want, Your Majesty."

"You're right. Then delay the departure to the eastern palace. I want to see the royal physician first."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty." All the servants of Jihan bowed respectfully.

After passing through several corridors of the northern palace*, Jihan and two of her personal servants arrived at the royal physician's office. The Royal Physician, Sanjeev Rajak, immediately got excited from his chair and greeted Jihan with a big smile. Jihan felt uneasy, because Sanjeev seemed so natural when talking to her, as if he had spent some fun time with Sanjeev.

*Northern palace* or better known as the rowdy palace, is the most visited palace. Since there was a hospital, the academy concocted medicine, as well as a garden of rare herbs. The Royal Physician also lives here because in addition to being responsible to the patients for twenty-four hours, he also teaches at the academy*.

"Can I help you, Her Majesty?"

Jihan gave a bottle of potion to Sanjeev. "What is this banquet?"

"Ah, this is an honesty potion. One drop for three questions."

"Did you give it to me?" ask Jihan again.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Because you asked for it."

Jehan pointed at himself. "I? When did I ask for it? And again, what am I asking for?"

"It's hard to explain, Your Majesty. Servant doubts you'll believe it."

"Don't waste my time, Sanjeev Rajak."

"If your memory is not erased, Your Majesty."

"What do you mean?"

Sanjeev got up from the chair, and stood beside Jihan who was sitting elegantly while shaking the glass containing Goan Feni*. But soon Jihan moved, and slapped a slap at Sanjeev who suddenly stroked her hair. The reaction of Sanjeev who even laughed amusedly made Jihan unable to withstand the slap of the two. But Sanjeev dodged, and sat Jihan back to where he was.

*Goan Feni* is an alcoholic beverage produced only in Goa, India. Goan Feni is made from coconut sap or cashew apples and the alcohol content in each bottle reaches 43-45*%.

"Please ka-"

"Ssttt, your beautiful lips will be better if used for groaning," said Sanjeev as he spread his finger on Jihan's lips.

"Keep your filthy hands away that brash old bastard!"

Sanjeev laughed again. "Yes, I'm an old man. Old man lucky for once bergagahi Queen Kumari Kandam until morning."

DEG!

"You must think that's impossible, don't you? But that's the truth. You came to me exactly like today. Ask for concoction and potion honesty with your body pay," added Sanjeev.

DEG! DEG!

"I don't know what's going on. But one thing's for sure, everyone loses their memory except me. Perhaps this old-fashioned memory of a jackass could ease your plan to get rid of His Majesty the King's dark lover. How's it?"

DEG! DEG! DEG!

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

Laasya was busy translating the writing in an ancient book in the basement behind her mother's pumpkin garden. At first Laasya only intended to search the jewelry crate, but the book wrapped in animal skins on top of the closet as if shouting to call him. Laasya also stopped her busy rummaging through jewelry crates, and struggled to reach for books from the top of the closet.

"Destroying the world because Yusef faithfully gave the Bahadir people his oath of succession. Hah, I gave up. I don't get it. I don't care anymore." Laasya closed the book that had been glared at her.

As Laasya was about to return to struggling with the jewelry crates, the ancient book suddenly opened on its own. Spontaneous Laasya immediately ran over as he realized the peculiarity that had just occurred right before his eyes. Before disappearing from behind the door, Laasya had a glance at the ancient book. The Videsh* book opens on the last page it just translated.

*Videsh* is a kumari kandam language used by early ancestors. No longer used in the present because it is too complicated*.

"What was that actually? I have to tell my sister immediately" Laasya said in her heart.