THE TEARS OF KUMARI KANDAM
CHAPTRE 88

The waiting room the size of twice that of a horse race was claustrophobic. Even outside the waiting room along the corridor, really no less crowded. Those who from the crack of dawn scrambled for the place were high-status men waiting in line to face Braheim. Either it faces on its own accord or because it gets a letter stamped with gold.

One by one they will be called according to the order of the most pressing problems. The names of the trespassers will be called three times by Murat, and if there is no response, whatever the reason is that even if they fell unconscious from severe leg cramps, they will have to face again tomorrow. That's obviously very annoying. Because since long ago, the procedure facing King Kumari Kandam is very complicated, as complicated as guessing the hearts of women when they are sulking.

And more annoyingly, Braheim always put women first even though their goal is facing only to serve snacks. Just arrived but was immediately allowed to face. Is there anything more annoying than that? But what to say. Instead of crammed with the makeup of the women belonging to King Kumari Kandam, the higher-ups prefer to cram with the like, though loud.

"Next, Minister of Foreign Continents."

"I'm right here. I'm here, Counselor. Ah finally. It's a good thing that I'm holding back from urinating," the Foreign Minister of the Continent grumbled.

"Please." Murat opened the door of Braheim's study and closed it quickly.

"Long live, and blessed always, is the sun of Kumari Kandam."

Bheim simply nodded while receiving his cup of tea which had just been filled by a servant. Filled for the nineteen times even though the time still shows at eight in the morning.

"In order to monitor the activities of the counter camps namely Garjan Continent, Hathelee and Padachihn. They began to move to make the neutral camp on his side. We should also start moving, Your Majesty."

"so. Then how good do you think?"

"King Padachihn gave part of the western and northern regions of Padachihn as a festival celebration gift to King Shushk and Lagaam. According to the servant, we should also do the same, Your Majesty," the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Continent replied.

"Give territory? Is it a festival or wedding dowry?" Bheim put down his tea cup. "Just sit at your place, Minister."

"I'm sorry?"

"Kumari Kandam is not a bribe."

The Minister of the Outer Continent bowed. "As per your orders, Your Majesty."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Continent walked out of the room, and was immediately replaced by Princess Chadna, queen candidate Kumari Kandam was selected who dismantled her love affair with Murat Iskender in the midst of her marriage preparations that were already approaching the stage of sixty percent.

"Long live, and blessed always, is the sun of Kumari Kandam."

Bheim nodded in response to Princess Chadna. "It turns out that a week is too long for you to think through your options carefully."

"Honestly, I already know which choice I will make since you gave it to me, Your Majesty."

"so. Then?"

Princess Chadna was breathing. "Before I wish to apologize for having kept secret my relationship with the Advisor Murat, Your Majesty."

Bheim did not answer, busy devouring Tandoori, breakfast menu today.

Tandoori* is a chicken dish originating from the Punjab region. Tandoori has existed since the time of the Mughal sultanate in South Asia and even spread to Central and Southeast Asia. Tandoori is made from chicken meat soaked in a thick, sour milk batter with Indian masala salt, condiments, and pepper.

"About the choices you make. Between being sent back to Chamakadaar or being your concubine. Servants will choose the second option, Your Majesty," Princess Chadna said.

"Reason?"

"Because the punishment Chamakadaar will give to the servant is clear, Your Majesty. Slaves will be exiled in the temple for life."

"Then you thought by being my concubine you'd be free of punishment, did you?"

"No, Your Grace. The servant knew that the punishment would wait wherever the servant was. So the servant has prepared himself."

Bheim rubbed his lips with a washcloth. "You've got your punishment, Princess."

"I'm sorry? I don't understand, Your Majesty."

"My counsel is a bored man. Doesn't making such a person last is a punishment?"

Princess Chadna bowed to hide her joyful smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Write a letter to King Arshaq regarding the decision you made. Then give it to Murat to be given a stamp."

Princess Chadna bowed again, and was quickly replaced by four soldiers who gave false reports about the death of Firdoos Shyamali during the Svarg* eviction incident and brothels.

Svarg* is a shelter for beautiful-faced male slaves. Some of them were sent to brothels, and some were sent in secret to the queen's palace or harem.

"Keeping the situation conducive is your main task at that time, as well as making a report after the task is completed."

The four soldiers only lowered their heads feeling their bodies trembling violently despite not hearing any punishment from Braheim.

"I do not blame you for the death of Firdoos Shyamali. As soldiers, you've done the right thing." Braheim tapped on a piece of report on the table. "But this. Private Kumari Kandam doesn't do this."

The burly bodies of the four soldiers trembled violently, as if only they felt an earthquake hit Kumari Kandam at this time.

"No, Your Majesty." The four soldiers answered compactly.

"Then I will decide the punishment for you right now." Bheim looked alternately at the four soldiers before him. "The law falsifies reports, takes away lives, lies to the royal family, cuts off tongues and imprisonment thirty years."

The four soldiers came out of Braheim's room with deathly pale faces. Everyone in the waiting room knew exactly what punishment they were getting. One can live without a tongue. But spent thirty years in Kumari Kandam prison? One day feels like a hundred years in hell.

"hereinafter. Deputy Commander of the Kumari Kandam War, Aswin Nadeem," cried Murat.

"Thank you, Counselor."

"You sure you're gonna tell His Majesty the King?"

Aswin nodded. "The others want this too."

Murat only sighed, then gave way for Aswin to enter Braheim's study.

"I remember not sending you a gold letter. What's the matter, Aswin?"

"It's about the return of Commander Haala, Your Majesty," Aswin told Braheim.

"What's wrong with that?"

Aswin was silent for a moment, clearly visible if he was having trouble stringing words. "Hamba is also another who has great respect for Commander Haala, because of his amazing abilities. But we would rather resign than be led by a woman, Your Majesty."

Bheim changed his silence, because he was sure that a man of his age had not finished expressing everything that passed in his mind.

" ... We have long since forced ourselves, Your Majesty. Really, our pride as a man is like being smeared with dirt. Please forgive this, Your Majesty. I hope you understand."

Bheim was still silent, though Aswin's voice was no longer heard. Bheim is at a loss to find the most appropriate answer in a situation he never predicted. On the one hand Braheim understood it felt like he was superior to a woman, but on the other hand, the customs slapped him hard. The destiny of Yusef Bahadir's descendants is to be the shield of Kumari Kandam's land. If it is forced to be replaced, then the answer is only one, Vinaash*.

Vinaash* is a test made by Yusef Bahadir with the belief that only his descendants can pass through it. Vinaash is not made with the intention of arrogance, because in fact dozens of ordinary people who have tried it always end up dying.

"Right now I can't give an answer for you and the others, Aswin. Give me some time, "braheim replied at last.

"As per your orders, Your Majesty."

Aswin also passed from the view of Braheim, replaced by those who got a letter stamped with gold. A letter to some is like happy tidings, but to others who play with the truth, a letter with a gold stamped is like an order to dig its own burrow.

"Please, Your Majesty is waiting."

The five people simply thanked Murat for opening the door.

"Long live, and blessed always, is the sun of Kumari Kandam."

"Just go. You guys want to settle this matter in open court or directly here?" ask Braheim.

The five men who were none other than the Minister of Defense, Leyla Rahsheda as the head of the harem caretaker, the two main gatekeepers of the Kumari Kingdom of Kandam, and a concubine, just lowered their heads. They are summoned after making a future war hero of destruction, Vinder, catch a cold.

" ... He didn't even know how to get rid of the mucus in his nose. Then how can it be? How can you let him be under the rain just to argue over a trivial matter?"

The Secretary of Defense cleared his throat, "The threat is no trivial matter, Yes-"

"I swear I'll slit your throat with my own hands if what you call a threat comes down to the battlefield and wins it!" Bheim throws his teacup at the Minister of Defense.

"Please forgive me my servant's kindness, Ya-"

"Have you found one of my faults? Then let me hear. Say," interrupted Braheim again.

"Please forgive the"

"Then know your limits, Ghanzafer El-Amin! I told you not to interfere with my queen's throne and Devraaj Narvinder if you can't find one of my faults!"

The Minister of Defense, Ghanzafer El-Amin, simply bowed in response to Braheim, without saying anything, in order to avoid Braheim's second cup which might make his face blister.

Braheim pointed at the two guard soldiers. "Your reward this year will be given to the poor. Then you're suspended for six months." Bheim looked at Leyla. "Leyla, I entrusted the concubine's fate to you."

Leyla looked very surprised, as well as the concubine. Leyla hurriedly bowed. "As per your orders, Your Majesty."

"And you, Ghanzafer El-Amin. If you interfere once again, the price of my forgiveness will only be equivalent to the neck of your family. Murat!"

Spontaneous Murat barged in, walked half-runningly while carrying Braheim's chessboard, then deftly prepared it.

"You think I need this right now, Murat Iskender?"