Queen's Residence

"I already have several women who meet the criteria for the position of Queen, and I want you to meet them before the concubines." Bhanurasmi immediately declared her goal as soon as Umbara was in front of her.

"You already have a few people?" asked Umbara. He had never heard Bhanurasmi do anything, but suddenly she said she had some people and asked Umbara to meet them.

Bhanurasmi nodded slowly. "Yes, I invite the noble daughters to attend a meal at the Queen's residence tonight, and you must attend, Umbara," said Bhanurasmi.

Bhanurasmi really went out of her way to get Umbara to side with and marry a woman worthy of him. In fact, she tried as quickly as possible to invite the daughters of the nobles to come to the palace before Umbara met his concubines. Bhanurasmi doesn't want Umbara to be attracted to the concubines first, but he must still put the Queen first for the sake of the kingdom and its future.

Just now, Umbara talked about this to Ganendra. Now everything has happened. That Umbara can't be careless enough to make a woman the Queen. Bhanurasmi has its own criteria for that.

"What has to be tonight?" asked Umbara.

Bhanurasmi nodded, looking at Umbara with conviction. "The sooner the better," she replied.

Well, Umbara has no reason to refuse, even if he doesn't want to. All of his royal affairs must be known, and there is no event that can be used as an excuse, so inevitably, Umbara will agree to her mother's request. "Okay, I'll be there tonight." Umbara replied confidently. At least he had to respect the women who would attend his mother's invitation.

Bhanurasmi smiled with satisfaction upon hearing Umbara's answer. The plan went smoothly. It was not in vain that she put forth her strength to gather the girls of the highest noble caste in a short amount of time. "Good, I will allow whichever of them you choose to become Queen later," said Bhanurasmi later, with a big smile. in contrast to Umbara, who forced a slight smile on his lips. If he had a choice, Umbara would go to the concubine's house first to meet Sekar, but that couldn't happen for now.

***

The day goes by so fast when something we don't want is about to happen. Umbara was still in her room, reluctant to get ready until several maids with Krisna came and brought equipment for Umbara to be used in front of the women he would meet soon.

"Baginda. This is all prepared by Kanjeng Ibu. " Krisna bowed respectfully and gave an explanation while holding a pile of clothes and accessories in his hand.

Umbara glanced at the equipment while snorting in annoyance. "Kanjeng Ibu even had time to prepare this herself?" asked Umbara.

Krisna still looked down and replied, "Kanjeng ibu wants the best for you, Baginda."

"Okay. We will immediately settle this matter, "said Umbara. Umbara remembered Bhanurasmi's words earlier, the sooner the better. So, he would quickly finish this one task and return to his room.

After finishing preparing, Umbara, followed by Krisna, and seven guards, went to the Queen's residence. The banquet will be held in the Queen's hall. Umbara walked there half-heartedly.

"Krisna, how many women were invited by Kanjeng Ibu?" Umbara kept walking and glancing at Krisna.

"There are only ten people, Baginda." Krishna answered quickly.

Since there was news that Bhanurasmi had invited several women who matched the Queen's criteria, Umbara immediately ordered Krisna to find out about the women.

"Not much. I just have to have dinner with them and then leave."

It didn't take long before they all arrived at the Queen's residence hall. The doorman of the hall immediately opened wide and shouted that the King had come.

As soon as Umbara entered the queen's hall, the king looked around. In front of where he was standing, there were now ten women and a small table in front of each. complete with delectable dishes Meanwhile, Bhanurasmi was next to Umbara's place. A small table had also been prepared for the two of them with the same dish.

"Welcome, Baginda." Bhanurasmi stood up and saluted the King, followed by all the women present. Bow down to Umbara. The ten selected noble children smiled in admiration when they saw Umbara's face briefly. They actually met a handsome young king and hoped that Umbara would be swayed enough to become his Queen.

"Sit down and enjoy your dinner!" After Umbara's order, they all sat quietly together. Some of them stole glances at their king up ahead.

"Right, please eat first. We'll start introducing yourselves to the King after this dinner. " Bhanurasmi continues. Then they start to have dinner with them.

Umbara also ate quietly. Glancing around at the ten people in front of him, none of them caught his attention. They are all beautiful, clean and well maintained. Maybe it is because they are from a classy family, so they look very elegant and polite. But for Umbara to see them, there was a bit of a dull feeling.

Maybe if Sekar is from the same circle as them, she will look beautiful and not boring. That was the only thing Umbara was thinking about at the moment. Umbara didn't look ahead at all, though he noticed that they were staring at Umbara with admiration and were trying to do something that caught the attention of the King.

Dinner time is over. The small tables for dinner were cleared one by one by the royal servants. As Bhanurasmi said earlier, the next event was to introduce themselves to Umbara. Not only the name, but also the skills they have. Of course, to attract Umbara's attention.

"Do we have to do this now, Kanjeng?" Umbara drew closer to Bhanurasmi and whispered softly.

Bhanurasmi immediately nodded. "You should know their strengths too, Umbara."

It turned out that it was not as Umbara had imagined. The event here would run a little longer because of Bhanurasmi's request. Umbara agreed and let the ten women take turns introducing themselves and their abilities. Some have skills in sewing, painting, and lessons for other classy women. Nothing was interesting, until a woman with a beautiful silk cloth wrapped around her body came forward, introduced herself by the name of Arum, and said that her specialty was archery.

Umbara looked at the woman named Arum with furrowed brows. "Are you good at archery?" he asked curiously.