Smeels

The clink of swords resounded in the courtyard behind the palace. Rai was in the library reading but occasionally his eyes stole a glance outside. There was a desire inside of him to do that, to want to show his skills in front of everyone that he could, he was not a sissy unable to fight but what could -- when he tried to fight with a sword in his hand -- he felt the more the sword was raised it's even harder to move.

The book he was holding had not finished reading, he immediately returned to its place as before. He was irritated at the sound of the sword, his soul felt belittled. Rai stepped out of the room so quickly that no one saw and rebuked him. Arriving in the room, he felt something was wrong.

The distance between his room and that room was quite far but why did he walk so fast as if a gust of wind pushed him forward? Rai shook his head and didn't want to think about things that were beyond reason. Maybe he was too angry and too annoyed that he didn't feel his feet moving faster than they should.

***

In the evening after having dinner with his family he returned to the room and came out again when the night was thick, the dew had slowly fallen from the sky. Exhaled breath was obvious like a puff of smoke blown from the mouth. Because the air was so cold penetrated the bone.

He used 3 layers of thick clothing and a knit hat to cover his head. His feet stepped slowly towards the main gate and the loyal bodyguard was waiting for him behind the gate. "It's so cold today."

"That's right, Crown Prince. it's too cold today. Where are you headed tonight?"

Every night Rai always walks around the city on foot, exploring the places around him. If he wanted to visit a faraway place then he would use a car he had hidden somewhere undetected, just like tonight.

"To a faraway place?" asked the bodyguard who swiftly accepted the car key thrown from Rai's hand. The car was in an alley covered with trash cans, no one knew what it was. A transparent black car that is almost close to the dark color of the night, with electric technology so it doesn't make a loud sound.

Now the car has moved away from its original place. Rai installed a GPS to go to that place as a guide. "It must be cold there, would it be fine if you had a fever, that would be suspicious since the palace's heating system works well at night." Rai laughed until Adam's apple heaved up and down.

"Everyone knows I'm weak so if I get sick then it's not something strange for them."

"No, you're not a weakling -- it's just that you haven't honed your skills to an extent, there will surely come a time when you realize what skills you have."

Again, Rai laughed even louder while shaking his head because it was impossible, it had been proven he couldn't do anything. "You don't need to defend me like that, I'm quite entertained by your words, thank you." Rai's eyes went out the window, observing every street he passed.

What is lacking, what is wrong then he will report the deficiency to his older brother. The car stopped right at the pier fish auction. On a cold and dark night like this, there are still fishermen who can go out to sea and are busy preparing their equipment to catch fish or other marine animals such as shrimp, squid, and others.

The car was parked far away and the two of them got down on foot towards the crowd that was there. Of the many men passing by carrying fish, his eyes were fixed on a girl who looked tough lifting large fish with both hands without disgust and amusement.

"Isn't that fish fishy and smelly, " muttered Rai which was responded to with a smile by the bodyguard who knew where the conversation was going.

"Such women don't care about beauty but money and food are most important to them."

"Times have changed, women shouldn't have to work hard, just being private tutors they can make money."

"But if they are not educated, how can they become teachers." Sad, that's what Rai felt. Every year the state always provides free educational facilities with certain conditions, why are there still those who are not educated?

Rai walked towards the group of people but his steps stopped when he realized that his clothes were too nice and neat to approach them there and must have been impressed if he was a rich person or a noble class.

"Next time we come here." Rai turned around and wanted to go back to the car but someone shouted at him.

"Hey mister rich man, buy our fish before we auction it at a high price in the market." Rai's steps stopped when he heard footsteps running towards him. Rai turned around and faced the person who was running, a girl he had questioned earlier. A cute girl with her hair tied in a single bun, looking a bit messy behind her ears carrying a rather large yellowtail tuna in front of her.

"Here sir - buy them - these are the biggest and best, fresh," she said kindly while smiling showing her crooked teeth which added a sweet impression on her face. Rai was rooted to the spot, the pungent smell of the fishy fish wafting out of it made his stomach churn, and wanted to vomit.

This afternoon he also went to the fish market but it wasn't as bad as this, is it the fish that smells, or is this girl the one that smells? "Take it, sir, it's not expensive--" Rai turned to look at the bodyguard, signaling him to replace himself who couldn't stand it anymore, and walked away.

Arriving near the car, Rai could no longer hold back his nausea, he spilled all the food that was crushed in his mouth during dinner last night. Rai squatted down until he coughed, he couldn't take it anymore. "This is crazy, that girl stinks."

"Hey, Sir Thank you." The girl ran towards him and Rai was confused to avoid.