Any more desires?

With two guards walking behind, Bandung Bondowoso stepped away from the main hall. Every second, his shod feet stepped faster and wider. The reports that had been the same since yesterday made him sick.

"They shouldn't have run away from the princess," he said.

Moments later, Bandung Bondowoso stopped. Using one raised hand, he told the guards to leave.

Once he was alone, he continued on his way. As he passed through the palace garden, he heard a very familiar voice. Bandung Bondowoso decided to enter the garden.

Seeing his coming, Roro Jonggrang got up from her seat to salute. The seer did the same.

"Princess, you are allowed to play in this palace. However, I must know who is with you."

Roro Jonggrang's lips pouted. She waved one hand. "Who plays with me is my decision," she retorted, "You promised will always give me what I want."

"I'm glad you understand me well. I will always give you everything you want. We're getting married tomorrow."

In the next three steps, Bandung Bondowoso took her hand. Roro Jonggrang's hand was so small, but this face staring at him had great courage. "Remember, I can do anything to make you my queen," he told her.

Roro Jonggrang withdrew her hand, then moved closer to the seer. "By the way, I want a new servant," she asked.

For a moment, Bandung Bondowoso noticed the different looks of the seer. There was no strange thing wrapped around her shoulders.

He smiled and said. "I can choose a good one for you."

"I want her."

"Princess, you can't take the palace astrologer as a personal servant."

"This palace already has one. You promised will give me what I want."

Bandung Bondowoso sighed. This daughter who was spoiled by her father was now good at using threats. He observed the appearance of the two girls. They looked similar.

"But, if you want a toy, I can give her," he said later.

The seer's reaction is fun to watch. Her eyes widened while her lips whispered something. Was she reading the future now?

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Roro Jonggrang thanked.

"No problem, Princess. For tonight, please rest in your room. Tomorrow, a thousand temples and two wells you wanted will be completed."

"Why should I?"

"Because I want to give you a surprise."

Bandung Bondowoso smiled again. He smiled every time he answered questions from the princess.

"Are you listening to me, Princess?"

"I'm tired of hearing you."

In response to her pampering, Bandung Bondowoso smiled at her." Then, I'll get back to my work. Let's meet at lunch, Princess," he excused himself and turned to leave.

After he set foot outside the garden area, Roro Jonggrang's complaining voice could be heard.

"Did you see? He's a pushover. He's always telling me to shut up and not do stupid things."

"Stupid things are best not done, Princess."

"Now you're telling me too?!"

"That's not what I meant, Your Highness."

"Citra, I'm not a child. Stop telling me what to do."

He muttered, "Her name is Citra."

His head nodded. Next, his footsteps led to the practice arena. The soldiers must receive coordination to guard the entire palace area. Everything had to be prepared because tonight was the construction of the temples and wells that used the help of the genies.

***

The practice was abuzz that morning. The sound of wooden swords clashing accompanied by cheers could be heard from outside. In the center of the field, two guards were fighting with wooden swords.

The encouraging cheers sounded heartwarming until someone noticed Bandung Bondowoso's arrival. As a result, the fight was stopped.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

He nodded in response. His gaze fell on the guards in the center of the field. One of them he recognized as the guard who escorted the seer to the lake.

"What brings Your Majesty to this place?" a guard asked.

"Tonight I will build a thousand temples and two wells as the princess's wish. To make sure everything goes smoothly, I want all the soldiers to be on guard throughout the palace area."

The people who heard this were instantly confused. Building a thousand temples and two wells in one night, was that possible? Even so, everyone simultaneously replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

A faint smile played on Bandung Bondowoso's lips. Once again, no one dared to question him. These people were not the people of Kraton Boko, but the people of Pengging whom he had brought himself.

"You're really enamored with her beauty," a voice whispered.

Bandung Bondowoso was not surprised. He knew it was the king of the genies. They had been together since he was young. Through his thoughts, Bandung Bondowoso replied, "That's the reason you're needed."

"You've got the kingdom, the palace, the princess, don't you have any more desires?"

Again he replied, "I don't have a princess yet."

"How about the seer? She looks like an obedient girl. She is fun too."