How to save the princess

Roro Jonggrang looked deeply into his eyes. There was a desire for all power to fulfill his ambitions. She smiled. How can there be someone without tears and feelings?

"Do you know the art of love?" she asked.

"Such things are useless in my life, Princess."

"Yes," she replied, then looked down.

Bandung Bondowoso withdrew his hand. His gaze was still locked onto her downward-facing face. He told, "When life is hard enough, you only need the strength to endure."

"What about the love that gives happiness?"

"Happiness will come when you can have everything.

She denied, "Not everything you can have, Your Highness."

"Look at yourself, Princess. Your words are so brave, but where do your eyes see? You bow beneath me."

Roro Jonggrang's hands were clenched under the table. Her chest felt tight. After her father passed away, there was no other family. Here, she had to survive under the demon's rule. Why didn't she die too so that this suffering wouldn't be necessary?

"Eat up."

Her right hand extended to the plate of rice. At that time, Roro Jonggrang expected there to be poison in the rice. Slowly, she put the rice into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it with difficulty.

"I want to see the construction," Roro Jonggrang asked later.

Bandung Bondowoso's hand stopped. He chuckled. Without looking at his interlocutor, he replied, "It's quite far, Princess. The journey does not suit your fragile self."

"I can take a horse-drawn carriage."

"Just stay in your room tonight, Princess."

"I want to see it! Why can't I see it? Are you deceiving me?"

He laughed softly as he replied, "How could I lie to my princess?"

"Did you move the temples from somewhere else and claim it as your work?"

He laughed again. This princess had an amazing imagination. "Taking a thousand temples from other places is possible, Princess, but it cannot be done in one night. After all, I am not as powerful as the gods in Samudramantana's story," Bandung Bondowoso explained.

Roro Jonggrang sighed. This man before her, had accepted requirements that were considered unreasonable. He accepted it without hesitation. There must be a well-thought-out plan behind it.

In her mind, Roro Jonggrang planned to surrender, then kill Bandung Bondowoso after marriage. However, it was rumored that the prince of Pengging had magical powers that made him difficult to kill.

Should she flee the kingdom?

"Princess, you don't need to think about how I will fulfill your request. Just think about what clothes you'll wear at our wedding."

"Why should I think about that? Aren't you the one who will organize everything?"

Bandung Bondowoso nodded his head with a smile. After that, he got up from his seat.

"I'll take you home," he said after offering his left hand.

Roro Jonggrang took a long look at the hand extended to her. This man was like the waves of the sea. No one can predict when the waves will be high or vice versa.

***

On the way to her residence, Roro Jonggrang was astonished to see soldiers passing by several times. They seemed to have circled this courtyard many times.

She asked, "Is there something going on?"

"There is news that someone released a horse from the stable. I'm afraid it might have run here."

"I see."

A moment later, they arrived at the princess's residence. Bandung Bondowoso let go of his hand. "Get some rest. The soldiers will keep watch here," he ordered.

Roro Jonggrang watched his back walk the way they came. Telling her that the soldiers were standing guard here was the same as emphasizing there was no chance of escape.

"Aunt Sumi," Roro Jonggrang called and entered.

Aunt Sumi appeared from the side of the courtyard. The middle-aged woman saluted. "I'm here, Princess," she replied respectfully.

"Listen," she said with a serious look, "I need to know how he built those temples and wells, but soldiers are surrounding this place. Only you can go in and out freely. So, go get some information."

Aunt Sumi nodded.

"Get the seer, too. I need to collect a debt. Go now."

Aunt Sumi nodded once more and hurried away. When she arrived at the gate, there were two soldiers standing guard.

"Where are you going, Aunt Sumi?" asked one of the guards.

"Her Highness the princess wants to eat fresh fruit. I was asked to buy it at the market."

The two guards were silent for a moment. Then, one of them said, "You may go, but quickly. The palace gates will be closed after sunset."

"Very well."

Aunt Sumi walked quickly. Along the way, she came across soldiers standing guard. The atmosphere was similar to the war between Pengging and Kraton Boko.

"Tonight His Majesty will build the temples, right?"

"Yes. Everything will be built in one night. It's amazing."

"Who will His Majesty build it with? Will he invite genies to build the temple?"

"Perhaps."

Aunt Sumi looked at the two guards who had just turned into the garden.

"Building the temples with genies?" she whispered.

Genies could be enlisted to help with human labor. To get their help, there are some requirements. Then, they only work when the sky is dark and leave before sunrise.

If what the soldiers said was true, then there was a way to save the princess from the wedding ceremony.

"I have to hurry up."