I'm the victim

The sun began to rise higher. It was now shining more brightly. The heat makes the temperature rise and can burn the skin. Luckily, the breeze passes by diligently so the temperature is slightly cool.

The cool breeze roamed throughout the palace, and the king's resting room was no exception.

This comfortable weather can make one fall asleep. However, Bandung Bondowoso would not be sleepy because soon he would meet Roro Jonggrang in the dining hall.

A wisp of black smoke appeared several times. It entered through the window and went to him.

The sound of laughter rang in Bandung Bondowoso's ears. The smoke said, "What fun. Now, she doesn't look like the princess."

A small smile was printed on his face. His hand flipped through the page of the book as he spoke, "That's enough."

"By the way, why did you ask me to do that? In fact, she was forced to look like that."

"Now you're questioning my orders?"

The smoke giggled. "This servant does not dare, Your Majesty. It's just that I find it amusing."

The smoke flew around him. Up, down, and finally settled in front of his face. "There was a young man who went to the stables. He was looking for the princess," it said then.

"How does he look?"

"Tall, young, handsome. He's the son of the finance minister who died three years ago."

Bandung Bondowoso closed the book, put it on the shelf, and got up from the seat. Without words, she strode out of the room.

"Oh ho, he's jealous."

The smoke giggled happily. It checked the surroundings before disappearing with the wind.

***

In front of the bathhouse gate, the smoke appeared. Not even a second after it was there, there was the sound of heartbreaking crying. The cries were accompanied by partially unintelligible speech.

"Ah, that seer," it muttered.

"Hiks... that annoying horse, hiks... I gave carrots, but it, it, it made me stink... hiks. If ... hik, meet, I'll roast it."

Again, the smoke curled up. It flew low near the stone steps. "I wonder how she roasted the king's war horse," it said.

After a while, Citra came out. Her long hair was wet up to her elbows. Her skin was red with swollen eyes. She sucked her nose, then looked right and left.

She was lucky to find the bathhouse and take a bath. However, because she didn't have soap, she still smelled.

Citra looked to the right and left. Her breath caught in a wisp of smoke on the left. Quickly, she looked away, pretending to check herself.

The smoke realized Citra was pretending. Boldly, it came closer to the girl's face, taking her by surprise.

"You smell like horse dung," the smoke teased.

Citra's eyes popped out. She hadn't imagined that she could see and hear the voice speaking. Even so, Citra tried to pretend she didn't see.

"You were chased by a horse and fell into horse dung, right? What a pity."

Citra's hands clutched the clothes she had stolen from the clothesline. Her chest rose and fell in rhythm with her breathing. She shook her head violently, then took a wide step.

"If someone finds you, you'll be ridiculed to death. Ha ha ha."

The smoke flew behind Citra. Its vague form floated around like a jellyfish. It seemed to enjoy teasing the girl

"This happened because you tried to look like the princess."

Citra's bare feet stopped walking. Enveloped in anger, she slammed down her dirty clothes. "I didn't do anything wrong! I was forced! I was a victim!" she screamed.

The smoke moved slightly away. The shrill voice seemed like it would crush it. Women are truly horrible.

A few seconds passed, and Citra fell to her knees. Her face sank into her lap. She ignored the sun that burned her skin. She sobbed and went back to babbling.

"I don't know why I got myself involved in a fight between two humans with high egos. Why should I help them because of my status as a seer?! I don't even have time to think about my future."

"You're right. I've experienced that too," snorted the smoke as it flew low to Citra's side.

"I think I've lost my mind," Citra said.

The smoke moved upwards. "Lift your face," ordered, "I know you can see me."

Citra didn't budge.

"Get up now or-"

Citra lifted her face. Her eyes stared fiercely. "Or what?! I'll be reported as a fraud?" she shouted back.

The smoke paused, then chuckled loudly. It laughed and circled Citra's head twice. "How is this, Seer? You're very attractive," it said in front of the girl's face.