I Still Wanna Go Home

After a heated argument between myself and the butler, I was finally able to take my bath. However, they were all standing guard at the door. I entered the same bathroom. Until now I didn't know Roro Jonggrang's intention of lending me her bathroom. Bandung Bondowoso who decided I should be the princess's substitute and Candra's existence here.

I glanced at the bathtub with smoke billowing. It looked warm and cozy, but I didn't want to be tempted. My feet stepped through it. There was a window that was above my head. It's hard to climb it without a ladder.

My gaze scanned the surroundings. There was a wooden bucket. I picked it up, then placed it near the wall. When I climbed on it, it was still not enough for me to climb up to the window.

Once again, I scanned the surroundings. There was nothing but a bathtub. Spilling the contents required extra effort, and then using it as a foothold.

The window was a short distance from my head. It was still within reach with my hands. There was no choice but to use the classic method, which was to climb up. The wall made of wood was quite favorable for me to get a foothold. I felt like a prisoner about to escape, but I was a prisoner. As much as possible I didn't make any suspicious noises.

When I managed to reach the window and sat on its frame, I looked down. Oh my, it's dark downstairs. I didn't know how deep it was.

"Miss, do you need help?"

A servant's voice startled me. My body wavered and almost slid freely to the floor. I tightened my grip on the window frame. Whether it was dark or deep, it was the only way. Determined, I plunged in.

A thud was followed by my racing heart. My hands felt around. It was very dark in here. I felt the cold ground through the soles of my feet and the cool air around me. The lights there revealed the decorations of the main hall.

I cast my eyes around. A flame walked not far from me. I heard steps and recognized the owner as Candra.

"Candra!" I called and ran to him.

He stopped. His brown eyes stared in surprise. He quickly bent down.

"Candra, stand up straight," I asked and he immediately complied.

It was reassuring that at least I was meeting someone I knew, I mean he looked alike.

"Miss fortune teller, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be preparing for tomorrow?"

I shook my head violently. Why should I prepare for tomorrow? There's no benefit in going up the aisle with that guy. I said, "I won't do it."

"So now you're running away?"

"You're willing to help me, aren't you?"

Candra shook his head. He stepped back while looking around. Then, those eyes looked at me. "You'd better get back soon."

"I won't," I argued and frowned. My life was too precious to be a substitute for a princess. "Show me the way out of this palace."

"Lady fortune teller, don't talk like that. This palace has ears."

I clucked. If I didn't know the way out of there, I would have ended up going around in circles and ended up in the main hall. I looked up, my neck hurting for a long time because all the men here were abnormally tall.

"Hey, tomorrow might be my last day breathing."

"Did you just see the prophecy?"

"No, I mean... why is it hard to explain?"

"That, Miss down there."

We both turned our eyes to the window. A young maid appeared at the window. She screamed and overwhelmed us. In the confusion, I grabbed Candra's hand, sending him running aimlessly.

"Miss fortune teller, please let me go!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Candra was no longer running. He forcefully stopped, making me pull and fall. I looked at him in annoyance.

The clatter of many footsteps sounded from behind. I looked there and found servants and soldiers. The dark courtyard was brightened as they carried torches.

I quickly got up. Not even a second after I stood up, there was an excruciating pain in my right ankle. Embarrassingly, my body fell to the ground. Damn, damn!

The entourage arrived before me. They had gasps of breath. Then, a soldier asked, "Candra, what are you doing here?"

Candra paused for a moment before answering, "I met this Miss on the road while on patrol."

Two servants approached me. They grabbed my arms and I didn't put up any resistance. I inwardly screamed out loud. This was Candra's fault. He pulled me so that I fell.

"Miss, come back," the maid whispered.

I sighed and nodded. It was impossible to escape with a sprained leg. They'd already caught me running away. Furthermore, I would be guarded like a high-profile criminal.

***

I was bathed because I was soiled by the dirt when I fell. I didn't put up any fight or resistance, my body and heart were tired, let alone this stomach that was making embarrassing sounds.

After I bathed, a package of food was served to me. I was left to have my own time while the servants were outside. This meal was more nutritious than my meals at home. There are proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and more. Noble food never disappoints.

After filling my stomach, I sat pensively on the spot. My leg had been massaged and bandaged. The pain was starting to disappear. I chuckled. Right now I was restraining myself from running away.

Now, how are Roro Jonggrang and Aunt Sumi doing? Have they found shelter? Or went to another kingdom for help?

I shook my head. This shouldn't be a burden on my mind. She was the one who challenged Bandung Bondowoso in the first place even though I was surprised by the outcome.

Tomorrow, I'm going down the aisle in place of Roro Jonggrang. Since I'm a commoner, I'll probably be placed as a concubine... as movies usually do. It's also possible that tomorrow I'll find an opportunity to escape.

"After that what?"

My hand scratched my head. After getting out of here, where will I go? Look for work and find a place to live or return to that place to return to my home world?

"I can't think now."

I flopped down on the bed. I didn't expect it to be hard with no foam mattress. I gave a small grimace to my back and slowly lay back down.

"Sleep well for tomorrow...."