A women's quarters guard was passing by.
Still perched on the sandalwood tree branch, Bandung Bandawasa quickly opened his mouth, but before he could let out his spell, the Crown Princess, who had been enjoying a gentle massage from her two maids, unexpectedly opened her beautiful eyes.
It pierced Bandung Bandawasa's eyes.
A fear greater than when facing an enemy on the battlefield now gripped Bandung Bandawasa's heart.
"Tunggu."
[Translation: Wait.].
That one word was like a spell locking Bandung Bandawasa's joints. If he ran away now, he would certainly become a wanted criminal of the palace and his punishment would not only be death by beheading, but also days of torture in the dungeon before finally being allowed to die. Obeying the Crown Princess's order was his only sliver of hope to end his punishment with only the executioner's sword and no torture.
However, his remaining sense of shame and respect prevented Bandung Bandawasa from coming down. He could not bear to stand before the Crown Princess in her current situation. Up in the tree, he quickly closed his eyes tightly, trying hard to rid himself of the forbidden desire and images of her beautiful body that he had just witnessed in his mind.
"Bukaen matako dan merene."
[Translation: Open your eyes and come here.].
Bandung Bandawasa slowly opened his eyes, preparing himself to face the storm of anger. The two maids who had been accompanying the Crown Princess had suddenly disappeared from view, either hiding behind tree trunks or leaving on orders he was unaware of, which surprised him a little.
However, Bandung Bandawasa did not want to think about it any further. He wanted to focus his mind on composing words that would soften the Crown Princess's heart so that her head would remain attached to her neck.
Bandung Bandawasa jumped down from the tree branch and the moment his feet touched the stone floor at the edge of the pond, he prostrated himself as deeply as possible.
"Ampun, Rahadyan sanghulun! Anembah aneda ingapura, ayun anungkul ing Rahadyan sanghulun!" Bandung Bandawasa said in a hoarse voice, which he tried to keep steady.
[Translation: Forgive me, my Master! I beg your forgiveness and prostrate myself before you!].
"Barngaran Bandung Bandawasa pinaka nghulun dan magawe durung suwe ing kanakbyan. Apunagi ri sang hyang Durga, nora hana tujwan angregedi sendang ikang suci iki pinaka nghulun! Sedeng jejep-jejep pinaka nghulun ing duhur wit apayapan karungu langkah-langkah sing gasal! Apunagi ri sang hyang Durga, amung kapengin Rahadyan sanghulun areh pinaka nghulun!"
[Translation: My name is Bandung Bandawasa, and I have recently been assigned to the women's quarters. I swear to the goddess Durga that I have no intention of contaminating this sacred bathing pond! I was watching from the tree because I heard strange footsteps. I swear to the goddess Durga that I only want my Master to be safe!].
The sound of the water was still calm, indicating that the Crown Princess had not yet risen from the pond.
"Mata pinaka nghulun wuta ring peteng, nora wruh apa-apa amung wawayangan. Anembah aneda ingapura ring Rahadyan sanghulun, yan wengi iki kapidana mati pinaka nghulun, anembah aneda patinana pinaka prajurit ikang kasatyan marang karehannya Rahadyan sanghulun, dede pinaka kaliku. Anembah aneda ingapura ring Rahadyan sanghulun apayapan nora wruh dalan rahasya maring sendang!"
[Translation: My eyes are blinded by the darkness of night, seeing nothing but shadows. I beg your forgiveness, my Master, if I am sentenced to death tonight, I beg to be killed as a loyal soldier guarding your safety, not as a pervert. I beg your forgiveness, my Master, for I do not know the secret path to the bathing pond!].
In a prostrating position, Bandung Bandawasa did not dare to raise his head, waiting for the decision of whether he would be able to breathe at dawn or whether his head would be displayed in the town square.
"Angapusi," the Crown Princess's voice was as sharp as a razor, "Prajurit Rosangkara ko. Kawruhan uga ingong yan ko ta salah sawijining prajurit sisingidan. Kapetengan? Ilag!"
[Translation: Lying. You are a Rosangkara soldier. I also know that you are one of the guerrilla soldiers. Blinded by darkness? Impossible!].
Instantly, Bandung Bandawasa's blood froze, his lie exposed. The Crown Princess was truly the Crown Princess, not just a spoiled beautiful woman. She was smart enough to find out the background of her bodyguard.
When Bandung Bandawasa was about to open his mouth to admit all his audacity and was ready to accept the death penalty, the Crown Princess's next sentence made him gasp in surprise.
"Kampunan dening ingong ko, nanging turutana ingong. Lunga kabeh karwa gundikngong, saiki pijetana tangan dan bahungong."
[Translation: You are forgiven, but obey me. My two maids are gone, now massage my hands and shoulders.].
The offer sounded like forgiveness and at the same time a test more difficult than any battlefield ....
Although Bandung Bandawasa rose from his prostration, his gaze remained fixed on the ground.
Bandung Bandawasa's fingers trembled as they touched the Crown Princess's shoulders.
"Daran!" commanded the Crown Princess.
[Translation: Quick!].
Bandung Bandawasa began to stiffly move his fingers. Being so close brought back the image of the Crown Princess's hairless, light yellow genitals ....
Bandung Bandawasa gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles bulging. He repeatedly recited the self-control mantra he had learned at the hermitage, but his efforts were in vain .... His eyes continuously tried to penetrate the depths of the water ....
"Saiki, tanganngong pijetana."
[Translation: Now, massage my hands.].
One second ...
two seconds ...
three seconds ...
maybe fifteen minutes ... the Crown Princess's hands were still in the water!
Bandung Bandawasa's fear peaked, he hoped that his analysis of the Crown Princess's behavior was wrong....
"Rahadyan sanghulun ... tulung tangannya ularana ...."
[Translation: My Master ... please extend your hand ....].
However, the Crown Princess remained motionless ....
"Alemeh."
[Translation: Don't want to.].
Bandung Bandawasa's trembling hands trembled even more.
Facing the demands of the Crown Princess, who held his life in her hands, was a battle that Bandung Bandawasa had never learned how to combat.
"Rahadyan sanghulun .... Kapa cara ni yan tangannya Rahadyan sanghulun ing jro banyu ...?" asked Bandung Bandawasa, his tone filled with despair.
[Translation: My Master .... How can I do it if my Master's hands are in the water ...?].
"Manembur."
[Translation: Jump in.].
Bandung Bandawasa's analysis turned out to be correct ....
"Rahadyan sanghulun .... Sampurakna kalancangannya pinaka nghulun, niku ... salah ...."
[Translation: My Master .... Please forgive my insolence, that ... is wrong ....].
"Pra-"
The Crown Princess was serious!
"Pinaka nghulun turuti!" Bandung Bandawasa immediately cut off the Crown Princess's shout.
[Translation: I obey!].