Nyai Rara Kidul

Issue 1: Royal Treasure

The dimly-lit atmosphere, the afternoon sun blurring the view, of a traditional royal palace.

A girl is on her mother's lap, being stroked on the head, given a genuine smile of affection.

The girl's mother raised her lips, saying something to her little girl.

“If you have a problem you cannot overcome yourself, try to visit the beach and feel the waves of the ocean.”

A cool breeze blew into the room, blowing the girl's hair.

The girl grew up, not feeling the lap of her mother anymore, her position changed with the flash of the wind, now finding her mother lying on her lap, eyes closed with a peaceful smile even though looks pale.

Changing places to a beach, waves wetting her lap, her ruby eyes looking at the sky, bathed in the midday sunshine, making her seem to have her own light.

The girl raised her arms, stretching them out as if to grasp the sun, looking at her beautiful shiny skin.

Wake up.

“Good Morning, Ayu Kandita.”
※ Gusti Raden Ayu is a royal honorific for a princess in medieval Java.

Her hands reached into the void above her, taking in the view of her room's high ceiling.

Her awake was greeted by a maid, already in time to wake her for breakfast.

The girl, Kandita, paused for a moment looking at the skin of her arms as it received a glimpse of sunlight coming through the window of her room, witnessing the beautiful shine of her skin, though not as beautiful as in her recent dream.

Kandita pulled her arm back, lifting herself out of bed. Her maid gave her a new dress and kebaya for today's outfit. While changing her clothes, her hair was combed neatly by her maid, then tied in a bun by herself.
※ Kebaya is a traditional vest of medieval Java.

✵

Arrive at the dining table.

“Good Morning, Kandita~”

“Good Morning, Kanjeng Ambu~ Hello, Mas Kumara~”
※ Gusti Kanjeng Ratu is a royal honorific for a consort of a king in medieval Java.
※ Ambu is a call for a mother in Sundanese.
※ Gusti Raden Mas is a royal honorific for a prince in medieval Java.

The servants served a variety of delicacies for breakfast, on a dining table attended by Kandita, her stepmother, her half-bother, and The King.

Aside from the bustle of Kandita's stepmother feeding her toddler son, the dining table reeked of awkwardness between Kandita and The King.

Kandita, The King's biological daughter, was beautiful and gentle.

King Munding Wangi, the leader of the Galuh Kingdom, was known to be wise and caring to his people.

Dwi Mutiara, the King's second consort, who became Kandita's stepmother, gave birth to a son, Kumara, who became Kandita's half-bother.

“Ehm ….”

The King cleared his throat, making the servants around doubt the dish The King was less than pleased with.

“Kandita, I apologise for the yesterday decision I have made.”

Hearing The King's words directed at her, Kandita paused her meal.

“It is okay, Gusti Prabu. I realised my unfitness to lead the kingdom as a woman.”
※ Gusti Prabu is a royal honorifc for the king in medieval Java.

“That, is a bit wrong. There is no discriminatory intent behind this reasoning. I am just worried about your future at the helm of the kingdom, where you will become a wife and a mother and those role will increase your burden of running the kingdom.”