Chahaya dan Surya (BOOK 2 OF MUTIARA TRILOGY)

The Rebellion's King and Queen

"I will think of something. Don't worry. Think about it this way. Now that they have me, it is true that they can bargain with my father. But I am given a head start to stop the raid before it happens," answered Prince Surya.

"You're right. We just need to figure out how to reach the kingdom before they do," said Ara.

A little bit of hope sparks in her. There is still a chance for he to make this right. They just need to be a bit faster, more agile and more strategic than these rebellions.

"Your friend is a goner, isn't he?" asked Prince Surya.

"I wouldn't trust him. I think Guntur has long sided with the Neo Renegades even before I was aware of it," answered Ara.

A stream of sadness rushes through her vein. Realizing that her once best friend has now become her enemy. There is a sense of betrayal that is extremely painful. Ara does not want to cry or yell. But she just feels like there is now a hole in her heart. She was once so innocent and trusting, but being disappointed by her close friend changed it all.

Both Ara and Prince Surya think hard about how they will be able to warn the kingdom before the threat from Neo Renegades arrive. Then Ara remembers something. Prince Chahaya had been investigating about Neo Renegades and the possibility of moles in Garuda.

"We can try to communicate with Prince Chahaya," suggested Ara. Her eyes twinkle with excitement and hope as she stands up for the floor.

"Chahaya?" asked Prince Surya, confused as to how Ara could come up with that idea.

"He had been researching about who poisoned you. That means he had been investigating about Guntur and Neo Renegades. I don't know how far he has managed to know after we got..uhm.. you know-kidnapped. But if he had continued, he would have found out about Guntur."

"Okay, one at a time, Ara. So, you are saying that my brother has been independently researching about this matter?"

Ara nods. Then she realizes that Prince Surya cannot see her nodding because they are in separate rooms.

"Yes," she answered.

"And you believe that should Chahaya had continued his investigation, he would have known some things about this Neo Renegades?" Prince Surya tries to understand each and every word Ara was telling him.

"That's right. Prince Chahaya was actually quite determined at that time," she said.

"Sidetracked a bit. Will you just call him 'Chahaya', please? Without the 'Prince'. It is so awkward that you keep calling him with title while calling me by my first name," said Prince Surya.

Ara laughs at how cute the eldest prince has become. 'I guess he is not so cold afterall. He was probably stressed from the burden of his position,'

"Right. Chahaya was actually very determined to find the culprit. He looked stressed though. He kind of reminded me of you when we first met."

"Okay, what does that supposed to mean?" Prince Surya chuckles at the thought that Chahaya has turned to be like him, someone that brother of him used to despise with all his heart and soul.

'Ironic,' he thought.

"Surya, focus please!" joked Ara.

"You're right. This is actually a good insight, Ara. Now, what we need to do is finding ways to contact Chahaya," said Surya.

"Yes, but Guntur is pretty-much gone. We don't know anybody else in this headquarter."

"There is a way, actually. I could smuggle a letter to that Topan guy. It is risky because I am only relying on my gut feeling."

"Topan? The guy Guntur was working with to kidnap us?!" asked Ara in disbelief.

'Has the prince knocked his head on the sink? Topan is the bad guy!' she thought.

"I saw him wearing a badge of royal guard. He used to be a guard in the kingdom. If he hates the kingdom so much, he would not have still worn that badge."

"Badge? I don't think I saw any badge."

"He had it at the inside part of his uniform. I saw it because he was carrying-dragging me to the hospital wing." Prince Surya cannot help himself but to roll his eyes at the thought of him being so weak that he would let a stranger carry him.

Ara is shocked at the revelation. There really is a chance. She was not that optimistic before but now, it feels extremely surreal.

While Ara and Prince Surya is devising a plan to smuggle a letter to Topan, convincing him to deliver the letter outside and getting it to Prince Chahaya; Thalassia and Hindia, on the other hand, are struggling with their own emotion and estranged relationship.

"So, how do you plan to "use" the prince to our benefit?" asked Thalassia coldly.

"Do you have to always use that tone when talking to me?" Hindia answered her with another question instead.

Thalassia sighs as she tries to calm herself down before opening her mouth again.

"I just don't want him to get hurt," she said.

"We will not hurt him. We will just ask him to speak in front of a camera. We will send that recording to the king," said Hindia.

"And what if Surya refused?"

"Then we will just have to make him speak. A little bit of threat; nothing much. He will be unharmed. Don't worry."

Thalassia sighs again and turns her face away. She did not see this coming at all. The fact that the prince was brought into this headquarter had been like a thunder in a calm morning to her.

"When are you planning to do it?" she asked her husband again.

"As soon as possible. We will get Topan to prepare him and smuggle it back to the kingdom." Hindia is very determined.

However, unknown to anybody else; Hindia is also worried because he, as well, is risking his most beloved in this mission.