As soon as they appear in the palace’s royal audience hall, everyone is fascinated to see the princess of Magada, especially the people of Maespati and Widarba who have never known her. It is the first time that Sumantri, as well as the kings under Maespati and Widarba, have seen who Dewi Citrawati is. They all stare in admiration at her beauty. Even Sumantri has time to steal glances and feels the princess of Magada's beauty is like a spell that captivates him. No wonder the kings envisage it with an imagination that arouses their romance. How beautiful it would be if a man could become the tendrils of the gadung plants that wrap around her waist. Her long black hair hangs down, giving rise to the desire to stroke her before seeing her naked. Looking at her breasts, which are like a pair of young ivory coconuts, thirst will flare up, like a thirst that suddenly appears when one can drink young coconut water. Her face is soft, powdered with pudak flower essence. Her beauty is always fresh, like kumuda flower stalks that emerge from the surface of the water for the first time. When she smiles, it seems as though her lips offer a seroja flower. No wonder there is a king who imagines chewing betel then speading it on her reddened lips.
Her movements are graceful, but radiate a power that can melt those who are mighty. Her stature is gentle but seductive, very peaceful when people are willing to surrender to her. It feels like the coolness of taking shelter under the branches of a mandira tree when the day is very hot. Her body holds various secrets of romance, which is why the kings are crazy about being able to reveal her. And how nice it will be, if they can accompany her in bed, before the kalangkyang birds that make love to the rain at night.
After seeing themselves who she is, those present in the Magada palace’s royal audience hall say in their hearts, “It is not wrong if the kings compete to enjoy her beauty, even though, in the end, her beauty is the storm of the ocean that swallows their lives cruelly.”
Sumantri has the chance to feel to be horrified at the thought of a beauty that has so many victims. Surprisingly, he also wants to admit that he, like the others, could have surrendered to that beauty, which would only swallow him like the waves of the ocean.
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Everyone in the palace’s royal audience hall would have been absorbed in silence for a long time out of admiration for the princess of Magada's beauty if her father, Prabu Citragada, had not immediately broken the atmosphere with his greeting.
“My daughter, the flood of blood in Magada has subsided. These are the heroes who have removed the danger from Magada. And this is Raden Sumantri, the warlord of Maespati, who has saved you so that you do not fall into the arms of the giant king, Prabu Darmawasesa, the ruler of Widarba."
Prabu Citragada introduces those present at the palace’s royal audience hall. Apparently, he specifically points to Sumantri and deliberately shows respect and is proud of him. At a glance, Dewi Citrawati looks around. Her eyes are not interested in observing carefully. Only when she sees Sumantri do her eyes stop for a moment. Sumantri replies to her gaze also only in a flash. Then he looks down and does not dare look any longer. Even if it is just at a glance, Sumantri feels that Dewi Citrawati's eyes seem to be about to say that she hates what has happened, because none of it includes her love. Indeed, the lives were lost on the battlefield of Magada fighting over her love, while she herself never felt that she was willing to give her love.
“Citrawati, you know, all the chaos and warfare have disappeared from Magada. And this has happened thanks to the struggle and services of the Maespati army. So, in line with my promise, the King of Maespati, Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, is the one who has the right to have you as empress," says Prabu Citragada.
"Father, who is Prabu Arjunasasrabahu? Where is the person? Is he here?" Dewi Citrawati asks, even though she already knows that the person she is asking about is not in front of her.
Father, I feel that you have acted unfairly. You made the contest and decided that the kings must come by themselves to propose to me.
"Why do you ask what you have known for a long time, my daughter. You must have heard for a long time that not the King of Maespati himself, but Sumantri, his warlord represents him to propose to you."
Prabu Citragada tries to straighten the case, even though he likes if this case is questioned by his daughter.
"Father, I feel that you have acted unfairly. You made the contest and decided that the kings must come by themselves to propose to me. And none of those other kings sent their envoys for them. In order to do that they were willing to sacrifice their lives. Why, then, do you hand me over to a king who does not come to Magada's battlefield himself?” says Dewi Citrawati. Everyone is silent and in awe at the courage of the princess of Magada. But in their hearts, they all agree with what she has said. Why did the king of Maespati not want to take part in this competition in Magada like the other kings?
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"Citrawati, you know, at that time my mind was confused, upon seeing that the victory of the King of Widarba was in front of the eyes. I did not want you to fall into the hands of the king of giants. I allowed Sumantri to take part in the contest, even though he only represented his king in Maespati. Even though I violated the rules of the contest that I made myself, I prefer that you become the empress of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, who is clearly a knight, than you become the wife of Prabu Darmawasesa, who is a giant," says Prabu Citragada, defending his decision.
"Father, can't you see too that I could fall into the hands of a giant king who dared to sacrifice himself by fighting on the battlefield for me, instead of having to surrender to a warrior king, who hasn't proven who he really is at all?" Dewi Citrawati opposes her father again with more courage.
If all present are surprised by the princess of Magada's words, it is not the case with her father, Prabu Citragada. This king of Magada understands what is in his daughter's heart, not because he knows her daughter's heart, but because his daughter's reasons are increasingly justifying what she wants. Nevertheless, he keeps it all in his heart and speaks as though he does not agree with his daughter's stance.
This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.
