For those who hear, Dewi Citrawati's words turn out to be a question that they have to answer for themselves. They think the Princess of Magada is a woman who so glorifies her nobility and beauty, that she believes it is impossible for the other eight hundred women to beat her. Therefore, the Princess of Magada feels that her beauty is only to compete, not to be given to the man who will accompany her. The more she can compete, the more she can show that she does not want to immediately agree (so as not to be considered cheap) with her beauty, until finally she can never give her beauty to anyone, nor to someone who actually has the right to have her as his wife. How arrogant the Princess of Magada really is. As is what those in the Magada palace royal hall think.
Simultaneously they think so, they encourage themselves to lift their heads and look at Dewi Citrawati. They are startled to see that the Princess of Magada is like a kumuda diamond that is sparkling in the middle of the very black mud. Her arrogance makes her even more graceful and beautiful. When she feels that all eyes are on her, she quickly covers her chest with her slender fingers, as if not willing to let the eyes see what is beyond her. Those present in the royal hall can guess many things about the Princess of Magada, as though everything is so clear to them. However, Dewi Citrawati herself actually does not know exactly what she wants. She herself is the only one who knows, the desire to be accompanied by eight hundred domas girls is an expression of something which is not clear.
"Citrawati, you demand things that are not easy, it is almost impossible to fulfill them. Who is able to provide the eight hundred domas girls for you?” Prabu Citragada asks like someone who has run out of his mind.
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"Father, the one who picks me up with the war and victory will also be the one who has to lead me in beauty and greatness," says Citrawati. As soon as she finishes saying those words, while acting as if she does not care about anything, she excuses herself, leaving the royal hall in silence. Everyone knows, to whom the words of the Princess of Magada are directed. Then simultaneously the eyes of those present glance at Sumantri. Prabu Citragada looks at Sumantri with pity. He thinks that his daughter will like Sumantri, the way he feels. It turns out that his daughter has the heart to burden him with such an unreasonable demand. Therefore, with a heavy heart, Prabu Citragada is forced to ask, "Sumantri, can you fulfill my daughter's demand?"
The King of Magada has indeed fallen in love with Sumantri, until he does not think, if his wish comes true, the King of Maespati will be angry, and it will plunge the kingdom of Magada into a new war again.
While asking this, the King of Magada hopes that Sumantri will disclose that he will not be able to. Because, in that way, his daughter will not be brought to Maespati. Who knows, later his daughter will like Sumantri. The King of Magada has indeed fallen in love with Sumantri, until he does not think, if his wish comes true, the King of Maespati will be angry, and it will plunge the kingdom of Magada into a new war again.
Beyond the expectation of the King of Magada, Sumantri answers firmly, "It's too brave if I say I can, Your Majesty. I am only determined to carry out my duties as an envoy of the King of Maespati, whatever he demands."
"How will you find the eight hundred domas girls, Sumantri?" Prabu Citragada asks, not believing that Sumantri can fulfill the demand.
"With Your Majesty's blessing, I'm sure I can find it," replies Sumantri.
The King of Magada cannot hide his admiration for Sumantri. The warlord of Maespati is handsome and charming. He has full and strong determination, and is sincere in his service to his lord. How happy he will be if he can get Sumantri as the husband for his daughter, Dewi Citrawati.
Actually, he still has to ask, until when Sumantri can fulfill her daughter's demand. However, he does not have the heart to keep asking. He also disbands the grand assembly in the Magada palace royal hall. He puts all his hopes on Sumantri. He can no longer speculate. He goes back to his residential palace disappointedly. This feeling of disappointment is actually the opposite of the joy and victory that has just been enjoyed. The King of Magada is disappointed at a time when his people are celebrating freedom from the grip of a long war for the sake of fighting over Dewi Citrawati, the beautiful princess of Magada.
Their sound is boisterous, chirping with relief, after a day of wandering.
It is already dusk when the grand meeting welcoming Sumantri's victory is disbanded. Followed by all the high-ranking officials, Sumantri leaves the palace royal hall. Arriving at the courtyard, he stops, and looks around. The tanjung trees on either side of the courtyard are in full bloom. Birds are flying there, returning to their nests. Their sound is boisterous, chirping with relief, after a day of wandering. Dusk calls them home to the rest in their nests.
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In the middle of the courtyard there is a banyan tree that grows in a very shady way. This banyan tree brings memories of Sumantri back to Maespati when basking in the hot sun for days to show his determination so that he could be accepted to serve the King of Maespati. It turns out that his determination leads him to enter the paths that he himself does not know where to lead him. He has already passed the big war, in which he comes out victorious, even though only he himself knows, without the help of his younger brother Sukrosono, he is actually just a loser.
He is startled to realize that in front of the King of Magada earlier, he just said it so without any intention whatsoever. Now his words have become promises, which he has to fulfill. Meanwhile, he does not know how to fulfill this promise. Sumantri is sad when he realizes that determination has only made him brave, but provides no way out at all. He is jealous of the sound of the birds which are
returning to their nests. Their voices resonate the relief ahead of the night, while he feels as though he is stumbled in the darkness.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)
