GALIH AYU (The General)
spiny flower buds

time passed quickly, Aum turned 7. The agile girl had grown taller, with her hair rolled up.

skin that glows brownish because many activities outdoors, making it look sweet and mature.

although she was still small, Aum's appearance was like a 10-year-old girl, probably because her classmates were average age 10 and above.

currently being held the assessment of the arrow in the Aum class. when it came his graded turn, Aum confidently headed towards the place reserved for archery.

his slender hand stretched the bow easily, eyeing the target that was moving wildly in the wind.

after fully concentrating Aum released his bow quickly alternating regarding the 10 targets.

and the instant the 10 arrows had stuck perfectly on the target. This made him enter the list of students who would be going up the class. Aum restrained his smile upon hearing the praise from the teacher.

' perfect, Aum' shouted the archery teacher.

after doing her turn, she returned in the horde to look at the next participant.she sat down next to a young man who noticed her earlier.

' you're very nice princess' whispered the boy who was next to her.

Aum turned his head, the boy who was the same age as him was so chatty.

graha, a servant that the crown prince presented to him 2 years ago for an apology on behalf of his sister.

even though my servant considered him a friend and proposed Graha to participate in college and was approved by my family.

' You can go to class first 2 months ago, why waste your time! ' jolt Aum annoyed.

he felt slighted by his own servant.

' cause you followed me everywhere, they got so awkward with me' Aum protested again.

but Graha laughed softly.

'don't look for scapegoats, you just can't get along" said Graha lightly, while turning his eyes to the field sebrang.

Aum clucked in annoyance, he could not dodge about that fact.

subconsciously his eyes followed the direction of Graha's gaze.

there Prince Panji is doing a duel, the match is very fierce.

I don't know why today my class arrived and Prince Panji simultaneously conducted a test. To my knowledge Prince Panji has entered this college since the age of 5 years. his expertise is above the average teenager at his age. within 7 years he was already arguably a master in martial arts.

this is the last year Prince Panji will be at this college.

because in college rumors circulated that me and the prince panji did not get along.all corners of the college until my father even knew about it.

I don't know, I don't feel like I hate Prince Panji, but that Prince always has a sour face when he meets me.

since the other 2 years we have never spoken, even though we are in the same place.

I was afraid to say it first.

' Prince Panji still won't greet you princess? ' asked Graha curiously.

Graha turned to me with a curious face, I just let out a lethargic sigh.

' he is the most vengeful creature I have ever known' I murmured resentfully.

Graha nodded her head slowly, as if she would understand what I was saying.

' but princess? prince Panji is famous for being kind and friendly with his people and friends, said Graha again.

I furrowed my brows inadmissible.

' that doesn't apply to me, he thinks I'm his opponent in seizing the Crown Prince's affection, ' I said.

' it is also true, the Crown Prince loves you so much princess' explained Graha.

I rolled my eyes irritated, Graha is indeed the bluntest person.

in the field that pitted the prince panji and third brother Aum was fierce and a draw, after almost 3 incense sticks burned.Their match was stopped, and it was stated that they were a draw.

Aum smiled widely, this result was so pleasant for him.

and the Prince's gaze directly led to him.

and without sin Aum smiled widely as if underestimating Prince Panji.

Graha could only pull the master down, she knew why Prince Panji hated his master so much.

This master is really annoying and fearless.

' daughter keep your attitude, later people think you tease Prince' urged Graha annoyed.

Aum opened his eyes at Graha,

' you can't see me winning ya'll be upset.

Graha immediately dragged her daughter master away to avoid another slander.

he was quite furious with the other attitude of his master when faced with the prince panji.

though his master is notoriously cold if with people who are not his family.

but when he met Prince Panji his daughter's master transformed into an annoying girl.

Aum was irritated as Graha dragged him towards the pendopo.he sat at the back table near the low window facing a quiet little lake.

'princess, actually what makes the prince dislike you is the attitude of the princess as before' Graha explained,

the servant tried to persuade his daughter's master.

Aum could only sigh, he himself did not know since when. His famous arrogant and indifferent nature changed completely when meeting with Prince Panji.

The memory of them fighting in the Palace 2 years ago made him smile.

a secret meeting between the prince of Panji, the Crown Prince, aum and his brother.

the shameful thing he witnessed made the panji prince even more hate him.

'ha ha ha' Aum laughed.

Graha refrained from getting upset, though,

'what's so funny, princess? ' asked Graha with a stifled voice.

'if you know what makes the prince of Panji hate me so much, I make sure you will be beheaded instantly' Aum just keeps laughing.

Graha gritted her teeth hard, her daughter was so fond of laughing at the suffering of others.she hoped that her attitude did not backfire for her in the future.

~ ~ ~ ~~~

dusk fell beautifully, orange and red colors overlapped.The calm surface of the lake and the protrusion of water on the edge because the wind made a beautiful sound. greeted the sound of birds that occasionally chirped.

Aum has been sitting on the edge of an artificial lake located on the outskirts of the royal city since this afternoon.after returning from college he dragged Graha here. unwind and also breathed fresh air.

Graha sat far back while watching her little master.she realized that Aum who was born from a noble family was undeniably emitting a graceful and calm aura.

the figure of Aum who sits between the yellowing weeds, and stretches a green lake that is so contrasted with the color of the sky that slowly blackened. occasional gusts of lake wind that hit the long strands of Aum's hair, dancing nari behind the tiny reddened ears holding the cold air. Graha provides the background of the song by playing the flute with a soft, random sound.The scenery is so beautiful like a painting.

but seeing the dark day Graha could not continue to admire his master, he realized that it was not good for women to leave the house until late.

' The Princess is time to go home, the grandmother will be upset if you come home late' Graha said slowly.

he knew at a time like this his daughter's master would be very sensitive and he knew clearly what the reason was.

Aum raised his head while muttering,

' is mom going to tell me to embroider again? ' said Aum I don't know who.

Graha could only sigh in concern.well that was her base, Sighed Graha inwardly.

as a male servant he only served outside the courtyard of his daughter's master's room, he would come to any page if there were urgent circumstances.

and as long as he looked after his daughter's master, the figure of the princess's biological mother was a little disciplined to him. her birth mother requires princess Aum to learn things about women's manners and things that women should be able to do, but her daughter's master is a little special with her stubbornness.

the girl who had a beautiful face was very fond of things that smelled of martial arts such as archery, sword riding and others.

but never find his daughter's master with a needle embroidery, can run out his little finger pricked.

Graha tried to find a way for her master to become more excited.

then came the news he had received from one of the servants of the old master.

'My Lady Princess heard that tonight the Crown Prince and Prince Panji will be present in the big master's courtyard'

whispered Graha quite clearly.

the news immediately caught the attention of his master.

the originally limp face changed, the clear round eyes that emitted an annoying but also cute prank.

' let's go home Graha, let's welcome that spoiled Prince Panji'

he said in the adorable annoying blubber.

Graha could only apologize to Prince Panji, making the royal son an excuse to persuade his master to come home.

~ • ~ • ~

The room located on the west side of the great house of the commander was so brightly lit.

there was the sound of crying out from inside,

sandrani said, holding back the upset.

' but Aum's hand bled mother, look at the wound was very small but sick.It is better Aum hit the sword so the wound is big and can Aum see' upset Aum.

' Aum!! ' shouted Sandrani very upset.

since entering college, Aum has become increasingly lazy to learn embroidery, sewing, and others.

The little girl was now brownish-skinned with many blue rashes on her body.it made her little heart ache, but the little princess was not also aware that it was not supposed to be her condition.

The Sandrani hope is not much, his daughter became like a princess from another house. sit at home embroider, drink tea in the afternoon while chatting with friends her age. you do not have to make it difficult for yourself by learning martial arts.

he feared that his daughter might choose to take up arms instead of sitting by his side.

' Mother really does not know what to do to you' shouted Sandrani frustrated.

thrown by the embroidery tool he was holding, his two hands gripped his chest tightly.

' Maybe now Aum feels no longer need to educate Mother anymore, right? ' said Sandrani gasping.

Aum looked surprised, his eyes were fleshy.

' from now on Aum does not need to learn anything from mother, mother will not force Aum to study again' said Sandrani nelangsa.

Sandrani felt very helpless with all the thoughts of the workers who perched in his mind at the end of this.

he felt that his little daughter no longer needed him. Even as a concubine she must know herself, but deep in her heart she was not sincere if the child born alone must be educated by others.

Sandrani went from sitting and towards the exit followed by her loyal servant.

after his mother left Aum was still sitting in the same place.His eyes were filled with tears.he realized his mother had now given up with the hardness of her head.But Aum did not feel relieved, his heart was so sick.

with a trembling hand he continued the embroidery on his hand.

occasionally the needle punctured his little finger, but did not make it stop.

the sound coming from his mouth was heard from outside the room.

two female servants who used to serve the princess felt uneasy.they went awry, the message of mistress Sandrani told them not to pay attention to the princess. but their little hearts ached hearing the sound of the girl's roaring cry in the room.

not long after, the sound of several people approaching.

there was the first son of young master Adhi and the Crown Prince was also the Prince of Panji.

Adhi came to a sudden halt as she heard a muffled cry from her sister's room.

without caring for his two guests he ran away to his sister.

the two maids standing at the door became increasingly agitated.

' what's going on? ' tanyanya riled.

the two servants watching looked at each other.

' Ndoro Putri had a fight with Madame Sandrani' they said slowly.

Adhi let out a heavy sigh, her sister must have made her real mother upset again.

' then? '

one of the servants explained the chronology they heard earlier, without trying to add more information.

Adhi realized his sister had gone too far.

for this time he feels inappropriate if he defends his sister. let Aum self-intrope, hopefully his sister knows if he has misbehaved.

Adhi returned to the second side of the prince.

' what's up? '

ask the Crown Prince to worry.

Adhi just raised her eyebrows.

' you are now being cruel to my Aum' said the Crown Prince.

he had also heard the sound of crying, and he was sure it was Aum.

while Prince Panji who heard his brother began to complain that Aum was furious.

' don't be so Crown Prince, Aum everything is for me. He quarreled with Sandrani's mother as always' replied Adhi wisely.

the Crown Prince began to understand. The sweet Aum turned out to be the same as her little sister who cried during a fight with the queen mother.

' Panji is also so childhood' the Crown Prince's tease on his younger brother.

Panji who felt humiliated pecak annoyed.he walked ahead of his brother and mas Adhi by stomping his feet.

~ ° ~ ° ~

After feeling that he had walked far enough Panji was sitting on a small bench beside a living fence when he heard that the little demon who liked to mock him was suffering he was quite happy. if he could see it straight away he would mock the little devil was exhausted.

as he was about to move he heard a muffled sobbing sound.

The banner that believes that it must be the voice of Aum the little devil. Panji was excited to mock him.

after jumping over the fence and the small lake that was right on the side of the window that slightly opened the banner reached the little devil's room.

the tiny figure was turning his back to Panji so he did not realize that there was someone who had infiltrated his room.

his tiny hand kept trying to hold the needle that kept slipping from his finger.

unknowingly the gaze of the banner fell on the embroidery cloth filled with red patches that he believed were not fabric dyes. faintly he also inhaled the smell of iron, he was blood.

immediately the banner saw the finger of the girl was covered in blood.Panji's heart became a little uncomfortable when he heard the sobs muted death dead.why be so sorry, murmured strangely.

' hey stop' whispered slowly, afraid to be heard by the waiter outside the room.

Aum was stunned and immediately twisted his body, Panji's figure was quite high than that of a child his age made Aum must be uprooted.

' what is the prince doing here? ' asked Aum with the situation still not so conscious.

' your hands are bleeding, don't gulp again' Panji orders don't like.

but the girl he spoke to shook her head.

' Aum disappointed the mother, so Aum had to make the mother forgive Aum' the girl again touched the frame of her embroidery tool.

Panji became upset himself, his intention was to mock even he became pity.

he sat down in front of the girl named Aum with occasional help handing over the needle he had filled with thread.

'does it have to be the same as this example? ' asked Panji lirih.

Aum nodded slowly, occasionally wiping the blood on her face and knitting back.

Panji glanced at the girl many times, the girl who usually mocked no matter what the circumstances were so different.

with the typical dress of a noble girl who is graceful, it looks more human.

' I think this is the first time the Prince has not looked at me with an angry look'

said Aum lirih.

The banner that was inserting a thread of color on the needle looked at the little girl fixedly.

' today the Prince also knows Aum's disgrace, so now we break even, right Prince? '

ask Aum lirih.

they talk while whispering, they,

' I guess I just misjudged you' Panji said.

Aum smelled his smile, though,

' so Aum can say hello to the Prince anywhere? ' asked Aum plain.

pennon raised his eyebrows in wonder.

' not before you also called me anywhere with a mocking tone'

the sarcastic banner.

Aum just put on an unpleasant face.

' since you talked to me, you still cry? I thought it had stopped'

panji cuek.

Aum wiped away her tears with origin.

' The prince does not know that his mother if he has decided something will definitely not change' said Aum sadly.

'then, why do you keep going'

panji was astonished.

' kan Aum feels guilty to mother, because Aum knows next month Aum will enter the official family of the father.so automatically my education will be arranged by the mother larasaty. that's why Aum is sad said Aum lirih.

the pennant just nodded, he knew such a thing.

all night the banner accompanied Aum embroider, until Aum fell asleep he just went through the window.

unknowingly there was a bud blooming on one side, and either side of the Other.

whether it's a fragrant flower bud or a rose-like thorn bud lining the side of Aum's fragrant garden yard.

tbc..... .