The Return Of The Crowned Princess

That night, at 20.30, the rain was pouring from the sky. Not heavy, but enough to lower the temperature at night so that almost everyone chooses to stay in their respective warm homes rather than being outside in the cold. On a small street that is free from motorized vehicles, a girl walks quietly while holding a black umbrella, which is big enough to shade two people. The wet streets muffled the sound of her shoes, and the night made her look like a ghost that was moving slowly and silently, especially because of her pale face and slender body, which was clad in a black midi dress. The girl continued walking for 10 minutes, before finally turning onto a private road leading to a brightly lit white mansion. The large yard of the house was already filled with neatly lined cars, and a woman seemed to be standing outside, leaning on the wall in front of the entrance of the house.

The woman was incredibly beautiful. She was tall and slender, with a plump chest and protruding hips, and a light skin tone. When she saw the girl, a smile immediately appeared on the woman's face, making her even more beautiful. But the girl acted as if she didn't see her, causing the woman to stand right in front of her, blocking the girl from walking further.

“You're finally here. Welcome back home, Rainy.” The woman was greeting her warmly. The woman's voice was like the tinkling of wind bells, so soft and warm. But her warmth couldn't touch Rainy's cold heart. She lifted her face up and looked at the woman expressionlessly.

“Get out of the way!” Rainy ordered. Instead of obeying, the woman shook her head and leaned against the door behind her.

“Let me see you first.” She said. “The last time I saw you, you were still wearing a gray and white uniform and always smiling. Why do you look so cold now? Have you forgotten how to smile while you were away from me?” The woman commented.

“It's none of your business. And didn't you just meet me yesterday?” Rainy answered again, curtly.

“That's different.” The woman slowly walked closer. “Sending a part of me to tease you is very different from standing right in front of you, were I could…” The woman was already standing very close to Rainy. She tilted her face towards Rainy, then took a deep breath. “… feel your warm breath and your scent…” Rainy took a step back, and then she took another step back.

“Ah, come on! I won't bite you!” joked the woman.

“Why don't you just go to Hell?!” Rainy cursed.

“Grumpy. Very much like your grandfather. Cute!” The woman winked and smiled seductively. “But honey, going to Hell? I've been there, and it wasn't fun because you weren't there.”

“Get out of the door, Devil! I don't have time for you!” Rainy growled. The woman raised her hands and stepped aside to invite Rainy into the house. A smile still graced her lips.

Rainy pulled the door open, but just as she was about to go through it to enter the house, the woman's voice which was 80 degrees colder than her previous voice, stopped Rainy in her tracks.

“Remember; she has no time left. So choose wisely.” Stunned for a moment, Rainy walked forward and slammed the door behind her, leaving the woman standing alone outside. The woman crossed her arms and leaned back against the door. Her eyes looked at the rain that was still falling outside, but didn't really see it. Tonight would probably be the longest night for all of them in this house.

Rainy walked deeper into the house. In every room she passed, she met her family members one by one. Her uncles, her aunts, and her cousins… It seemed they had all gathered in the house, and all of them were wearing disgruntled expressions. Rainy knew very well what was going on in their minds. Oh, come on! Everyone in the place understood very well what was going on in each other's minds, as this matter had been a matter of debate between them for years. But tonight may be the night of confirmation. After this night is over, no one will be able to change the decision that was taken because it is already like a letter which is engraved on a stone; cannot be erased. And at this last second, only Rainy could make any changes to the outcome of that decision. Only Rainy! Of course, this made all of them feel dissatisfied. The dissatisfaction was evident on their faces and in their fierce gazes.

Ignoring everything, Rainy continued to walk further and further into the house. Her steps took her to a small living room, where she found her parents sitting on the sofa with a worried look on their faces. As soon as they saw Rainy, they immediately stood up to welcome her. Her mother took her hand and stroked her wet hair.

“Where have you been? Why let yourself get rained on like this? What if you get sick?” Her mother asked anxiously.

“I'm fine, mother. Don't worry.” Rainy said. She turned to her father and asked,

“Is she still awake?” His father nodded.

“She's been waiting for you for a long time now. Go and meet her.” Her father said.

Rainy nodded, let go of her mother's hand, and walked towards a large white door.

When the door opened, Rainy entered a spacious room. The temperature in the room was warm and smelled of drugs. Right in the middle of the room, there is a king-size bed that looks soft and inviting. Besides the bed, a young man sat in a chair, and on the bed, an old woman lay covered in a thick blanket.

Seeing her, the young man stood up and shifted away from the chair. He nodded his head respectfully to Rainy. His name is Raka Ranggabumi, one of her grandmother's assistants. The man was wearing a formal work suit and thin leather-colored gloves wrapped around his hands.

“Rainy, welcome back.” Greet Raka with respect. Rainy just nods her head. She took a deep breath for a moment, before continuing to walk into the room. She walked to the side of the bed where Raka was. At first, her eyes looked straight at Raka, but because the person she was looking at kept lowering his head down, Rainy turned her attention to the figure lying on the bed.

There, laid an old woman who looked so frail. Her face is filled with wrinkled lines, leaving a ghost of beauty that is still etched on her face. Her hair, which had all turned white and was cut short above her shoulders, was spread out on the pillow, around her tiny head. Her body was very thin and pale. She didn't have much time. Rainy could see it clearly.

“Rainy.” The old woman said softly as she raised one hand, looking like she wanted to touch Rainy. Rainy immediately welcomed her hand and sat on the chair which had been occupied by the young man before. Rainy's lips curved into a smile, and her heart was filled with great affection for the old woman.

"Nini, I'm home." She said. Rainy bent down and kissed the woman's cheek gently, while the woman she called grandmother, closed her eyes. Enjoying the sincere affection of her beloved granddaughter. She just opened her eyes again when Rainy straightened her body.

"Thank goodness you're home. I missed you so much." The woman whispered.

"I’m sorry, Nini. I should have come home sooner. I'm sorry." Rainy's eyes became teary seeing how weak and tired her grandmother was. Her grandmother, who was a businesswoman with iron fists and a heart of steel, always seemed energetic and full of life. But tonight, all of her zest for life seemed to have seeped out of her body; made her look smaller and thinner.

"It's okay… it's okay. The important thing is that you're here now." said her grandmother while gently patting Rainy's cheek.

"How are you?" Rainy asked quietly, could not help but hope to hear a different answer from the look in front of her eyes right now. But her grandmother seemed to have no intention of reassuring her granddaughter, as she said;

“Awful. You know that it's been like this all these years. My condition has never improved. But tonight was the worst.” replied her grandmother calmly. The tears that Rainy held back, slowly began flowing down the hills of her cheeks. She cried silently.

“Ah, my poor little granddaughter. This Nini of yours never intended to leave you alone until you were completely ready… but I'm sorry… it seems this old body can't take it anymore.” Said her grandmother quietly.

“If you weren't around, how would I be able to deal with everything?” Rainy asked, voicing her fear.

“You can! You definitely can! Because in this family you are the only one who inherits your grandfather's abilities… In this family, only you have the right to inherit everything your grandfather left behind…. My job is only to temporarily replace him until you're ready. But I'm exhausted, Rainy … Let me rest. I want to meet my husband again… I miss him so much…” Her grandmother pleaded, which caused Rainy's tears to flow even more.

“But I'm afraid…”

"Don't be afraid… Don't be afraid… you're not alone… I left all my right… and left hands… to help you… They will be your guide… then… there's her… The one who from the start… only chose you… she will support you… and teach you … all that you need to do… is to occupy the place which is… your rights…” The old woman's voice faltered as her fragile body grew weaker.

"My poor granddaughter… I wish I could… stay longer… and teach you everything… but… you've made me… wait for too long…” As soon as the grandmother finished her sentence, her eyes closed.

“Nini!" Rainy called her panicked, but a pair of hands pulled her slowly and led her to get up from the chair and away from the side of the bed. Her place was immediately replaced by a middle-aged Doctor who immediately stepped in to examine the old woman. Rainy let her body pull into the arms of Raka, who had been standing behind her for a long time, but her eyes never once left her grandmother's face.

Rainy's breath caught in her throat, and she didn't dare to make a sound. Her hands subconsciously gripped the hands that hugged her from behind tightly, as if seeking strength from the owner of those hands. Her brain couldn't think and just waited quietly. When the Doctor then finished examining her grandmother and got up from the chair to turn and speak to her, Rainy tightened her grip even more.

“Your grandmother fell asleep. She's just exhausted from talking too much and being too emotional.” The Doctor explained. Rainy let out a loud breath, feeling so relieved that what she feared had not yet happened.

“Will he be all right?” Rainy asked again. The Doctor was silent for a moment before answering calmly.

“I think you also realize that your grandmother is already very weak. Currently, her condition is still stable. But I hope tonight, you and your family can prepare your hearts for the worst.” Hearing this, Rainy almost fell. Luckily, she was inside Raka's embrace. Her body felt weak and lost strength. She could only lean back limply before her body was twisted and pulled deeper into Raka's arms.

“It's okay.” She heard a masculine voice flowing from Raka's mouth. A voice she knew very well. A voice which for several years had filled her days.

“Cry if you want to cry, Rainy. It's okay. I'm right here. I'll be with you.” Raka coaxed gently. Hearing this persuasion, Rainy's tears, which had been streaming down her face, fell more and more heavily.

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