Chapter Text
Raya is bored.
She enjoys council meetings, actually. Raya won't hesitate in joining conversations when it comes to aiding the people of Heart. She often wants to suggest a solution or state her own opinions, anything to help form a conclusion that's beneficial to all of Heart's residents.
The reason for her boredom has more likely to do with the person currently speaking.
It's one of those members of the council who just wants to speak for the sake of acting like they're contributing something. Although in reality, their words are only empty sentences just to fill up time or remind everyone that they have a position in the council.
Raya busies herself by doodling on her book where she stores information she picks up from the weekly meetings. She sits beside her Ba, and the man coughs gently to remind his daughter to listen to what is currently being said.
Raya sighs through her nose.
Her eyes return to the council elder standing at the center.
She may not be drawing anymore. But Raya's thoughts are unconsciously swerving to another matter, far from the council elder's drawl.
Raya recalls a time in her life when she was a lot younger, a twelve year old Heart princess who just became one of the appointed guardians of the dragon gem, a position her Ba also has.
Raya was following a schedule that day, on a task of scouting the area where they hide the dragon gem. Raya isn't expecting anyone to appear inside the walls, like how it usually is everyday. However, she encounters an intruder. An outsider who's planning to steal the treasured gem.
For a moment, Raya was scared. She was ready for a fight, but she was also just so young. She might not have enough strength to overcome the enemy.
Still, Raya prepared herself. She'll do what she can for the position she trained for. She had incoming back up anyway, since she just alerted the palace and the guards nearby.
Apparently, the thief was someone just like her. A young girl the same age as hers, not a grown adult.
She crossed paths with the girl at the dragon gem's inner circle.
The battle wasn't easy.
Her enemy— the girl, seemed like she also trained hard for combat. Raya's arnis sticks flew out of her hands midway their exchange. She was stunned for a moment, but Raya immediately brushed it off and attacked back.
The girl lost. Before Raya could even remove the cloth hiding the lower half of her face, the intruder ran off and escaped.
The guards arrived when only Raya was left standing in the middle.
That was six years ago. Though Raya will never forget this memory she had. It's her first ever real experience as a guardian of the dragon gem. And she never get to see who's behind that cloth.
In present time, the elder continues to speak.
He's talking about a new topic. But it doesn't change the fact that Raya is indifferent. All that changes when his next words completely submerges Raya back to reality.
"...I suggest that our Princess should have a partner soon."
Raya drops the writing utensil she's holding in surprise. "What?" She says harshly under her breath.
Raya is suddenly reminded why she's the least interested in listening when it was this council elder's turn in the meetings. Ever since this person came into the position, he has been nothing but passive-aggressively scrutinizing of Raya. She's sick of it.
This moment might be the worst one yet. He is overstepping on boundaries, and Raya is not amused.
Raya almost stands up in protest but Chief Benja, the caring and mindful father that he is, replies before Raya can say anything.
"I'm afraid that won't be up to you to decide" Chief Benja inputs. Even he's frowning at what the elder said.
"It was merely a suggestion, Chief Benja." The elder bows. "I believe that this land will flourish better if the Princess has another ruler by her side."
Raya scowls. His remark won't escape her notice. He's implying that Raya is unfit to succeed her father and rule Heart on her own.
The other elders provide their input to the subject. "I believe that our Princess will continue to guide the land of Heart to blooming prosperity. After all, she is Chief Benja's daughter. And our Chief has always been exceptional. Princess Raya is learning a lot from him. Not to mention the Princess has admirable qualities of her own."
Despite what they mentioned, the elder still looked stubborn. He chooses to push on. "Let's consider," he says. "A partner might also multiply the continuing progress of this land."
Or, Raya thinks bitterly, a partner can hinder me from leading and guiding Heart properly especially if they just want to exploit the position and power.
The elder appeared to be not stopping anytime soon, and Chief Benja picks up on that. He interrupts before the elder can get another word through. "I'm afraid this will have to continue next time. This meeting is adjourned." Chief Benja says.
"Wait, Ba." Raya interjects, standing up. "I have something to say."
Benja nods. "Go on, Raya."
She turns to the elder. "I won't be forced to match with someone. I'm doing my best to fulfill my current duties. And in the future, I want everyone to know that I'll make sure to lead Heart greatly." Raya says with certainty. "And even if I do find a partner whom I love, I'll want it to happen naturally and for that person to be someone who can support me in what I'll do as a Chief, never to be a hindrance."
The elder doesn't seem to expect Raya's reply. For a second, a frown is etched on his face but it's quickly washed away. He regards Raya with a nod. "Certainly, Princess."
After the meeting, everyone leaves the hall.
Raya walks by her father's side. Their stroll is slowed down with the elder hurrying to catch up to them, wanting to get some few words in.
"Chief Benja, Princess Raya, I apologize for what I've mentioned." The elder says. "I only have Heart's best interests in mind."
Raya just looks at him. She doesn't know if his apology is genuine or not, since it wasn't the first time he crossed out of line but Raya accepts it, anyway. "It's fine."
The elder straightens up. "If I may, I'd like to invite the both of you for a dinner at my house. Don't worry Princess Raya, you'll feel comfortable at my family's place. My daughter is the same age as you are. You two will get along well."
And there it is. Raya almost lets out a visible sigh. His words of apology just fall empty, because his intentions are clear.
Chief Benja replies. "We'll see first if we have the time in our schedules to make a visit."
The elder bows. "Of course, Chief Benja."
When the elder finally disappears, Raya turns to her father. "Remind me again why he's in the council."
Chief Benja feels sympathetic towards his daughter. "A lot of the members have voted for him to be part of the council after he provided enough rice to the neighboring houses when they needed it, at that small part south of Heart where he's living in."
"Well, he has the land to achieve that. But I remember how he's reluctant to let us buy those extra sacks of rice he had at first until he realized he can get a position in the council. I won't forget that. The other council members didn't know that. He's been trying so hard to cover his intentions." Raya exhales. "It's getting more obvious what he's going for, Ba."
Chief Benja nods. "He wants a solid connection with royalty to get a higher position. It's starting. First off, with the topic he brought up today. And now, he's trying to pair you up with his daughter."
"This won't go well if he actually get to persuade majority of the council." Raya groans. "Both you and I will be pressured to make a decision. They'll want me to do an arranged marriage."
"Not if he's not in the council anymore," says Chief Benja. "With enough evidence that he just wants power, the council can elect him out of position. But we don't have a solid one yet. In the meantime, I'll see what I can do to gather the proof that we need, Dewdrop."
Raya is growing incredibly worried by the second, but she's glad to have her Ba by her side. "Thank you, Ba."
Chief Benja smiles at his daughter. "Forget about this for a moment. Remember about the party tomorrow. We both worked hard for it."
That's right. Raya prepared an event with her ba. It's Chief Benja who first planned it. He wants to bring all of the lands in Kumandra closer through this gathering he created. Every resident from each dragon land is invited to come to Heart for a celebration, even the Chiefs of all the places. They'll dance, talk, eat and drink with each other in a duration of a week.
Raya did all she can in taking charge and helping in the preparations to the point she worked overtime a lot. She oversaw the food and drinks they'll be offering for their guests, checked the entertainments they'll be showing such as performances by dancers and musicians, and even helped in putting the decorations around the palace.
Her ba is correct. They worked hard on it, and Raya should be excited to see the product of their efforts starting tomorrow.
"I really hope this will be a good first step to bring all the lands of Kumandra closer, just as you said, ba." Raya tells him.
"It will be, Dewdrop, it will be."
Raya is impressed by how great the party has been going so far. There are a lot of groups that only stick with talking to the residents of the same home, but she's also seeing improvements of people from different lands having a conversation with one another.
There's plenty of days left for people to warm up and get even more connected. So Raya's sure she has nothing to worry about.
That is, until Chief Benja invites Raya over at the entrance of the Heart palace to introduce her to the Chief of Fang and her daughter.
The moment Raya's eyes landed on the Fang chief's daughter, she almost gasps in surprise.
She recognizes the woman.
Of course she will. She's the very intruder Raya has encountered from years ago who tried to steal the dragon gem.
Raya gets more cautious as she positions by her father's side.
She stares at the Chief of Fang's daughter.
The woman has a gentle smile on her lips as she greets Chief Benja with a nod, an expression so far from the one Raya is familiar with.
Raya can almost brush off her accusation. But this woman has the exact hairstyle as the thief, a flowing undercut adorned with golden ornaments, and also the same eyes that intimidatingly glared right through Raya when they fought. It all aligned so well, that Raya is perfectly sure that she's the same person.
A shout threatens to spill out her lips. She's on the verge of telling her Ba that this person standing right in front of them was the thief she fought when she was twelve years old.
But the air is filled with festive glee, and everyone is in a bright mood. She knows that she must be casual.
Thankfully, Raya's a royalty who has faced all the challenges of using a mask of niceness in front of an enemy. Raya fights off her every will to expose the woman to her father and smiles as Chief Benja introduces her to the Fang royalty.
"And here's my daughter, Raya." Chief Benja spreads out an arm towards the Heart princess.
Chief Virana acknowledges her with a nod. "Princess Raya."
"Chief Virana, it's a pleasure to meet you." Raya returns the greeting, and forms a gemstone symbol with her hands. "I thank Fang for coming to Heart."
"Thank you for the invitation." Chief Virana says. The Fang chief gestures to the woman beside her. "This is my daughter, Namaari."
Namaari, Raya repeats the word in her thoughts. So, that's the name of the Fang princess.
It feels likes the Princess of Fang has forgotten that it's Raya who has caught her years ago, with the way she's maintaining a casual smile when she looked her. It is as if they are total strangers yet to know about each other.
Or, Raya notes, she's just pretending that this is their first meeting ever. Nevertheless, Raya will find out sooner or later.
Raya regards Namaari with a soft nod of her head, studying the woman. "Princess Namaari."
Namaari does the same, never breaking eye contact with Raya. "I have to say, I'm pleased to meet you..." Namaari pauses, "Princess Raya."
Raya's breath hitches at that.
There's something about the way Namaari mentioned Raya's name. A roll and a lingering emphasis in each syllable were present when she pronounced it. Raya figures out that there's a meaning behind it, and she knows what it is.
It's a hint of tease, a playful suggestion that's meant to make Raya react beyond polite greetings.
And that's all it took for Raya to receive a confirmation from the Fang princess.
So, Raya thinks. She remembers.
It's a surreal moment to be in. The two Chiefs regarding each other in a respectful manner, while their daughters are pretending that this is their first time knowing about one another.
"I heard that my daughter is the same age as Princess Namaari." Chief Benja inquires.
Chief Virana nodded in confirmation. "She is."
"Then they might grow more familiar with each other through this event." He says.
And then Namaari smirks at one side of her lips, something that only Raya can see. Raya gives a little amused huff, raising one eyebrow slightly. She's fairly impressed at how Namaari's acting too casual for being someone who attempted to steal the dragon gem years ago.
How can she be so relaxed?
Raya would've made their staring contest last longer, she really would, but Chief Benja is ushering her so they could greet the other Chiefs of the other lands. Raya remains a few more seconds of looking at Namaari, eyes exchanging quiet sentences before she turns away to follow her Ba.
They'll have the chance to talk again later.
The dancers just finished a round of performance. Applause rings throughout the crowd and the attendees go back to their conversations. Raya knows she should be mingling with the guests. The land of Heart is the host of the party. But her mind is busy elsewhere. She's loaded with worry.
A bunch of theories are running through her head at the current time with the thought of why a Princess of a land would try to steal the dragon gem.
The most obvious of all is about how the other lands believe that the dragon gem brings a land prosperity. That must be why, but Raya still wanted to confirm it.
Raya has done her best in preparing for this grand event. So she doesn't head to Namaari directly and take her time to chat with people warmly.
She thanks the guests who give compliments of how entertaining and beautiful the party is. She guides the people who want to know where they serve food and drinks. She asks about how each person was doing.
Then the night is coming closer to an end and Raya decides it's time.
It took a while, but Raya spots the familiar undercut from afar. She goes to approach Namaari.
Raya smoothly weaves through the crowd as if she's dancing without music.
Once close, Raya puts on her trademark smile for common courtesy and tells the people talking with Namaari. "Excuse me for a moment. May I talk with the Princess of Fang? I need to speak with her."
Raya ignores the questioning look Namaari puts on her, and watches the people take a small bow before leaving. "Of course, Princess Raya."
Now Raya is left with Namaari. Without anyone else in their small circle, the atmosphere suddenly shifts as Raya drops her pleasantries to glare at the Princess of Fang. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't be telling you off to my ba right now."
Namaari, however, seems unbothered. Simply swirling her drink and smiling with the corner of her lips. "Well someone's excited to speak with me."
Raya hates the fact that the woman has grown about two inches taller than her since the last time they met. They used to be the same height. She has the sudden urge to tiptoe, to do anything to look taller.
Raya wishes she slept early at most nights like what her Ba had told her. Nevertheless, it didn't make her feel intimidated. "I remember that day clearly. It's you who tried to steal the dragon gem. I can't believe this, but a Princess of a land is a thief."
A light laugh escapes Namaari. "Considering that I never successfully took what doesn't belong to me, I'm not a thief."
"Tell me why you tried to get the dragon gem in the first place," says Raya. "Now that you're at Heart, will you attempt to steal it again?"
"I'll be honest," Namaari says. "I'm not interested anymore in that gem. At first, we wanted to get our hands on it but we've learned how to deal with our land's problems with our decisions and actions alone. And now, Fang is doing better."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
It seems unlikely to believe, but Raya thinks about how there has been a span of six years when Namaari can try to attain the dragon gem again. She can just go return and do better, do multiple plans to steal it. But after the first one, Namaari never went back. It's been quiet ever since their initial encounter.
"I see," says Raya.
"I don't think it would make a huge difference if I won our fight and got the gem. The prosperity of Fang happened without it." Namaari tells her.
Raya is suddenly smirking. "So, you admit your defeat."
Namaari softly sneers. "Watch out your words, Princess. That's six years ago. I've improved a lot since then."
"What makes you think you're the only one training? What moves can you even do to defeat me?" Raya lifts an eyebrow.
"Is that a challenge?" Namaari is glowering at her. "Because I'm willing to go for it and show you."
Raya's not easily wavering down. She hardens her glare. "Hand to hand combat or with swords? Pick whatever you want, I can assure you that it's not going to be an easy duel."
Someone interrupts them. "Princess Raya!"
Oh no. The familiar voice rings out in Raya's ears. She suddenly wants to slip away, camouflage with the crowd. Anywhere than where she is right now.
However, the elder closes in before Raya can even decide to hide behind Namaari.
"Princess Raya, there you are!" He greets Namaari with the gemstone gesture when he notices her. "Princess Namaari, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Namaari nods at him.
He returns to the guardian, "Princess Raya, I'm really happy you and Chief Benja made this event. It has opened a great opportunity for me to let my daughter meet you. Shall I introduce her to you?
"Oh, um." Raya hesitates. "I don't see her right now with you though."
"She's around here—" he rotates his head, trying to locate his daughter. "—somewhere."
Raya feels relieved that the daughter isn't currently with him. "Seems like she's busy. Maybe I can just meet her next time?" She innocently recommends.
"Nonsense." He waves his hand. "The Princess shouldn't be kept waiting. And besides, I think she's just finding her favorite food from the tables... Where has my daughter gone off to?" He's having difficulty finding her. The hall is too packed with people.
Raya begs that his daughter is extremely busy elsewhere.
A few more seconds of hopeless search, and finally, he gives Raya an apologetic look. "Perhaps I should just introduce her next time. But don't forget about the dinner invitation I extended to you and Chief Benja at my house." He adds. "I'll be taking my leave now."
He bows, then goes to the other council members, probably to strengthen his resolve with them.
Raya forgets to hide the scowl on her face caused by the elder and Namaari sees Raya's reaction. Noticing the aftermath, Namaari already understands the whole picture.
She makes a comment. "What a predicament you're in."
"You're acting like you're not royalty yourself."
Namaari huffs. "Oh, but I'm free to do what I want with my relationship."
Raya swallows the bitterness and jealousy inside of her. She keeps her reaction to herself this time. She doesn't want to give Namaari the satisfaction that a rival is in the middle of a trouble.
Raya is convinced that the elder is never going to stop with his agendas as long as he has his position in the council. Raya figures out that she should be doing something.
She needs a temporary shield against him. Something that will make him pause while she and her Ba gather the evidence they need. Something that will make his persuasion to the council slow down.
Raya takes a moment in absorption. If she was already dating someone, he wouldn't try to convince them after every other time. But Raya has always been just focused on doing her responsibilities as a princess and her training as a guardian of the dragon gem. Besides, Raya rarely ever catches feelings for someone that's why she's not dating anyone.
She looks at Namaari, who is busy enjoying her drink. In an instant, Raya feels like she's seeing Namaari in a new perspective. Suddenly, the enemy she fought before is a shining beacon of hope.
"You're a Princess like me." Raya says out of nowhere.
Namaari isn't sure why Raya mentioned that but shrugs. "Well, yes."
"So you know how it works when you lead a land, like I do."
Namaari blinks at her. "Sure. Of course."
"And... we're the same age."
"What are you getting at?" Namaari finally asks.
It's perfect. The pieces of Raya's plan is slowly forming in her mind. If it goes through, the elder won't have any comment about how this person is incompetent if it's going to be a royalty with experience like her. He'll has no advantage with convincing the other council members.
"Date me." Raya tells Namaari.
Then Raya realizes late that what she completely meant didn't exactly translate on her words. She presses her lips together in a thin line, regretting saying that.
Namaari is stunned at her sudden request. She stares at her. "Earlier, you wanted to challenge me to a fight and now you suddenly want me to date you?"
"No, I mean not actual dating but—" Raya is getting flustered, her hands waving all over the place. "—pretending to date me."
Namaari is still shocked. "But why?"
"Because I want to get the elder off of me, even if the relationship will be temporary." She says honestly.
"Why me?" Namaari launches another question.
"I told you why. You're a royalty like me and has a background in the matters and concerns of leading a land."
Namaari simply stares at Raya.
"I'll tell you something, Princess Namaari." Raya begins. "I truly believe you when you said you're not interested in stealing the dragon gem anymore. But I still feel like my Ba still deserves to know what happened years ago. So I'll offer you this deal. Pretend to date me temporarily and I'll never ever tell my Ba that you tried to take the dragon gem."
Namaari gets another taste of her drink, though a longer one this time. "Do you really promise to never tell him?"
Raya nods. "Yes."
Namaari thinks carefully. She leans against a column, staring right ahead to the night scenery sprawled before them. Raya observes how the gentle wind brushes Namaari's hair as she anticipates her answer.
Namaari's glass has ran out. She switches the empty one to another cup filled with palm sugar tea— a drink special to the land of Heart, from a server passing by and continues to drink.
"We both know our lands have been rivals for so long. This party is just one of the rare instances where we set aside our disagreements." Raya reminds her. "If anyone from Heart finds out about the incident years ago..."
"It won't do any good." Namaari continues the sentence.
Namaari's pondering prolongs. She keeps on taking a sip from the glass. When only a bit of it is left, Raya impatiently grabs it from Namaari's hand and quickly finishes it for her.
Namaari looks at Raya. "That was mine."
"We have plenty of that for you to drink later. I know you already have your answer. So just tell me. What do you say?"
"Even if it's fake, I still have my personal taste, you know." Namaari says.
Raya sighs heavily. She just wants an answer. She bites off sarcastically. "Oh how I wonder what's the type of the great Princess of Fang!"
Namaari is sneering. "I don't have to list all of it to you but I'll tell you some," her eyes begins to scan Raya. Before Raya knew it, Namaari is already telling her, "my type is a woman who's a little shorter than me, someone who's long haired, loves sarcasm, a princess, and most especially, someone whose name starts with an R and ends with an A."
Raya's face suddenly feels hot. Namaari just literally described her.
But as Raya sees how Namaari is looking at her amused, calm from head to toe, Raya refuses to blush. Namaari is just teasing her. She's simply continuing their battle of bantering and rivalry born from their first meeting and their lands' history, not wanting to lose to Raya again.
"You're something else." says Raya.
The both of them are starting to recognize how they are attracting several audiences to their combined presence. Raya noticed it after she has heard a group from a meter away mention their names in their conversation.
More onlookers are being drawn to study the pair. It's surely an interesting sight for the crowd. To their eyes, the friendly chat they see between the two can mean a more friendly ending to Heart and Fang's rivalry.
"Looks like your plan seems to be working already." Namaari gestures at the spectators. "Everyone is thinking we're close."
It's Raya's turn to taunt Namaari. A smirk is shaping Raya's lips. "My question to you Namaari is, up to what closeness can you show to the people? Just acquaintances? Just friends? What would it be?"
"So, this is our challenge now, I see." says Namaari
"It's something new from what we did before. Let's see how you fare outside of physical combat."
"Well, I have a question before I give you my answer, Princess. In case I accept, what should our rules be?" Namaari says. She has left her position, now flowing through the crowd in slow steps. Raya follows by the Fang princess' side.
"If you accept, then we need to fake affection with each other to convince people." Raya says in a mumble only Namaari can hear. "So hugs, there should be hugging and we can hold hands as well."
"And kissing?"
Raya halts walking.
Namaari stops as well, steadily turning to face the Heart princess. She notes every movement in Raya's face, how Raya is trying her best to hide the growing redness in her cheeks.
The corner of Namaari's lips are stretching to a mischievous smile, but it's toned down to enough amount to avoid making Raya even more embarrassed. "Having any second thoughts, Raya?"
Raya shakes her head. She inhales deeply. "Yes. Yes, kissing are allowed too. I'm okay with doing physical contacts with you."
Then finally, Namaari tells Raya her answer. Namaari nods, confidently gazing down at Raya. "Alright. I accept. Pretending to be your girlfriend, physical contacts, I accept everything you mentioned in this deal."
Raya feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. "Really?"
"Yes. So how do we do this, Raya?"
She's already thinking what they can possibly do. Raya is considering a stroll on the Heart palace in the next morning where the elder and council members can see them holding hands together, or a lunch date where they act sweet with each other, or even asking the elder if Raya can also bring Namaari for the dinner invitation. "I think we should start off strong, directly show them we're in a relationship."
Namaari agrees, then recommends to Raya, "how about a kiss right now?"
"Right now?" Out of all she's imagining, Raya isn't expecting this the most. The deal just began and Namaari already suggested a kiss. She's expecting it to start the next day, not at the present time.
"Why do we have to wait? Our audience is right here."
Raya looks around. This was part of Namaari's plan all along— leading her to the center of the hall where everyone can see them.
Raya is suddenly aware of how loud her heart beats, as if it's her first time noticing its rhythm. She is dazzled by its feeling.
Raya has to admit that Namaari does have a point. There's many people surrounding the two of them, and most of all, the elder is at this party. It's a good time.
"Alright." Raya says taking a deep breath. "Let's go for it. You can kiss me."
Namaari nods.
Raya braces herself. She closes her eyes, and focuses on the feeling of each heavy thump of her heart. Namaari leans over, peering at Raya's face before she shuts her eyes as well.
Raya is expecting a touch on her lips, Namaari's lips on hers, but instead, she feels the warm press of Namaari's lips on her cheek.
Namaari's kiss is long and gentle. Long enough for people to notice what's going on, long enough for people to give pleasant reactions at the two.
"They're dating."
"Oh, I didn't know they're a couple."
"Fang and Heart together?"
When Namaari pulls away, although still keeping a close distance to the other woman, Raya finally opens her eyes to look back at Namaari.
"On the cheek only, for now." Namaari murmurs to her.
Raya is still processing the kiss Namaari has given her, so she only nods in silence.
Then Namaari completely steps apart, giving a space between her and Raya. There's a glint in Namaari's eyes when she smiles at her. "You were asking me, right? This is my answer to your question. This is how far I'm willing to go, Princess Raya."
Raya huffs disbelievingly. This binturi.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Namaari says with a little shout, so all the crowd nearby can hear. Before Raya can reply back, Namaari already vanishes into the crowd.
Now Raya is left all by herself. People are still peeking, so Raya feels a little embarrassed. She tries to act casual, walking away to exit the hall. Her job there for the night is done.
As Raya goes back to her room, she thinks about Namaari. In all honesty, Raya is glad that Namaari has accepted the deal. She isn't hoping for her rival to accept at first, but she did and it's a huge help. Raya is also very thankful over what Namaari has done tonight. Raya appreciates the fact that Namaari kisses her first on the cheek, so it won't be too overwhelming for her. She didn't kiss her on the lips at their first day.
Raya finds out that there's kindness in Namaari after all.