Surprised and very sad, Ara walks lifelessly. She does not know where she is going but she keeps on walking. Walking takes her mind off the pain a little bit. Also, she does not really want to stay with Prince Chahaya at this condition. 

"Ara!" A familiar voice calls her but Ara keeps on walking like a zombie.

"Ara!!" The voice becomes louder. Then there is the sound of footsteps behind Ara, coming closer and closer.

"Ara!" The owner of the voice grabs Ara's arm and spins her around. 

"Ah! It's you, Bunga!" said Ara.

"What happened to you? Why do you look so sad? And is that a bruise on your cheek?" Bunga bombarded Ara with questions.

"One at a time, Bunga. How's your day?" Ara forces a smile.

"My day? Great! We learned so much today. Wait, that is not my question! You're not answering my question!" she demands.

Ara does not answer. Not because she does not want to answer, but because she does not know how to answer that question.

What is she supposed to say? That her mistress slapped her? That people misunderstood the whole situation between her and Prince Chahaya?

Bunga looks around and pulls Ara's hand," Come here!" 

She drags Ara to a study room and closes the door behind them.

"So, tell me! What happened?"

"I am fine, Bunga. It's just an accident."

"Well, tell me what the accident is about."

Ara walks toward an empty velvet couch and drops herself. The couch is really soft, unlike anything she has ever felt before.

"Well, you see. My lady slapped me," whispered Ara.

Her right hand moves toward the place where Princess Intan slapped her. It is hot to the touch. She can feel it is getting more swollen too.

"What?"

"She hit me."

"But why? How?"

"Well.. You see. I got caught into a situation with one of the two princes. Princess Intan apparently likes him and she thought I was trying to flirt with him."

"Wha.." Bunga just stands there with her mouth open.

"Wait a minute. Say again!"

"My lady misunderstood me. She thought I flirted with her future husband."

"You flirted with a prince and she got upset?!" Slow Bunga finally catches up with the story.

"Yes, Bunga! For heaven sake!"

"Oh my Gosh! You are in a really deep deep trouble, Ara!"

"I know."

"No, you don't. I just got some information about your mistress from the other maids today. They gossiped about her. I will fill you in tonight at dinner."

"Ah.Okay." Ara nods as Bunga pulls her up from the couch and pushes her out of the study room.

"I need to get back to cleaning this study room. You should go back to your mistress," said Bunga.

'But what if I don't want to go back to my mistress?' thought Ara.

"What are you doing?" The question makes Ara jump a little bit.

"Good morning, Your Highness." Ara curtsies at the sight of Prince Surya. 

"Oh, it's you! The maid from this morning!"

"Yes, Your Highness. I am sorry for the confusion. I can explain everything."

"Don't worry. I am not going to tell anyone," he said.

Ara finally lifts her head up and looks at Prince Surya in the eye.

"You're really not going to tell anyone?" she asks again to make sure.

"What happened to your face? Did someone hit you?" Prince Surya notices the bruised cheek of Ara's. 

His hand moves up to touch her swollen cheek, making it even redder because Ara is blushing really bad.

She has never been in close contact with any man other than Guntur and her dad. The fact that this is the future king makes Ara even more nervous.