"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. 

"I am fine, Your Highness." Ara moves a step back, afraid that somebody will misunderstand her again. She had enough of that for one day.

"Come with me. I will ask them for some ice." 

"I am really okay. I can grab it myself," said Ara.

Prince Surya takes Ara's hand and leads her to the study room. Ara did not even realize that it was the same study room where Bunga is working. Before she can stop him, he already opens the door to the surprise of Bunga.

"Your Highness." she curtsies. 

Then her eyes meet Ara's. Bunga's gaze moves toward Ara's hand which Prince Surya's hand is holding. For a brief second, Ara can feel Bunga's excitement peaks. Her eyes twinkle and smile. She does not smile with her lips but Ara can definitely tell that Bunga is excited.

"I am sorry. Can you leave us for a minute?" asked Prince Surya to Bunga.

"Of course, Your Highness." Bunga makes her way to the door with a duster in her hand.

"Also, can you bring us some ice and a piece of cloth?" He continues.

"Of course, Your Highness." 

So Ara was left alone with Prince Surya. Prince Surya takes a seat at the velvet couch where Ara was sitting moments ago. Ara herself does not follow him. She keeps standing like a mannequin.

"Did my brother do this to you?" he asked softly.

"Oh no, Your Highness. He did not do this to me."

"Then was it Intan that did this?" he proceeds.

Ara cannot answer 'yes' because she would be badmouthing her own mistress if she does. But she cannot necessarily say 'no' because then she would be lying to the future king. That is a punishable act by law. She at least knows that much.

So Ara stays silent.

"I take that as a 'yes'."

He sighs and silence befalls the two of them. The room suddenly feels colder than before. Ara cannot stand the atmosphere. Each second feels like forever.

'When exactly is Bunga going to come back?' she thought.

"Excuse me?" Bunga knocks.

'Oh Thank God!' thought Ara.

"Come in!" said Prince Surya.

"I brought some ice and a cloth, Your Highness." Bunga walks with a bowl of ice cubes and a cloth. 

"Place it on the table."

Bunga follows his order and quickly walks out of the room, neglecting the nervous Ara in the cold dark room.

Prince Surya stands up and walks toward the table where the bowl was placed. He puts some ice cubes onto the cloth and wraps them.

Then he moves closer to Ara. He places the cloth on Ara's swollen cheek.

"Hold it!" he said.

Ara holds the cloth like Prince Surya told her to. For a split second their hands touch each other. Prince Surya's hand is really cold. 

'Is it because of the ice or has it always been that cold?' asked Ara to herself.

"Intan has been always mentally unstable since she was a kid. Please don't mind her. She lost her parents early in life. She only had me and Chahaya to play with." Prince Surya walks back to the couch and takes his seat.

Then he gestures Ara to take a seat next to him, which of course Ara obeys.

"I was busy with royal protocols since young. So she hangs out mainly with Chahaya. They became really close. I guess she really adores him."

"I.. I see," said Ara.

"She began to think that Chahaya belonged only to her. She thought he is going to marry her one day."

'Now, it all makes sense.,' thought Ara.

"She went crazy if she caught a maid talking to Chahaya. Which is why I intruded you and Chahaya this morning. I was afraid Intan would see it. I guess I was too late," he continues.

Then silence takes over them again.