"Bipolar?"

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone. It's just our own speculation. Because otherwise, why would she change so drastically like that?" whispered Bunga while covering her mouth with her hand so that people cannot see her lips movement.

"I won't tell."

"But then again. I am so sorry to hear that you..uhm.. got fired." Bunga sounds guilty now that she hears that Ara is fired on her first day of work.

"That's okay. I will be alright. Besides, we'll be working together." Ara forces a smile.

But she is not a hundred percent lying. There is, in fact, a little piece of her that is genuinely glad that she got removed from her position as the lady-in-waiting of the Princess. The pressure is gone and the fear is no longer there. 

The girls retreat to their cells after finishing dinner. The first day has ended but neither Bunga nor Ara has seen Guntur. The girls are wondering what kind of life Guntur has in this castle.

"Good night!' said Bunga.

"Good night, Bunga! See you tomorrow!" said Ara.

As the light is turned off, Ara's mind flies to this morning. The moment she got into an argument with Prince Chahaya. How could she not recognize that he is the handsome prince? 

'He has definitely changed a lot. He used to be such a pretty boy back in our teenage days. He's become a man now.' 

She remembers the moment Princess Intan slapped her. She can almost feel the stinging on her cheek again as Ara shuts her eyes off. 

Then there is Prince Surya. The gentle yet cold Prince Surya. He is indeed very calm and kind. Ara cannot really describe it but there is something about him that gives the impression of coldness and pain. 

As her mind wanders, she falls asleep.

The loud and merciless morning bell woke her up as she groans. The reality hits her hard. It is a new day. Only a third day in this ship yet she is starting a completely different job.

"Do I really have to wake up?"

Despite the constant complaining and sighing, she finds herself getting ready. The grey shirt, the black skirt, and the plain old shoes. 

At the dining hall, Madam Bintang pulls Ara aside to give her a short briefing of her new job. 

"The other girls have learned to dust and clean the important rooms in this castle. They will continue working what they were taught yesterday. You, on the other hand, will folow Miss Mawar to get a private lesson of your duties."

"I understand, Madam Bintang."

"Miss Mawar, meet Mutiara of Rama." Madam Bintang introduces Ara to Miss Mawar who is smiling at her.

"Follow me, Mutiara. You have a lot to learn if you want to catch up with your friends," she said. 

So Ara follows Miss Mawar while Bunga and the other girls have spreaded out. Ara desperately hopes that Miss Mawar, her new supervisor, is not as mean as the Princess. 

"So, Mutiara of Rama. I have heard a lot about you. You're quite famous even though it has not been a week since you got here," said Miss Mawar.

Inside her heart, Ara curses at the fact that everybody is talking about her. But also, she is glad that Miss Mawar seems like a nice regular person.

"Really, Miss? I suppose what happened yesterday has really become the talk of the ship," said Ara, forcing a smile yet again.

"Well, there aren't that many things happening in this ship, especially for us, maids. So a little bit of spice like this will be a hot topic for at least a week."

"Oh, no! Really?" Ara sighs and Miss Mawar chuckles.

"Don't worry, Mutiara. About what happened with Princess Intan, I am a hundred percent on your side."

Ara laughs a little and said," If it's alright. Can you tell me what exactly are the girls gossiping about?"

Miss Mawar turns back to look at Ara's face.

"Well I just want to make sure that the thing they're gossiping about is at least half true," continued Ara.

Miss Mawar laughs again.

"Well, they're saying that you got into a fight with Princess Intan because you were spotted talking to Prince Chahaya. Also, Prince Surya appeared to be taking a liking in you."

"The crown prince is taking a liking in me?" 

"Not that kind of liking. What I meant is that Prince Surya does not normally talk or meddle in other people's business, morevoer, the maid's business," explained Miss Mawar.

"Ah, I see."

"Anyway, we're here at the cleaning room where you can find all the cleaning supplies you need."

Busy talking with Miss Mawar, Ara does not even realize that they have arrived in a room supposedly called the cleaning room.

"Your first task today is to dust and clean all the rooms in the ship. All except the King and Queen's private chamber," explained Miss Mawar as she picks up a duster and a small bucket.

"All but the King's room. Got it!" said Ara.

"Now, Mutiara, if you can grab a piece of clean cloth from that stack, it will be great."

"Of course, Miss Mawar." Ara walks to the stack of clothes that Miss Mawar pointed at.