The melodious chirping of birds filled the morning air. Rihisna had already risen at dawn. He made his way to the dining hall of the Kingdom of Ipa's palace to have breakfast. There, he encountered the Queen Consort of Ipa.
"Oh! Rihisna, you're awake early," said the Queen Consort, her tone tinged with mild surprise.
"Hm, I'm used to it, Your Majesty," Rihisna replied as he took a seat.
"Could you wake Noriala for me?" the Queen Consort requested.
"Oh! Noriala isn't awake yet?" Rihisna asked, then quickly hurried toward Noriala's chamber.
Slowly, Rihisna entered the room and looked around. The chamber was vast and high-ceilinged, filled with neatly arranged belongings. There were several bookshelves—large, medium, and small—lined up in order. The bed itself was large enough to accommodate three or even four people. Tall windows surrounded the room, allowing light to pour in. Overall, the chamber was beautiful, elegant, and immaculate, as though it were rarely used.
After surveying the room, Rihisna turned toward the bed and saw Noriala sleeping while hugging her pillow. Carefully, he approached.
"Noriala… Noriala… Noriala… wake up…" Rihisna whispered softly, leaning closer.
"Ermmm…" He hesitated, uncertain whether to touch her.
"Noriala… wake up…" He gently touched her shoulder while calling her name.
Noriala stirred slightly. Rihisna shook her shoulder a little more. Slowly, her eyes opened, gazing at Rihisna.
"Ermmm…" she murmured softly, her voice gentle and drowsy as she saw him before her.
"Haaah!" Noriala suddenly gasped and jolted upright in panic.
"What are you doing in my room?!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Aaaargh! Get out! Get out now!" Noriala screamed, clutching her pillow tightly.
"Sshh… sshh… calm down… calm down…" Rihisna tried to soothe her.
"Noriala… the Queen Consort told me to wake you," he explained.
"I don't care! Get out now! Hurry!" she yelled.
"Alright, alright, alright! I'm leaving," Rihisna replied quickly before rushing out.
Moments later, he returned to the dining hall.
"Phew… she sure can scream," Rihisna muttered, exhaling in relief.
"Rihisna, come and eat with us," a voice suddenly called out from the dining table.
"Huh? Oh, Your Majesty!" Rihisna replied in surprise.
"Where is Noriala? Isn't she coming down?" the Queen Consort asked curiously.
"Erm… she's bathing right now" Rihisna answered with a smile.
"That's fine. Let's eat first," said the King, reaching for the food near him.
Silence settled briefly. The Queen Consort busied herself preparing drinks to be served.
"Wow! You're so diligent, Your Majesty. Shouldn't there be palace attendants here?" Rihisna remarked cheerfully.
"Well, there should be," the King replied with a sigh, "but you know the Queen Consort—she loves working, even when there are attendants."
"That's not quite true," the Queen Consort responded promptly as she approached. "I simply want to prepare breakfast for my husband. That is my responsibility."
The King closed his eyes briefly, signaling agreement. Rihisna smiled faintly.
"Waaah! So much food! It smells amazing!" Noriala's voice suddenly rang out, startling everyone.
She walked toward the table, casting a sharp glance at Rihisna.
"You're late," the Queen Consort said as she sat beside Noriala.
"Forgive me, Mother. I was bathing earlier," Noriala replied with a smile.
"Slurp… this soup is delicious. Did you cook it, Your Majesty?" Rihisna suddenly asked.
"Yes, I did. Don't you believe me, Rihisna?" the Queen Consort replied with a gentle smile.
"Really? Mother cooked this?" Noriala exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes! You too don't believe me," the Queen Consort sighed lightly.
As they enjoyed their meal, the King suddenly turned to Rihisna.
"Where will you go after this, Rihisna?"
"Oh! I plan to head to the Kingdom of Tupmur," Rihisna answered promptly.
"Ohhh, interesting. Are you going to claim a reward?" the King teased.
"Yes… how did you know, Your Majesty?" Rihisna asked, puzzled.
The King laughed softly.
"Ah! Oh no!" Rihisna suddenly exclaimed.
"What's wrong with you now, Rihisna?!" the King responded sharply.
Rihisna lowered his head at once.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I nearly forgot how am I supposed to return to the Kingdom of Tupmur?"
"Hm, is that all? Don't worry. I have a way," the King said confidently.
"After breakfast, I'll show you," he added.
Noriala and her mother merely watched the exchange without questioning.
After the meal, Rihisna took a short walk around the palace.
"Rihisna!"
A voice echoed from a dark corridor. Startled, Rihisna wasted no time and headed toward it. The path was dim, with nothing visible except a faint light ahead. He hurried forward until he reached a small chamber. It was vastly different from the rest of the palace empty, with hardly any furnishings.
Then, Rihisna noticed an object that startled him.
"Huh? What is this? I didn't see it in any other room," he whispered to himself, stepping closer to examine it.
"Good. You've found it," a voice spoke from behind him.
Rihisna turned to see a tall, sturdy man holding a book.
"Greetings. I am a First-Rank Attendant of the Kingdom of Ipa," the man said with a smile.
"Erm… hello. I'm Rihisna," Rihisna replied, waving his right hand awkwardly.
"Do you know what that is?" the attendant asked as he slowly approached.
"No," Rihisna answered simply.
The First-Rank Attendant chuckled softly and stepped closer to the object.
"This is what will send you home," he said, placing his hand upon it.
"It is called the Teleportation Portal."
"Wow! So this is what brought me here?" Rihisna asked.
"Exactly," the attendant replied.
A surge of blazing fire rushed into the chamber. Rihisna recoiled in shock, only to see the flames transform into the King.
"Huff… so it's you, Your Majesty," Rihisna said, relieved.
"Hahaha. You get startled so easily," the King laughed.
"So, you know how to return now?" the King asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Rihisna replied with a smile.
"But how do we activate this?" Rihisna asked.
The King and the First-Rank Attendant laughed softly.
"What's so funny?" Rihisna asked.
"This is how," said the attendant. He summoned his fire-element Iktas, extending his hands toward the portal while chanting:
"Open the path to the Kingdom of Tupmur!"
The sound of the portal opening echoed through the chamber.
"There. You may return now," the King said, smiling.
"Waaah! Incredible!" Rihisna exclaimed in awe.
"Oh! It's already activated," a voice came from behind.
Noriala appeared, fully prepared for travel. She wore attire resembling that of a wanderer red garments, dark brown cloth, and her hair neatly tied back.
"My child," the King said, stepping forward and placing both hands on her shoulders.
"Are you ready to journey?"
"Yes, Father," Noriala replied, lowering her head.
"Wait a moment, Noriala," her mother said, handing her something.
"Here, take this," the Queen Consort said, placing a necklace around Noriala's neck.
"What is this, Mother?" Noriala asked.
"Take good care of it," the Queen Consort replied.
Noriala answered with a smile.
"Rihisna, take this," the King said, accepting a book from the First-Rank Attendant and handing it to him.
"What kind of book is this?" Rihisna asked, looking at the cover.
The title read: Teratak Gana.
"Oh… thank you," Rihisna said, extending his hand to shake the King's.
"Rihisna, don't forget to send my regards to Gana. Tell him that King Augus sends his greetings," the King said warmly.
Rihisna returned the smile. The atmosphere grew calm as he and Noriala prepared to depart.
"Very well. Everything is ready," the King declared firmly.
Rihisna and Noriala bowed in agreement. Standing before the Teleportation Portal, they slowly stepped forward.
The sound of the portal resounded, sealing the space as it opened toward the Kingdom of Tupmur.