Chapter 139 - Side Story: The Seventh Adviser (1) (1/2)

It was around 7xx, in unnamed small village, a young man died before he had the chance to explore the world. He was known as the smartest young man in the village, the brightest one among the youths in his age, and the one who had the highest possibility to be able to serve the king.

However, that night he drew his last breath with feeling sadness and disappointed. He watched as his family cried before his rigid body. His watched their expressions one by one, and found out his own brother was sneering at him; not at his rigid body, but at him.

”Too bad, lil bro” He mouthed that words without showing an ounce of sadness in his face. Instead, only a victorious expression was shown in his face.

But of course, he knew his brother was such a good actor. Right after he said that, his brother put on a sad expression as he tried to appease his mother.

He even shed some tears.

”Mother, let lil brother have some peace. Let's go. We need to prepare a proper burial to him.” The older brother, Arya Wijaya, softly asked his mother. He took a side glance to his little brother's soul which was still floating near them and sneered a bit.

The little brother, Aditya Dananjaya, clenched his fist. Rather than feeling angry, he was feeling sad as he knew the one who caused his death was none other than his own older brother, Arya.

Danan knew the reason behind his brother's action, though. By the end of the week, both of them would travel to the main city to join the test to enter the kingdom. He had never thought that it would be the reason, but apparently it was. Since he was -said- to be brighter and smarter, his chance to get into the kingdom was higher than his older brother. Therefore, his older brother decided to eliminate him to ensure his chance to get into the kingdom.

Of course, Arya could do that because he believed he could get into the kingdom, only if his younger brother didn't stand in his way.

Both siblings were bright and smart, but his older brother was always second to his own younger brother. His pride was pricked and slowly he developed jealousy and hatred towards his own brother. He had wanted to kill his younger brother on their way to the main city, but he was afraid he couldn't find the best reason and alibi for himself when their dearest mother asked about his brother. So, using a 'help' from his 'friend' he poisoned his own brother.

Danan couldn't see them any longer as he felt something was pulling him hard. His soul was sucked so fast, by the time he came back to his sense, he found himself in an unknown forest.

Where was he? How did he end up here?

He had those questions in his head, but he couldn't find the answer. Just as he was thinking about it, he was startled by a voice greeting his.

”Oh my, oh my, oh my. Look who is it. Young man, are you lost?” A kind voice belong to a woman was heard.

Danan turned around, only to see a woman around in her forties was talking to him. For a moment, he was stunned.

Wasn't he dead? This woman was still a human, right? Then, why?

”Oh my, you're dead already? What a pity!” The woman put on a sad expression as she studied him further. All the while, Danan had not uttered a word to her.

”Do you want to come with me? I know a place where you can stay.” She smiled gently.

If he were still a human, Danan was sure this woman had bad intention to him. But, now that he was a ghost, what bad thing could happen to him?

So, he followed the woman. They walked further into the forest while talking. No, to be exact, the woman was talking and Danan was listening.

She was a talkative middle-aged woman, he thought. But, he still didn't say much; only answering yes or no to her questions.

They had walked for a bit while and Danan was thinking where they were heading to. It was not like he could feel tired even after walking that far, but it was just bothering his mind. He didn't know the place, even though he was a ghost, he was still feeling uneasy with the super long walking.

”Excuse me, but where are we?” For the first time during their conversation, he finally asked a question.