chapter 3

## Chapter 3: Rajah Gambang's Interest in Alingat and Their Love

(rajah gambang pov)

As the days turned into weeks, my interest in Alingat only grew stronger. I found myself thinking about her more and more, wondering what she was doing, who she was with, and what she was thinking. I knew that I had to be careful, that I couldn't let my feelings cloud my judgment. But I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, and I knew that I would have to see her again soon.

I decided to take a chance and invite Alingat to the palace. I sent a messenger to her village, asking her to come and meet with me. I wasn't sure if she would accept, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

As I waited for her to arrive, I couldn't help but think about the potential consequences of my actions. What would the nobles think if they knew that I was interested in a timawa? What would Alingat think if she knew that I was the rajah?

When Alingat arrived at the palace, I was struck by her beauty and poise. She was even more stunning than I had remembered, and I felt a sense of nervousness that I hadn't experienced in years.

"Alingat, thank you for coming," I said, trying to sound calm and composed. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Of course, my lord," she replied, her voice soft and melodious.

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I wanted to ask you about your life as a timawa," I said. "What is it like, living in our society?"

Alingat thought for a moment before responding. "It's... complicated," she said. "As a timawa, I have a certain amount of freedom and independence. But I also have responsibilities and obligations to my datu and to our community."

I nodded, intrigued by her response. "I see," I said. "And what do you think about our society? Do you feel like you fit in?"

Alingat smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think our society is complex and multifaceted," she said. "There are many different people and perspectives, and it's hard to generalize about what it's like to live here. But I do feel like I fit in, in my own way."

As we talked, I found myself feeling more and more drawn to Alingat. She was intelligent, witty, and beautiful, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of attraction to her. I knew that I had to be careful, that I couldn't let my feelings cloud my judgment. But I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, wondering what the future might hold for us.

As the meeting came to a close, I knew that I would have to see Alingat again soon. I wanted to learn more about her, to get to know her better. And I couldn't help but wonder if she might feel the same way about me.

"Thank you for coming, Alingat," I said, standing up to escort her out. "I enjoyed talking to you very much."

Alingat smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The pleasure was mine, my lord," she said.

As she left the palace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and anticipation. What would the future hold for us?

my fascination with Alingat only grew stronger. I found myself thinking about her at every turn, wondering what she was doing, who she was with, and what she was thinking. The more I learned about her, the more I wanted to know.

One evening, I decided to take a walk in the gardens, hoping to clear my head and gather my thoughts. As I strolled along the winding paths, I noticed a figure in the distance. It was Alingat, walking alone and lost in thought.

I approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her. "Alingat," I said softly, "what brings you to the gardens so late at night?"

She turned to me, a look of surprise on her face. "I couldn't sleep, my lord," she replied. "I needed some fresh air."

I nodded sympathetically. "I know the feeling," I said. "Sometimes the night air can be quite refreshing."

We walked together in silence for a moment, the only sound being the crickets and the rustling of leaves. Then, Alingat spoke up. "My lord, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, Alingat," I replied. "What is it?"

"What do you think of me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I was taken aback by her question. No one had ever asked me such a direct question before. "I think you're a remarkable woman, Alingat," I said, trying to choose my words carefully. "You have a beauty and intelligence that shines through in everything you do."

Alingat looked at me intently, her eyes searching for something. I couldn't quite tell what she was thinking, but I knew that I wanted to be honest with her.

"Alingat, I have to admit that I'm drawn to you," I said, my voice low and sincere. "I enjoy your company, and I find myself thinking about you often."

Alingat's face softened, and she smiled slightly. "I feel the same way, my lord," she said. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately, too."

My heart skipped a beat as I heard her words. I knew that this was a moment of truth, a moment that could change everything. I took a step closer to her, my eyes locked on hers.

"Alingat," I whispered, my voice full of emotion. "I think I might be falling in love with you."

Alingat's eyes sparkled with tears, and she took a step closer to me. "I think I might be falling in love with you, too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

As the night air wrapped around us, I knew that our lives would never be the same. We had crossed a threshold, and there was no turning back. I took Alingat's hand, and we walked together, our hearts beating as one.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: our love would be a force to be reckoned with. And as we walked into the unknown, I knew that we would face it together, hand in hand.

As the days went by, Alingat and I grew closer, our feelings for each other deepening with each passing moment. We would steal glances at each other in the palace, our hands touching briefly as we passed by. It was a subtle dance, one that only we understood.

But our love was not without its challenges. As the rajah, I had responsibilities and duties that I could not ignore. And Alingat, as a timawa, had her own life and obligations to consider.

I decided to take Alingat on a picnic to a nearby lake. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. We sat on a blanket, watching the birds fly overhead, and talked about our dreams and aspirations.

As we sat together, I realized that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Alingat. I wanted to wake up every morning with her by my side, to explore the world together, and to build a future filled with love and laughter.

"Alingat," I said, taking her hand in mine. "I want you to know that my feelings for you are real. I want to be with you, to love you, and to cherish you."

Alingat's eyes sparkled with tears as she looked at me. "I feel the same way, my lord," she said. "I want to be with you, too."

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the lake, I knew that I had to make a decision. I had to decide whether to follow my heart or to prioritize my duties as the rajah.

But as I looked into Alingat's eyes, I knew that there was no choice to be made. My heart had already made up its mind. I would follow my love for her, no matter the cost.

And so, I took a deep breath and proposed to Alingat, my heart pounding in my chest. "Alingat, will you be my Hara?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.

Alingat's face lit up with joy, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, my lord," she said. "I wanted to be with you."

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, I knew that our love would shine brightly for all to see. And I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

But I'm not aware that some of people behind my back doesn't want Alingat to be my Hara because of her lineage.

As months have passed and Alingat become pregnant and The babaylan predict that our baby will become a well known leader by having a Good Bugna in the future. I was overjoyed by the news. Maybe He will be my successor in the future,My pride, my son?