Semua Bab The Timawa's Daughter : A Tale of Power and Legacy: Bab 11 - Bab 20

(Dayang's pov)I sat in my chamber, waiting for my father's return. My mind wandered to the outside world, a place I had only heard about but never seen. My loyal servant, Uwang, was busy cleaning my room, humming a soft tune as she worked."Uwang," I said, calling out to her. "Tell me more about the outside world. What is it like?"Uwang stopped what she was doing and came over to sit beside me. "Ah, Dayang, the outside world is full of wonders," she said, a faraway look in her eyes. "The sun shines brightly, and the trees sway gently in the breeze. The rivers flow like silver, and the mountains touch the sky."I listened, entranced, as Uwang described the beauty of nature. She told me about the birds that sang sweet melodies, and the flowers that bloomed in every color of the rainbow. I felt a pang of longing in my heart, wishing I could see these wonders for myself.Uwang smiled, noticing my fascination. "You're curious about the world, aren't you, Dayang?" she asked. "You've been

(raja mambang pov)I sat on my throne, listening to my advisor's words. "Your Majesty, it's time for Dayang to be married," he said, his voice firm but respectful. "She's a fully capable grown woman now, and it's only fitting that she takes on the responsibilities of a wife and a mother."I frowned, feeling a sense of unease. "I don't know, advisor," I said. "I think Dayang is still too young. She's been sheltered in the palace for her entire life, and I'm not sure she's ready to face the outside world."The advisor nodded understandingly, but his expression remained determined. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, marriage would be a good opportunity for Dayang to experience the world outside the palace. She would have a husband to guide her and protect her, and she would learn to navigate the complexities of the world."Just as the advisor finished speaking, Gat Lontok entered the room, a man bound and helpless in his grasp. I looked at him with surprise, and then my expression turn

(raja of Pasig pov)I sat in my chambers with my wife, Hara, surrounded by the familiar scent of incense and the soft glow of candles. We had summoned our trusted babaylan, seeking guidance on a matter that had been weighing heavily on our minds."Gat Lontok has asked for the hand of the Binukot from Tondo," I explained to the babaylan, my brow furrowed with concern. "We know little about this girl, except that she is said to be a Binukot, a sacred maiden. We wish to know more about her, and whether she is indeed pure and worthy of our son's hand in marriage."The babaylan nodded thoughtfully, her eyes closed as if seeking guidance from the spirits. "I can perform a ritual to seek the truth about this girl," she said. "But first, let me ask you, Your Majesties, what is it that you wish to know? Is it merely her purity, or is there something more that concerns you?"I glanced at Hara, and she spoke up. "We wish to know if she is a true Binukot," she said. "If she is pure and untouched,

(Third person Pov)The district of Bulacan, a province under the ancient Kingdom of Tondo, was a hotbed of discontent and chaos. The streets were narrow and winding, lined with makeshift homes and overflowing market stalls. The air was thick with the smells of street food and garbage, and the sounds of haggling merchants and crying children filled the air.At the heart of the district's problems was its leader, the Datu of Bulacan. Once a respected and fair ruler, he had succumbed to the pressures of his role and the temptations of the Ming trade. Opium and other addictive substances had become his escape, and his addiction had taken a toll on his leadership.The people of Bulacan suffered under his rule, struggling to make ends meet in a district plagued by poverty and corruption. Crops withered and died in the fields, and the once-thriving marketplaces were now empty and still. The district's infrastructure was crumbling, and the Datu's neglect had allowed corruption and crime to fl

(Raja lontok pov) I sat alongside my wife, Hara Dayang Kalangitan, in the council chambers, surrounded by our trusted advisors. The topic of discussion was the opium trade in Tarlac, which Dayang had witnessed firsthand. We were determined to eradicate this scourge from our kingdom, but it seemed like a complex issue.One of our advisors, a wise old man named Dimas, spoke up. "Your Majesties, I understand our desire to eliminate opium from our kingdom, but I must bring to your attention a certain... complexity." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "The alipins, our lowest social class, have become increasingly dependent on opium. For many of them, it's not just a luxury, but a necessity."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on," I encouraged Dimas."It seems that the alipins' working conditions have become... unbearable," Dimas continued. "They're forced to work 24/7 without rest, and opium has become a way for them to cope with the physical and mental strain. Many of them rely on it