"Argantara, are you sleeping in a different room from Devia?"
Madam Dirgantara's sharp voice startled us. I was standing at the threshold of the guest room when she arrived, accompanied by an old woman-her trusted maid.
I turned quickly, while Argantara, who had just stepped out of the men's room, looked back at her with ease.
"Of course not, Mother," he replied calmly, though I knew very well we had slept apart. "I just wanted to check out this room."
With confident steps, Argantara walked right into my room without asking. I froze, a little panicked, but quickly forced a sweet smile for my mother-in-law.
"Mother..." I said softly. "Argan was only joking. We're fine."
Madam Dirgantara's smile widened. "Good. You two must give the Bagaskara family a grandchild soon. Don't make us wait any longer!"
I choked, unable to respond, my heart pounding wildly.
Argantara, on the other hand, nodded with a faint smile. "Of course, Mother. Devia and I will give you a grandchild very soon."
I whipped my head toward him, glaring sharply. What did he mean, saying such a thing in front of her?
Madam Dirgantara looked pleased. "Good. I like hearing that." Then she walked away, leaving us both behind.
The moment the door closed, I exhaled angrily. "Why did you say that? Don't make promises you'll never keep."
Argantara only looked at me, then calmly shut the door. "I just don't want Mother to get suspicious."
I stepped back as he moved closer. The room suddenly felt smaller, tighter.
That was when I smelled something strange. Sweet but stinging, as though something was burning. My body grew hot, my blood rushed unnaturally fast. I blinked hard, trying to resist the sensation.
"What... what's happening to me?" I whispered, my body swaying.
Argantara looked just as shaken. His face was flushed, his breathing ragged. He clutched his chest, then looked at me with an unreadable gaze-half confusion, half... desire.
"Devia..." his voice was husky. He stepped closer, closing the gap between us.
I held my breath. My skin burned, fire crawling through my veins. Argantara raised his hand, brushing my cheek, then leaned down slowly. His lips nearly touched mine.
I jolted, shoving his chest hard. "Don't you dare dream of kissing me again, Argantara! I am not your wife!"
He staggered back, his face tightening. His eyes still glowed strangely, his breath coming faster. "Don't you feel it? My body... it's burning."
Clutching the edge of the table for support, I tried to stop my trembling. "This... this isn't normal. Something's wrong..."
Argantara gritted his teeth, then suddenly grabbed a glass bottle from the table. Without hesitation, he smashed it, and a sharp shard sliced across his left arm.
"Argan!" I screamed in shock. Fresh blood streamed down his arm.
He winced, but his gaze grew slightly clearer. "I... need the pain to fight this heat inside me."
I froze, horrified and confused all at once. What was happening to us?
From outside the room, laughter echoed faintly. My head snapped toward the door. Madam Dirgantara.
"Madam, it seems they've already kissed," the maid's voice rang clear.
I clapped my hand over my mouth, my body trembling. So this was their doing?
Madam Dirgantara chuckled softly. "Indeed, Bi. The potion you gave them works well! Soon, the Bagaskara family will have a grandchild."
I went cold. Potion? So the strange scent, the unbearable heat in my body... it was their scheme?
Argantara looked at me, his eyes red from the effort of resisting the haze, his arm still bleeding. "Devia... we have to get out of this room."
I nodded quickly. "Yes... before they succeed in their little game."
I grabbed his sleeve, pulling him toward the door. But the sound of footsteps drew near, forcing us to retreat again.
The door rattled with loud knocks. "Argan? Devia? Are you all right in there?" His mother's voice dripped with false concern.
I hugged myself tightly, fighting the heat still clawing through me. Argantara stood firm by the door, his voice sharp. "We're fine, Mother. Please don't disturb us."
There was silence, then a soft chuckle. "Good. Don't hold back too much. I'll be waiting for good news."
Their footsteps faded away.
I collapsed onto the bed, trembling violently. "Argan... you heard it yourself. They set us up."
He sank into the chair, staring at the blood still seeping from his wound. "Yes. They want to force something on us that isn't even our choice."
Biting my lip, tears spilled down my cheeks. "I can't take this anymore, Argan. I've endured enough humiliation from you... and now even your family is using my body like a pawn. How much longer must I stay?"
Argantara looked at me for a long moment, then lowered his gaze. For the first time, I saw something unusual in his eyes-regret.
"Devia..." he whispered. "I never thought Mother would go this far. I know I've wronged you. But I swear, I won't let them taint your honor like this again."
I stared at him, stunned. "You... you're defending me?"
He gave a slight nod, though his face remained tense. "Not because I've suddenly fallen in love with you. But because you are still my wife. And I won't let anyone-even my mother-treat you like some bargaining chip."
I fell silent, my heart in turmoil. Should I feel relieved... or more broken than before?
Covering my face with both hands, I whispered, "Argan... how long do we have to live in this cruel game?"
He didn't answer. Only silence filled the room, heavy with the lingering, sickly-sweet scent.
And outside the door, I could still hear the faint, satisfied laughter of my mother-in-law and her maid. They truly believed their plan had succeeded.
