"Ken!! I don't want to go. I swear it's going to be noisy there. I hate it when people approach me not because they genuinely want to be friends."
The girl—who could no longer be called a child—whined, trying to avoid attending the social gathering. Raken had to admit, those events were indeed annoying. But this young lady had to go. If not, Hanganto and Hanggini would be furious. It wasn't the first time she had run away from banquets like this.
"Kala, if you refuse to come, I'll carry you there myself." Raken stepped closer to the girl who was already approaching nineteen.
"Ken, you know those people are full of pretenses. I hate it. I don't want to go!"
Kalaya Ningtyas. The daughter of Hanganto and Hanggini Ningtyas. Yes—the baby who once existed in her mother's womb nineteen years ago had now grown into a beautiful yet rebellious young woman.
Before Kalaya could escape, Raken had already lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bathroom. She hit him repeatedly, trying to break free—but it had no effect. Raken remained calm as he continued walking.
"Get yourself ready, Kala, before I step in and bathe you myself."
"You! Just wait, Ken—I'll get back at you!" she snapped before slamming the bathroom door shut.
Raken didn't even flinch.
For nineteen years, Raken had been by Kala's side. He was there when she first cried into the world. He was there when she took her first steps. Through her childhood, her teenage years, and now as she stepped into adulthood—he had never left her.
Even if it cost him his life, he would protect her.
That was his promise to Hanganto and Hanggini.
And Raken was a man who never broke his word.
Perhaps that was why the couple entrusted their only daughter to him.
To Kala, Raken was everything. A friend. A companion. A bodyguard. Perfect in every way.
Nothing about Kala escaped his memory.
No matter how absurd her habits were, he remembered them all.
From the way she could only sleep when her bed touched the wall, to her irrational fear of frogs, to her insistence on using lily-scented shampoo—Raken knew everything.
And yet, the girl still lied to him sometimes.
A sweet little fox.
"Ken! Get me a towel! I don't want this one—it smells!"
Believe her—when Kala said something smelled, it simply meant it didn't have a lily scent, not that it was actually bad.
With swift movements, Raken took a fresh towel from the wardrobe and infused it with a soft lily fragrance. He knocked on the door to signal that it was ready.
"Just come in, Ken."
"If you say that one more time, I will."
No—don't misunderstand.
If you were in Raken's position, this wouldn't be surprising at all.
This young lady was mischievous. Either she was too bold… or she simply didn't see him as a man.
Both possibilities made him uneasy.
The thought of her acting like this with other men made his skin crawl.
If anyone dared touch Kala—he would take their life.
The bathroom door opened slightly, revealing her slender, damp fingers. The scent of lilies drifted out, as if a flower garden had bloomed inside.
Raken placed the towel into her waiting hand.
"Your clothes will be ready. Come out soon."
"Bossy."
If Kala weren't Hanganto and Hanggini's daughter, Raken was certain she wouldn't last a day.
In the family room, a married couple waited for their daughter. The space was warm, filled with familiarity. A painting of a ballet dancer hung elegantly on the wall.
Hanganto and Hanggini chatted lightly about the event they were about to attend.
Despite the faint wrinkles beneath his eyes, Hanganto still looked strong and dignified. His noble aura remained intact. Meanwhile, Hanggini was as flawless as ever—graceful, gentle, and captivating in every word she spoke.
"Mom!! Dad!! I'm here!"
Her childish shout filled the room.
Both parents turned toward the stairs.
There stood their daughter—their "little princess," whose behavior was anything but princess-like.
"I see she hasn't changed," Hanganto murmured with a small smile.
"A young lady shouldn't shout like that," Hanggini said gently as she fixed Kala's hair. "You'll hurt your throat."
"My vocal cords won't snap, Mom. And if they do, I'll just ask Ken for a replacement."
"God forbid. I can't imagine your pretty face with a gorilla's voice," Hanganto joked before kissing her forehead.
Raken cleared his throat in disapproval.
Was his voice really that bad?
Then why did she always ask him to sing her to sleep when she was little?
"Everything's ready. Let's go."
Raken and Kala arrived earlier than the others.
If you were imagining a grand party in a luxurious hotel—you were wrong.
This high-society gathering was held in a building that, at first glance, looked rather simple. Like an old-fashioned house with a spacious yard. No cars were lined up outside. From the exterior, the place seemed almost deserted.
After crossing the yard, they entered the main building.
Two guards stood by the entrance, welcoming guests with polite smiles. Raken simply nodded, while Kala returned the smile. After handing over the invitation, they were allowed to proceed.
Not inside a hall—
But toward a vast garden.
Soft lights illuminated the area, warm yellow tones creating an elegant atmosphere. Tables were arranged for four people each, with no food placed on them. All dishes were set on a separate long table, where guests could freely take whatever they wanted.
The table stretched nearly six meters, filled with a variety of dishes—sweet, sour, salty, and bitter—presented beautifully.
The guests weren't loud.
They spoke in hushed tones, almost like whispers.
That was how high-class gatherings worked.
But don't be mistaken.
Behind those calm expressions, they were measuring one another.
Behind those controlled smiles… hid sharp daggers.
So don't let your guard down.
"Ken, I want something bitter."
"Seems like your life is already too sweet, Kala."
"What a ridiculous sarcasm."
After saying that, Kala watched as Raken walked away to get what she wanted.
Moments later, a voice reached her ears.
A voice she never wanted to hear—now or ever.
"Hello, spoiled lady."
The mockery at the end of that sentence was unmistakable.
Relin Mahatma.
The one person Kala never wished to encounter.
Her presence was like a disaster. A disturbance. A noise in the quiet peace Kala longed for.
If Kala had one wish granted, she would gladly erase Relin from existence.
"Ugh… your voice makes my ears itch," Kala muttered, casually digging her ear as if annoyed.
"Where's your guard dog? The one who's always glued to you? I kinda miss him," Relin said, leaning closer to Kala's ear.
Then she whispered—
"Kala… how about giving me your bodyguard?"
Kala froze.
"I really want him. Let me have him, okay?"
"Get lost."
Relin's laughter rang out, sharp and unpleasant.
Kala never expected this.
This snake of a woman… was targeting Raken?
Did she know that Kala would be hurt?
Did she know that without Raken… Kala was nothing?
Why Raken?
Before, Relin only took her toys.
Then her friends.
And now… a person?
Kala clenched her fists tightly, her nails pressing into her skin as she struggled to hold back her anger.
"I'll make sure your bodyguard becomes mine, spoiled girl. What can you even do without him?"
Call her weak.
Call her useless without Raken and her family.
She didn't care.
Right now, she just wanted to tear that woman's mouth apart.
But she didn't.
Not because she was afraid.
Not because she hesitated.
But because she refused to stain her parents' name…
And disappoint Raken.
So she stayed silent.
Silently cursing.
"Don't cry blood later when your precious guard ends up in my hands."
"Raken would never want someone who smells like trash like you."
Kala's voice was calm. Flat. Controlled.
But her words struck hard.
Relin's status was nothing compared to Raken.
Even a stray dog had more dignity than her.
"We'll see how long that arrogance lasts."
Relin finally walked away.
But her words lingered.
They disturbed Kala more than she wanted to admit.
Just imagining Raken standing on that woman's side…
It hurt.
Before anything even happened—she already felt like she had lost.
Her fists tightened under the table—
Until another hand gently stopped her.
"You'll hurt yourself with those sharp nails, Kala."
Raken.
His hand wrapped around hers, warm and steady.
The tension melted instantly.
Her clenched fist loosened… turning into a grip on his hand instead.
"No one is allowed to touch your hands, Ken. Promise me."
"As you wish, my lady."
"Promise, Ken. Promise!"
She sounded almost like she was pleading.
"Yes, yes. I promise. Do you really think I'd let anyone touch me besides you? Don't be ridiculous."
Raken smiled faintly as he placed a cup on the table.
"What's this?"
"Since when did you become blind? It's chocolate."
"Ken, I said I wanted something bitter. I don't want this."
She pushed the cup away.
"My hearing is perfectly fine. It's dark chocolate. I'm sure the bitterness will reach that little head of yours."
Kala smirked.
Then she took a sip.
Her brows furrowed immediately.
It was bitter.
Very bitter.
…Perfect.
She liked it.
Not long after, her parents arrived.
They looked like royalty stepping into a grand hall.
For a moment, Kala wondered if they were reincarnations of a king and queen.
She almost laughed at her own thought.
As soon as Hanganto and Hanggini entered, all eyes turned toward them.
It was impossible to ignore their presence.
Who didn't know Hanganto Ningtyas?
In the business world, his name was legendary.
The owner of NT Group—a massive corporation spanning pharmaceuticals, education, food, furniture, and vehicles.
To know him was an honor.
To work with him—an opportunity of a lifetime.
Yet despite the attention, no one dared interrupt as the couple walked toward their table.
"Sorry for making my little princess wait," Hanganto said, gently patting Kala's head.
Kala only smiled and shook her head.
The night grew busier.
More guests filled the once-empty tables.
After the host's speech, conversations flowed. Deals were discussed. Laughter echoed—polished, controlled, yet filled with hidden intentions.
Time passed.
Midnight arrived.
The event came to an end.
This wasn't just a party.
It was a battlefield disguised as leisure.
And many walked away with new alliances.
Like everyone else, the Ningtyas family prepared to leave.
"Mom and Dad will go first. Be careful on your way home," Hanggini said, kissing Kala's forehead.
Hanganto followed.
Kala watched their backs as they walked away—tall, strong, dependable.
"Ken, I'm going to the restroom for a moment."
"I'll go with you."
"Hey, I'm not a kid. Just wait here—I'll be quick."
She hurried off.
Honestly, she had wanted to escape this event for a while.
It was boring.
She had almost fallen asleep at the table earlier—if not for Raken catching her head before it hit the table… and steadying her when she nearly fell.
How could someone get sleepy in a place like this?
Unbelievable.
A few minutes later, Kala returned.
Her face still looked tired despite splashing water on it.
But something changed.
From five meters away—
She saw it.
Raken.
Talking to a woman.
Kala knew exactly who she was.
…Relin Mahatma.