Chapter 26: Appreciation
26.1 An Unexpected Appreciation
Palace Hallway
Liza walked cheerfully, a victorious smile clearly etched on her face. Every step she took was filled with satisfaction from her success.
"It was worth executing this plan!" she thought to herself.
Of course, this victory had to be shared with someone. And who else but Kak Mutia—the best advisor she always relied on for strategy?
Mutia's Room
Meanwhile, inside her room, Mutia grew more anxious. At first, she sat calmly on her bed, but as time passed, her thoughts became increasingly restless.
She got up, pacing back and forth while fiddling with her fingers—a distinct habit of hers whenever she felt confused and unsure of what to do.
Mutia's attendants watched with worried expressions. One of them tried to reassure her.
"Kak, maybe it's not as bad as you think…" one of them suggested.
"But… if Liza actually carried out the crazy stunt I suggested, what should I do?!" Mutia muttered, unable to hide her unease.
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound of knocking on the door startled Mutia.
"Liza…" she whispered, her heart pounding.
She stared at the door anxiously while her attendants exchanged glances.
Liza Enters
Liza slowly opened the door, stepping inside with a slightly sullen expression. Her face looked weary, as if something was weighing on her mind.
Seeing this, Mutia panicked even more.
"Liza…" Mutia called hesitantly. "How did it go?"
Liza didn't answer right away. She lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, letting out a heavy sigh.
Seeing her like that, Mutia instantly buried her face in both hands.
"Oh, God… I've caused a huge mess…" she thought in despair.
Silence filled the room. Everyone waited for Liza's response.
Then, suddenly—
"Daaaaach!"
Liza screamed with excitement. "Kak, it worked! It WORKED!"
Before Mutia could react, Liza immediately hugged her tightly.
Mutia froze. Her brain struggled to process what had just happened.
"R-really?" she asked hesitantly, still trying to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
Liza nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Kak! You really don't trust me, do you?"
Proudly, Liza raised her hand, asking for a high five. "Come on, greet your teacher!" she said cheerfully.
Mutia, still in shock, could only hug Liza again—not out of shared joy, but to hide her utterly confused expression.
Mutia's attendants exchanged mixed reactions—some smiled in amusement, while others looked even more bewildered.
Finally, Mutia let go of the hug and let out a long sigh.
"Well… I'm glad to hear that," she said, though deep down, she still couldn't believe that her misguided advice had somehow led to an incredible success.
Liza Leaves, Mutia Stays Confused
After joyfully sharing her story, Liza finally excused herself to return to her room. She walked away triumphantly, leaving the room with an unmatched sense of satisfaction.
As soon as the door closed, Mutia collapsed onto her bed.
She stared blankly at her attendants, as if wanting to say, "How on earth did something like that actually work?"
Her attendants merely shrugged, just as clueless.
Mutia let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head.
She took a deep breath and finally said,
"I truly don't understand… Liza is something else…"
And with that, what should have been a disaster somehow turned into a fortunate victory.
Who would've thought?
How will Liza use this victory?
Will it make her even more confident in her strategies, or will she face a new challenge ahead?
26.2 Cindy's Appreciation
Training Room – A Changed Atmosphere
After Liza's unexpected act that left many astonished, Cindy now felt satisfied and proud. Who would have thought that an idea born out of pure coincidence could actually create a new dynamic among them?
Watching as the atmosphere grew lighter, Cindy murmured softly, "I made the right choice."
Beside her, Rayan caught her murmur. He turned his head, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"So you're the mastermind behind this?" he asked, scrutinizing her as if he had just realized something.
Cindy only flashed a mischievous smile and placed a finger on her lips, signaling for Rayan to stay quiet.
Rayan chuckled, now convinced that Cindy must have had a hidden agenda behind all of this.
"I never expected you to come up with something about zombies," Rayan whispered, trying to hold back his laughter.
"It was a misunderstanding, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that they're getting closer," Cindy replied with confidence.
"That's true," Rayan agreed with a nod.
Cindy Paves the Way
Moments later, Cindy approached Nabila, who was preparing for the next practice session.
"Nabila, I have some things to take care of, so I can't stay here long. How about Rizky takes the groom's role for now?" she asked with a smile.
Nabila looked at Cindy for a moment before nodding. "Oh, alright. That's fine."
Cindy smiled in satisfaction, then said, "Alright, I'll be off now. Have a good practice!" With light steps, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
ADifferent Kind of Training
As soon as Cindy left, the instructor's voice rang out.
"Music? Play!"
As the melody filled the room, practice resumed. However, the atmosphere felt different this time.
Nabila moved with more emotion and energy than before. It was as if she was pouring her entire heart into the dance, her graceful movements carrying a silent message.
She approached Rizky, her steps lighter, moving in a delicate swirl around him, adding a touch of warmth and reverence.
This was no longer just an ordinary dance practice—Nabila's movements held an unspoken meaning, an expression of emotions that words could not convey.
At first, Rizky merely followed along, but soon he started noticing something.
He looked at Nabila more intently, realizing that her gestures carried significance.
It was as if she was welcoming his presence not just as a partner in the practice but with genuine warmth and sincerity.
Understanding Without Words
Day by day, these practice sessions became more than just preparations for an event.
Their bond grew naturally, nurtured by time and shared moments.
Now, Rizky and Nabila weren't just dancing together—they were beginning to understand each other on a deeper level.
Between movements, their eyes occasionally met—and in those glances, something unspoken lingered.
A warmth. A feeling that was slowly becoming clearer.
That day's session proved that love and respect could blossom in the simplest of moments, nurtured by shared experiences.
Would Nabila finally become aware of her feelings?
Or would Rizky be the one to express something first?
Their journey was still far from over—the rhythm of their hearts had yet to reach its peak.
Liza's Room
After leaving the dance practice, Cindy headed straight for Liza's room, her steps filled with excitement. She couldn't wait to express her appreciation for her friend's success.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Liza? It's me, Cindy," Cindy called as she knocked on the door.
Not long after, the door opened. Liza's face appeared, a victorious expression plastered on her face. Her wide grin made it clear that she had been expecting this moment.
Without hesitation, Cindy stepped inside. "Liza! I can't believe it—you were absolutely brilliant!" she praised enthusiastically.
Liza crossed her arms proudly, flashing a smug smile. "Of course! Who else could pull it off? It's Liza we're talking about!" she replied confidently.
Cindy chuckled. "I knew I made the right choice!" she said, giving a thumbs-up.
Liza's excitement grew. "So, do you have another mission for me?" she asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Cindy paused for a moment, contemplating. She bit her lip slightly, as if piecing together a new plan in her mind.
"Hmm… when is the next event at the Painting Hall?" Cindy finally asked.
Liza frowned. "Why do you ask, Cin?"
"Is there one?" Cindy pressed on, her eyes gleaming with meaning.
Liza thought for a moment, trying to recall the schedule at the palace. "Hmm… if I'm not mistaken, the King is bringing in a new painting this Friday," she answered. "Why do you want to know?"
Cindy didn't answer immediately. Instead, she leaned in and whispered something in Liza's ear.
Liza's eyes widened. "What?! Are you serious, Cin?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Cindy pulled back, her smile brimming with confidence. "Absolutely," she replied nonchalantly. "But don't tell anyone. This stays between us."
Liza's eyes sparkled with excitement. Then, she smirked. "Alright! Leave it to Liza! Everything will go perfectly!" she declared with confidence.
Cindy grinned, her eyes glistening with intrigue.
What exactly were they planning?
Only the two of them knew…