One of them was the Shield of East Kandria, an original Martial Sage of the Kandrian Empire, while the other was of non-Kandrian origin, evidently having pledged his loyalty to Princess Ranea.
Rui did not acknowledge their existence. Bodyguards were not to be acknowledged, as common courtesy went in high society. Their goals were to protect their charge, and they were not to reciprocate the attention they received.
Yet, Rui could feel the rising tension tingling at his words, from the anxiety of her bodyguards and Princess Ranea's own seriousness.
"Ah, yes, your ability to read minds." She closed her eyes, heaving a deep breath. "It is true…"
When she opened her eyes, a blood-curdling malevolence boiled in their depths.
"If I could kill you, I would."
She spoke with a deep, deep hatred.
A mature hatred, one that had had time to solidify into a sturdy force.
