Ruo Xie's respectfully asked King Lin in a low voice. It had been hours since he was standing in front of the imperial study's doorway and asking for His Highness's permission to enter the room, but King Lin never responded to him. Ruo Xie was worriedly looking at His Highness who seemed he had been possessed by a ghost. Otherwise, how could he concentratedly be reading some war and strategy books after losing his only child! Wasn't His Highness always been a possessive father who loved his daughter more than himself? How come he remained calm! Where were his devotions now! Ruo Xie had been serving Princess Liena for almost eight years so, after learning she was no more, he became deeply remorseful. He still couldn't swallow his foods and had been shedding tears in corners without others noticing. He even visited temples to Buddha for Princess's soul.

The same also goes to the beggar girl Nuwa, who didn't shed a single drop of tear after finding out that Princess died. To Ruo Xie, Nuwa was a traitor who wanted to happily enjoy her master's fortunes. He wondered in disgust, how could Nuwa be so cruel to the princess, who provided everything and treated better than any blood relatives. Even he didn't receive such tremendous treatments from the princess.

As a result, from the first moment, he saw Nuwa, Ruo Xie never liked her. Though he was sure that he never bored many hated feelings to Nuwa, rather, he was uncomfortable whenever she was closer. Nuwa was always so mature and acted like a n.o.ble lady in front of people as if she was born into royalty. Ruo Xie just could not believe his eyes. How could someone change so drastically, after coming from the street!

It was normal for Ruo Xie to think this way since he wasn't present at the moment Liena died at the medical pavilion. As a result, he never got the chance to catch a glimpse of His Highness's most vulnerable state or Nuwa's hysterical figure.

"Your Highness did you summon~"

Ruo Xie's voice was halted on the midway when King Lin finally replied to him without looking.

"You may enter."

"Reporting to Your Majesty. This servant just received some information about the traitors. According to the head of palace guards, two guards have suddenly disappeared from the day of Princess's a.s.sa.s.sination. None of their respective family members know about their whereabouts. Their actions look suspicious. So this servant asks for Your Majesty's permission about a search warrant. Moreover..."

Ruo Xie started to report after entering the study. However, before he could even finish the details, King Lin interrupted him.

"It's useless. They are probably dead by now. Hmm... keep continuing."

King Lin's sudden comment made Ruo Xie rethink. Why these possibilities never came to his mind like His Majesty? King Lin was his idol so whenever he got the chance, Ruo Xie'd observe Him. Ruo Xie sighed for self-disappointment and continued,

"...there are also some royals whose actions are very suspicious. We have learned from our eagle guard's sources that some people already have started to conspire against the imperial family..."

"As expected, those wolves have always been looking for a chance to rebel against us and obviously, Princess's death is the highest time for their plans to success. Heh! About plotting behind, it's also nothing new. They killed the prince, so now it was easy to uproot the last candidate without using any strength. Looks like We have to do something about hmm..."

Ruo Xie shockingly observed King Lin. 'How- just how come His Highness say such dreadful stuff without batting an eye.' he thought. King Lin might be emotionally lacked but Ruo Xie wasn't. To stop His disrespectful words about Princess's death, Ruo Xie was about to emotionally suggest.

"Y-Your Highness..."

However.

"This is our difference... You make choices by following your heart desires when We have to think rationally. Which made Us ruler when you are a mere bodyguard."

King Lin finally glanced at Ruo Xie with a calm face through his eyes a bit of red and swollen. Ruo Xie felt the heartache of being judgmental. Who the h.e.l.l was he to inquire a father's feelings when he wasn't one! His Highness was surely mourning over His daughter's death but didn't show his weak side to others.

There was a huge storm going on inside the heart of King Lin. Since he was a King, he was very good at hiding his emotions. After calming down his feelings, he said,

"The reason why this king summoned you is something else. This King wants you to become lady Mei's bodyguard."

Did Ruo Xie heard it wrong??

"Nooo--- Your Highness, this servant can't." Ruo Xie instantly shouted in anguish after confirming his doubt.

"Let this King finish. It's not only this King, but also the Emperor is ORDERING you protect her life from now on. You have to swear that you'll accept her as your ONLY master and abide her by all means. If the world goes against her you have to be her side."

"Even if one day, this king goes against her..." King Lin inaudibly murmured the last sentence to himself.

King Lin's sudden declaration made Ruo Xie shuddered uncontrollably. Nope, not that girl! Wasn't His Highness aware of Ruo Xie's dissatisfaction and dislikes to her? It was well known to everyone, right!

"Please, Your Majesty, reconsider your decisions. This guard only swore to protect Princess Liena."

"Oh, this King has forgotten to mention that from now on, she is PRINCESS LIENA." King Lin scoffed while scrutinizing Ruo Xie's face.

"You don't have to be jealous."

King Lin softly spoke to this st.u.r.dy man and lightly patted his shoulder to cheer up, when Ruo Xie was sobbing like a lost puppy. This stupid guard was faithful to the core of his master but stubborn to the bones when it was Nuwa. It was not easy to tame him. King Lin became anxious for Nuwa's upcoming battle and challenges with this guy. She might have to go through a great length of sufferings.

'Sigh! I am selfishly putting her in a firepit.' King Lin thought when helplessly nodding his head.

[Note: Unedited chapter.]