Lin Rui summoned Arkan to his private study the moment he reached his quarters.
"I need guards assigned to Princess Lian Zhi's quarters," he said, cutting straight to the point. His voice was hard, leaving no room for negotiation. "Two at the door at all times. Four more to patrol the garden. No one enters without your personal clearance, especially Prince Kabil."
Arkan stood in the center of the room with a confused face. He didn't move to obey. Instead, he stayed rooted to the spot, his dark eyes searching Lin Rui's silver mask as if he could peel it away with a look.
"Your Majesty," he said slowly, "may I speak freely?"
Lin Rui gestured for him to continue, though he already knew what was coming. Arkan was the only person in this palace who knew inside out of the "old" Kazrail. Or at least, the version of the Khan that Lin Rui had originally written. And what he was doing right now is definitely "off-script."
