"You can't go.''

Romsha's fingers curled into a fist as she restrained her itch to pick the nearest frying pan and slam it on her bodyguard's face.

3 years. It has been 3 years since her old, cheerful, and sunny bodyguard left the job because of his family situation. And taking his place was this devil, Drystan Kade.

CAN'T. The word she hated with a passion.

Drystan. The man she loathed with a passion.

''Oh, but I will go,'' Romsha calmly picked up a coffee mug from the kitchen counter once he was done finishing his glass of water.

Her words were met with silence.

Romsha hesitated for a moment before she turned around to look at him, ''She is my best friend and she is getting engaged today. How do you expect me to not go?"

Drystan closed the space between them with two huge strides, ''What did I tell you on the first day we met, Princess?"

Romsha pursed her lips.

''What. did. I. tell. you?" Drystan slammed his fist on the kitchen counter.

'Crash'

The coffee mug shattered to pieces as it fell to the floor, ''To comply with whatever plans you make for my safety,'' Romsha whispered.

''And did you do that?"

She didn't. Just for a recent reference, she jumped in a crowded street and was almost hit by a car but if she didn't do that, then the poor little kitten would have died.

Staying at home and being treated like a doll was not the kind of life she desired.

The world was so big. She wanted to explore.

''You are my bodyguard, not a dictator,'' Romsha met his gaze with unwavering determination.

He glowered at her.

She shook her head, ''It's your duty to protect me. Not to control my life,'' she tried to sound as convincing as possible as she continued, ''Moreover, nobody knows me here. It's safe for me. It has always been safe for me. My previous bodyguard had no issues—''

''I'm not your previous bodyguard, princess,'' Drystan interrupted her, ''I have no interest in being your friend or confidante. You are my client and I will protect you. I don't care what it takes.''

''Nor am I dying for you to be my friend,'' Romsha frowned, ''I am telling you it's safe here.''

''Danger doesn't need an invitation. Your friend is getting married in a small town. No decent security. It's not safe.''

Romsha closed her eyes, inhaling a deep breath, ''That's what you are here for. You will protect me in case a situation arises which won't happen.''

''You are not going,'' The man said like it was the final verdict before he turned around and left.

Her best friend was getting engaged. And he said she was not going?

Romsha blinked.

The past 26 years of her life have always been peaceful.

A few years ago, ever since she came to Los Angeles for her studies, she was not a royal here. She was just another ordinary woman and she loved it as such.

But 3 years ago, the heavens must have been jealous of her happiness because they sent this man to her as her new bodyguard.

Since then, her life has been a series of 'Nos and Can'ts'.

Romsha glanced at the glass of water on the kitchen counter before glancing at the closed door of her bodyguard's room.

''No, you say...'' she smiled like a cat who stole the fish.

...

Loud music. Check.

Midnight drive. Check.

Pretty outfit. Check.

As Romsha drove over to Malibu, she enjoyed the beauty of the serene night.

She was going to go back to her kingdom soon and it won't be possible for her to attend her friend's wedding so she could only make it up to her by going over to her engagement tomorrow.

Mr. Bodyguard, I hope you are having sweet dreams. Or dreams of me stabbing you.

Whichever dreams my sleeping pills can offer you.

Romsha's lips tugged up in a cold smirk.

That man was too controlling for his own good. He better have a decent good night's sleep and after waking up on the right side of the bed, he can peacefully drive over to the engagement venue.

Having spent most of her life in America, she had never faced any sort of danger here.

Did he think she was some teenager who needed his guidance on how to live her insanely gorgeous life—

'Bang'

'Bang'

'Bang'

The trail of her thoughts was interrupted as sounds of gunshots reverberated in the vicinity.

The car came to a halt all of a sudden.

Punctured tires?

Romsha gasped, lowering her head just a bullet passed through the windshield, smashing the glass panes to smithereens.

The glass pieces pierced into her right hand which was completely exposed because of her sleeveless olive-colored cocktail dress.

The sound of approaching footsteps alerted her.

Romsha's chest heaved up and down.

Her figure moved in a blur as she grabbed a handgun from the compartment box.

'Bang Bang Bang'

'Thud'

Three men landed on the road as she shot their knees, relaxing into the driver's seat for a moment.

Her fingers were pale as she reached for the steering wheel while holding the gun in one hand.

''Where to, Miss?"

A shiver crept down her spine when she heard the voice from the backseat of her car.

She slowly turned around only to find a man dressed in all black, sitting there calmly.

She did not even realize when he came here.

Her hand moved agilely but before she could shoot him, he flicked her knuckles and the gun landed on the car floor.

The man grabbed her wrist and twisted it ruthlessly.

'Crack'

Romsha bit her bottom lips till the skin broke and blood oozed out.

In the next moment, she felt the touch of cold metal on her chest.

''Any last wishes?" the man asked in contempt.

Romsha's foot slowly moved toward the lower compartment.

'Bang'

''Ahhh...'' A lone teardrop rolled down her cheeks as the man shot her ankle.