"Your Majesty."
Arkan's voice cut through the quiet room and ended the moment Lin Rui had been enjoying.
Lin Rui lifted his gaze from the map spread across the table. He had been pretending to examine the mountain passes along the border, though in truth his thoughts had wandered far from strategy, drifting toward the woman sitting across from him.
Princess Lian Zhi had been summoned again to his room, to "discuss" the Chancellor's plan.
"Commander," Lin Rui acknowledged. Using his formal title to sound serious, as if he hadn't been pretending to be busy with the plan to counter the coup, while he was actually ignoring it.
Arkan's expression was not friendly at all, standing there with his arms folded, radiating tension. Unfortunately for Lin Rui, Arkan saw right through his pretense.
"The Hua forces have mobilized," Arkan said, stating the fact. "Scouts report a full battalion positioned along the border. They are not advancing, but they are ready. Waiting."
