Damn charm

The carriage ride to the minister's estate had already frayed my nerves, but arriving at the entrance of the grand mansion only worsened my mood.

The estate was as ostentatious as expected: sprawling marble steps, towering columns, and golden accents that practically screamed wealth.

Ren, in her infuriatingly tailored suit, stepped out first. She paused, then turned toward me, extending a hand like some gallant knight.

"Your Highness," she said, her voice laced with mock sincerity, "may I help you?"

I glared at her but placed my hand in hers, stepping out of the carriage as gracefully as I could manage. Her grip was firm, warm, and annoyingly steady.

The contrast between her rough, calloused hands and my own made my stomach twist in ways I refused to acknowledge.

"Stop trying to play the perfect gentlewoman," I muttered under my breath as I pulled my hand away.

Ren's smirk only widened, and she gestured grandly toward the entrance. "After you, Princess."

As if this night couldn't get any worse, the minister's family was already waiting at the entrance to greet us. Minister Alden stood tall, his graying hair slicked back, and his wife looked like she'd stepped out of a painting with her heavily jeweled gown.

But it was their daughter who caught my attention and not in a good way.

She was stunning, of course, with golden hair styled in perfect curls and a gown that accentuated her slender figure.

But the way she held herself, the practiced smile on her lips, and the sharp glint in her eyes screamed brat.

"Captain Khasar!" the daughter exclaimed, stepping forward with a dazzling smile. She extended her hand, palm up, her delicate wrist adorned with an expensive-looking bracelet.

Ren, ever the charmer, took her hand and pressed a quick kiss to her knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you," she said smoothly, her deep voice practically oozing charisma.

"Damn charm," I thought bitterly, crossing my arms.

The daughter giggled, her cheeks flushing. "You're even more impressive in person."

Ren didn't reply, but the slight quirk of her lips was enough to send her admirers into a fit of giddiness.

I clenched my jaw and marched ahead without waiting for Ren, ignoring the subtle snickers from the minister's daughter and her entourage.

Inside the mansion, the décor was just as grandiose as the exterior, if not more so. The walls were lined with gilded mirrors and ornate paintings of pastoral scenes.

Chandeliers dripping with crystals cast a warm glow over the room, illuminating the intricate patterns of the marble floor.

The air was heavy with the scent of expensive perfumes and roasted meats from the lavish buffet spread across the far side of the room.

Guests milled about in their finest attire, their laughter and chatter blending into a cacophony that grated on my nerves. Ren, as usual, drew attention the moment she stepped inside.

A group of young women clustered near the corner, their eyes lighting up as they spotted her.

"Captain Khasar!" one of them called out, waving her over.

Ren hesitated, glancing at me as if seeking permission.

"Go," I said tersely. "It's not like I need you glued to my side."

She raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning. "As you wish, Your Highness."

And just like that, she strode over to the group, her presence immediately commanding their attention.

I tried to focus on mingling, but it was impossible with Ren's low, smooth laughter cutting through the room. Every time I tried to hold a conversation, my eyes would involuntarily flick toward her.

She was surrounded, of course. The women hung on her every word, their flirtatious giggles grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

I turned back to the nobleman I was speaking to, struggling to feign interest in his droning account of trade negotiations.

"Ren seems quite popular," he commented, his tone amused.

I forced a tight smile. "She's just a novelty. The interest will wear off."

But would it?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the women leaning closer to Ren, her hand brushing against Ren's forearm. The woman said something, and Ren laughed, her head tilting slightly as if the comment had actually amused her.

I gripped my glass tighter, the cool condensation on the surface doing little to calm my rising irritation.

When another burst of laughter erupted from Ren's direction, I'd had enough. "Excuse me," I said curtly, walking away before the nobleman could respond.

I made my way to a quieter corner of the room, but even there, I couldn't escape the sound of Ren's voice. It carried, rich and smooth, weaving its way into my thoughts no matter how hard I tried to block it out.

I took a sip of wine, glaring at the floor. This was ridiculous. I shouldn't care what Ren was doing or who she was charming.

Another burst of giggles rang out, and I clenched my fist. She's supposed to be my bodyguard, not some flirtatious distraction.

My annoyance boiled over when I saw one of the women from Ren's group walking past me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes dreamy.

She wasn't paying attention to where she was going, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I flicked my fingers subtly, summoning a thin sheet of ice beneath her feet.

She slipped immediately, her arms flailing as she let out a high-pitched squeal before landing unceremoniously on her rear.

The room went silent for a moment, and I hid my smirk behind my wine glass.

"Oh dear," Ren said, her tone laced with amusement as she walked over to the fallen woman. "Are you alright?"

"I… I'm fine," the woman stammered, her cheeks burning as she accepted Ren's offered hand.

Ren helped her up effortlessly, her movements graceful and confident.

As the attention shifted back to the general conversation, Ren's gaze flicked toward me. She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

I turned away, pretending to study a nearby painting.

"Careful, Princess," I thought to myself, my smirk returning. "You wouldn't want anyone to think you're jealous."