Gando laughed lightly at her response. It wasn't an impolite laugh in any  manner. He seemed amused that she was so dumbfounded and confused. But he could also sense her fear. Of course his revelation to her meant he knew who she really was. Gando had known she was trying to keep it a secret which was why he hadn't said anything in front of the emperor or in front of anyone else. He set his teacup down and studied her for a few more minutes in silence. Her challenge was expected and natural. She wanted proof.<br/><br/>"Wait one second," Gando said. He got to his feet and disappeared into his walk-in closet. There was a sound of something crashing to the ground, and Gando cursed. He rummaged around for a few moments and then came out bearing a large rectangular item blanketed in a cloth. He walked over until he was standing just in front of her and set the object down gingerly as if it were fragile.<br/><br/>He grinned at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He grasped the cloth and slipped it off of the object to reveal that it was a painting. It was a painting of her grandmother. A very, very good one at that. But she was young. Impossibly young.<br/><br/>"I painted this when I met your grandmother," Gando said, reminiscently. "She was such a sweet lady, but she had a fiery temper...." He seemed to lose himself to his memories for a brief moment until he shook himself. "I'm sure this will suffice as proof. But I know that your name is Sajedene and is quite befitting of a lovely lady such as yourself. I've only ever met you once and you were still very young.  I never really got much of a chance to know you because frustrations were beginning to build between the Zusan Empire and Vaandom. While I consider myself to be free from any particular nationality, your grandmother and I agreed that it would be best if I didn't visit anymore."<br/><br/>Gando seemed truly saddened by this. He snapped his fingers and the painting disappeared. He didn't always like to display his abilities. He then dropped to his knees before Sage and took her hands gently in his own.<br/><br/>"I know that life has not been fair to you. This is not where you should be. This is not a situation you should be in. But you should know that I am not your enemy. I am your friend. I will do everything in my power to help you." Of course Gando would be the only one to actually treat her in at least a vague manner that was  befitting of her title. He knew who she truly was, after all. Gando released her hands and got to his feet.<br/><br/>He walked back around the table and reseated himself. He was quiet once again and took a deep sip from his cup before he set it down.<br/><br/>"You're wondering how it's possible that such a young man knew your grandmother," Gando spoke wryly. "But I am not a young man. I havem't been in such a long time. The simple truth of the matter is that I am 435 years old. I have witnessed kingdoms rise and fall. I have watched tyrants ascend to power on the blood of braver men and die at the hands of men more wicked than he. I was around to see the Demon Lord Dragorax sealed away within a young boy. That is not simply a myth as is commonly believed today. I have seen so many things and yet there are so many more things to see. Daishoga is a truly unique man. He is cut from a different mold from most emperors. And-"<br/><br/>There was a knock on the door. Gando frowned.<br/><br/>"Dam hecklers, won't leave an old man alone." Which was highly ironic since he neither looked nor acted particularly like an old man. "Excuse me." He got to his feet and walked out of the room. Gando returned a few moments later and reseated himself. "As I was saying, Daishoga is not the average emperor. He does not have a wicked heart and yet her commits wicked deeds. Is that not intriguing to you, Princess?"