The Emperor's Guard

These guys were always so cool.  I wonder, were they specially trained?  Did they spend their entire adult lives honing their bodies and minds to a razor's edge so that they could be the last line of defense in their Emperor's presence?  And were they resentful when, after years of standing around poised to act at a moment's notice, their master was killed when he asked them to step out of the room for a few minutes?

"Well, at least we brightened up the room."