A quick, simple and possibly silly question. but I ask just to get an idea. When it comes to Bodyguards or other support characters, is it fair to assume the Reader will assume that said people are there unless specified differently. As an example, Kristol has three bodyguards, one she dubbed protector, and two veteran/captains that her father assigned to her, I don't need to keep writing. "Kristol approached the tent, followed by Name 1, Name 2 and Name 3" or "..... Followed by her bodyguards," , that is general assumed right.
You don't need to make a big thing of it, but I would occasionally jog the reader's memory about it. The jogging doesn't need to be "followed by". She could also occasionally have a thought about lack of privacy, or a bodyguard could have a particular look on his face, or she could make a remark to them or give them an order, or she could now and then make them step away, and so on. The bodyguards are characters, and it would feel odd to have whole human beings in lots of scenes but never refer to them. Kristol looked back at the guards. "He's eighty years old and unlikely to attack me with anything more dangerous than a butter knife. I don't suppose you could wait outside?" Claude almost had an expression--she thought that it might have been a smile, if he hadn't squelched it. But squelch it he did; he was back to impassive as he said, "Orders, Ma'am." "Fine. But pretend you're invisible." She turned and lifted the tent flap.
A book is more than just informing the reader who did what. A book has to make the reader imagine things in their head. There is no room for "ah, you have to assume that the bodyguards are there bodyguarding because that's their job". I won't assume she always has bodyguards next to her, because it might be a plot point that she does something without them. They don't go with her in the toilet. They are not really there all the time. Or, maybe they do follow her there too, the way you say it . Because you haven't specified differently ... Also, the reader needs to imagine the scene. Where are the bodyguards? What are they wearing? What do they look like? It's all part of a picture.
You could do "Kristol approached the tent, trailed by Name 1, Name 2, and Name 3, her [rigid or harsh adjective] shields." to avoid using the "bodyguard" term or idea too often.
