Put it on The Minister of Revenues Tab
Auspicious returned a moment later, a deep frown creasing her brow. "Princess, that house has been on the market for almost two months with zero interest. It's seriously bad luck."
Cassidy's gossip radar instantly pinged. "Spill it." A prime spot like that and no buyers? It wasn't haunted, was it?
Auspicious lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"Right next door is Stonehaven Estate. Two months ago, the Marquis of Stonehaven was thrown into the Great Dungeon for treason. His whole family is under house arrest, and all the neighbors are terrified of being associated with them. The family who lived in that house packed up and left overnight.
They're desperate to sell, but everyone's avoiding the place like the plague. Who would be brave enough to buy it?"
Cassidy's gaze immediately slid away from the house. Treason... that sounded like the kind of mess that got a lot of people killed. Yeah, she was definitely not qualified to get mixed up in that.
*Host, don't be scared. You still have over a month to live.*
Cassidy mentally glanced at her remaining lifespan. *I decide my fate, not some higher power.* She could stay out of the politics, but there was no way she was leaving without hearing the gossip. She wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
She turned to Reid Donovan, her face a mask of eager curiosity. "So, did the Marquis of Stonehaven really commit treason?"
Reid stared at the sealed gates of the neighboring estate, his tone hard to read.
"Princess, the case files say that both witnesses and physical evidence point to his guilt. But His Majesty, remembering their old friendship, couldn't bring himself to order the execution of the entire family. He just put them under house arrest."
He paused. "The Marquis himself, however, was thrown into the Great Dungeon to await a final sentence. The Prime Minister is leading the charge in court, backed by other noble families. They keep petitioning the Emperor,
insisting the law can't be bent for personal feelings and forcing his hand to close the case."
Cassidy frowned. "The noble families are really that powerful? They can actually pressure the Emperor?"
Reid lowered his gaze, his voice dropping. "These families have been interconnected for over a hundred years. Their allies and former officials are all over the court. Even His Majesty has to balance everyone's interests."
Cassidy gave him a strange look. "How do you know so much about all this?" As a princess, she felt embarrassingly out of the loop compared to her own guard.
"I... I'm also from a noble family."
She was floored. "Then how did you end up in the Onyx Guard and assigned to me?" She'd figured all kids from noble families were like the Vances, arrogant, bossy, and useless.
Reid looked down, his voice even quieter. "My mother wasn't a noble, so she had no standing. I figured it was better to strike out on my own and make a name for myself than to be pushed aside at home."
Cassidy gave him a genuine thumbs-up. "You've got ambition. I like that. Stick with me, and I'll make sure you get to the top."
Reid didn't know what to say to that. He just hoped she would cause a little less trouble. That in itself would be a miracle.
Seeing the princess getting so friendly with the new guard, Auspicious's internal alarms started blaring. She quickly jumped in to change the subject. "Princess, are we still buying this house?"
"Of course we're buying it." Cassidy already had it all planned out. She'd renovate the place, make it look impressive, and hire a crew of tough-looking guards. It would look so badass when she showed up for official business.
"And put it on the Minister of Revenue's tab?" As-Desired, who was standing quietly nearby, couldn't resist asking.
"Duh." Cassidy shot her a look that clearly said, *Are you crazy?* "Am I supposed to pay out of my own pocket when I'm doing government work? Who pays to go to work?"
Seeing the princess's expression, Auspicious puffed out her chest with pride. She knew she was so much better than As-Desired. Out of all the maids, only she truly understood the princess's way of thinking.
"Princess, I'll go take care of it," she volunteered, then hurried off. A few minutes later, she returned, beaming. "It's all taken care of!"
Reid's eyes widened. Did the seller really just agree to bill the Minister of Revenue? He was dying of curiosity and wanted to ask Auspicious how she'd pulled it off, but as a calm and reserved member of the Onyx Guard, speaking up would be completely out of character.
Now that the house was secured, Cassidy figured that constantly charging renovation costs to the Minister of Revenue might become a hassle. She was a considerate person, after all.
"Auspicious, send someone to Bradford House with a few gifts," she said. "Tell them I'm paying my respects to the old man."
Listening from the side, Reid was completely stunned.
He wanted to say something, but he had no idea where to even begin.
The logic this master and her maid operated on was so bizarre you couldn't even argue with it.
Seeing the two of them looking so sure of themselves, he could only sigh internally.
Whatever. His Majesty's orders were to protect the princess; everything else was not his problem.
Auspicious, relishing her role as the princess's top maid, immediately sent someone back to the estate to prepare the gifts. Then she asked, "Princess, it's getting late. Should we head back for dinner?"
Cassidy nodded. "It is time to eat. But since we're on official business, the government should be buying our meals. We're not eating at home. Let's go to a restaurant to celebrate our first day on the job."
Auspicious felt a pang of shame. This time, she hadn't kept up.
Why would she even suggest eating at the estate?
What a waste of an opportunity, especially when they could barely afford to keep the kitchen fires lit at home.
The princess was definitely the smarter one when it came to finances.
Auspicious's face was once again filled with pure admiration.
And so, the whole group descended upon the most expensive restaurant in Argent. But just as they reached the door, a sharp voice stopped them.
"Solana!"
Cassidy turned to see two young men dressed in expensive silks standing behind her. The one who had spoken had a condescending sneer plastered on his face. The guy next to him was handsome enough, but he was looking at her like she was something disgusting he'd found on the bottom of his shoe.
"Who are you?" Cassidy asked bluntly. She had no idea.
The young man was taken aback, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "What, you don't even recognize me anymore, Solana?"
As-Desired quickly whispered from behind, "Princess, that's the Second Prince."
The Second Prince seemed to remember her amnesia just then and let out a snort. "I am the Second Prince, your *brother*. And this," he gestured to the handsome young man beside him, "is Heir Vance."
"Oh. Hi, brother. Bye, brother." With that, Cassidy turned to go into the restaurant. The only brother she'd met since waking up was the Crown Prince. If these others hadn't bothered to visit, they couldn't be very important, and she wasn't wasting time on small talk. She was busy.
"Stop!" the Second Prince snapped, furious.
This was nothing like the girl he knew before.
The old Solana had always been obedient, even favoring him over the Crown Prince.
Now, she didn't even have basic manners.
Remembering his purpose, he put on a flimsy mask of brotherly concern.
"Since we ran into each other, we might as well handle this. Solana, that runaway slave you took from the Vance family, give him back. Right now. A princess stealing someone's property? What's gotten into you?"
Heir Vance spoke up, his voice ice-cold. "I demand his return."
Cassidy blinked, her face a picture of pure innocence.
"What runaway slave? Do you have any proof? Because without proof, that's slander."
She casually touched the Capital Inspector's badge at her waist and smiled sweetly.
"And slandering a court official, according to the Imperial Code, carries a penalty of thirty lashes. No matter who you are."