Looking for Ryder Sinclair
The sight of Cassidy Sterling's calm expression was enough to make Princess Dawn relax. She blinked and fell into step behind Cassidy, sticking close.
Cassidy glanced at the scene, Ryder Sinclair kneeling on the ground, his father looming over him. "Grand Tutor," she said, her tone deceptively light, "are you hitting your son? Even my father doesn't do that."
The Grand Tutor looked momentarily thrown, clearly wondering what on earth the two princesses were doing in his home. His gaze flickered to his son, then hardened. "What are you still doing on the ground?" he barked. "Get up! Go to the family chapel and think about what you've done."
Ryder scrambled to his feet, his face burning as he saw Cassidy and Dawn taking in the whole spectacle. He shot a glare at Cassidy. "Here to enjoy the show, Princess?"
Cassidy rolled her eyes. "Please. You think I have nothing better to do?"
Ryder was speechless. *Fine, you're busy. What's with the attitude?* She was acting like she was spoiling for a fight. If she hadn't already taken down Preston Vance and publicly humiliated Landon Vance just a few days ago, he absolutely would have started something with her right then and there.
Worried his volatile son was about to pick a fight with a princess in their own home, the Grand Tutor roared, "You troublemaker! To the chapel, now!"
Madam Sinclair quickly chimed in. "Ryder, the princesses are our guests. Don't be rude."
At that, Ryder just snorted, turned on his heel, and started to walk out.
"Wait," Cassidy called after him. "I'm here to see you, actually."
Ryder stopped and turned back, his expression pure confusion. "What could you possibly want with me?"
"You've heard about my new Capital Inspection Bureau, right?" Cassidy said. "How about it? Interested in joining?"
Ryder didn't even have to think about it. "Your Capital Inspection Bureau? The one with zero actual power? I'm not *that* bored. No thanks."
For once, Grand Tutor Sinclair found himself agreeing with his son.
"I have to object as well, Princess Solana," he said stiffly.
He knew it was just an empty title the Emperor had created on a whim; only a girl like her would take it seriously.
If his son joined, the Sinclair family would become a laughingstock at court.
Cassidy plopped onto a nearby stool, crossing her legs with a defiant air. "Are you looking down on my position as Inspection Envoy? Or do you think government work is just about titles, Grand Tutor?"
The Grand Tutor gave a short, stiff dip of his head. "Princess Solana, that's not what I meant at all!"
"Oh?" Cassidy bounced her leg, looking him dead in the eye. "Then what *did* you mean? Or are you just looking down on me, personally?" The look on her face said she was one bad answer away from dragging the old man straight to the Emperor for a little chat.
The Grand Tutor chose his words carefully. "Princess, Ryder has been neglecting his studies. He likely doesn't have the time. Besides," he added, "the boy has no formal training. It wouldn't be appropriate to make him a court official."
"What's inappropriate about it?" Cassidy shot back, disgusted.
"The officials at court have spent years with their noses buried in books, collecting all the right degrees. But what have they actually done for the people? Have they expanded our borders? Has the Aethelian Empire truly prospered under you so-called scholars?"
She knew exactly what he was doing, using Ryder's lack of education to take a jab at her own. And she'd heard all about Ryder Sinclair's reputation. He was one of Argent's biggest playboys. The idea that he was "neglecting his studies" was a joke.
Ryder barked out a laugh. "The princess has a point. All those court officials have their degrees, and what are they now? A bunch of leeches. They're worse than a good-for-nothing like me. At least when I cause trouble, it's just for my own family, not the whole country."
Cassidy's mouth twitched. *Is terrorizing your own family supposed to be a point of pride?*
The Grand Tutor's face went from pale to beet red. He had no comeback, because he knew she was right. The officials at court *had* lost the integrity they'd started with, that fire to speak up for justice, to risk everything for the people.
Seeing his father's face flush with angry shame was deeply satisfying. Just to twist the knife, Ryder turned to Cassidy. "You know what? Your Capital Inspection Bureau doesn't sound so bad after all. I'm in."
Cassidy raised an eyebrow. "See? Better judgment than your father."
"I forbid it!" the Grand Tutor snarled, glaring at Ryder. "You troublemaker! Are you really just going to throw away your studies?"
Ryder just nodded. "Dad, you've known for years I'm not cut out for books. Just focus on my little brother. Let him be the one to follow in your footsteps. I'm a lost cause, so stop wasting your energy."
"You, you rebellious boy!" The Grand Tutor was so furious he looked ready to grab the nearest heavy object and beat him with it, but the presence of the princesses forced him to restrain himself.
"Ryder, how can you talk to your father that way?"
Madam Sinclair scolded, rushing to her husband's side as he clutched his chest, struggling for breath.
She turned on Ryder, her expression dripping with disappointment.
"Your father just wants you to study for the Imperial Examinations! You do nothing but fool around, and he punishes you a few times, and this is how you act? Holding a grudge? And now you're running off to join this... this Capital Inspection Bureau!
What kind of future is there in a place like that?"
Cassidy, having just had her new agency completely written off, just stared. "Excuse me? Did you just say my Inspection Bureau has no future?"
Madam Sinclair froze, realizing she'd just put her foot in her mouth. "Princess Solana, that's not what I meant," she stammered.
"Hmph. As if I care whether your son joins or not," Cassidy shot back, getting to her feet.
"But the Sinclair family had better stay on the straight and narrow. Because if I catch you stepping out of line, I will personally escort you for a little visit to my 'useless' bureau."
She glanced at her friend. "Dawn, let's go."
Dawn, who had been watching the entire exchange in silent admiration, let out a pointed little snort of her own, stood, and followed Cassidy right out the door.
"Wait! Princess, hold on! I'm coming!" Ryder yelled, suddenly anxious. He pushed past the servants trying to block his way and hurried after them.
The sight of his parents getting dressed down, of a princess leaving them utterly speechless, was exhilarating. He was definitely joining the Capital Inspection Bureau.
Hearing Ryder scrambling to catch up, Cassidy and Dawn exchanged a quick, triumphant smile.
Ryder trailed them all the way to the Spring Breeze Tower before he skidded to a halt, a suspicious look crossing his face. "Hold on. Aren't we going to the Capital Inspection Bureau? Why are we at a brothel?" So much for doing something serious.
Cassidy just ignored him, striding right through the entrance of the Spring Breeze Tower. Inside, she pointed to a large, empty platform at the center of the main room. "You see that stage?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Know what it's for?"
Ryder squinted at it. The stage was much bigger than anything he'd ever seen in a normal brothel. He scratched his head. "Are you going to have your girls perform on it? That's not exactly original. The Gilded Lily already does that, and they're the biggest house in Argent."
"Nope." Cassidy grinned, a mysterious glint in her eye. "This isn't a brothel. It's a theater. That's a stage for plays. Soon, this whole place will be filled with people eating popcorn, drinking wine, and watching actors perform." She turned to face him fully. "Do you know why I brought you here?"