Go Keep Marquis of Stonehaven Company
"You... you... that's a load of crap!" the Duke of Crestfall sputtered, clutching his chest and pointing a shaky finger at Prince Ashworth. He was, for a moment, rendered completely speechless by their sheer nerve.
Seeing him grab his chest and start panting, Cassidy immediately pulled her father back a few steps. "Oh, don't even try faking a heart attack for sympathy," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's not going to work."
She jabbed a finger back at him. "That servant was from your estate, and he disappeared from your estate. If you can't come up with evidence to prove your innocence, I'll have everyone in your house arrested right now!" It was time to threaten his entire family tree and see if that scared him.
"Exactly!" Prince Ashworth chimed in, practically bouncing on his heels. "If you can't produce any evidence, we'll arrest them all!"
A grin spread across the Second Prince's face.
The frustration he'd felt earlier in the Imperial Study just melted away.
So, Cassidy wasn't just targeting him, she was going after everyone.
Watching the father-daughter duo tear into the Duke of Crestfall, who was practically vibrating with rage, filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.
At least back in the Imperial Study, it had only been Cassidy coming after him.
The comparison instantly improved his mood, and he quickly stepped forward to add a little fuel to the fire.
"Duke, you keep saying you've been wronged," he said smoothly. "So why don't you show us the evidence to prove it?"
The Duke of Crestfall was speechless. How was he supposed to prove he *didn't* do something? As he watched the father and daughter practically drooling at the thought of dragging him off to the Ministry of Justice, the veins on his forehead bulged.
"Steward!" he barked.
The steward, who had been standing off to the side, hurried forward. "Yes, my lord!"
"Go investigate for me!" the Duke gritted out. "Find out everything you can about that servant, Leo. When he entered the manor, who he talked to, every single thing he said and did. I want a full report. Don't miss a single detail!"
The steward dipped his head and immediately took a few men to start the investigation.
After giving his orders, the Duke of Crestfall turned his head, only to find the father-daughter duo staring at him like a pair of tigers sizing up their next meal.
His heart hammered against his ribs. He knew this wasn't about some servant; they were just using this as an excuse to settle a score and put the screws to him.
He forced down his anger and tried to soften his tone.
"You all saw it; I've already sent my people to investigate this Leo. This is a serious matter, and I assure you, I will get to the bottom of it for His Majesty. It's just... this servant was just some unremarkable kid in my son's quarters. Who could have possibly imagined he'd just vanish?
As for why he was sneaking around the Marquis of Stonehaven's study, I truly have no idea. No one at Crestfall Manor does. The priority now is to figure out who this Leo really is and find him as soon as possible."
"And how are we supposed to believe you?" Cassidy shot back. "What if you try to run for it tonight to avoid being punished?" She didn't trust the old fox one bit.
The Duke nearly choked on his rage. "Do you think I've lost my mind?"
"Who knows!" Prince Ashworth said with a shrug.
The Second Prince jumped in again. "What if, Duke, you're afraid this will all come out and you decide to silence the Marquis of Stonehaven tonight? After all, you have a history of making people... disappear."
He still had faith in his cousin Blair's dream. If the Marquis of Stonehaven really did die in prison tomorrow, his father, the Emperor, wouldn't let him off the hook, whether he was involved or not. So, he'd rather see an innocent man locked up than let a potentially guilty one walk free.
Hearing this, Cassidy shot him an appreciative look. She'd almost forgotten about the Marquis of Stonehaven rotting in that cell.
"He's right," she said. "We have to keep an eye on you. If you run to the prison and silence the Marquis, who's going to answer for it?"
Seeing that none of them believed him, the Duke of Crestfall just threw up his hands. "Fine. Since none of you believe me, what do you suggest?"
"You go to the Ministry of Justice and keep the Marquis of Stonehaven company," Cassidy suggested with a serious look. "If the Marquis dies, you'll be next."
The Second Prince immediately nodded in agreement.
"I think Cassidy's right. For the next couple of days, Duke, you should just stay in the prison and watch over the Marquis. If he's still alive and well after that, you'll have a chance to clear your name. But if he dies in that cell,
then you'll have to figure out how to explain yourself to the Emperor."
Cassidy looked at the Second Prince. "You're coming too."
"Why should I have to go?!" he choked out.
"Because *you're* a suspect too, dear brother," she said, giving him a look that promised she'd run straight to the Imperial Study and tattle if he said no.
He really wanted to refuse, but given his recent experiences with Cassidy, he knew she'd go straight to his father and cook up some story to frame him.
To clear his own name, he gritted his teeth.
"Fine. I'll go to the prison tonight and watch the Marquis myself. I'd like to see who dares try to kill someone right under my nose!"
And so, at Cassidy's "sincere" suggestion, the Second Prince and the Duke of Crestfall both headed to the Ministry of Justice to keep the Marquis of Stonehaven company and prove their innocence.
The father-daughter duo, convinced they had their man, returned to their manor feeling quite satisfied with themselves.
Along the way, they spent a good amount of time gossiping about all the good-for-nothings in the Imperial Court.
They dissected everyone from the Emperor on down to the pettiest officials, their chatter going on well past midnight.
Their conversation was punctuated by the profound realization that they were simply too brilliant for everyone else, that it was truly lonely at the top, and that the Aethelian Empire would probably fall apart without them.
Perhaps it was this newfound awareness of their own excellence, but suddenly, the two of them were too worried to sleep.
Cassidy posed a fatal question. "Dad, do you think it's possible the Second Prince and the Duke of Crestfall are working together?"
Prince Ashworth's eyes went wide. "That's why they both wanted to go to the Ministry of Justice!"
Maybe it was just the chill of the night wind, but in that moment, father and daughter were on the exact same wavelength.
"Dad, we have to sneak into the Ministry of Justice tonight and catch them in the act!" Cassidy declared.
"You think the Second Prince and that old snake will team up to kill the Marquis tonight?"
Cassidy looked dead certain. "It's entirely possible. The dead of night is the perfect time for a murder!"
Prince Ashworth couldn't sit still any longer. "We can't let them get away with it! Come on, daughter, we're going to the Ministry of Justice now." He was about to summon the household guards to storm the prison and make arrests.
Cassidy quickly stopped him. "Dad, we have to go in secret! Otherwise, we'll tip them off. How are we supposed to catch them red-handed then?"
Prince Ashworth shot his daughter an appreciative look.
The two of them quickly changed into dark clothing, slipped out of Ashworth Manor, and headed straight for the Ministry of Justice. For their own safety, they brought Jed along, too.
As for why they brought Jed, it was simple.
After he'd recovered from his injuries, Cassidy had put him up against Reid Donovan in a sparring match.
When Jed wiped the floor with him, she'd decisively ditched her old favorite and promoted Jed to her number-one bodyguard on the spot.
Even though The System meant she didn't have to worry about her own life, having a powerhouse bodyguard around meant she wouldn't have to worry about losing a fight, either.
Besides, she was a princess. She had an image to maintain.