The Onyx Guard Assists the Princess in Investigating the Case
Vaughn Garrison nodded, about to order his men to haul away the prisoner on the ground. From the looks of it, Prince Ashworth had nearly kicked the guy to death.
But Cassidy Sterling wasn't having it. "Hey! I'm the one who's been tracking this guy. If I hadn't kept him on the run, he would've been long gone. Uncle, how can you just hand my credit over to someone else?"
The Emperor rubbed his temples, a wave of helplessness washing over him.
"You'll get your credit, I promise." He then pointed at the man in prisoner's clothes being carried away.
"This man is hiding poison and is clearly up to no good. Throw him in the Onyx Guard's prison and give him a thorough interrogation."
Cassidy was outraged. "If the Onyx Guard can question him, why can't my Capital Inspection Bureau? Uncle, are you saying my people aren't capable?"
The Emperor was at a loss for words. Why was this kid so obsessed with competing against the Onyx Guard? "Do you even know the first thing about interrogating a prisoner?"
Cassidy had no clue, but there was no way she was admitting that. She had to save face. "Of course, I do."
The Emperor didn't believe her for a second, but he could already see the tantrum brewing. He offered a compromise. "Fine. Let the Onyx Guard question him first. You can go in after they're done. How about that?"
"Why can't my Bureau go first?" Cassidy shot back. "Uncle, you're playing favorites!"
The Emperor was speechless. If she didn't look so pathetic, her clothes torn and her hair a mess, he'd have kicked her out right then and there.
Sensing his brother was about to blow his top, Vaughn Garrison, who had been standing quietly nearby, quickly stepped in. "Does the princess wish to conduct the interrogation personally?"
Cassidy, assuming he was trying to steal her thunder, huffed. "I'm the one who found the clue. I'm the one who chased him to your estate. You wouldn't have caught him at all if it weren't for me."
Vaughn looked a little confused for a second before his expression cleared.
He praised her, his voice laced with what sounded like genuine admiration.
"The princess is truly impressive. The Ministry of Justice has been chasing its tail on this for ages with nothing to show for it. You and the prince cracked it in a single day."
The sincere praise went right to Cassidy's head, and she puffed out her chest. "Of course I'm impressive. How could those useless bureaucrats ever compare to me?"
Vaughn then turned to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, you originally gave this case to the princess. As the leader of the Onyx Guard, I am simply here to cooperate. What if I were to assist her with the interrogation and the rest of the investigation? We could unmask the mastermind that much faster."
The Emperor thought it was a brilliant idea and looked over at his niece.
"Since you're so set on handling this yourself, you can have Vaughn assist you. First, it'll protect you from any poison or hidden weapons the culprit might have, and second, Vaughn can keep him from getting stubborn or trying anything."
Cassidy had no problem with that. As long as the prisoner was in her custody, the credit would go to her Capital Inspection Bureau.
Thinking about the poison the man had tried to use, she gave Vaughn her terms.
"Since your Onyx Guard is so insistent on *assisting* my Capital Inspection Bureau, I will... reluctantly accept. But you have to guarantee my safety and make sure the interrogation goes off without a hitch."
A muscle in Vaughn's jaw twitched. He was trying to figure out how this had suddenly turned into the Onyx Guard begging for the privilege of assisting the princess. Finally, he just sighed. "Yes. Rest assured, Princess, I will ensure your safety."
Satisfied, Cassidy felt a rush of victory. She had her case, she had protection, and she was free to run wild again. "Alright then. Lock him up in your Onyx Guard prison for now. I'll be there to question him tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning?" Vaughn hesitated. The Onyx Guard prided themselves on efficiency; interrogations happened *immediately*. He glanced at the Emperor, who gave him a slight nod of permission. With that, Vaughn bowed and left with the prisoner in tow.
Prince Ashworth, who had been sitting off to the side with his head still spinning, had a million questions. Wasn't anyone going to ask his opinion? He was part of this case, too.
After the Onyx Guard left, the Emperor's gaze fell on the men still lying unconscious on the ground. He frowned. "Why haven't they woken up yet? Are they really that out of shape?"
Sensing the Emperor's confusion, Physician Miller stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the Second Imperial Prince and the Duke of Crestfall drank wine laced with a heavy dose of a sleeping draught. That's why they're sleeping so soundly. Prince Ashworth only inhaled a little of the sleeping smoke, so the effect was much weaker. That's why he woke up so quickly."
Cassidy huffed, jumping at the chance to complain. "Uncle, you have to listen to me. The Second Prince and the Duke of Crestfall have to be in on it. They must have been so sure the Marquis of Stonehaven would be dead tonight they were celebrating early."
When Prince Ashworth heard the Duke of Crestfall's name, his head cleared in an instant.
"Brother, the person behind this is definitely that old snake. I just found his servant, and he immediately had the man killed to shut him up! He's definitely in cahoots with your second son. Otherwise, how would that scoundrel dare try to kill me? Everyone in Argent knows I'm your brother!"
Cassidy nodded vigorously. "Exactly! He's right! And I'm my father's only child, he almost lost his only heir!"
She tugged at the tear in her dress where the prisoner had attacked her.
"This is just too much. This was a brand new dress, one-of-a-kind in all of Argent. The Second Prince is going to pay for this."
The Emperor's head throbbed. Listening to the two of them, he was suddenly convinced that giving this case to his brother and niece was a massive mistake. They didn't care about logic or evidence; they just wanted to get even. For them, whoever they didn't like was automatically the bad guy.
Seeing the Emperor's strained expression, Steward Payne quickly stepped forward and gently took his arm.
"Your Majesty, it's late. You've been working yourself to the bone for days. Please, go and rest. Your health is what's most important."
His words were a clear hint to Prince Ashworth and Cassidy that it was time to let the Emperor rest.
Ashworth's gaze immediately shot to his brother. Seeing him rubbing his forehead, his face pale and his eyes clouded with exhaustion, he panicked and yanked Physician Miller forward. "Quick, quick, see what's wrong with my brother." As he spoke, he carefully helped the Emperor to the bed.
The physician stepped forward, placed his fingertips on the Emperor's wrist, and after a moment of concentration, replied, "Your Majesty, you've been overworking yourself, and the shock tonight didn't help. The intense emotion has caused your old ailment to flare up."
Hearing this, Prince Ashworth began to pace, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "My brother has had this illness for years, and you still haven't found a cure? What good is the Imperial College of Medicine, then?"
The Emperor leaned against the headboard, his gaze on his earnest, worried brother. It was rare to see him this sensible, and the Emperor felt a wave of warmth that eased his headache slightly.
Cassidy realized then just how fragile her uncle's health was. She grew anxious. He was her biggest supporter in the world; she couldn't let anything happen to him.
She reached into her sleeve, her fingertips brushing against empty air for a second before a fragrant orange materialized in her palm. It was a fruit from her pocket garden, and they all had miraculous healing properties.
Holding the orange, she hurried to the Emperor's bedside. "Uncle, eat this. It'll make you feel better."