Barging into Donovan House
The head servant's voice trembled. "Your Highness, please, you have to understand. It's not that we mean any disrespect, it's just... the old patriarch, Mr. Donovan, came down with a bad cold last night. He has a stubborn fever. It's really not a good time for visitors."
Prince Ashworth scoffed, shoving aside the servants who were trying to form a human wall. "What a coincidence," he said, marching straight into the manor. "I'm here specifically to see him."
The Duke of Crestfall followed right on his heels, feeling just as shameless. He strode into the Donovan family home past the servants' stunned faces, a new experience for him. He'd never been this much of a jerk before. It was a little embarrassing, but he had to admit, it felt pretty good.
He lifted his chin, making sure to give the staff a proper scolding. "Is this how the Donovans treat Prince Ashworth? Have you no respect for the Imperial Family?"
The terrified looks on their faces were immensely satisfying. When Prince Ashworth and his daughter weren't giving him a hard time, they were actually pretty decent people to have on your side.
Seeing that her dad was already inside, Cassidy Sterling grabbed the freshly-changed Fourth Princess and Ryder Sinclair and hurried to follow. A few servants saw them coming and moved to block their path.
Cassidy shot them a glare. "You'd dare to stop an official of the court?"
The Fourth Princess put her hands on her hips. "And you'd dare to stop a princess?"
Ryder, for his part, covered his face with one hand. "My father is the Grand Tutor!"
The servants were speechless.
Without a second glance, Cassidy pushed past them and stepped into the Donovan house.
Trailing behind, the Fourth Princess was kicking herself.
Why had she bothered trying to sneak in by climbing a wall?
As a princess, she could have just used her title to barge right in from the start.
It was all Ryder's fault for coming up with such a terrible idea.
A proper princess, and she'd almost been caught scrambling around like a common thief.
She shot Ryder an irritated look before rushing to catch up with Cassidy. Cassidy was definitely the more reliable one.
Ryder was completely baffled by her glare.
The Donovan family servants were freaking out as the group of hot-headed, high-status youths stormed their home. They scrambled, turning as one and rushing toward the main hall to sound the alarm.
The moment Cassidy saw them run, she knew they couldn't waste a second. She grabbed the Fourth Princess's hand and took off after them like a shot.
The princess's feet were practically flying as Cassidy dragged her along. "Cassidy... wait... how are you so... fast?" she gasped. Was it possible that Cassidy, just like her Uncle Ashworth, knew she'd made a lot of enemies and had perfected the art of running away?
Seeing both princesses sprinting down the hall, Ryder couldn't help himself. He whipped out his quill and parchment and chased after them. A story, a fresh story was unfolding, and he was right in the middle of it. Who could possibly resist?
Prince Ashworth and the Duke of Crestfall just stood there, completely bewildered.
Why was everyone suddenly running? What about their dignity?
The servant leading the charge was on the verge of tears. He had Princess Solana running right beside him, yelling at him to go faster. What on earth were these people trying to do? Unable to figure it out, he could only pump his legs harder, speeding toward the main hall.
Seeing him pick up the pace, Cassidy accelerated. She'd never lost a race in her life.
Inside the main hall, the candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across a tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.
A young woman, no more than sixteen, stood with red-rimmed eyes and a stubbornly straight back. "Father," she said, her voice trembling, "when you asked for my mother's hand, what did you promise my grandfather? Do you even remember?"
Vice Director Donovan's face darkened. "Paige, that's enough. Lady Bradford is joining our family today. Go back to your room."
"Lady Bradford?" Paige Donovan sneered. "My mother is still alive, and you're bringing in a second wife? You knelt before my grandfather and swore you would never take another woman. Now that his family is in trouble, you're just going to break your promise?"
"Paige, please don't be angry," a soft voice cut in.
It was Lady Bradford's daughter, Willa, who stepped forward and gently tugged on Paige's sleeve.
"This is between our parents. We shouldn't get involved. Today is supposed to be a happy day. By making a scene, you're only making things harder on Father."
She had her mother's gentle face and sweet voice, and she used both to slide the knife in.
"Besides, given the Marquis of Stonehaven's current situation, you should be thinking about Father and our family. As an official, he has to avoid any trouble."
Lady Bradford's five-year-old son ran forward, looking up with his small, earnest face. "Paige, don't be mad. Mother said she'll love you just like her own daughter now."
They looked like the perfect, happy family, so sensible, so considerate.
Paige looked from the siblings to her father's expressionless face and suddenly let out a laugh, a broken sound that brought tears streaming down her cheeks.
"'Avoid trouble.' 'Think of me.' Is this how you do it? The moment my grandfather's family falls on hard times, you kick them to the curb? You've already locked my mother away in the back courtyard, and now you're bringing your mistress into our home and making her a proper wife!"
"Paige!" Vice Director Donovan's face was contorted with fury. "Someone, take the eldest miss back to her room! She's not to leave without my permission!"
Two older maids stepped forward to grab Paige, but she shook them off, her eyes locked on her father.
"I'm not leaving! I want to ask Grandfather if this is what it means to be a Donovan! This family prides itself on being part of the 'Pure Stream,' a family of etiquette and honor. Can you even call yourselves that after doing this?"
*Smack!*
His chest heaving, Vice Director Donovan struck her hard across the face. "Take this rebellious girl away from me!" he roared, humiliated. "Lock her in the family chapel to reflect on what she's done! She is not to take a single step outside until I say so!"
But just as his words echoed through the hall, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Gasps and shouts followed as two figures crashed into the room, one right after the other.
Cassidy Sterling stood there, one hand on the medallion of the Capital Inspection Bureau at her waist, her face a mask of outrage.
"This is unbelievable! You're getting married and you don't even send an invitation to Ashworth Manor? You force me, a princess, to come all this way myself! I'm a member of the royal family, and this is how I'm treated? I am absolutely going to tell my Imperial Grandmother all about this!"
The Fourth Princess, following her lead, chimed in. "Exactly! This princess arrives at your home, and there isn't even anyone to welcome me! I can't believe the disrespect shown to my royal blood. I'm going straight to my Imperial Father to tell him how the Donovan family has no respect for rank!"
The members of the Donovan family just stared, their solemn shock replaced by utter speechlessness.
Vice Director Donovan was the first to recover.
Seeing Princess Verity and Princess Solana storm into his home, his expression shifted instantly from anger to alarm.
He quickly bowed his head. "I... I had no idea you two would be gracing us with your presence. Please forgive our failure to greet you properly. May I ask what brings you here?"
Cassidy met his dark expression with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong, Vice Director? From the look on your face, are you not happy to see me and my sister?"
Hearing Cassidy call her "sister," the Fourth Princess puffed out her chest with a defiant "Hmph!"
Donovan's heart skipped a beat. "I would never!" he said, his voice urgent. "Of course not! It's just... I'm on edge, not knowing the reason for your visit."
Cassidy's gaze drifted from the formal red robes he was wearing to the woman in a matching gown standing nearby. Her tone was a perfect blend of genuine confusion and hurt sincerity.
"So why wasn't I invited to your wedding?"
Vice Director Donovan froze, completely floored.