Chapter 4
Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy
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Cater knocked twice on the door to Alric's room, the soft sound echoing through the otherwise quiet hallway. When no answer came, he hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The prince was sprawled across the bed, still deep in sleep. His hair was a disheveled mess, and his breathing was slow and steady. For a moment, Cater allowed himself a faint smile. It wasn't often he saw Alric like this—unguarded, free of the weight of the crown.
"Cater, not so loud," Alric mumbled groggily, stirring just enough to roll onto his side. He sat up too quickly, nearly toppling off the bed before catching himself on the mattress.
"It's a big day, Your Highness," Cater said, standing a few feet away with an amused look. "Lady Ava is already awake and waiting for you to escort her around the kingdom. Do you need me to prepare anything?"
Alric ran a hand through his messy hair, his eyes still heavy with sleep. He sat there in silence for a moment, his gaze dropping to the floor. Finally, he sighed heavily.
"Cater," he said, his voice quieter now, "do you think it's right to follow my father's rules?"
The question caught Cater off guard. He stepped closer, cautiously sitting on the edge of the bed beside the prince. "Your Highness," he began, choosing his words carefully, "soon, you'll be the king of Avalor. That means the rules will be yours to make. The decisions will come from your heart—not your father's."
He hesitated, glancing down at his hands. "I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn. Maybe I should—"
Before he could finish, Alric reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him mid-motion. The prince rose to his feet, pulling Cater up with him until they stood eye to eye.
"I don't love Princess Ava," Alric said quietly, the words weighted with guilt and frustration. "I'm only trying because my father wants this marriage. But I don't want her, Cater. I don't want any of this."
Cater took a deep breath and rested a hand on Alric's shoulder, meeting his gaze with quiet sincerity. "Then don't," he said simply. "It's your life, Your Highness. Only you can decide what's right for you."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of Cater's words settling between them. Alric's eyes flickered briefly to Cater's hand on his shoulder, and Cater noticed. He quickly pulled it away, stepping back with an awkward smile.
"I'll leave you to get ready," Cater said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.
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The streets of the market were alive with the hum of activity by the time Cater arrived. Merchants called out to advertise their wares, and the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy aroma of produce and livestock.
Cater walked purposefully, weaving through the crowds until he reached the pig farm near the market's edge. There, leaning casually against a wooden post, was Jane.
"You're late," she said with a teasing smirk as Cater approached.
"Alric will be out soon with Ava," Cater replied, brushing off her remark. "What's the plan?"
Jane's grin widened mischievously. "We wait."
The minutes dragged by, the bustling market fading into a dull hum as they lingered in the shadows. Cater's eyes darted toward the castle gates every few seconds, the anticipation gnawing at his nerves.
Finally, Jane nudged him and whispered, "They're here."
Cater followed her gaze and spotted Alric walking beside Princess Ava. The princess's every movement was graceful and calculated, her smile radiant as she waved to the townsfolk. But Alric's expression told a different story. His posture was stiff, his smile forced, and his discomfort was clear to anyone paying attention.
Cater's jaw tightened as he watched the pair. When Ava's hand brushed against Alric's arm, a sharp surge of anger flared within him. He turned away abruptly. "I'm leaving," he muttered.
Jane grabbed his arm before he could go, her grip firm. "Where do you think you're going?" she hissed. "We're supposed to find out if Ava is a witch or not."
He hesitated, her words pulling him back to the moment. With a reluctant nod, he allowed her to drag him behind a nearby cart. Together, they followed Alric and Ava, staying hidden among the stalls and keeping their distance.
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Alric walked beside Ava in silence, his gaze fixed on the cobblestone road ahead. He had barely said a word since they'd left the castle, and the tension between them was palpable.
"So, Prince Alric," Ava said suddenly, her voice breaking through the quiet like a knife. "Tell me, what do you like in a woman?"
The question caught him off guard. He stopped walking and turned to her, his confusion evident. "I… I don't know," he admitted after a pause. "I've never been with a woman before."
Ava's smile widened, and she stepped closer to him, her hand brushing against his arm. "Then you're in luck," she murmured, her voice low and teasing. "Because you've just found your woman."
From their hiding spot, Cater watched the exchange, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. He could feel the familiar stir of his demon side, dark and volatile, just beneath the surface. His blood boiled, and his breathing grew uneven.
"I need to go," he muttered, turning away.
Jane stepped in front of him, her eyes narrowing as she studied his face. Her gaze dropped to his eyes, widening when she noticed the edges of his irises darkening to black.
"Cater," she said sharply. "You're losing control. If anyone sees you like this—"
Cater closed his eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. Slowly, he exhaled, and when he opened his eyes again, they had returned to their normal hue.
"Sorry," he said quietly, trying to step around her. But Jane blocked his path again, her expression softening.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, her tone gentler now. "Are you upset because I brought you here?"
Cater shook his head, forcing a weak smile. "It's nothing. I'm just… not in the mood."
Jane frowned, stepping closer. "You're hiding something, Cater. I can tell."
He averted his gaze, his fists trembling at his sides.
"Cater," she said again, her voice steady but firm. "You've been my friend for as long as I can remember. I've seen you angry, sure, but this… this is different. You're not just angry. You're hurt. Defeated. Like something's eating away at you."
She hesitated, her voice softening. "Tell me the truth, Cater. Do you love Alric?"
His breath caught, and his head snapped up, his eyes meeting hers in shock.
"I'm not talking about loyalty," Jane clarified gently. "I mean real love. The kind of love that binds people together. So, I'll ask again: do you love Alric?"
Cater's hands trembled as he struggled to respond. For a long moment, he was silent, his emotions warring within him.
"Jane…" he began finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
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