Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

Chapter 3

Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

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9:15 PM

Jane carried a basket of freshly folded clothes, leaving the washing house and heading toward Princess Ava's chambers. She felt the weight of exhaustion dragging her down as she glanced at the clock and muttered under her breath.

"Another hellish day," she grumbled, trudging up the stairs. "Who would've thought life as a human could be this hard? And why am I the one delivering clothes to that stuck-up royal fool?"

Her feet ached as she reached the corridor leading to Ava's room. Stopping in front of the door, she took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "Just go in, hand over her stupid clothes, and walk out. Easy. Stupid, but easy."

Jane opened the door slowly, the hinges creaking slightly. Just as she stepped in, she froze.

A large mirror hung on the far wall, reflecting the elegant room, but what she saw chilled her to the bone. The reflection wasn't Princess Ava—it was an old woman.

Jane's breath hitched. She stepped back into the hallway, clutching the basket tightly as she whispered, "A witch. No… my eyes must be playing tricks on me. That can't be right."

Her heart pounded as she peeked through the crack in the door. This time, she heard Ava's voice, cold and filled with malice.

"Tomorrow night," Ava said, her words dripping with venom, "when I'm crowned queen, I'll kill the king and his pathetic son. Then I'll take over Avalor and ensure every last human is erased. Not one of them will be left alive."

Jane slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape. She stood frozen, her thoughts racing. She's a witch. A real witch—and she's planning to kill everyone.

Taking a deep breath, Jane adjusted the basket and stepped into the room as if nothing had happened. "Princess Ava," she said, her voice steady despite the fear churning in her stomach.

Ava turned to her, her face now perfectly normal, the same composed and beautiful princess everyone knew. "What are you doing here?" Ava asked sharply, standing from her seat.

Jane forced a smile. "My lady, I was sent to deliver your clothes for tomorrow. It's going to be a special day—your wedding to Prince Alric."

She stepped forward and handed Ava the basket, noting how cold the princess's hands felt as she took it.

"Thank you," Ava said, her tone curt. She turned back to her seat but then paused. "Wait," she said, her voice low.

Jane stopped, her heartbeat quickening as Ava approached her.

"What did you say your name was again?" Ava asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Jane's smile faltered, but she forced it back. "Jane, my lady. My name is Jane."

Ava studied her for a long moment, then waved her hand dismissively. "You may go."

Jane turned and left the room as quickly as she could without breaking into a run. Her heart was racing by the time she reached the end of the hallway.

✥─✶─✥

Cater sat at the gate's entrance, staring down at his hands. The shadows flickered across his face as he clenched his fists. He could feel his demon side stirring again, threatening to take over.

"Hey, Cater," a familiar voice called out.

He quickly dropped his hands and turned to see Jane walking toward him.

"Jane? What are you doing here so late?" he asked, frowning. "You should be in bed. Tomorrow's a big day, and everyone needs to be up on time."

Jane sat beside him, silent for a moment as she took a deep breath.

Cater raised an eyebrow. "What now?" he asked, his voice tinged with annoyance. "I can already tell something's wrong."

Jane turned to him, her expression serious. "Princess Ava is a witch," she said flatly.

Cater stared at her, blinking in disbelief. "What?"

"I went to her room to deliver her clothes," Jane explained, sitting up straighter. "I saw her reflection in the mirror, but it wasn't her. She's an old woman pretending to be Ava. And I heard her say she's planning to kill the king and Alric tomorrow night, after she becomes queen."

Cater sat in stunned silence for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh. "Jane, I smelled her yesterday. There wasn't a trace of dark magic. Maybe you're just tired. Let it go, okay? We're just servants. This isn't our problem."

Jane stood abruptly and slapped Cater across the face, the sound echoing through the quiet night.

"Servants?" she hissed, her voice trembling with anger. "You're the one who came up with the brilliant idea of protecting the kingdom and your precious prince. And now, when I tell you something that could save his life, you won't believe me?" She shook her head, stepping back. "You know what? I don't care if you believe me, Cater. At least I've never liked the royal family."

She turned to leave, but Cater moved with inhuman speed, appearing in front of her in an instant.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, his expression softening. "It's just… with everything going on, it's hard to believe that Ava could be a witch. She's annoying, sure, but a witch? How can we be sure?"

Jane paused, her anger simmering as she leaned closer to him. "I have an idea. Tomorrow, meet me at the market, near the pig farm. I heard Alric's taking her on a tour of the city. We'll follow her. If I'm wrong, fine. But if I'm right…"

Cater hesitated, guilt clawing at him. He wanted to protect the kingdom—and Alric—but the thought of stepping further into danger made his demon side stir uneasily within him.

"Fine," he said finally.

Jane nodded, her expression grim. "Be there. Don't make me regret this."

She walked away, leaving Cater alone once more. He clenched his fists, staring down at his hands. He could feel it—the dark power within him, lurking just beneath the surface. And the more he tried to suppress it, the stronger it seemed to grow.