---
It had been three days since Lys began living with Kai, and while the fox hybrid was calm on the outside, something in him simmered just beneath the surface. The wound on his side had mostly healed thanks to Kai's care, but the shadows under his golden eyes never faded.
Kai was cheerful as ever, treating Lys like a roommate instead of a stranger. He even bought a warm hoodie with little ear holes and gifted it to him. Lys accepted it silently—but he never wore it.
One morning, Kai made pancakes shaped like cat faces. He proudly presented them to Lys.
"…What is this childish nonsense?" Lys muttered.
"It's breakfast art," Kai grinned. "A Hyme specialty. He taught me."
The mention of Hyme made Lys's tail flick.
Kai didn't notice. "Hyme likes cute things, you know? Sometimes I wonder if I should adopt a hybrid too."
Lys's eyes snapped to him. "You think hybrids are toys?"
"No! No, that's not what I meant—" Kai backpedaled quickly. "I just meant, you're all so unique, and—uh—you know, personality and stuff…"
Lys stared at him with an unreadable expression.
Kai coughed. "I'm gonna check my emails."
As he turned around, Lys whispered softly to himself, "They all want to own us."
---
Meanwhile, at San's place…
San was rereading the note Hyme received: My beloved half-hybrid.
The handwriting was elegant and old-fashioned, but the scent on the paper wasn't unfamiliar. It had the faintest trace of perfume—floral, but cold.
San gritted his teeth. "I've smelled this before."
Hyme, lounging on the couch in a soft sweater, noticed his expression. "What is it?"
"I think the sender might be from the royal line. Someone close to Lys."
Hyme narrowed his eyes. "Lys… he hasn't shown up again, right?"
"No. And Kai hasn't said anything suspicious."
"…Do you think he knows who Lys really is?"
San sighed. "Kai's smart, but he's trusting. If Lys is manipulating him, it won't take long before something goes wrong."
Hyme stood and walked to San, pressing his hands against his chest. "Then let's go see him."
"You sure?"
Hyme nodded, tail curling. "I want to know who's trying to mess with my life."
---
At Kai's apartment…
Kai was playing video games while Lys watched silently from the kitchen counter.
Suddenly, Lys stood. "I'm going out."
"You're still recovering," Kai said. "Let me come—"
"No," Lys said flatly. "Stay here."
Before Kai could protest, a knock came at the door.
Kai got up and opened it.
San and Hyme stood outside.
Kai blinked. "Oh, hey! You're early—wait, did we have plans?"
Hyme's eyes darted behind Kai and landed on Lys.
A heavy silence followed.
San stepped in front of Hyme, eyes fixed on Lys. "Long time no see… Your Highness."
Lys met San's gaze without flinching, but a vein in his jaw twitched.
Kai looked between them. "Wait—what?"
Hyme hissed softly. "You've been hiding the prince in your apartment?"
Lys glanced at Kai, then at San and Hyme.
Finally, he said coldly, "I didn't ask to be saved."
"Yet here you are," Hyme snapped. "Living like a stray, after turning on your own kind."
Lys's eyes burned gold for a split second. "Don't talk as if you know anything about me."
Kai took a step forward. "Can someone explain what's going on?!"
San inhaled. "Kai… the hybrid you've been taking care of—he's not just a runaway. That's Prince Lys. The former royal heir of the pureblood hybrids. The same one who tried to break the peace treaty three years ago."
Kai stared at Lys, stunned. "…You…?"
Lys didn't answer. He simply turned his back to them all and walked toward the window.
"…I never asked for a crown," he said softly. "I just want to survive."
---