---
The tension in the room was sharp enough to cut air. Lys stood by the window, arms folded, the early morning light catching the silver streaks in his hair. San's fists were clenched at his sides, Hyme's tail flicked with visible annoyance, and Kai… he looked like a puppy caught in the middle of an earthquake.
"You're the one who tried to restart the hybrid purge war," Hyme growled. "You almost got us all killed."
Lys didn't even turn around. "You don't understand what I was doing."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hyme said with saccharine sarcasm. "I must have misunderstood your plan to manipulate the nobles and sacrifice half-breeds like me."
San put a calming hand on Hyme's shoulder, but his voice was steel. "Then explain it. Tell us what we're all missing, Lys."
Lys finally turned. His gaze landed on Kai—betrayal simmering under his regal composure.
"You knew who I was," he said softly. "The moment I told you I hated collars and you offered one shaped like a bowtie."
Kai blinked. "I… I thought it was cute. I didn't know you were that Lys."
Lys sighed and leaned back against the window. "My father was dying. The bloodlines were fracturing. If I didn't take control, others would. Crueler, louder nobles. I tried to centralize power to protect hybrids—but yes, I did it in the worst way."
San crossed his arms. "You tried to force hybrids into servitude, Lys. That's not protection."
"I offered them safety. Obedience was the price."
"Then you never understood," Hyme muttered. "We don't want to be safe in a cage. We want to live."
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then Kai whispered, "Why come here? Why me?"
Lys looked at him, eyes momentarily soft. "…Because you're the only human I've met who doesn't ask for anything back."
Kai's breath caught.
"But that ends now," Lys said, voice harder again. "I'll leave. I won't bring more danger to your door."
"No," Hyme said suddenly.
All eyes turned to him.
"…You'll stay," Hyme continued, tail twitching. "You'll stay under our watch. If you're really done with the throne and the pureblood council… then prove it."
Lys raised a brow. "Why would I do that?"
Hyme walked up to him, stopping only a foot away. "Because if you're not lying… maybe it's time to learn what freedom really feels like."
San sighed. "This is risky."
"I know," Hyme said, smirking. "But now I want to see this prince scrub floors and eat instant noodles."
Kai blinked. "…Wait. Are we kidnapping royalty?"
"No," San said dryly. "We're babysitting royalty."
Lys scoffed. "I'm not your charity case."
San shrugged. "Fine. Then earn your keep."
---
Later that evening…
Lys sat awkwardly on the couch at San's place, now dressed in casual clothes Hyme had picked from a store—a loose shirt with cartoon kittens and drawstring pants. His scowl could have killed ten men.
Lyra padded in with a cup of tea, smiling innocently. "Look at you, Prince Fluff. So domestic."
"Say that again, fox, and I'll bite."
Lyra giggled. "Promises, promises."
San entered the room with a sigh. "This is going to be hell."
---