The Princess and The Criminal [ CAITVI ]

6 | Doubt

Author: Apologies for the shift in content from Chapter 5 to Chapter 6. I decided to expand the opening of Chapter 5, which left it a bit longer than expected. To keep things more balanced and manageable, I moved part of it here instead. Thank you for understanding, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Caitlyn's POV
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"Didn't stop me then, did it?"

Before I could snap back, the door behind the bar swung open. A burly man stepped through, his apron smeared with grease and his scruffy beard in desperate need of a trim. His ruddy face could have been from too much drink or too little sleep. His eyes landed on Vi,.and his face broke into a grin so wide I thought his cheeks might split.

"Well, I'll be damned. If it isn't Vi." He bellowed, his voice carrying across the tavern. "Still alive, huh? And still causing trouble by the looks of it."

Vi groaned but pushed herself to her feet, her movements slow and deliberate. "Look at you, you giant oaf," She slapped him on the back so hard that his chest rattled, the sound echoing around the room. "Still playing bartender to the damned, I see."

He threw his head back, the deep rumble of his laugh making the glasses on the bar tremble. "And you're still as charming as ever, eh, Vi?" He gave her a once-over, his grin widening. "I barely recognized you. Last time I saw you, you were just a scrawny thing with fists bigger'n your head."

Vi leaned against the table, her expression unreadable. "Yeah well," she said, her tone dry. "Life has a way of sharpening you up when you're locked in a cell for years."

His eyes widened, but instead of awkward silence, he slapped his knee with a hearty laugh. "Ah, classic! Now that's the Vi I remember. Always in the thick of it, eh? Trouble must follow you like a stray pup."

Vi's lips quirked into a faint grin as she slid back into her chair. "Something like that."

"Bet you raised all kinds o' hell in there." He leaned closer, his grin wide and knowing. "Go on, now—tell me straight. Did you find yourself a jailhouse sweetheart, or were you too busy knockin' heads together?"

"Not unless you count the occasional brawl as flirting," Vi said, crossing her arms. A reluctant smirk tugged at her lips, despite herself.

He chuckled, this time lower and with a knowing glint in his eye. "Oh, come on, Vi. Don't play coy—I can see right through you. Dirty rascal like you, probably didn't take much to reel 'em in."

She rolled her eyes, "Keep talking, Arvid. You're making me sound like a damn romantic."

Arvid's gaze shifted, and finally seemed to register my presence. His thick eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline as his gaze swept over me, his expression teetering between surprise and amusement. He leaned forward, his massive frame blocking out half the tavern's light. "And who's this, then?" he asked, his voice warm and curious. "Don't tell me you've gone respectable, Vi. Bringin' in royalty and all."

Vi punched him on the shoulder, a bit harder than necessary. "Keep it down, Arvid," she whispered. "I don't need everyone knowing she's royalty."

Arvid rubbed his shoulder with exaggerated care, grinning all the while. "Alright, alright, keep your britches on. But, y'know, the whole tavern's already got their theories—if you were wondering."

I stiffened under his gaze as he looked me over again, his grin widening. "You've got the princess in your pocket now, huh?" He waggled his eyebrows.

"I am right here, you know," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "And I'd appreciate if you didn't talk about me like I'm some sack of gold."