The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

3rd Person’s POV

Lylah struck Vargan’s hands sharply, sending the bouquet tumbling to the floor.

The old man’s eyes widened in shock.

Finished

Before he could even form a question, Lylah blurted, her voice tight with panic, “Those are poisonous! Where did you get them?” Fear constricted her chest as she stared at him. “Did no one warn you?”

Her gaze swept over the watching students, disappointment blooming bitterly in her chest. These were trained future healers–educated wolves from the finest academy in Verdanth.

How could none of them show even the smallest shred of awareness? The faintest sense of concern?

How could they stand there smiling, watching an old man carry death in his hands?

“Lady Cora told me to pick them,” Vargan said, guilt lining his voice. “She said you loved the lilies, and I, i wanted to bring you something nice. I didn’t know they were dangerous. I’m truly sorry.”

Lylah’s head snapped toward the owner of the sharp voice that had echoed through the hall.

“If you still hold a grudge against me, then face me,” Lylah hissed at Cora, her wolf stirring beneath her skin. “Don’t use my friend as your weapon. How cruel do you have to be to trick him into carrying Moonshade?”

Cora stood there, not a trace of guilt in her eyes.

‘You worried about those stupid flowers, Lylah?” she snapped, clutching the wrist Vargan had brushed against, her face contorted in exaggerated outrage. “That disgusting beggar friend of yours was harassing me! Trying to lay his filthy hands on me! Those flowers are nothing compared to what he did!”

Beggar. Disgusting.

The words struck Lylah like claws to the chest.

She knew Vargan wasn’t a beggar. And even if he were, how could Cora spew such venom so casually- without a flicker of shame, without a thought for decency?

Her wolf growled low in her chest, anger and protective instinct coiling tight around Lylah’s heart,

“Nothing, you said?” Lylah crouched and gathered the fallen lilies. Rising, she stepped toward Cora and shoved the flowers forward. “Then take them. You’re the one who made him pick them. Take responsibility.”

“Lylah, are you insane?!” Cora shricked, recoiling as if struck. But Lylah had already seized her wrist, holding her in place. “You’ve lost your mind! Those damned things are toxic! You’re trying to kill me!”

“But you said they were nothing,” Lylah replied coolly, her voice eerily calm. “Nothing compared to being brushed by someone you consider beneath you. So these must be harmless to you.”

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Chapter 71

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Finished

Cora’s screams drew the medics immediately.

The moment they arrived, Cora collapsed theatrically to the floor, tears streaming as she accused Lylah of trying to poison her, to kill her. Lylah explained what had happened–how Cora had sent Vargan to harvest the Moonshade.

Within minutes, both Cora and Vargan were escorted to the ward for toxin evaluation.

Inside the ward, a Lunar Grace healer finished scanning Vargan’s blood.

“The Moonshade had no effect,” the healer announced. “No trace of toxin is binding in his system.”

Vargan let out a relieved laugh, the sound rough but genuine. “You hear that, Lylah? I’m fine. These old bones and blood have survived worse than a few pretty flowers.”

Lylah didn’t smile. Her eyes were sharp as they locked on him. “Still, sir… Moonshade is poisonous in every part. Mild exposure can cause vomiting. Severe exposure… it can be fatal. You must never touch it again.”

‘I’m so sorry,” he said quietly, a flicker of guilt crossing his lined features. “I never meant to worry you. You can call me Vargan. That’s my name.”

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