The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 78

The Betrayed Princess Rising

Chapter 78

Third Person’s POV

019

Finished

The following morning, Lylah sought Iris out before the corridors filled with students and the hum of lectures began. Pale sunlight streamed through the tall academy windows, casting long bands of gold across the stone floors.

“I’m going to request a meeting with Professor Clark,” Lylah said, her voice calm but resolute. “In person.”

Iris froze mid–step.

“You want to meet him?” she asked carefully. “Lylah, I’ve been his junior assistant for months, and I’ve never actually seen him.”

Lylah blinked. “What?”

Iris leaned closer, lowering her voice as if the walls themselves might be listening. “He hardly comes to the academy anymore, and only handles everything through written directives. Research approvals, evaluations, and even thesis sign–offs. He leaves it all to his assistants.”

That wasn’t what Lylah had expected.

“He wasn’t always like this,” Iris went on, her voice gentling despite herself. “There’s a rumor–years ago, Professor Clark stood on equal footing with Professor Corvin Vale. The two of them were the academy’s twin pillars, relentless and so passionate in their research. Feared and admired in equal measure.”

Lylah’s pulse quickened at the comparison.

“They say he had a prodigy under his guidance. A student he believed would redefine the Healing system. But one day, that student walked away from the Healing field, abandoned it entirely.” Iris hesitated. “It devastated Professor Clack. And since then… he’s withdrawn.”

The revelation settled heavily in Lylah’s chest.

If the rumor held any truth, then Professor Clark’s absence wasn’t negligence–it was self–preservation.

She exhaled slowly. “Then I won’t push him, Iris. If he’s chosen isolation, I’ll respect it.”

Iris’s eyes widened. “But without a supervising professor, your application will be rejected outright.”

“I’ll ask someone else,” Lylah replied, lifting her chin. “I’m sure I’ll find someone willing to stand with me.”

A flicker of admiration passed through Iris’s gaze before she broke into her usual bright smile. “Then we’ll find one. Come on, let’s search through this department properly.

Across the academy grounds, in the courtyard of the Modern Healing wing, Cora moved with grace between marble archways veined in silver sigils. Alexander and Thane flanked her, their presence unmistakably protective.

1:24 pm

Chapter 78

Finished

“Cora, you really don’t have to push yourself.” Thane said, his voice softer this time. “The poison only cleared from your system yesterday. You are still recovering.”

“Professor Corvin Vale is returning soon. Thane” she said, adjusting the sleeve of her coat. “It would be inappropriate if one of his students wasn’t in the laboratory to welcome him, don’t you think?”

Cora had never once stood before Professor Corvin Vale. She had only heard the stories–the brilliance, the ruthless standards, the way even senior wolves straightened under his gaze.

She intended to make a flawless first impression.

Her mood, however, was sour. Eldric had called at dawn, declaring he would arrive in Lunaris within days. She despised how her family seemed to insert themselves into every corner of her life.

Alexander’s low whistle cut through her thoughts.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” he muttered.

Ahead of them stood Jett, a slight delivery student struggling beneath an enormous arrangement of

crimson roses.

“Alex, don’t start,” Thane warned lightly.

But Alexander was already circling the poor student, amused. “Jett, hiding behind flowers now? Finally found yourself a she–wolf?”

He plucked the attached card before Jett could protest. “Oh–this is from Rowan Blackfang.”

The moment Alexander read the name, Cora’s eyes brightened.

He turned toward her with a knowing smirk. “Cora. This has to be yours.”

She stepped forward gracefully, already imagining the weight of the gesture.

“Oh, they’re so beautiful,” Cora breathed, her voice soft and coquettish as her fingers hovered over the petals.

“Beautiful?” Alexander scoffed. “That man didn’t even show his face when you were poisoned and had to be treated in the infirmary. And now he sends flowers to win your heart?”

“Alex, Rowan has responsibilities. He can’t always be at my side.”

Even as she defended him, a small fracture of doubt pressed at her pride.

Alexander rolled his eyes, still bitter about Rowan’s absence during yesterday’s incident.

“Wait,” Alexander muttered, noticing the folded card nestled between the stems. “He wrote something.”

His gaze moved across the elegant script. Then he read aloud.

“I sent this as an apology… To the moon of my heart. My beloved Lylah.”

The world seemed to tilt.

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