The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Lylah’s POV

The following days, life at Lunar Grace returned to its usual rhythm.

And inevitably,

I ran into Thane Blackridge again.

finished

Not that avoiding him had ever truly been possible. Ever since our paper won the academy selection, we have been assigned to the same advanced projects more often than not.

Still, I found myself quietly grateful.

After what happened yesterday, Thane behaved almost normally. Almost.

The tension was still there beneath the surface, woven tightly into every glance he gave me. His wolf remained restrained, quieter than before, but I could still sense the weight pressing behind his eyes-too many things left unsaid. Too much guilt he still carried like chains around his throat.

As though every time he looked at me, he was seeing the warrior who had vanished from this world long

ago.

My father.

“Lylah.”

Thane cleared his throat abruptly, dragging himself out of whatever thoughts had trapped him.

“If you don’t want to join the volunteer assignment next week, you can take my leave instead.” He leaned casually against the desk beside mine. “I haven’t missed a single one in the last two years, so the Healing Department keeps stacking my leave credits.”

I looked up from my laptop. “Volunteer?”

So much chaos had happened lately that the memory surfaced embarrassingly slowly.

Thane nodded. “The annual field volunteer program. The top students from the Healing Department are required to participate before official healer certification.” His voice remained calm. “Last year the assignment stayed within Lunaris. This year…” He exhaled lightly. “No one knows yet.”

Then it finally clicked.

Professor Grimwood had explained it months ago, shortly after the announcement that my paper had won first prize.

Right.

That.

“I’ll go,” I said simply. “And keep your leave credits. They belong to you.”

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2:07 pm p p pp

Chapter 423

Finished

A faint crease appeared between Thane’s brows, almost as if he expected me to refuse out of discomfort toward him.

I returned my attention to the screen.

Honestly, forgetting the assignment itself wasn’t a problem. I could prepare quickly enough once the details were released.

The real issue was Ezra.

If I mentioned it too suddenly, he would immediately become overprotective. And if the assignment ended up outside Lunaris territory…

I could already imagine the expression he would wear.

By the time my work was finally finished, dusk had begun settling over the academy grounds in soft shades of peach and lavender. Ezra had already said that he would pick me up.

The moment I stepped beyond Lunar Grace’s gates, I instinctively searched for the familiar black Rolls- Royce usually reserved for him.

It wasn’t there.

“Lylah!”

I turned at Zyrelle’s voice and walked toward the sleek silver saloon waiting near the curb instead.

My brows lifted immediately. “Why the different car today?”

Zyrelle rolled her eyes dramatically as she opened the rear door for me.

“Because your mate’s usual vehicle has become recognizable to every media in Lunaris after that stupid business venture,” she said dryly. “Now the second Ezra appears anywhere, they start chasing the car like starving scavengers hoping for interviews.”

I laughed softly under my breath.

Somewhere deep inside my chest, warmth unfurled with unmistakable pride.

Zyrelle snorted. “I told him I’m not driving you two around if we’re going to spend the entire evening being chased by reporters. Your mate had the same thought. Of course.”

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