The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 254

Chapter 254

3rd Person’s POV

“You were looking for Professor Grimwood, weren’t you?”

Lylah said gently, stepping forward. “He isn’t here. This is Professor Corvin Vale, the mentor of the Modern Healing class.”

Gerald blinked, his brows knitting together. “What?”

Finished

Heat crept up his neck, embarrassment settling in. The academy was vast, he couldn’t possibly remember every mentor by name.

Before anyone could recover, another presence approached. The scent came first-crushed herbs and bitter tinctures, still clinging to him from freshly treated patients, sharp and medicinal in the air.

Then the man himself stepped into view.

Clark Grimwood

So you’ve been pretending to be me when I’m not around,” Grimwood drawled, his voice thick with arcasm. “And you didn’t think to correct them when Lylah’s family mistook you?” His lips curled faintly. I must have more admirers than I realized, Vale.”

Corvin Vale’s fist clenched at his side. The air around him tightened, his wolf stirring beneath his skin. Humiliation burns hot and sharp.

At that moment, two more figures approached.

Thane Blackridge and Cora had been passing by, only to pause at the charged tension. Their instincts lared instantly-something was wrong.

I had no intention of claiming your name,” Vale said coldly, recovering quickly, his tone turning alculated. “But the moment I saw what these Whitepine wolves offered…” His gaze flicked toward Gerald ind Luca, disdain sharpening his expression. “I chose not to correct them.”

A faint, cruel smile tugged at his lips.

So these are your beloved student’s kin?” Vale continued, his voice laced with cold disdain. “It seems hamelessness runs thick in their blood. They tried to bribe their way into securing her standing here.” His ip curled faintly, eyes glinting with scorn. “How utterly disgraceful to Whitepine’s name.”

Grimwood’s eyes narrowed, the shift subtle-but dangerous.

‘That’s not true,” Lylah cut in immediately.

Her voice was calm, but something steeled beneath it.

‘I know Gerald and Luca. They would never do that.” Her gaze lifted to Vale, unwavering. “And I know my mentor. Everyone in Lunar Grace does. No one would dare approach Professor Grimwood with such an

intention.”

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12:53 pm Pppp.

Chapter 254

Finished

A low murmur rippled through the air, instincts brushing, tension rising.

Vale’s expression darkened.

“Are you so certain?” he mocked softly. “You may know your mentor… but it seems you lack the discernment to know your own blood.”

His movement was sudden.

He snatched the relic from Luca’s grasp.

“This,” Vale said, raising it for all to see.

The small golden wolf caught the light, its ruby eyes glinting faintly-yet for all the weight in his voice, it looked so ordinary, almost unimpressive in his hand, as though it refused to become the scandal he was trying to make of it.

“This is what they offered me,” he declared, voice ringing with accusation. “In exchange for ensuring your name shines within this academy, Lylah. This is your family’s intention.”

Silence followed.

Grimwood’s gaze fixed on the relic.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then-

He laughed.

Not light or polite. A sharp, cutting laugh like a blade drawn across silence.

‘An old token,” he murmured, stepping closer. “A normal symbol of honor or respect.” His eyes lifted, locking onto Vale. “And you call it a bribe?”

A slow smile spread across his face.

*If your mind is so thoroughly stained that you mistake tradition for corruption, then by all means-hand it to me. I’ll gladly keep it in my study and laugh whenever I remember there’s someone foolish enough to misjudge honor.”

The shift in the air was immediate. Then Grimwood’s expression sharpened.

“Though,” he added, almost lazily, “your assumption does raise an interesting question. One does not see bribery in everything… unless one is accustomed to accepting it, Vale.”

The words landed like a strike.

Behind him, Cora’s face drained of color.

Lylah stood still, watching it all unfold.

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