The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401

Lylah’s POV

The noise of the banquet faded as we moved toward the quieter end of the terrace.

Finished

Moonlight spilled across the marble table while soft music drifted from the distant gardens. Servants moved quietly between the guests, but here, tucked away beneath the warm glow of the chandeliers, it finally felt peaceful.

We ate slowly, exchanging light conversation and the occasional laugh.

Then Grandfather Vargan suddenly glanced toward Commander Ivar, his brows knitting together.

‘I didn’t realize you held such hostility toward Rowan Blackfang.”

Commander Ivar gave a small shrug. “I don’t.”

Vargan snorted softly. “You looked ready to rip his throat out earlier. After your retirement and after your last battle, I haven’t seen your wolf that furious in years.”

At that, something dark shifted in the Commander’s silver eyes.

The atmosphere around the table changed instantly.

The night air seemed to sharpen with the scent of danger as ancient power stirred beneath his skin.

‘It isn’t only Rowan Blackfang I want to tear apart,” Ivar said quietly.

All of us at the table stiffened.

‘It’s Eldric. His entire bloodline. His precious daughter who now stands beside Rowan.” His voice lowered nto something lethal. “And if I could, I would burn Ironcrest itself to the ground.”

The fury rolling off him was suffocating.

t felt less like anger and more like the restrained wrath of a battle-worn beast finally catching the scent of old blood.

Then his gaze shifted toward me.

And instantly, the violence softened into something far heavier.

Guilt.

“They deserve it,” he said hoarsely. “After everything they’ve done to you, Lylah.”

Grandfather Vargan fell silent, confusion shadowing his expression as he tried to piece together the meaning behind those words.

But I already understood.

2:02 pm

Chapter 401

A strange ache tightened inside my chest.

“You found out….” I said softly. “About my real parents.”

For a moment, Ivar simply stared at me. Then he murmured,

Finished

“I should have discovered the truth long ago, child. Long before tonight.” Regret carved deeply through every word. “The moment Jax died…. It should have been you under my protection. Not her.”

Silence settled over the table.

Even Ezra remained still beside me, though I could feel his wolf listening carefully beneath the calm mask he wore.

Commander Ivar exhaled slowly, as though forcing himself to reopen wounds he had buried.

*After Jax died, Cora came to me claiming she was his daughter.” A bitter shadow crossed his face. “She was terrified. Alone. Nothing more than a fragile little girl abandoned by the world.” His eyes dimmed with disgust toward himself. “And like a fool, I let my grief blind me. That very night, I was already prepared to place everything I had at her feet.”

The shame in his voice made my chest tighten painfully.

‘I pulled strings across Verdanth for her. Called in favors from former students, allies, commanders.” A humorless laugh escaped him. “I told them to treat her like royalty. Like something precious. I made sure her life would always be easy.”

My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin.

Rage flickered hot through my veins.

Not only had Cora deceived Thane, Isaac, and countless others,

She had manipulated someone who had genuinely loved and respected my father.

Someone who had mourned him.

‘When I finally learned she wasn’t Jax’s true daughter,” Ivar continued, “she avoided me. Dodged every question. And when I cornered her… she claimed the real child died during birth.”

The words hit like ice against my spine.

“She hid the truth about the switch,” he said roughly. “By then, everything had already gone too far. The damage had already been done.”

His aura trembled faintly.

Not from weakness.

From regret.

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