The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 443

Chapter 443

3rd Person’s POV

cess Rising

“When did you first decide you wanted to become a healer?”

“When I was nine,” she answered softly. “I stayed beside my grandmother during her final days. There were so many sick wolves back then. Some of them couldn’t even afford proper treatment.” Her voice lowered. I remember feeling helpless watching them suffer.”

“I wanted to heal them,” she finished quietly.

Jude stared at her.

Most wolves lost themselves the moment power touched their hands. Wealth, status, authority-those things devoured old dreams until nothing remained except pride and greed.

Yet she was still the same.

“And even after becoming Luna of Moonclaw,” Jude murmured, “you never abandoned that dream.”

Lylah looked at him in confusion, almost as if the answer was obvious. “Why would I?”

Jude lowered his gaze briefly, a rough breath escaping him.

“Right,” he muttered. “Of course you wouldn’t.”

He exhaled quietly before forcing himself to step back.

“I won’t interfere with your work here anymore, Lylah,” he said at last. “I apologize if I crossed boundaries or made you uncomfortable.”

The wind stirred strands of Lylah’s dark hair beneath the pale light.

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave Lunera Valley,” Jude continued hoarsely. “You won’t have to worry about me disturbing you again.”

For a second, silence settled between them.

Then Lylah blinked. “But what about your campaign?”

Jude looked up immediately.

“You needed someone to assist you, didn’t you?” she asked calmly. “I never told you to leave.”

Something flickered violently across his expression.

Hope.

Jude had already prepared himself for rejection.

Part of him believed he deserved to be pushed away.

Chapter 443

“It’s actually not important-”

“Yes, it is.” Lylah interrupted gently. “Your company still has work here. And I already said I believe you

Jude stared at her.

“At least you were honest with me instead of making excuses,” she continued. “So there’s no reason for me to refuse helping you.”

Warmth spread slowly through his chest, so sudden and unfamiliar that it nearly left him breathless.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

Now he could remain here longer.

Long enough to ensure her safety with his own eyes.

Long enough to know the daughter of his savior better.

By dawn, muted gold light spilled across Lunera Valley.

The volunteers gathered outside after breakfast, bundled beneath thick cloaks while icy wind swept through the settlement. The scent of herbs and woodsmoke filled the morning air as supplies were prepared for the day’s visits.

Lylah organized medicinal roots beside Seraphina. Around them, students muttered complaints about another freezing night in the Valley.

“Then why are your eyes so red? Did he turn you down?” someone finally asked after noticing Seraphina’s swollen gaze.

“No, I wasn’t crying,” Seraphina said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Why would Sir Knight ever hurt my feelings? He’s such a gentleman.”

Several heads immediately turned toward her.

Lylah remained focused on her herbs.

Seraphina lifted her chin slightly, clearly savoring the attention. “Yesterday, Sir Knight injured his leg while hunting near the forest reserve. His ankle became dislocated, so he personally asked me to treat him.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify