The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 141

3rd Person's POV

The difference was that in their previous life, Cora had been Carmen—Lysara’s stepsister.

A stray the royal family had taken in and raised as their own daughter.

A devil dressed in the skin of a wounded lamb.

“She’s finally facing the consequences of everything she’s done,” Ezra said quietly. “Why would you feel bad for someone who caused you so much suffering?”

In that lifetime, Carmen had envied Lysara with a venom that ran deep in her bones.

Every smile she wore had hidden resentment. Every kindness had been a mask. Behind it all, she had done everything in her power to drag Lysara down.

What Ezra had never realized then was that Carmen’s hatred had another source.

Him.

Somewhere along the way, the twisted woman had developed feelings for him. Feelings that festered into obsession—and only sharpened her determination to destroy the bond between Ezra and Lysara.

The peak of it all had come on that cursed night.

The palace halls had still reeked of blood when Carmen knelt before him, her hands clutching his armor while he cradled Lysara’s lifeless body.

“Mark me,” she had begged, her voice shaking with desperate hunger. “Ezrael… please. She’s dead. My sister is nothing but a corpse now. Mark me instead. I’m here. I’m alive. Choose me.”

Even now, remembering it made the beast inside him stir with quiet fury.

Moments later, Ezra had severed her head where she knelt.

“Ezra… are you alright?” Lylah’s gentle voice cut through the darkness.

Her fingers brushed lightly along his jaw, grounding him. The warmth of her touch pulled him back from the past like a tether.

Ezra blinked. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“Really?” Lylah studied him carefully. “You suddenly looked so angry. What were you thinking about?” She hesitated. “If what I said earlier about Cora is troubling you, you don’t have to think about it..."

Ezra lifted her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against the back of her palm. "I'm alright."

“I’ll take your advice,” Lylah said with a small smile. “I won’t think about Cora’s illness anymore. You’re right—whatever happens to her is their business. Not mine."

Ezra gave a small nod.

Even after lifetimes had passed, the woman before him still possessed the same gentle, unguarded heart.

And that was what worried him most.

He feared that one day, someone would try to claim her kindness as if it were theirs to take.

“I’ll make dinner,” Lylah suddenly said, clapping her hands lightly as she changed the subject. “Is there anything you’d like to eat? I was thinking of making smoothie bowls.”

“That sounds delicious.”

They moved into the kitchen together.

There was something strangely peaceful about the way they worked side by side—passing ingredients, chopping fruit, blending, and arranging bowls.

More than anything else, it pleased him that Lylah already looked completely at ease here.

When the food was finished, they sat together at the dining table.

The quiet between them was comfortable.

But sometimes Lylah wondered if he ever missed dinners like this with his family back in Moonclaw.

“Damon told me your grandfather visited today,” she said after a moment. “Sadly I didn’t get the chance to meet him.”

“He stopped by briefly,” Ezra replied. He took a sip of his drink before adding, “If you want, I can arrange a time for you to meet that old wolf.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up instantly, sparkling with excitement.

“Yes.”

“But…” Lylah hesitated. “Please don’t make it too sudden. I want to prepare a gift for him first.”

She fidgeted slightly, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice.

“And... I’m a bit worried actually. Do you think your grandfather will like me?”

A quiet chuckle slipped from Ezra’s lips.

His gaze softened as he looked at her. “He already loves you more than he’s ever loved anyone else in his family.”