The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 155

Lylah's POV

I didn’t waste another moment.

Clutching the small box containing the candle, I hurried toward the study where Ezra’s grandfather was said to be. Albert followed close behind, wringing his hands nervously.

“Luna, please forgive me,” he said for what must have been the tenth time. “I truly did not mean to lie.”

“It’s alright, Albert,” I replied, though my steps didn’t slow.

When we reached the door, the guards pushed it open.

“I’m so sorry for the interruption,” I said as I stepped inside.

The study smelled faintly of old books and cedarwood. Towering shelves lined the walls, packed with volumes that looked older than the mansion itself.

Near one of the bookcases stood a tall figure with his back to me.

His gray hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck. A dark velvet tunic draped over broad shoulders that still carried the quiet strength of a seasoned wolf. Boots polished to a deep sheen completed the image of authority.

The old lord of Moonclaw.

“But I couldn’t leave without seeing you,” I continued quickly. “When I heard you were feeling better, I thought… I truly hoped to greet you in person. That was the whole reason I came here.”

For a moment, he didn’t move.

Then slowly, he turned.

Our gazes met.

Only his eyes were visible, the lower half of his face hidden behind a cloth mask. Yet those eyes—ancient, sharp, and unmistakably powerful—felt as if they could see straight through bone and marrow.

“Luna,” he greeted, his deep voice resonating through the room as he stepped closer.

I dipped into a respectful curtsy. “I’m Lylah.”

“Ah," His eyes warmed slightly. “Yes, I know. Ezra has told me your name… and quite a lot about you.” His gaze lingered on me thoughtfully. “And you’ve been restless because you couldn’t see me?”

I hesitated before answering honestly.

“I thought… You didn’t wish to meet me.”

The old wolf barked out a rich, booming laugh.

“Luna of this pack, you are delightfully innocent,” he said with amusement. “Can’t you see this ridiculous cloth covering my face, silly girl? I caught a stubborn cold. I’ve been hiding myself away so no one else would catch it.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“But your concern touches me,” he continued. “And why would I refuse to meet the Luna who has captured my grandson’s iron heart?”

Relief loosened the tight knot in my chest.

At least it hadn’t been a rejection.

His eyes dropped to the small box in my hands.

“Alpha Ezra told me you sometimes struggle to sleep,” I said, lifting the gift toward him. “This is a scented candle. If you light it before resting, it should help calm your mind.”

For a moment, he simply stared at it.

Those deep eyes glimmered with something that looked almost like… admiration.

Without hesitation, he accepted the box.

A wide smile spread across my face.

“If only that boy knew the real reason I sometimes lose sleep is because of him,” the old wolf chuckled. “When he’s away, I sleep like a bear in winter.”

His laughter rumbled warmly through the room.

“But thank you, sweet girl. I’ll make sure to light this every night.”

Noticing my hesitation, he added with a grin,

“Don’t mind my words. Ezra and I have always had a… complicated relationship. Love and war, you could say. That boy has been difficult since he was a pup and I’ve never been the gentle sort of guardian.”

I nodded quietly.

A question hovered on the tip of my tongue—about Ezra’s parents—but I swallowed it. It didn’t feel like the right moment.

“Albert!” the old lord suddenly barked.

The poor butler, who had been standing stiffly near the door the entire time, nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Yes, Master!”

“Why are you standing there like a carved statue? Go fetch some tea and cake for Luna.”

“Yes, Master. Right away!”

Albert hurried out of the room at once.

Ezra’s grandfather turned back to me, his sharp gaze softening slightly.

“Will you stay and talk with an old wolf for a while?”

I nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”