Spoiler for beta and plot in general.
A glimpse of Ivar's past as he takes comfort in our MC. Ivar's blessing of beauty is also a curse as every man, kin or not, tried to embrace him. And although few succeeded, many have lost their lives in the attempts, scattering as mere petals flowing in the wind. The only ones he tries to spare are his sons, whom he can't bear to truly kill and instead make husks of their former selves. What Lyall thinks is fear for his father amongst his brothers is actually a blind desire to please, as Ivar deliberately blocks his youngest son from his siblings' vile lustful thoughts.
At the core of his being, Ivar is a family man, a man who loves love -- even if he has very few of those true experiences himself