Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Too Perfect to Be True

[Lavinia’s POV—Imperial Garden, After the Storm]

I finally spotted Papa.

There he was—slouching at the front row of the seating pavilion like he owned the world (which, frankly, he mostly did), sipping his wine as lazily as a lion sunbathing after a hunt. Seated beside him was none other than Grand Duke Regis—looking far too comfortable for someone who routinely drove Papa to the brink of a royal aneurysm.

"They look happy," I heard Grand Duke Regis say as I walked closer. "Surprisingly." He raised a brow at Papa, then added with that maddening smirk of his, "I thought he’d end up single and broody like you. But... guess I was wrong."

Papa’s death glare was so sharp it could’ve slashed mountains. He didn’t even bother with words—just stared at Regis like he was imagining 47 different ways to bury him beneath the palace.

But Grand Duke Regis?

Smiled.

Unbothered.

Amused.

And then he saw me.

His eyes crinkled with something too close to affection, and I took the opportunity to plop myself down beside Papa, resting my head gently against his shoulder.

Papa turned, his gaze softening instantly.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice low and protective. "Did someone bother you...? Tell me who. I’ll kill them."

Gods, I smiled.

There was nothing sweeter than his threats of murder—especially when they were for me. His words were always sharp, tyrannical even... But when he spoke like this, I felt nothing but safe. Like nothing in the world could ever hurt me so long as he was beside me.

Grand Duke Regis watched the scene unfold with an exaggerated sigh.

"Ugh... I wish I had a daughter too," he muttered under his breath, wistful. "Look at you two... It’s disgusting."

Papa didn’t miss a beat. He smirked, slow and smug, and looked at Regis like he was a beggar outside the temple gates.

"Not everyone receives blessings, Regis. Some of us are simply... chosen."

Regis twitched. His jaw locked for a second before he forced a diplomatic breath and said smoothly, "So what? Who knows—"

Then he turned to me.

That smirk returned.

And he said it.

"—I might get a daughter-in-law."

I blinked.

Papa stiffened beside me.

There was a moment of silence so sharp it could’ve sliced through the imperial banner.

And then—

"I should ban all upcoming marriages," Papa declared, glaring at Regis like he’d just insulted our entire bloodline. "Immediately. No courtships. No proposals. Nothing."

I sighed softly.

There he goes again...

I leaned into his side anyway. As absurd and dramatic as he could be, there was a strange comfort in the chaos. Like a storm that only ever raged to keep me safe.

But even so... my mind drifted.

To her.

Elaenia.

Something about her still buzzed in the back of my mind like a splinter I couldn’t shake loose. Why? Why did Count Talvan adopt her? And more importantly... why wasn’t it ever announced?

I turned my head slightly and murmured, "Papa..."

He glanced at me. "Hmm?"

"Did you know Count Talvan had an adopted daughter?"

His glass stopped mid-air.

Grand Duke Regis, too, turned to stare.

"...Adopted daughter?" Papa asked, brows lifting.

I nodded slowly. "Yes. I met her just now. Sirella introduced her to me. Said her name is Elaenia Talvan."

Grand Duke Regis frowned. "Talvan? Adopted someone? Since when?"

They looked at each other—two of the most informed, dangerous, and powerful men in the empire—and both wore the same expression.

Genuine surprise.

"Did you receive any information?" Papa asked.

"No," Regis said after a pause, shaking his head. "No, we never received any such information. Not through the court. Not through the informers. Not even a whisper."

Papa’s eyes narrowed. "We’ve always known Talvan had one daughter. Just one."

"Exactly," Regis agreed. "And even if he didn’t want to announce it to the court, there should have at least been... something. A letter. A ceremony. Even a rumor. But there’s nothing."

Papa’s eyes slid across the pavilion—sharp and calculating—until they landed on Count Talvan. The man was deep in discussion with Theon and Teacher Evelyn, completely unaware of the firestorm forming behind his back.

"Find out what happened," Papa said darkly.

Regis nodded once. "I will."

I followed Papa’s gaze to Count Talvan, but my thoughts weren’t on him anymore.

They were on her.

Elaenia.

The girl no one saw coming.

There are answers hidden behind her smile—answers that not even the Imperial informers can uncover. Secrets no record will reveal.

Because this wasn’t something written.

This wasn’t political.

This was personal.

And if I want to find the truth about Elaenia Velcorin...

I have to leave the palace.

I have to step outside the walls built to protect me—and dig into a past that no one else dares to touch.

Because fate has already started shifting.

And I need to know why.

...And that’s how Theon’s wedding ended.

Dramatic.

Chaotic.

It felt like someone had stacked the entire deck.

Deliberately.

Intentionally.

No... this wasn’t a coincidence.

This felt like a move.

A deliberate one.

And I hate being part of a game no one asked me to play. A game where they’ve already written my ending without my permission.

Because I’m not the original Lavinia, and I’m not going to end up like her anymore.

I may be lazy. I may have sworn to sit back and let the plot unfold on its own.

But not anymore.

Not after receiving all this love—from Papa, from Nanny, Osric, and others, even from that annoying Caelum and our divine Marshi.

The story has changed, and this time I will make sure to change my drastic end too because I’ve gotten greedy.

And I’m not letting anyone walk away from me.

Nor am I planning to go quietly into someone else’s story.

***

[Three Months Later—Lavinia’s POV]

He gifted me several hills.

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