Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Web of Nobles

[Emperor Cassius POV—Imperial Palace—Throne Room—continuation]

His smug expression faltered—just slightly. But I saw it. The flicker of fear.

"Remember this well," I said, my voice low and deliberate, each syllable slicing through the hall, "the Crown Princess’s will... is mine. And mine... is law."

A shiver rippled through the chamber. Gasps, muffled curses, and the sound of silk sleeves brushing as nobles glanced at one another in dread. I leaned back on the throne, letting the silence stretch, savoring their unease.

"And..." I let the pause hang, cruel and heavy, before adding with a faint, icy smile, "The Crown Princess was far more merciful than I would have been."

Count Talvan swallowed hard, forcing himself to step forward. His voice trembled despite his attempt at composure. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Increasing the tax to ninety-five percent is... mercy, Your Majesty?"

I turned my gaze upon him—slowly. Like a predator regarding its next meal. But before I spoke, Regis’s laughter, quiet and smooth, slid across the hall like oil.

"Of course it is, Count Talvan."

The nobles turned to him, startled. Regis’s smile was almost boyish and casual, as if discussing the weather.

"Mercy, indeed. Because we all know..." His tone softened, teasing almost, though the words burned, "if such a matter had come before His Majesty directly—"

His eyes flicked to me, lips curling, "—your heads would already be rolling on this floor."

A collective flinch. The nobles’ knees nearly buckled.

Regis let the moment settle, then continued, voice still pleasant but sharp as glass.

"So yes... compared to His Majesty’s decree, the Crown Princess’s command is gentle. Merciful. A gift you do not deserve." He let his smile fade, coldness bleeding into his tone. "And yet... she has even allowed a path back."

Brows furrowed. No one dared to breathe too loudly.

"If the traitor," Regis said, voice dropping to a deadly hush, "dares to surrender themselves... to kneel before the Crown Princess and beg for her forgiveness... then, and only then, will the tax return to its previous state."

He straightened, eyes gleaming like a blade unsheathed.

"So instead of wasting your time wringing your hands here—" His voice snapped like a whip, "—you would do better to hunt down the traitor and deliver them alive. Unless, of course, you wish to be mistaken for sympathizers."

Silence. Thick. Suffocating. No one moved.

I let the weight of their fear linger, then leaned forward just enough, my eyes narrowing into slits.

"And do remember..." I murmured, my voice like iron dragged across stone, "Mercy is not infinite. Defy us again—" I paused, letting them imagine the rest "—and you will pray for a fate as swift as decapitation."

The hall trembled with their shudders.

"Court is dismissed," I declared, my voice sharp as steel.

The nobles bowed low, their silken robes rustling like whispers of treachery, before scurrying out of the hall. When the heavy doors slammed shut behind them, the silence that remained was thicker—heavier—than their presence.

I exhaled slowly, leaning back against the gilded throne. My hands itched—not for a blade this time, but for restraint.

"Seems..." I murmured, my voice edged with disdain, "Like we are raising too many vipers in this empire."

Regis chuckled, smooth and mocking.

"At least these vipers are visible, Cassius. Their fangs gleam in the open. We can defend ourselves from their poison." His eyes darkened. "It is the ones hiding in the grass... the ones who bite unseen... that we must fear."

Ravick’s hand tightened over his sword hilt. "Your Majesty... Do you truly believe the traitor will show themself?"

I smirked, slow and deliberate. "Of course, Ravick. This... is not a game of blades." My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "It is the mental game my daughter has begun."

Ravick frowned. "Mental... game?"

"Yes." I leaned forward, eyes glinting. "And it is far more dangerous than slaughter. A sword kills only once. Fear—doubt—paranoia... They kill a thousand times before death arrives."

Theon gave a grim nod.

"The empire is unsettled. Every corner whispers with unease. The traitor must already be trembling under the weight of suspicion. Sooner or later, the pressure will drive them into a mistake—or force them to crawl forward."

I allowed myself a rare smile, pride swelling like fire in my chest.

"I did not think... My daughter would wield such cunning. To twist fear itself into a weapon..." My jaw tightened, but my voice carried a hint of warmth. "I cannot believe my daughter is this smart."

Regis’s grin widened, shameless. "I agree. Looks like my grandchildren will be even smarter."

My head snapped toward him. My hand clenched into a fist.

"...What did you just say?"

This bastard.

"Finish that word," I snarled, my voice like thunder cracking through the chamber, "and I will slit your throat where you stand."

"WHAT? You dare go back on your word? You promised! You promised our children would be engaged after her coming-of-age!"

"My memory..." I drawled, my tone venom-laced, "has grown weak with age. I recall no such promise. Perhaps... I am getting old. Too old."

"You..." Regis jabbed a trembling finger toward me, face twisting with rage. "You dare... you dare mock me?!"

The audacity.

I leaned forward on the throne, eyes narrowing. "Utter even a single word—marriage or engagement—near my daughter, and I will not hesitate to kill your son."

"ME," I said flatly, without a blink.

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