Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188: The Princess’s Claim

[Lavinia’s Pov—Commoner’s Valley—continuation]

The streets of the commoner valley were far from silent, yet in that moment, the bustle seemed distant to me. My hand was still gripping Osric’s much larger one, his warm blood slick against my fingers.

"Lavi... it’s nothing," he murmured, trying to pull away, but I tightened my hold.

"Nothing? You’re bleeding!" My voice came out sharper than intended, laced with worry I couldn’t hide. "What if it’s deep? What if it gets infected? What if—"

A soft chuckle escaped him. "You’re panicking more than the wound deserves."

I glared at him, my heart thudding painfully. "Don’t laugh. This isn’t funny. You’re my person, my shield. If something happens to you—" I stopped myself before the words spilled further.

Damien approached, eyes scanning the alley. "Your Highness, we need to move. The goods are secured, and the prisoners will be taken to the dungeons." His gaze flicked to Osric’s hand, brow furrowing. "What happened?"

"An accident," Osric replied calmly, though his clenched jaw betrayed the sting.

"Accident or not," I said firmly, "we’re finding the nearest clinic. Now."

"Clinic?" Damien’s lips twitched. "Your highness, this is the commoner valley. The best you’ll get is an apothecary with questionable herbs."

"Then we’ll make do," I snapped, already scanning the street. "Or do you expect me to let his hand fester?"

For a moment, there was silence. Even Aldric, who had just returned, hid a smile behind his gauntlet.

Osric sighed, giving in. "Very well. But it truly is—"

I shot him a look that silenced any further protest. Then I turned to Aldric and Damien.

"You two," I said, firm but calm, "deliver the goods to the people. Make sure they know what happened. They deserve the truth."

Aldric’s expression softened, and Damien gave a short bow. "Yes, Your Highness," they said in unison before heading off with purposeful strides, leaving me and Osric by the quiet pond at the edge of the alley.

I scanned the surroundings and spotted a modest little stall tucked under the shade of a crooked awning, bundles of dried leaves and jars of mysterious powders hanging from its shelves. Perfect.

"Go sit there," I ordered, pointing to the worn bench near the pond. "I’ll handle this."

Osric arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Lavi, it’s just a scratch."

"Sit. Down." My tone left no room for argument.

His lips twitched, but he obeyed, moving toward the bench with the obedience of a soldier—though not without a grumble. "You treat me like a child."

"Children usually behave better," I muttered under my breath, earning a quiet chuckle.

I strode to the stall. The herbalist, an older man with sharp eyes, looked up when I approached. "I need medicinal herbs. Antiseptic, disinfectant—anything for wounds," I said briskly.

He nodded, but when his gaze lifted fully to my face, his eyes went wide. "Crown pri—"

"Sshh!" I hissed, pressing a finger to my lips and leaning closer. "Not a word. No bowing, no shouting. Just the herbs."

To his credit, he snapped his mouth shut and moved quickly, gathering bundles of clean linen and fresh-smelling leaves. "Here, Your Highness," he murmured, bowing slightly as he offered them.

I slipped a gold coin onto the counter. "My lady, this is far too much—"

"Keep it," I interrupted, already turning away.

He stammered something that might have been gratitude, but I didn’t hear it. Because when I turned back, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

A figure in a brown cloak stood far too close to Osric, her delicate fingers wrapped around his injured hand as if she had every right to touch him.

And Osric... looked furious. His sharp jaw was set, his brows drawn tight, but there was no mistaking the cold anger in his eyes.

I narrowed my gaze.

Hmm? Who the hell is she?

I walked closer to them and the cloaked figure tilted her head, a soft, cultured voice spilling from beneath the hood. "My lord... you’re gravely injured. Allow me to take you to the physician. Such a wound shouldn’t be neglected."

Her words were smooth, but Osric’s voice cut through them like steel, low and biting. "Get. Away. From. Me."

The woman flinched.

Osric tone was ice. "And how dare you touch me so carelessly... Lady Eleania."

I froze mid-step. Lady... Eleania?

I reached toward them, asking, "What’s going on here?"

But I wasn’t looking at him. My eyes were locked on Eleania. And worse—on her hand, still touching him.

"Lady Eleania," I said, my voice calm but laced with steel, "you may be a lady, but you seem to lack one crucial thing—manners."

"You don’t touch another woman’s man so carelessly," I continued, my tone sharpening with each word. "Especially not mine." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

What in the seven hells is she doing here? At Commoner’s Valley of all places?

Of course.

"I never asked for your assistance, Lady." Osric’s voice cut through hers like steel on glass—cold, unyielding. Her pretty lips twitched.

Oh, hell no.

"And that someone," I added, voice soft but sharp enough to cut, "is me."

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