Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195: Claws Out: Guildmaster vs. Boyfriend

[Lavinia’s Pov—Dawnspire Wing—Continuation]

His hands were warm and firm on my waist, steadying me as if I were something fragile, something breakable. I was still perched on his lap, my skirts pooling around us, and yet, I couldn’t breathe. His thumbs brushed over my cheeks, rough calluses grazing my skin like a secret only he was allowed to touch.

His lips hovered—so close I could feel the ghost of his breath on mine. My heart was pounding wildly, and I knew he could feel it too, the erratic beat echoing in the air between us.

There was something in his eyes—something dangerous and tender all at once: hesitation, fear, longing, love, and that quiet possessiveness that always unsettled me. It was too much and yet, not enough.

And for once, I didn’t care. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to be a princess, daughter, or heir. I just wanted this moment. Him.

Osric leaned closer, and I leaned too, my world narrowing to the shape of his mouth, the promise of a kiss that would destroy every line we had drawn between us. His gaze flickered down to my lips. I didn’t hesitate. I wanted—

KNOCK. KNOCK.

The sound split through the moment like a blade.

I froze. So did he. His fingers tightened ever so slightly on my waist, then released.

He blinked. I blinked. And the space between us—so small a second ago—suddenly felt endless.

Slowly, I slipped from his lap, my legs unsteady. "It... it must be Sera," I said, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

Osric cleared his throat, nodding once. "Perhaps."

KNOCK. KNOCK.

We both turned at the same time. That wasn’t the main door.

I frowned. "That... came from behind us."

His hand instinctively went to his sword. "The balcony."

Relief softened the tension in my chest. "It’s probably Solena. She must’ve fought with Marshie again." I tried to sound casual, though my cheeks were still burning.

"I’ll check," I said quickly, needing the space to breathe, to calm the storm inside me.

I walked toward the balcony door, my fingers still trembling slightly. When I opened it, I nearly stumbled back.

"Oh!! Rey...what are you doing here?"

He leaned casually closer to me, the moonlight turning his dark blue hair silver at the edges. At the sight of me, he grinned like a cat caught somewhere it shouldn’t be.

"Why," he drawled, stepping inside, "is the princess locking her doors? Planning to keep someone out... or in?"

Before he could say another word, I kicked his shin. Hard.

"Pervert!"

"Ow—bloody hell!" He bent slightly, rubbing his leg, glaring at me. "What is wrong with you? I was kidding! You really need to stop choosing violence as your first language—"

And then he stopped.

Because he saw him.

Osric was standing now, tall and still, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword, his eyes dark, unblinking, and sharp enough to cut glass. Rey’s gaze landed on him. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Rey straightened, his smirk returning, though a little tighter this time. "Oh," he said slowly, his voice carrying just enough amusement to be a provocation. "We have company. Forgive me, princess—I didn’t realize you were entertaining a... guest."

Something dangerous flickered in Osric’s gaze. His jaw tightened.

"Guest?" he repeated, his tone low and sharp. "Are you talking about yourself?"

"Touchy," Rey said, tilting his head. "What’s the matter? Afraid I might steal a little of the Princess’s attention?"

"She’s not yours to steal," Osric said coldly.

The tension in the room thickened until it felt like the walls were leaning closer. Rey only crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth quirking up like a man who thrived on dangerous games.

"If you’re done growling, Lord Osric," Rey drawled, "I’d like to speak to the princess. Personally. ALONE."

Osric moved forward, his broad frame stepping subtly in front of me, a silent shield. His tone was calm, but the underlying threat was as clear as steel drawn from a sheath. "You want to talk to the princess alone?"

Rey’s eyes flicked to mine for the briefest second before returning to Osric. "...Yes."

Was it my imagination, or did the air actually spark? I could swear a phantom fire crackled between them.

"I should seal these balcony doors," Osric said suddenly, his voice colder now, "because there seem to be far too many pests wandering around the princess’s chambers."

Rey’s eye twitched, but that smirk never faltered. "Pests, hm? Funny. I thought pests usually crawl on the ground. I prefer to think of myself as... a concerned friend."

Osric tilted his head, the motion almost lazy but far too deliberate. "A concerned friend doesn’t break into a princess’s chambers through the balcony doors. What do you think that makes you?" "

"Concerned. Protective. Charming, even." Rey chuckled, the sound annoyingly confident. "The balcony door wasn’t exactly a fortress. You should thank me for pointing out your... security flaws."

Rey feigned innocence, placing a hand over his chest. He looked at me and winked. "Isn’t that right, my princess?"

"Don’t look at her," Osric cut in, stepping fully between us like a wall of steel. "And don’t call her that."

"Oh? What would you prefer I call her? ’My Dearest’? Or is that title reserved for you?" Rey’s smile widened when he saw the vein pulsing on Osric’s temple.

This. This is it. The dream every girl in a storybook wants—a duel of egos for my attention.

Then—SLAM!

Before I could explain, she suddenly remembered why she’d come and gasped, "Forget that! Princess, it’s an emergency! MARSHI BURNED THE ROSE GARDEN!!!!"

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