Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196: A Mate for Marshi... and Secrets for Me

[Lavinia’s Pov—Rose Garden—Later]

If anyone ever asks me what’s more nerve-wracking than two grown men arguing over me on a balcony, the answer is simple: a divine beast sulking in a koi pond. Because apparently, that’s my life now.

"Move! Let me through!" I snapped, hiking my skirts as Sera led the way, Rey strolling like he owned the palace, and Osric glaring daggers at his every step. By the time we reached the courtyard, the scent of burnt roses and steamed fish hit my nose.

And there he was—Marshi. Glorious, luminous, and absolutely ridiculous. His whole body clung wet to his body as he sat, yes sat, in the middle of the pond, koi fish circling him like confused diplomats.

"...Is he sulking?" Rey tilted his head.

"No," Sera said dryly, "he’s throwing a divine tantrum."

Rey let out a low whistle. "Well. At least he’s not roasting the fish."

Osric crossed his arms. "Give him a minute."

"Stop tempting fate," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Sera was wringing her hands. "Princess, he won’t move. He’s been ignoring everyone. Even the stablemaster tried singing to him."

Rey perked up. "Singing? Please tell me there’s a recording of that."

"No," Sera snapped, "because someone almost got barbequed."

I took a deep breath and crouched by the edge of the pond, my reflection warped by the ripples of heat. "Marshi," I called gently, "what’s wrong, hm? You’re supposed to be the calm one. Why are you acting like a sulky toddler?"

Marshi flicked an ear. A tiny spark danced on the water’s surface. Not exactly reassuring.

Rey leaned closer, balancing a hand on his sword hilt like he was about to negotiate with a moody god. "If your divine is losing control, maybe it’s that thing I mentioned earlier. You know..."

I glanced up sharply. "The ’heat cycle’ thing?"

"Exactly," he said with a maddeningly casual shrug. "Every divine beast has a rhythm. Power builds up, emotions get tangled, and instincts kick in. Maybe he’s restless because he’s... missing something."

"Missing something," I repeated slowly. Then the thought hit me, sharp and uninvited. "Are you saying... Marshi needs a mate?"

Rey smirked. "Bingo. And the longer he goes without one, the more volatile he might get. Imagine bottling up that kind of energy. No wonder your roses are ash."

Osric let out a sharp breath, unimpressed. "Finding a divine mate isn’t as simple as plucking a bride from the market, you idiotic guild master. These creatures bond for life. Where do you suggest we find one? Do we hang a sign that says ’Lonely Celestial Beast Seeking Partner’?"

I ignored the jab and straightened up. "Where and how can we find a mate for him?"

That shut both of them up.

Rey’s smirk faded into something more thoughtful. "Honestly? It’s complicated. Divine beasts choose. You don’t get to pick for them."

I let out a long sigh. "Finding another divine creature, and not just any but the rare ’Rakhsar’ type... it’s going to be difficult."

Rey’s lips curved again, but this time it wasn’t mocking—it was sly. "Who said a divine has to mate with another divine?"

My eyes widened, and my brain screeched. "You mean—"

"Yes." Rey grinned wider, like a cat who just discovered cream. "You could technically find him... a normal tiger. Or something similar. But there’s a catch."

"Which is?"

Rey tilted his head, the golden earring dangling dangerously close to scandal. "It has to be his fated mate. Only the fated one can withstand the... intensity of a divine beast’s heat cycle."

I was frozen somewhere between fascination and panic.

"I see..." I murmured, but before I could dig deeper into this suddenly very alarming subject—

"His Majesty is coming!"

The words rang like a war horn. And just like that, chaos erupted. Servants scattered like frightened pigeons. Sera stood beside me.

Rey’s smirk vanished faster than a cat in water.

"I should go," he said casually—but there was a sharpness to his tone now. "See you later, Princess."

"Wait—Rey, hold on—" I reached out, but he was already moving.

But he didn’t even glance back. One moment he was there; the next he was already melting into the crowd with unnerving speed, like smoke vanishing through cracks.

I stood frozen, frowning.

Why did he run? Why did he bolt the second Papa’s name came up? Did he commit some crime against papa or what?

And that’s when it hit me—he wasn’t just leaving to avoid formality. There’d been something in his eyes at the mention of Papa. Something sharp. Something almost... wary, like he’s hiding from him.

But why would Rey hide from papa?

"Lavinia."

I can’t tell him that he’s the guild master. I hired.

"Rey... Rey Morvan."

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