Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Blood for Blood

[Imperial Palace—Lavinia’s Pov—continuation]

My heart skipped a beat.

"W-what do you mean Osric is injured?!" The words flew from my lips before I could stop them. My feet were already moving, skirts tangling around me as I rushed to the training field.

The sight that greeted me froze my blood.

Osric lay on the ground, clutching his right arm. His palm was smeared with blood, dripping steadily through his fingers. His face twisted in pain as he still stared bravely up at Caelum.

And Caelum—he stood over him. Sword in hand. The blade was still wet, a crimson bead sliding down its edge. His expression was unreadable. Cold. Too cold.

I forced myself to walk forward, spine rigid, chin high—definitely not panicking (I was panicking)—but I was a princess. I had to maintain my composure and could not show weakness.

"What," I demanded, my voice sharper than steel, "is going on here?"

At once, the knights bowed, as though the weight of my words pressed them down. I stood beside Osric, my eyes narrowing at the wound. His left arm bore a deep gash, blood seeping faster than it should.

Sera gasped beside me, covering her mouth. "Your Highness... he’s bleeding too much!"

I clenched my fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. Sera didn’t wait for an order—she dashed off, shouting, "I’ll bring the physician immediately!"

I, however, stayed rooted to the ground. My gaze locked onto the blood. Onto Osric’s pale face. And then—onto Caelum.

Heat rose inside me—not fear, but fury.

"Sir Aldric," I said slowly, my tone deadly calm, "explain."

He bowed low, sweat beading on his brow. "Your Highness... Lord Caelum and Lord Osric were engaged in a duel. During the exchange... Lord Caelum’s sword struck too hard."

I turned my head toward Caelum, my eyes narrowing. Both he and Osric wore safety armor. There was no reason for blood. No reason for this wound to be so severe.

And yet... here he stood, sword dripping, gaze dark as a storm.

"Was it," I asked, each word laced with ice, "an accident?"

For a moment, silence. The entire field held its breath. Then Caelum’s lips curved—not kindly, but sharply, like a wolf baring teeth.

"Of course, Princess," he drawled. "Do you think I would do such a thing... deliberately?"

The mocking lilt in his voice was worse than a confession. His eyes flickered to my face, and I saw it—his mask cracking, his facade slipping. Since yesterday, he hadn’t been able to keep it up.

And there, on his neck, faint but visible, were the crescent marks of my nails.

But my blood boiled hotter.

I took one step forward, my red eyes blazing like molten fire. The entire training field seemed to fall silent, every soldier holding their breath as my voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Curious..." I said, each word dripping with venom. "Many accidents seem to surround you, Caelum. Almost as if fate itself bends to your recklessness. Tell me—how does Osric bleed through armor meant to protect him? Should I... investigate?"

A smirk tugged at his lips, his head tilting ever so slightly, wolfish and unrepentant. "Are you accusing me, Princess?" His tone was mocking, velvet over steel. "Did you forget? I’m your friend too." His eyes flicked briefly to Osric, sharp as a blade. "Or... is Lord Osric far more special to you these days?"

The insulted silence that followed stoked the fire in my chest until it roared.

I stepped closer, my presence pressing down on everyone like a storm. "Special?" I repeated coldly, my voice carrying the weight of command. "You mistake me, Caelum. I don’t play favorites—I demand loyalty. And when I see blood spilled where there should be none..." My gaze sharpened, a cruel edge to my smile. "...I ensure it doesn’t happen again."

His smirk faltered for half a second.

"But just as you said," I continued, my voice crisp and decisive. "Let us call this an accident. But accidents... require proof." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

My lips curved in a wicked smile as I raised my chin. "Why not prove yourself, Caelum? Duel with me. Here. Now."

The crowd gasped, shocked whispers crackling like fire through the soldiers.

"Princess Lavinia!" Osric’s strained voice cut through, his face pale with worry. "This is reckless—the armor here isn’t safe. It could—"

"Silence." My words lashed out like a whip as my crimson gaze sliced into him. "I did not grant you permission to speak, Osric."

He froze, lips pressed shut, his protest dying in his throat.

***

[Imperial Palace—Training Ground—Later]

They would all learn what it means to harm a Crown princess’s man—what it means to cross Lavinia Devreux.

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