Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Mercy in My Hands

[Imperial Palace—Afternoon—Lavinia’s POV — Office— Weeks later]

The sun filtered lazily through the tall windows, painting golden streaks across parchment and ink. My study smelled faintly of roses from the garden, but the towering stacks of reports and scrolls in front of me destroyed any sense of peace.

I tapped my quill against the desk, glaring at the same sentence for the third time. My cheek was pressed against my palm, lips pursed. If staring hard enough could erase paperwork, I would have been free by now.

"Rey..." I sighed, voice dragging. "Did you look over the Marquess’s shipments yet?"

From across the room, Rey peeked over his mountain of documents, eyes rimmed with annoyance. "Princess, don’t you think you’re being a bit cruel? You already buried me alive with guild reports, letters, and contracts—and now you want me to babysit that old traitor’s shipment logs? Do you hate me, or are you just that cruel?"

I narrowed my eyes, shoving a sheet of parchment in his direction. "Do you think I’m free? I don’t have time to roll around in roses while you nap. And what intel have you actually given me lately, hm? Other than telling me that Caelum was the hidden emperor!"

Rey gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if I’d stabbed him. "Such an ungrateful princess! Doesn’t even recognize my efforts. The empire is doomed. Doomed, I tell you—"

My quill flew from my fingers and landed squarely against his forehead. "Shut up, before I kill you with a quill!"

Before he could retaliate with more theatrics, a knock came at the door.

And then—Osric stepped inside.

"Lavi..." His voice was steady, but there was a warmth in his eyes that made my lips curve despite the paperwork battlefield around me.

I straightened in my chair, energy surging back into my veins. "Hi there... my handsome beloved man. Did you miss me?"

Rey let out the world’s loudest scoff. "Wow. So the Crown Princess actually knows how to love someone. Incredible. Should I write this down in the history books?"

I shot him a death glare. "Shut your mouth before I invent new work just for you."

Osric’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk. He stepped closer, his posture composed, but his eyes never left mine.

"What is it?" I asked, leaning forward. "Did you miss me so much that you ditched your Grand Duke duties just to sneak here early?"

He coughed into his hand, avoiding the bait. "Yes, I missed you but also I have some information. There’s a report... from Aldric."

My smile faded. "What kind of report?"

"There’s movement among the nobles again," Osric said, his voice low.

My brows furrowed. "Movement?"

"Yesterday, a gathering was held at Count Sigurd’s estate. From the outside, it looked like a simple tea party..." He paused, eyes sharp. "But every influential noble was there. Every single one. That doesn’t sound like a casual tea party to me."

The room grew heavier. Even Rey stopped his whining.

He leaned forward slightly. "Do you want me to investigate, Princess?"

"Yes." My tone left no room for doubt. "An immediate meeting of nobles, right after the Marquess and Caelum were thrown into the dungeon... there’s no way this is coincidence. Find out everything—who attended, what they discussed, what they’re planning."

Rey nodded, his playful smirk replaced by something colder.

Then Osric’s eyes softened, but his words cut deep. "Has Caelum confessed anything?"

I sighed, rubbing at my temples. "No. Not a word. And we haven’t found a single ledger that can bring down Everett House. No corruption, no bribes, nothing. Everything is so clean it’s almost suspicious—like they erased their sins long before we ever searched."

Rey raised an eyebrow. "Then what’s next?"

I met his gaze, sharp as glass. "Find out if the Everett family has properties beyond what’s registered. Hidden estates, distant islands, secret trade routes—anything. Even the smallest scrap of evidence."

Rey inclined his head, more serious than usual. "Consider it done, Princess."

I nodded, pushing back my chair and standing. "Good. Let’s go."

Both Rey and Osric looked up at me, a silent question hanging between them. Osric was the first to voice it. "Go? Where exactly?"

I strode to the door, skirts brushing against the polished floor. "It’s time to... visit our old mate."

As the door swung open, Sera appeared, balancing a tray of tea and cakes, her expression bright. "Oh, Princess! I was just bringing you some refreshments."

***

[Imperial Palace—Dungeon—Later]

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