Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 245

Chapter 245: The Emperor’s Wrath

[Osric’s POV—Imperial Palace—Hallway—Later]

The corridors of the main palace blurred as I moved, each step a calculated rush, my boots echoing against the marble like distant war drums. My mind raced faster than my feet could carry me. The moment I learned of what had happened at the altar—the vision, the glimpse of something beyond, something ancient—I knew there was no time to hesitate.

I had to reach His Majesty—now. One second longer and Lavinia could step into a library that shouldn’t be opened.

Because I know Lavinia... she will undoubtedly try to uncover why she had that vision. She already suspects something hidden within the Divine Library. And I cannot—I will not—let her find it.

This time, she glimpsed a fragment of the truth... but what if tomorrow she uncovers everything?

If that happens... I could lose her.

And i cannot let that happen... I could lose the entire world for her. But not her. Not ever.

I stepped out of the Emperor’s office, forcing my composure to mask the storm within. The guards immediately noticed, eyes sharp, hands brushing the hilts of their swords.

"I request an audience with His Majesty," I said, voice low but edged with steel. Every syllable carried the weight of urgency, of warning, of imminent danger.

The lead guard paused, scanning me carefully, reading the tension coiled in my posture and the unyielding resolve in my eyes. Then he bowed deeply.

"We shall inform His Majesty immediately, Lord Osric," he said, voice respectful, tinged with apprehension.

I nodded once, barely, and waited, each heartbeat dragging like a drum of warning. Every passing second could bring Lavinia one step closer to the secrets I was sworn to protect... secrets that could unravel everything.

The doors swung open, and Sir Ravick stepped out, brow furrowed, eyes sharp as ever.

"Lord Osric..." he began, tone cautious.

I stepped forward, voice clipped, urgent. "Sir Ravick... may I have an audience with His Majesty? It’s... imperative."

He froze, one hand on the doorframe. "His Majesty is leaving for a meeting—"

I cut him off, voice sharper, tension coiling like steel around my words. "It’s about Princess Lavinia."

Ravick’s eyes widened, his posture stiffening. "Did... did something happen to Princess?"

I clenched my jaw. "Please... it’s urgent."

He studied me for a long, tense moment, then nodded. "Very well. Come. Quickly."

As I stepped into the Emperor’s private chamber, the heavy scent of cedar and incense greeted me, and there he was—His Majesty, cloak draped over his broad shoulders, the very picture of a ruler about to stride into war or diplomacy. His gaze fell on me, sharp and piercing.

"Didn’t I tell you I am leaving for a meeting?" he barked, his voice like rolling thunder. "And yet... why, Osric, are you here, disrupting my time?"

I bowed, forcing my voice steady, though my insides churned. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Forgive the intrusion, but this matter cannot wait."

He exhaled, a long, deliberate sigh that seemed to fill the entire chamber with disdain. "There is no urgent matter... except, of course, anything regarding my daughter." His eyes flicked dangerously, a silent threat lurking beneath the surface.

"IT’S ABOUT HER, YOUR MAJESTY!" I interrupted, the words slicing the air like a blade.

The room fell into a deadly quiet.

His Majesty’s eyes narrowed, cutting daggers into my chest. His voice, low but deadly, thundered through the chamber: "The audacity to interrupt me... speak carefully, Osric. I hope whatever words you dare to utter are worth the insolence. Should they not be... I will not hesitate to throw you into the dungeon, even if my daughter herself pleads for your mercy."

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry, and bowed deeper, every fiber of my being trembling under his gaze.

He strode past me, every step a command, and flopped onto the heavy couch like a lion claiming its throne. His piercing eyes bore into mine. "Speak... and speak well, Osric."

"I... Your Majesty," I began, hands tightening into fists at my sides. "Princess Lavinia... had a vision."

He lifted a brow, voice sharp and incredulous. "A vision? What do you mean by this? Explain yourself."

I drew in a steadying breath, knowing the weight of each word. "During the Divine Benediction Ceremony... the Princess had a vision. But it was not... ordinary. The vision... it showed her past life."

"Her... past life?" the Emperor’s voice rumbled, low, each word striking like a whip. "Explain! What do you mean by this? Are you saying... she remembers things that she wasn’t supposed to? Things that are forbidden?"

"I ASKED YOU! WHY DID SHE TELL YOU THAT?!" His roar shattered the chamber like rolling thunder.

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