Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Her Silence, Again

[Osric’s POV—Imperial City Streets—Later]

"Huff... huff..."

My breath came out in sharp bursts, white against the cold night air. The streets blurred past me—stone, shadow, and flickering lamplight merging into a dizzying rush. I didn’t think. I didn’t stop.

Fear clawed at my chest, raw and suffocating.

I didn’t even bother to change. I was still in my nightshirt, boots half-fastened, and my hair disheveled. None of it mattered. The only thought pounding through my head—over and over—was her name.

Lavi.

My legs screamed, but I didn’t care. The palace was far—too far—and still, I ran like a man being chased by death itself. Solena soared above me, wings slicing through the night. Her cries were sharp, urgent, and desperate.

"Please," I muttered under my breath, "please, let her be all right."

And then—

"—My lord!"

A familiar voice cut through the air. I turned sharply to see Aldric, the captain of Everheart, galloping toward me on horseback. He pulled hard on the reins, the horse rearing and snorting clouds into the frozen air.

He jumped down instantly, eyes wide. "My lord, what happened? Why are you—you’re still in your nightclothes—?"

"I need your horse."

He blinked, startled. "What—?"

"I said, I need your horse, Aldric!" I barked, my voice breaking between panic and command.

He froze for only a second before thrusting the reins toward me. "Take it! But tell me—where are you going?"

I swung up into the saddle, barely steadying my breath. "The Imperial Palace."

Aldric’s eyes widened, but before he could ask more, I kicked the horse forward. It surged beneath me, hooves pounding the cobblestone streets. The wind lashed my face, cold and cruel, but I didn’t care.

Every beat of the horse’s hooves matched the rhythm of my thoughts.

Please don’t tell me she found out. Please don’t tell me she remembered everything. Please... don’t let her break again. She has already broken enough in her last life. Not again...please.

Solena flew ahead of me now, a streak of gold and white against the dark sky, guiding the way.

"I’m coming, Lavi," I whispered hoarsely, the words tearing from my throat. "Just hold on, please..."

***

[Imperial Palace Gates—Minutes Later]

The Imperial Palace gates came into view—towering, bathed in pale moonlight, their silver edges glinting like a cruel mirage.

Beautiful. Distant. And horribly, impossibly silent.

Something in that stillness made my heart plummet. The world itself seemed to hold its breath.

Then—I saw it.

A carriage. The imperial carriage. Horses pawing the ground, their reins trembling as if sensing the despair in the air. Palace guards swarmed the steps, servants shouting over one another, and amidst the chaos—I caught sight of Sera.

Her face was streaked with tears, her voice raw as she screamed.

"CALL THE IMPERIAL DOCTOR—RIGHT AWAY!!"

My stomach twisted. My breath hitched.

And then I saw him.

His Majesty.

He stepped down from the carriage, his usual composure shattered, his eyes hollow—the same look he had the day he lost her in our past life.

And in his arms... Lying limp, lifeless—was Lavinia.

The world stopped moving. The cold wind cut through my clothes, through my skin, and through my soul, but I couldn’t feel any of it.

"No... no... no..." The word tore from my throat, barely human.

I slid off the horse—but my legs gave out. I hit the ground hard—THUD—stone biting my knees, my palms scraping, but I couldn’t feel a thing.

"Lord Osric!"

Voices blurred, hands gripped my shoulders, trying to pull me up, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t. My eyes—my eyes were fixed on her.

On her.

My light. My laughter. My everything.

Why was she in his arms like that? Why was she so still?

Tears spilled freely before I even realized I was crying. My breath came in ragged gasps. "W-What happened...? What—why—Lavi..."

My voice broke. My hands trembled uncontrollably.

The Emperor didn’t answer. He just stood there, clutching her tighter to his chest, his expression utterly destroyed. His lips moved, but no sound came out at first—only the faintest whisper of a man barely holding himself together.

He turned and strode inside, the folds of his cloak trailing behind him like shadows, Lavinia’s pale hand dangling from his arm—the same hand that used to tug at my sleeve, that used to wave at me with a smile.

***

[Osric’s POV—Imperial Palace—Emperor’s Chamber—Later]

Lavi. Lavi. My Lavi.

Ravick stood nearby, his sword still at his hip—but his hands trembled. Ravick, the man who could face an army without flinching... looked afraid. His face was drained of color, his jaw tight, and his eyes locked on Lavinia’s still form.

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