Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266: Caught in the Act

[Lavinia’s POV — Everheart Estate—Afternoon]

I threw open the massive doors of Everheart Estate with all the subtlety of a cannon. SLAM! The sound ricocheted off the marble floors and gilded walls like a drum of doom.

"OSRIC VALERIOUS EVERHEART...!!!" I bellowed, my voice shattering glass somewhere—or at least it felt like it did. "COME OUT!!!!!!"

Marshi let out a ROAARRRRRRR!!! that could have frightened a dragon into retirement. The sound sent the servants scattering into corners, the butler nearly toppling over, and the cook’s hat went flying. Everyone froze, wide-eyed, trying to process the chaos that had just landed in their hall.

"Your Highness... the... Crown Princess?!" one of the younger servants stammered, eyes the size of teacups.

The butler, face pale as parchment, hurried forward on trembling legs. "G-greetings... greetings, Your Highness..." His bow almost became a full-body tumble. "M-may I... may I know the reason for your... honorable visit?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Where. Is. Osric?"

The butler blinked repeatedly, looking like he might faint on the spot. "H-he’s... he’s... training, Your Highness. Practicing his... sword."

I squinted, narrow-eyed, as Marshi squinted too, his tail flicking like a metronome of judgment. He let out a suspicious sniff, clearly unimpressed. Training? More like hiding like a rabbit in a haystack.

"Training, hmm?" I said, voice syrupy sweet but dripping with menace. "And where, pray tell, is this... oh-so-secret training ground?"

The butler gulped, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I... I shall take... take you there, Princess... immediately." He shifted nervously, gesturing for me to follow while avoiding Marshi’s glaring stare.

I nodded. "Lead the way."

***

[Lavinia’s POV — Everheart Training Ground—Later]

The afternoon sun glinted off polished armor and the tips of spears. I could almost smell the sweat, leather, and—oh no—the undeniable scent of him.

Sera walked beside me, her brow quirked. "Your Highness... what exactly are you planning to do once you meet him?"

I smirked confidently. "Of course I’m going to be angry. Furious, even. How dare he—"

Sera’s lips twitched in amusement. "Are you sure? Because I have a feeling you’re going to melt the second you see him."

I scoffed, brushing off her teasing like it was a fly. "Impossible. Absolutely impossible. I am a princess with dignity. A terrifyingly furious princess."

We rounded the last bend and... CLANG! CLANG!

The sounds of metal on metal crashed through the air. My eyes widened. There he was. Osric. Practicing sword forms.

And... shirtless.

SH-LA-LA.

My brain froze. Heart thumped. Thump. THUMP!

He moved with fluid precision, muscles flexing under the sunlight with every strike and parry. Sir Aldric, his sparring partner, lunged, and Osric twisted effortlessly, deflecting the blade in a perfectly calculated arc.

Thud!

My heart slammed against my ribs like a war drum.

I blinked, trying to focus, but it was impossible. Every movement—every powerful sweep, every sinewy flex—was like a magnet dragging my attention straight to him.

Sera nudged me, smirking. "Melting yet, Princess?"

"Impos—," I sputtered, a little flustered, cheeks heating. "I... I am not melting. I am... admiring strategic combat. Yes. That’s all."

Osric pivoted, spinning to deliver a controlled strike. His hair clung slightly to his forehead, and—oh no—the sunlight gleamed off his chest, highlighting every defined curve of muscle. My carefully plotted anger instantly evaporated.

"Princess?" Sera’s voice cut through my haze. "Are you... going to run up and tackle him?"

I blinked, coming back to myself. "No! That would... ruin the aura of fury!" I muttered under my breath, but honestly, I was wobbling inside. My hands curled into fists, half from indignation and half from trying not to stare like a lovesick fool.

Sir Aldric launched another attack. Osric’s blade met his in a shower of sparks, muscles taut, sweat gleaming, and every heartbeat of mine seemed synchronized to the rhythm of his movements.

Thud! THUD! THUD!

My chest ached in a way that had nothing to do with anger.

I cleared my throat, trying to regain composure. "Yes... very disciplined. Fierce. Terrifying. And... handsome."

Sera leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "I warned you. You’ve officially melted."

I glared at her, attempting dignity. "Nonsense. I am composed... strategic... calculating... fiercely furious, remember?"

Marshi roared softly, tail flicking side to side. She’s going to collapse before she gets a word in, he seemed to say.

And then, in a perfect whirlwind of motion, Osric disarmed Sir Aldric with a flourish, spinning, landing in a perfect stance, chest heaving, sword poised, muscles gleaming like a warrior-god...

And my jaw hit the floor. My poor heart couldn’t keep up.

"Princess...?" Sera’s voice was flat, but I caught a hint of amusement.

"I... I... he’s... dangerous," I whispered. "And... incredibly... unfairly hot."

Sera chuckled under her breath—or perhaps it was a scoff—but either way, I had officially lost all pretense of fury.

Osric Everheart... you are so going to pay for hiding like this.

And then it happened. His eyes... his eyes met mine.

Time slowed—or maybe it was just my heart thumping like a drum in my ears.

His sword froze mid-air, the world narrowing until it was just him and me.

"Lavi...?" His voice was barely a whisper, but it cracked somewhere between disbelief and awe.

I smiled—big, triumphant, annoyingly smug—and waved slowly.

"Hi there... long-lost boyfriend," I purred, the words dripping with equal parts amusement and menace.

Silence fell. Heavy. Thick. Deliciously awkward.

***

[Everheart Estate—Garden—Later]

I perched on the chair, leg crossed over leg, hands folded neatly on my lap, but my gaze? Laser beams. Directly aimed at Osric Everheart.

The maid had barely left when I broke the silence. "So... where exactly were you hiding, hmm?"

"And why," I pressed, voice dripping sugar-coated fury, "haven’t you come to see me? Not once! Not even a single note! Not even a flower—Osric!"

He blinked, perfectly calm, and said, "Well... didn’t you tell me to take leave, Your Highness... the... crown... princess?"

...Oh.

Right.

I blinked, my face twitching in pure frustration. "Damn it! Fine, so you technically obeyed orders... but that doesn’t excuse your vanishing act!"

I leaned forward, fingers twitching like I might just poke him in that stupidly handsome face."Obeying my order?" I hissed, lips curling into a dangerous smile. "Osric Valerious Everheart... you are in so much trouble!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I gasped, dramatically clutching my chest. "Excuse me?! Are you mocking my beautiful eyes?"

"Do you really think... I’d leave you, Osric?"

"I’m not going to leave you," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "No matter what happens, no matter what truth we find. Because all I care about... is this—our life now. You’re my everything, Osric."

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