Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 279

Chapter 279: The Hunting Began

[Eleania’s POV—At the Hunting Competition]

"...Wow, the princess looks stunning today. Now I understand why Lord Osric fell for her," one noblewoman whispered beside me, her fan fluttering as her eyes followed Princess Lavinia’s every move.

Another leaned in, voice tinged with curiosity. "Do you think their engagement rumors are true? They haven’t made any official announcement yet."

"Maybe not," the first replied, "but look at him. The way Lord Osric is staring at her—it doesn’t look like rumor to me."

A third noble nodded softly. "He looks enchanted."

Their laughter and sighs felt like knives against my skin.

I forced a smile, though my fingers curled tightly around my skirt. Because there he was—my Osric. The man who was supposed to be mine. I was the one who laid my eyes on him. And yet, his gaze was on her, the golden princess, as though the rest of the world had turned to dust.

Every flicker of admiration in his eyes felt like betrayal. Every faint smile he gave her ignited a fire in my chest that burned hotter than envy—it was humiliation, sharpened by heartbreak.

Then, a cold hand slid over mine. The grip was gentle at first, then tightened until I winced.

"Ahhh..." I winced in pain.

Sirella.

Her painted lips curved in a graceful smile, the kind that fooled every fool in the court—but her eyes, her eyes gleamed like blades.

"My, my..." she whispered, her voice dripping with venomous amusement. "You’re glaring so hard, you’ll set her dress on fire."

I turned to her, whispering through clenched teeth, "She’s stealing everything. His attention. His love. Even his glory."

Her smile didn’t waver. "Then snatch it from her."

Her fingers tightened cruelly around mine, nails biting into my skin. "If you want Lord Osric, don’t waste your fury on tears, Eleania. Use it."

I swallowed hard, her words like poison seeping into my thoughts.

She leaned closer, her perfume heavy with jasmine and deceit. "Today is the perfect chance. Get Lord Osric to your side—or make sure the princess loses everything she holds dear. Either you Snatch him from her or...separate him from her. Just do it."

My heart pounded. "And if I fail...?"

Her smile faltered into something hollow and cold. "Then you’ll return to the alley where I found you," she said softly, her tone sweet but deadly. "And this time, I won’t drag you out. I will dispose you at the same place I picked you from."

My throat tightened. I dared not speak.

"Remember," she murmured, brushing invisible dust from her gown, "Princess Lavinia may be loved, but love is fragile. Break it once, and it’ll never be whole again."

I looked back toward the field—toward her—standing radiant beside her divine beast, basking in admiration from everyone. Her confidence, her gentle smile...are stinging my eyes like a thorn.

I felt something inside me shift, dark and certain.

Today... no matter what it takes, I’ll make her regret ever taking what I desired.

***

[Lavinia’s POV — At the Hunting Competition]

GLARE.GLARE.GLARE.

What in the seven burning suns...?

Why do I feel like someone’s trying to set me on fire with sheer hatred?

I shifted slightly on my horse, feeling that prickling sensation on the back of my neck. My gaze swept over the gathered nobles until—ah. There she was.

Eleania. Sitting like a porcelain doll dipped in venom, eyes locked on me as if she could stab me through sheer willpower. And right beside her—Lady Sirella, all smiles and grace, her face the picture of refinement.

"Oh, wonderful," I muttered under my breath. "Court vipers before breakfast."

"Lavi?" Osric’s voice pulled me back. "Did something happen?"

Osric was watching me with that familiar mix of concern and curiosity. I tilted my head toward him, still half-smirking.

"Nothing serious," I said lightly. "Just... someone’s glaring at me hard enough to melt steel."

He blinked in confusion. "Who—?"

I didn’t answer. Instead, I looked back at Eleania, who was still throwing metaphorical daggers my way, and—oh, the jealousy in her eyes was delicious. Was it because Osric was beside me? Because his gaze hadn’t left me once since I arrived?

Hmm. Tempting thought.

Heh. Should I provoke her a little more? It’s not like I get many chances to play villain for fun. Just a little. I mean, I’m technically innocent if I’m just standing here looking beautiful. Right?

I tilted my head, brushing a strand of golden hair behind my ear, and looked at Osric with a teasing smile.

"Osric... you didn’t tell me how I look today."

Heh. This was going to be fun.

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