Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 293

Chapter 293: The Crown That Smirks at War

[Emperor Cassius’s POV—Throne Hall—Nightfall]

The wine swirled lazily in my goblet—deep crimson, like the blood that had bought this peace. I leaned back on the throne, one arm draped over its lion-carved rest. The hall was quiet... too quiet. Then came footsteps—two sets. One steady, disciplined. The other, insolent. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Ravick entered first, bowing low. Behind him trailed Rey, with that infuriating smirk plastered across his face.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Rey drawled, dipping into a bow that mocked more than it respected. "How may this humble servant serve you tonight?"

"Spare me the theatrics," I cut him off. My voice slid across the hall like winter. "Answer me plainly, Rey. Did Osric—by any chance—hurt my daughter during the hunting competition?"

Rey’s smile sharpened. "And why not ask the princess herself, Emperor? She might tell you." His tone was a challenge wrapped in mock concern.

I sighed—not from weariness, but to restrain the storm building beneath my ribs. "That’s precisely the problem," I murmured. "She’s grown too much. Learned to smile when she’s hurt... to lie when she’s bleeding."

My fingers tightened around the goblet. "And as a father, it wounds me when my daughter hides her pain, even the slightest. So, Rey—" my gaze darkened "—do not test my patience. Speak the truth."

Rey’s smirk faltered, just a flicker. Then he straightened. "Well, I heard that Osric hurt the princess’s pride... quite deeply. He knelt before her and begged forgiveness—for Count Talvan’s adopted daughter, Lady Eleania."

The words hit harder than steel. For a heartbeat, I was silent. Then—

CLANG!

The goblet shattered against the marble, red wine splattering across my boots like blood. Ravick stiffened. Rey only watched, his smirk crawling back into place.

My voice dropped to a growl. "That insolent bastard... How dare he. I should’ve never agreed to this farce of a marriage."

"Your Majesty, please—" Ravick began, but my glare cut through the air like a blade.

"That boy once wounded her—in another life or this one, it makes no difference. He always finds a way to hurt her. To kneel for someone else before her." My jaw tightened. "And I, the fool, trusted him."

Rey tilted his head. "But, Your Majesty," he said smoothly, "it seems your daughter has already forgiven him. And you wouldn’t do anything that might hurt her, would you?"

The room froze. Even the torches seemed to dim.

My knuckles whitened against the armrest.

"That man was never worthy of her," I said quietly—dangerously. "No matter how much I try, fate keeps tangling their paths, as if mocking me." My eyes glinted, cold and golden. "Sometimes I wonder if I should crush fate itself—before it dares to touch my daughter again."

Rey and Ravick exchanged a glance, tension coiling in the air.

Ravick cleared his throat. "I agree with you, Your Majesty. Our princess deserves no man who bows before another. But..." He hesitated. "...we should trust her too. Perhaps she hasn’t forgiven him, but maybe... she’s giving him one last chance."

I leaned back, my grip loosening. "You’re right. My daughter is no fool. She rules the territories and the palace as if born to it. And soon enough, she’ll realize Osric was never meant for her. Even if fate itself tries to bind them..." I exhaled slowly. "...I’ll cut that thread myself."

A tense silence followed.

Then Rey stepped forward, a glint of mischief—or perhaps foresight—in his eyes."And what makes you so certain, Emperor," he asked softly, "that Osric is the one whose fate is truly entwined with the princess?"

. . .

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

He smiled faintly. "We humans are fools. We cling to those we think fate has chosen for us... when in truth, fate may have chosen someone else entirely."

Ravick blinked. "I don’t understand."

Rey’s smirk deepened, his tone laced with quiet amusement. "You will. Just wait, and watch how fate reveals her real hand."

"I don’t care what you meant," I said flatly, voice low but sharp. "I just hope Osric is not the one for her."

Rey chuckled softly. "Hope, Your Majesty, is a fragile thing. It tends to shatter the moment fate decides to move."

My jaw tightened. "Then let it shatter. I’ve already lost enough to fate’s whims—I won’t let it take my daughter too."

Ravick shifted uneasily, but I didn’t look at him.

Rey tilted his head, eyes gleaming like a serpent’s. "You speak as though fate is your enemy."

"It is when it comes to my daughter," I said simply. "And I intend to win."

The fire crackled, shadows bending toward the throne like silent witnesses.

Then Rey smiled—slow, knowing, almost pitying. "Careful, Emperor. Even fate tends to fall for those who defy her."

***

[Lavinia’s POV—Weeks Later—Lavinia’s Chamber]

"Meren Kingdom is really taking us lightly, Your Highness," Sera said as she adjusted the folds of my crimson dress. "They’re provoking for war."

She grinned. "Says the princess who is chaos herself."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify