Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 337

Chapter 337: THE RED PRINCESS CLAIMS THE THRONE

[Lavinia’s POV—March to the Imperial City]

We didn’t waste a heartbeat at the border. The moment Kaelren’s blood cooled on my blade, we marched—straight toward the Imperial City of Meren.

No.

Ex-Meren.

Now it belonged to Eloria.

My Eloria.

My remaining army moved in perfect formation—silent, disciplined, deadly. Not even armor dared to clatter. The only sound was the wind dragging cold fingers through the ruins behind us.

And ahead of us...Meren.

A kingdom still trembling. Still smoking from war. Still watching its doom ride closer with every step of my horse. As we descended the ridge, civilians trickled into the streets—hesitant shapes dragged out by fear stronger than sense.

Farmers with dirt-stained hands. Merchants clutching their coin pouches. Mothers shielding their children with trembling arms.

All staring at me. Not with curiosity. Not with hope. With pure, choking fear.

Of course they would be afraid. I killed their prince. I crushed their armies. I marched through their lands with blood still drying on my armor.

Why would any citizen trust the ruler who arrived drenched in the ruin of their kingdom?

Whispers cracked through the crowd like sparks skittering across dry wood:

"Is that... her?"

"That’s her—the one who killed the prince—"

"No... she killed the front army too—she destroyed everything—"

"She’s... the Red Princess..."

"THE RED PRINCESS IS HERE—!"

"Mom... is—is that beast beside her?"

"Shh... keep quiet, keep your head down..."

I heard everything. Every gasp. Every prayer. Every terrified whisper begging the gods that I didn’t glance in their direction.

But I didn’t slow down.

Haldor rode slightly closer, voice low. "Your Highness... shall we intervene? Intimidation may escalate panic."

I shook my head once.

"No, Captain. Let them tremble. Fear keeps people alive. We are not here to slaughter them." My tone softened—not with mercy, but certainty. "We ride straight to the Imperial Palace. Nothing more."

"Yes, Your Highness."

I kept riding—spine straight, chin raised, gaze cold as forged steel.

My cloak dragged behind me like a river of dried blood. Marshi padded at my side, his enormous form casting a shadow darker than night. His fur was still clumped with battle gore, each step heavy and territorial.

Solena circled above us, screeching sharply—marking my presence like a death omen painted across the sky.

The citizens recoiled.

Men stumbled back. Women pulled their children away. Some fell to their knees without meaning to—as if their bodies bowed to me before their minds could catch up.

And still I moved forward. Not with cruelty. Not with sympathy. With inevitable authority.

A conqueror claiming what was already hers. Meren had not fallen because I wanted it. Meren had fallen because it was too weak to stand.

And now, its people watched their new ruler pass through their shattered streets—Their Red Princess.

The one who ended a kingdom in a single day.

***

[Lavinia’s POV—Imperial Palace of Ex-Meren—Later]

The Imperial Palace rose ahead of us like a wounded beast—grand, towering, but trembling beneath the weight of defeat. And standing at its massive gates—a line of Meren knights.

Armor dented.

Hands shaking.

Swords raised—not in courage, but in desperation.

One stepped forward, voice cracking as he shouted, "D-Don’t come any closer! Step back where you came from!"

I blinked at him slowly. Then my lips curled into a cold, amused smirk.

"Aww..." I hummed. "So there are still men foolish enough to stand for the emperor."

I took one step forward—just one.

Their formation stumbled backward.

I tilted my head, eyes gleaming.

"I suppose you didn’t hear," I said softly... venomously, "—that we already won the war."

Silence.

Then every knight flinched.

And then—they crumpled to their knees as if gravity itself forced them down. Not even a fight. Not even a swing.

Just fear.

I approached them with slow, steady steps. The kind a predator uses to approach prey that already knows it’s dead.

Behind me, Marshi’s growl shook the earth.

"ROARRRRRRRR!!"

The knights screamed, scrambling back in terror. I placed a hand on Marshi’s head, stroking him calmly.

"It’s alright, boy," I murmured. "I can handle them."

My soldiers dismounted in one synchronized movement—dozens of boots hitting the earth at once.

A declaration.

A warning.

A promise.

I stared down at the remaining Meren knights—barely ten, all trembling, all clinging to their swords like drowning men clinging to broken wood.

"So?" I asked, voice low. "Do you wish to die for Ex-Meren too?"

Their shoulders shook. One stuttered, "Y-You haven’t conquered Meren yet... our—our flag is still raised on the palace—"

Ah.

The flag.

Of course.

My smirk sharpened into something wicked.

"Oh... right. The flag." My eyes narrowed. "How utterly blinding."

I lifted my chin.

"ARWIN!"

Arwin stepped forward immediately. "Yes, Princess?"

"Rip that damn flag," I commanded. My voice cracked like a whip. "It irritates my eyes."

Arwin bowed sharply. "As you command."

He and a squad of Elorian soldiers stormed toward the palace with our banner—Eloria’s golden flag blazing like fire in the sun.

The Meren knights panicked. One lurched forward—Haldor’s voice tore through the air like a blade dipped in thunder.

"MOVE AN INCH—AND I WILL BURY YOU WHERE YOU STAND."

Silence.

Every knight froze as if death had gripped their throats.

I chuckled softly.

"It’s alright," I said. "I know you served this land with loyalty—even though your prince and emperor treated you like dogs."

Shame flickered across their faces.

Truth always stings.

"But," I continued, stepping closer until my shadow swallowed them, "a smart man knows when to lower his sword... and live."

I let the silence grow heavy, choking, undeniable.

"So...?" I asked. "I hope you all are smart enough to understand the situation."

They exchanged frantic glances.

Then—one by one...they dropped their swords. Bent their knees. Bow their heads.

"Good boy."

Arwin’s shout echoed from the rooftop—"THE FLAG HAS FALLEN! THE ELORIAN BANNER RISES!!!"

My voice thundered across the courtyard, "LET’S GO—!! THE THRONE IS WAITING FOR ITS NEW RULER!"

***

[Imperial Palace Throne Room—Moments Later]

BANG—!!

SSSSKRRRRR—

I tilted my head slightly. "You speak as if you only realize that now."

"Oh, shut up," I snapped, voice rising like a whip. "JUST GET THE HELL DOWN FROM THAT THRONE. It’s pissing me off."

Instead, the old man smiled.

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