Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338: When Empires Rise as One

[Cassius Devereux’s POV—Imperial Palace of Eloria—Throne Room]

The council droned on.

Trade routes. Salt exports. Borders. Endless words.

I sat on the imperial throne—spine straight, fingers resting against carved obsidian armrests—yet my thoughts were not on the hall.

They were five days away.

On a battlefield.

On my daughter.

Theon cleared his throat, continuing his report as if the fate of the continent depended on it:

"If the Princess secures Meren, Your Majesty, Eloria will become the largest exporter of salt. Their mines are deep and untouched—"

Regis interrupted, nodding eagerly. "And their coasts are rich, Your Majesty. Fish, medicinal algae, rare pearls—Meren’s seas could expand our economy tenfold."

I didn’t answer.

Not immediately. My gaze drifted to Regis—old friend, loyal retainer, cautious as ever. After he learned that our children had broken their engagement... he didn’t rage, didn’t curse, and didn’t try to defend his son.

He merely smiled—soft, tired, almost relieved—and said, "I suppose... my son was not capable of standing beside her."

A simple sentence. But one spoken with acceptance, humility, and a father’s quiet understanding of his child’s limits.

Even now, as he stood by my side in this hall, I saw no bitterness on his face. Only respect—for Lavinia... and for the path she carved with her own hands.

But my mind was already far from these gilded walls.

Five days.

Five days since I last received a letter from my daughter. And the last one... The last one was merely:

"I have ended my everything with Osric. I do not expect reconciliation."

That was all. Cold. Detached. Blunt.

So very... Lavinia.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of my nose with two fingers.

"She has inherited too much of me," I muttered under my breath.

Regis straightened. "Your Majesty?"

I finally leaned back, resting my elbow against the throne.

"Ravick," I called.

Ravick stepped forward, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Tell me we have received something from the war front."

His expression tightened. He bowed his head. "Not yet, Your Majesty. The only news we’ve received is that the Prince of Meren surrounded our border soldiers before the main conflict began."

A spark of irritation flared in my chest.

Surrounded my daughter?

That brat?

My fingers curled over the armrest. "...I see."

Silence brushed the hall. Dozens of ministers watched me carefully—waiting for a reaction. Waiting to see if the Emperor of Eloria would show fear for his only daughter.

But I did not show fear.

I simply whispered, "I hope she’s unharmed."

Regis cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, the Princess is strong. She is—"

SLAM!!!!

The throne room doors burst open. A soldier stumbled in—breathless, frantic, nearly tripping over his own boots.

"Y-YOUR MAJESTY!!"

Every head snapped toward him.

My pulse stopped.

The soldier knelt, bowing until his forehead touched marble. "W-We have received a letter from the Princess—and from General Arwin!"

I was on my feet before he finished speaking.

"Give it here."

He rushed forward, arms trembling as he handed me two sealed scrolls—one marked with Lavinia’s personal crest, the other stamped by Arwin’s division.

I broke my daughter’s seal first.

Unfolded the parchment.

Read the first line.

And froze.

The hall tensed instantly—fear, curiosity, and anticipation rising like steam.

"Your Majesty...?" Theon asked nervously. "Did something happen? What does the princess say?"

For a heartbeat—just one—I said nothing.

Then slowly... A smile carved its way across my face.

Sharp.

Dangerous.

Proud.

A smile this court had not seen in years. I lifted the parchment high.

"My dear ministers," I said, voice rumbling with restrained triumph, "rejoice."

Their eyes widened.

Regis whispered, "Your Majesty...?"

I stepped forward, boots echoing like thunder on marble.

"My daughter..." I raised my voice—loud, booming, and proud enough to shake dust from the pillars.

"MY DAUGHTER—THE CROWN PRINCESS OF ELORIA—HAS CONQUERED THE ENTIRE KINGDOM OF MEREN!!!"

Gasps exploded.

Chairs scraped.

Ministers stumbled backward, too stunned to speak.

Cassius Devereux laughed—deep, victorious, and terrifyingly delighted.

"She has taken their borders," I continued, pacing down the steps of the throne with lethal grace. "She crushed their armies. She defeated their general. SHE SLEW THEIR PRINCE HERSELF."

Regis smiled proudly. I smirked—proud, dangerous, pleased beyond measure—and returned to my throne. The room seemed too small to contain the weight of my satisfaction.

"Prepare Eloria," I ordered, my voice booming through the grand chamber. "Light every lantern. Hang every banner. Let the streets shine—day and night until my girl returns."

"Let the people know what their Crown Princess has done."

"AND—"

"DECLARE THIS DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY!!!!"

"THE PRINCESS HAS CONQUERED MEREN!""GLORY TO CROWN PRINCESS LAVINIA!""LONG LIVE THE FUTURE EMPRESS!!!"

"CROWN PRINCESS LAVINIA!!!! LONG LIVE THE FUTURE EMPRESS!!"

"That’s right," I murmured, pride dripping from every syllable. "Let the world cheer for my daughter."

***

[Meanwhile at the Meren Imperial Palace—Same Time]

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