Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 344

Chapter 344: The Day After the Hug

[Lavinia’s POV —The Next Morning]

Sunlight spilled through my chamber windows in soft gold ribbons.

Warm. Quiet. Peaceful.

A rare morning.

I stretched, rubbing my eyes—only for the memory of last night to hit me full force. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Haldor. Midnight. Strawberry cake. And him lifting me off the ground like I weighed one feather and zero dignity.

I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "Why did I let him hug me like that...? Why did I hug him back—!?"

"Whyyyy did I let him hug me like that...?" I groaned dramatically into my palms. "And why—" I peeked between my fingers, horrified at myself, "—why did I hug him back!?"

My pillow silently judged me.

I dropped my hands onto my lap, staring into the distance like a depressed grandmother.

"...Maybe because I’m getting comfortable around him?" I muttered to myself.

Silence.

Then I nodded like a very wise monk contemplating life. "Yes. Yes, that is possible. Very logical. Completely rational. Just... comfort."

Not warmth. Not butterflies. Not my chest doing stupid little flips like a frog on caffeine.

Nope.Just comfort.

I rolled out of bed, not-so-gracefully, and caught my reflection in the glass.

My hair was a disaster. My face is still a little red. And I was pretty sure Solena had pecked a tiny hole in my sleeve last night.

"Alright," I muttered to my messy reflection, "let’s get ready."

***

[Later—Outside the Palace Gates]

The courtyard buzzed with activity—soldiers mounting their horses, merchants preparing caravans, and nobles bowing deeply as I passed.

My cloak fluttered behind me like red flame.

"Prepare the escort," I commanded.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Arwin stood proudly near the front, his new authority settling smoothly on him. "Your Highness, everything is ready. Meren will remain under firm control."

I nodded. "See that it prospers. Don’t let it corrode again."

"Yes, Princess."

Osric stood farther back... silent. Eyes lowered. Shoulders rigid. Avoiding my gaze.

Luke approached next, bowing with perfect precision. But his eyes—sharp, searching—slid once toward Haldor.

Again.

That same strange look that made my instincts sharpen.

I ignored it for now.

"Haldor will lead the escort," I said.

"Yes, Your Highness," Haldor said immediately, fist over his heart. "Thank you for trusting in me."

I smiled—small, quick, but real enough that his eyes softened for a heartbeat before he straightened again.

My gaze drifted across the courtyard.

Arwin is assigning squads. Osric reviewed route maps with a rigid jaw. Luke was analyzing the soldiers like he was memorizing every face. Zerith is checking the carts.

Everyone was preparing for the journey back to Eloria.

Everyone except—

"...Where is Rey?" I murmured.

I scanned the area—and then I found him. Behind a pillar. Tucking Sera’s hair behind her ear.

Sera—who usually acts like a feral cat given human form—was blushing so pink she could camouflage among the strawberry cake batter.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Rey leaned in a little closer, whispering something that made her hide her face behind her hands.

I narrowed my eyes.

"...Should I interrupt?" I muttered to myself.

I should.I really should.I had business with him. Important business.

But they looked so—No. Focus.

Then Rey, that infuriating creature, suddenly stilled. He felt my gaze. He slowly turned his head—met my eyes from across the courtyard—and smirked.

A wicked, knowing, I see you’ve something to ask, huh, Princess smirk.

I groaned internally.

Fine. Whatever. I needed him anyway.

"I guess I can talk to him now..." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Sera squeaked when she realized I was approaching. Rey only lifted a brow, all smug amusement.

Rey straightened as I approached—the picture of elegance, smugness, and mischief all wrapped into one annoyingly handsome mage.

Sera immediately stepped back from him, face flushed pink, pretending to polish a dagger that absolutely did not need polishing, and it’s not even her business.

I ignored their awkwardness. I had more important things to address.

"Rey," I said quietly.

His smirk faded—not fully, but softened into something more attentive. "Yes, Princess?"

I glanced around.

Haldor was speaking to Arwin, preparing the formation. Luke was standing further away, observing Haldor with that same... strange, familiar ache. Osric was pretending not to watch me and failing miserably.

Good.

No one was close enough to hear.

"...His past, Your Highness?"

"I feel..." I murmured, "as if he had a family. Once. And he deserves to reunite with whatever remains of it."

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