Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 353

Chapter 353: A Ball of Power and Shadows

[Captain Haldor’s POV—Before the Victory Ball—Outside Lavinia’s Chambers]

I had faced war.

I had faced blades pressed to my throat, arrows aimed at my heart, monsters in human skin, and nobles sharper than assassins. Nothing—nothing—prepared me for the sight that stood before me when the princess turned toward the door.

Lavinia Devereux.

My princess.

My future Empress.

She stepped into view... and the world simply stopped. The breath I’d drawn lodged painfully in my chest. My hand, resting on the hilt of my sword a moment ago, refused to move.

Her gown... Night-sky blue. Silver constellations scattered like real stars across the fabric. And the back—gods, the back—a single, sweeping curve of bare skin, framed with silver chains that caught the candlelight and trembled when she breathed.

Her hair was pulled half-up, tangled with silver ribbons. Soft curls framed her face. Light shimmered on her collarbones.

She looked nothing like the commander who led armies. Nothing like the princess who killed a prince without blinking.

Tonight... She looked like the woman fate warned me never to fall for.

And yet.

I had already fallen.

Deep. Silent. Unrecoverable. I didn’t even notice Sera staring at me until she stifled a laugh behind her hand.

But I couldn’t look away from Princess Lavinia. Not when she was walking toward me with a softness I’d never seen in her steps before. Not when her eyes were warm. Not when she smiled—gently, unknowingly, lethally.

"Captain?" she said.

The single word broke whatever remained of my composure.

I forced air into my lungs. Straightened. Bowed.

"Y-Your Highness."

Useless.

I sounded like a soldier struck dumb by beauty—not even worthy of standing in her presence. She tilted her head slightly, amused.

"You look pale," she said. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Unwell?

I was dying. Peacefully.

"I am fine," I managed, though my voice betrayed me with its roughness. "You simply look..."

She waited.

I swallowed.

"...exquisite, Your Highness."

For a second—a terrifying second—I thought I had overstepped. That she would turn away, offended that a mere captain dared to admire her.

But instead—

"Thank you, Haldor..."

Her voice was soft. Warm. Almost... shy. And when I lifted my eyes, she was smiling.

A small, gentle curve that hit me harder than any sword ever had. My heart didn’t skip a beat.

It dropped.

Straight out of my chest, heavy and helpless. Falling only, only for her.

Behind me, footsteps approached—the rustle of maids, the disciplined march of guards, and the faint swell of music rising from the grand hall.

But none of it mattered. Not when she stood in front of me like that—like a sky full of stars wearing the shape of a woman.

She mesmerized me.

Completely.

"Shall we leave?" she asked softly.

The movement of her gown—silk whispering, silver chains brushing her bare back—was enough to steal every remaining thought in my mind.

And then—she extended her hand toward me, "Haldor... shall we?"

My breath caught. Her fingers—delicate, gloved, shining beneath faint candlelight—reached toward me as though inviting me into a world I had no right to enter.

My hands trembled.

Not from fear.

But because my worn, battle-rough hands felt unworthy to touch something so breathtaking. Still... I bowed my head, letting the weight of devotion anchor me.

And I placed my hand beneath hers.

Warm. Soft. Perfectly fitting into mine.

"It is my honor," I murmured, voice breaking despite my attempt to steady it. "...to be your companion for tonight, Your Highness."

She looked at me once—truly looked—her gaze softening in a way that made my heart forget its purpose.

"Let’s go," she whispered.

"By the way...where is Marshi?" she asked.

"He’s in the garden with Solena, your highness." She nodded, and we walked forward.

And in that moment—with her hand in mine, her warmth brushing my skin, her presence wrapping around me like a spell—I knew something had shifted.

Something fragile.

Something forbidden.

Something I could never speak aloud. But as I walked beside her, guiding her toward the golden doors of the grand hall—for the first time in my life... I wished the night would never end and I could hold her hands forever.

And tonight—with her beauty blazing brighter than any star, with her gentle smile carved into my heart, with her presence wrapping around me like fate—

I could no longer deny it.

I like her.

I like Her Highness Crown Princess Lavinia.

The woman I am forbidden to desire...yet hopelessly, helplessly drawn to.

***

[Lavinia’s POV—Imperial Ballroom—Victory Celebration Night]

"PRESENTING HER HIGHNESS, CROWN PRINCESS LAVINIA DEVEREUX, AND IMPERIAL CAPTAIN HALDOR VALETHORN!!"

The herald’s voice thundered through the ballroom, and—The world erupted. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

To me.

To Haldor beside me.

His hand tightened. Slightly. His shoulders stiffened. His breath caught.

"Is that Captain Haldor beside her?"

"Why him? Where is the Grand Duke?"

"She chose a mere soldier to escort her?"

"Is she favoring him?"

"Favoring? Don’t forget he holds the highest rank among us. And please—look at him. I would favor him too."

"I agree... He’s unfairly handsome."

"Those eyes... and that jawline—gods."

"Careful. Your husband is right behind you."

"He can watch."

Still, I felt him tense with every step we took—with every whisper of mere soldier, and with every lingering stare at our joined hands.

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