Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Hide-and-Seek and Heartbeats

Tension still clung to the imperial palace like a thick, invisible fog. It had been more than a week since everything turned upside down, but thank the gods—Grand Duke Regis finally, finally woke up.

Osric cried again when he felt his father’s warmth again, hugging him tightly. It was a warm and relieving moment.

But after that he changed... Osric wasn’t the same.

Not in a bad way, just... different. Quieter. Focused. He suddenly became broody, like those sword-fighting book heroes who stare into the distance and whisper, "My blade is my destiny."

Now he trains all day like the sword is his best friend.

(Well, that’s kinda sad.)

Whereas Papa, Grandpa Gregor, Theon, and a new knight I’d never seen before—Sir Ravick—were always holed up in the meeting room. They were busy, talking about war and strategy and things far too big for someone my size to understand.

From what I overheard Marella whispering to the other maids, we were planning to strike back at the kingdom that attacked us first. I still didn’t know if Papa would leave or not. No one told me anything, probably because I’m "too little." Which is hilarious, because inside, I’m older than half the people in this palace.

Sure, I waddle like a duck and can’t pronounce ’strategic retaliation,’ but my soul? Ancient.

And Marella and Nanny must’ve sensed I was one royal stress ball, because Marella smiled and suggested, "Let’s play hide-n-seek, my princess!"

"Hide-n-seek?" I mumbled, my eyes lighting up.

And here I am in the garden playing this fun game.

"I’m going to begin!" I declared dramatically, covering my eyes behind the tree.

"Ten! Nine! Seven! Six!"

(Yes, I skipped eight. Don’t judge. A little cheating never hurt anyone, right?)

"Four! Three! Two! One! I’m comin’ now!"

My little legs took off across the garden with all the grace of a sleepy puppy. This was my first time playing this game for real. In my last life, I was too busy trying not to get caught—or hurt—by the orphanage teachers.

So...I am gonna all the fun I missed.

"Hide wherever you are—I’m gonna catch you!" I shouted, feeling very official.

I peeked behind a rose bush. No nanny or Marella, just a flower. (I sniffed it anyway. Fancy.)

I peeked behind a pillar. "Nope..."

I toddled across the marble path, eyes darting around. Where would Nanny hide? She had a big skirt—maybe she was stuck somewhere? I giggled under my breath. This was fun. Really fun.

And I kept looking—but there was no Marella. No nanny. Just air and disappointment.

Did they vanish into thin air, or what?

I scratched my head, squinting suspiciously at a bird that looked way too innocent.

Where could they be hiding? Definitely not by the pond—Papa strictly ordered no going there, and I always follow rules. (Well, most of the time. Kind of.)

So I turned around and—

WHAM!

My tiny royal body hit something solid, and I bounced off like a fluffy ball.

"OW... my butt!" I whined, sitting dramatically on the ground like a tragic heroine.

When I looked up, I saw... silver hair. Cold blue eyes. Tall like a tower I could never climb without stairs and emotional support.

Sir Ravick.

He looked at me like I was a rare museum artifact. Or like he had never seen something so dazzling and chaotic at once. (Fair. I am both.)

"...Hi," I said slowly, blinking up at him. My baby voice sounded so small even to me.

We just stared at each other in absolute silence.

Does he not smile much? Or did I break him by bumping him?

Before I could ask if he needed help rebooting his brain, a familiar voice called out—

"Lavinia."

It was Papa!

He stepped around Ravick with his usual emperor swag, looking all serious and handsome like always. I lit up like a lantern and jumped to my feet.

"PAPA~~~~~!" I screamed, running like a missile straight into his arms.

He caught me, lifted me up like I weighed nothing (which is true—I’m small and powerful), and I hugged him like a koala. A royal koala.

He smiled down at me, all soft and warm, and brushed invisible dust from my cheek like I’d just returned from a quest. (Honestly, I should get a medal.)

"Were you playing?" he asked gently.

I nodded with all the pride of a champion. "Yes! Hide-and-seek! And I’m winning!"

Technically I hadn’t found anyone yet, but it’s the spirit that counts.

Papa chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest like a happy drum. "Is that so? And who’s left to find?"

I squinted dramatically, like I was scanning a battlefield. "Marella and Nanny. They hid good. Too good."

Right on cue, there was a rustle from behind one of the giant courtyard bushes. Two very guilty-looking adults emerged like they’d just been caught stealing royal cookies.

"We... we greet Your Majesty, the Emperor," Nanny said, trying to look dignified while bits of leaf clung to her skirt.

"Nanny!" I pointed dramatically, utterly betrayed. "You were hiding behind that bush?!"

So close. So close. I could taste victory on my tongue, but alas—defeated by shrubbery. I crossed my arms and sighed like a world-weary old general. "This game... is cruel."

Oooh. I know, Papa, but it feels good being introduced like this.

But I still wonder, Was he seriously not informed?! Not even a memo? A scroll? A dramatic sky banner with glittering fireworks? A royal tweet? Even neighboring kingdoms know about my existence.

I’d heard a lot about Sir Ravick—the cold, scary Captain of the Black Knights. People said he was even darker and more ominous than Papa. And after Papa, he was the strongest person in the empire.

Huh? Bluff? But why would he think that?

Right... Usually, a ruthless emperor like Papa having a daughter he adores does sound like fake news. Then, Papa patted my head with a soft smile. "But now you know it’s real."

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