Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Father’s Secret Love... Or So I Thought

The crisp afternoon air drifted through the imperial garden as my great father—the terrifying yet oddly comfortable human furnace—walked with me still cradled in his arms. Ahh... fresh air, finally. My earlier dramatic meltdown had drained all my baby energy, but now I felt refreshed.

Just as I was basking in the glory of the afternoon sun, Nanny appeared, holding a bottle of warm water.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing slightly. "The princess must be thirsty after all that crying."

I was not! (Okay, maybe a little.)

Father took the bottle without a word and, to my utter horror, brought it to my lips.

Whoa... The almighty emperor... was feeding me.

For a split second, I considered rejecting the bottle purely out of dignity. But then... ahh. The warm water slid down my throat, and wow... it was refreshing. My tiny body felt recharged, like a royal baby battery. Maybe crying had some perks after all.

"She really likes being with Your Majesty," Nanny commented with a knowing smile.

I blinked up at my father. He blinked down at me. A staring contest between a feared ruler and a three-month-old baby commenced once again.

Then, something caught my eye.

Flowers!

Woah.....~

My tiny hands wiggled excitedly toward the vibrant garden ahead. There were numerous types of flowers—roses, tulips, lavender, and even some I had never seen before. A sea of colors stretched before me, swaying gently in the breeze like nature’s own royal court.

But then—oh! My eyes locked onto something special.

A sunflower.

Bright, golden, and absolutely massive compared to my tiny baby self. It stood tall and proud, basking in the sunlight, its rich yellow petals radiating warmth. It was more beautiful—just like Father’s eyes. Crimson red, shining under the sun.

I wanted it.

I wiggled harder, my tiny hands reaching desperately.

Father, ever the all-powerful emperor, noticed my plight. Without a word, he stepped forward, plucked the sunflower with his own hands, and handed it to me.

It was enormous.

I clutched it with both hands, my baby strength barely enough to hold it up. But I liked it.

I giggled.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed people watching. Their expressions softened; their eyes filled with warmth.

"She has the same taste as you, Your Majesty," Theon remarked.

I froze.

...Wait.

Father liked sunflowers too?

I looked up at him in shock. He looked down at me like I was some rare and precious artifact. Then, to my absolute disbelief, he reached out and gently rubbed my cheek.

W-Wait... what’s this? This tenderness? This softness? Is he... actually doting on me?

Before my brain could process this new information, Father turned to Theon.

"So, why did the Marquess come here?"

Theon’s face returned to its usual business-like demeanor. "Oh, to talk about the water crisis, Your Majesty."

Father frowned. "Didn’t we solve that last year? What’s the problem now?"

"Looks like there’s more trouble, Your Majesty."

Father sighed.

Theon hesitated before adding, "...And he also wanted to discuss something personal."

Something personal? My tiny ears perked up. Father’s face darkened. "Don’t tell me..."

Theon sighed. "Yes, Your Majesty. You’ve guessed right."

Father sighed again, "He still hasn’t given up?"

What! hey, I want to know too.

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