Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 339

Chapter 339: Chains of Loyalty

[Lavinia’s POV—Hallway of the Imperial Palace—Later]

The torches flickered along the corridor walls, casting long, swaying shadows as I walked. My boots echoed in the emptiness—slow, deliberate.

Then I stopped.

Suddenly.

Abruptly.

Almost startling myself.

"...Sea."

The word slipped from my lips like a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My chest tightened with something unfamiliar—something bright, soft, and almost childlike.

Excitement.

Pure, unfiltered excitement.

Because in both lives—Lavinia Devereux and Reina Suzuki—I had never once seen the ocean. I never had the time. Never had the freedom.

Until now.

Behind me, Haldor halted immediately. "Your Highness... why did you stop?"

Even Marshi blinked, tilting his massive head in confused sympathy. I turned toward Haldor, eyes still glimmering. "Sir Haldor... Have you ever visited the sea?"

He blinked.

Twice.

Then shook his head. "I never have, Your Highness."

My excitement flared hotter. "...Then shall we go together?"

For a heartbeat, Haldor froze—completely. His stern expression faltered.

Softened.

And then, like dawn breaking across his usually stoic features, a slow smile touched his lips. A real one. Gentle. Warm.

"It would be my greatest honor," he said quietly, "to see the sea for the first time... with you, Your Highness."

Heat pricked my cheeks—an unfamiliar flutter sinking beneath my ribs. But I was more excited about the sea.

"I wish we had goggles..." I muttered. "I made them once—but they’re in Eloria. Wait. I can ask Rey—"

I didn’t finish. Because a hand gently touched the side of my face.

Warm.

Steady.

Careful.

Haldor’s hand.

A single loose strand of hair had fallen across my lips. He brushed it aside, tucking it behind my ear with a touch so light yet so deliberate it made my breath catch.

His fingers lingered—far too long. His gaze dipped to my mouth.

"Your Highness," he murmured, voice lower than usual, "would you like me to inform the chefs... to prepare sea foods for you?"

My eyes widened.

Sparkled.

I lit up like a lantern, and I gave him the thumbs up, saying, "Yes! Yes, absolutely. You know me so well."

Haldor chuckled softly—so softly it barely existed in the air. And still... his hand didn’t move.

It remained near my cheek... near my lips... the warmth seeping into my skin.

We stood too close.

Far too close.

His breath brushed my forehead. My heart pounded like a battle drum. If he leaned forward even a little—

"YOUR HIGHNESS!!!"

The shout shattered the moment like glass hitting stone. Haldor jerked back instantly, hand falling to his side. I turned sharply—and there stood Osric.

Jaw tight.

Eyes sharp.

Expression dark enough to eclipse the sun.

Behind him—General Luke in shackles, watching us with a strange, unreadable expression.

"Oh," I said brightly, as if absolutely nothing had happened. "You brought him."

Osric exhaled harshly through his nose. "Yes, Your Highness." But his glare... was not for Luke. It was aimed at Haldor.

A warning.

A challenge.

A silent What do you think you’re doing touching her?

Haldor didn’t flinch.

Didn’t look away.

He simply stepped half a pace closer to me, as if the interruption didn’t matter. Luke’s brow furrowed.

He glanced between the three of us. "...Interesting."

I ignored him completely.

Turning on my heel, I began walking. My voice returned to its usual coldness—the mask slipping easily back into place.

"Bring him to the council chamber," I ordered. "We’re not done with our discussions."

Osric bowed sharply. "Understood, Your Highness."

Haldor moved to my side again, quiet but undeniably close. Too close. Close enough that the warmth of his earlier touch still hummed on my skin.

And as I walked ahead, a tiny, uncontrollable smile tugged at my lips—because soon...I would see the sea.

I wish Papa was here.

***

[Council Chamber—Later]

The chamber was cold.

Not from temperature, but from the tension—sharp, coiled, suffocating. I sat in the central chair, crimson cloak cascading down like spilled blood. Behind me stood Haldor and Osric—two pillars of steel, though their shadows clashed like storms.

At the center of the room, shackled and kneeling on marble, was General Luke.

Wounded.

Broken.

But strangely... composed.

I crossed one leg over the other, tapping my finger on the armrest.

"So," I said softly, "what have you decided?"

Luke lifted his head. His eyes flickered to Haldor again—always to Haldor—before returning to me.

"I will accept," he said. Calm. Too calm. "I will do whatever you command, Princess."

I smirked. "Good. Then it’s settled. You will serve Eloria from now on."

Haldor and Osric exchanged a quick, cautious glance behind me.

"But—" I continued, leaning forward, "do not mistake this for mercy."

My voice sharpened like a blade pulled from its sheath.

"If you falter... if I sense even a breath of treason from you... your head will roll before you can open your mouth to defend it."

"NO!"

"Grand Duke." My voice dipped dangerously low. "I said, wait. And. Watch."

"Rey."

"Can you perform a spell that binds him? Something that kills him instantly if he harbors even a single harmful intention toward the Imperial family..."

Rey blinked once.

Twice.

Then he looked down at Luke—not with pity, but with curious amusement.

"Well," he murmured, "that’s a rather... dramatic request. Even for you."

Luke raised his chin—not defiantly, but with a strange steadiness. "It is unnecessary. I’ve already given my word."

Rey’s smile sharpened. "Ah... but a word means nothing in politics. Especially when you have eyes that keep wandering to someone like you’re holding a secret."

Luke remained silent.

My voice cut through the tension like a blade sliding across silk. "Answer my question, Rey."

He straightened instantly. "Yes, Princess. I can do it."

I finally turned my head—just enough to meet Luke’s gaze.

Cold.

Unyielding.

Absolutely.

"Well then," I said softly, "put invisible shackles around his throat."

Luke’s breath hitched.

"An unseen collar of magic," I continued, voice silky and merciless, "that tightens and crushes his windpipe the moment he so much as thinks of betrayal."

Rey nodded, already rolling his shoulders as golden runes flickered to life beneath his fingertips.

Luke remained very, very still. I leaned forward slightly, my lips curling into a beautiful, cruel smile.

"One wrong move," I whispered, slow enough to taste the dread in the air, "just one..."

My fingers snapped.

"—and BOOM...you’re done with the life, General."

Rey lifted his glowing hands, stepping toward the kneeling general—And the chamber filled with blinding light.

General Luke didn’t flinch.Didn’t pull back.Didn’t resist.

He simply lifted his chin, exposing his throat as though offering it to a blade. The blinding light slammed onto him—

FWOOOOOOM—!!

The magic wrapped around his neck invisibly, tightening once before settling like an unseen noose.

His expression never changed. When the light faded, Rey exhaled slowly.

"It’s done, Princess," he announced, wiping a fleck of golden dust from his fingers. "The spell is anchored. One harmful intention and—he dies instantly."

I nodded once. Sharp. Cold. Final.

My gaze shifted to Osric. "Unshackle him."

Osric stiffened as if I’d ordered him to kneel. But after a breath, he bowed. "...Yes, Your Highness."

He stepped forward, jaw tight, eyes burning with a mixture of disdain and reluctant acceptance.The chains clattered to the floor—Heavy metal meeting cold marble.

General Luke rose slowly.

I didn’t smile.I simply stated:

"You serve Eloria now. The Imperial Palace claims you as its general."

A beat of silence.

Luke bowed—deep, unwavering. "As you command... Your Highness."

And just like that—A man bound by an invisible death-collar, became the newest general of Eloria.

A shadow among my shadows.