Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 371

Chapter 371: ’Do not Marry my son’

[Lavinia’s POV — Office—Later]

"...This is the report from Meren, sent by General Arwin this morning, Your Highness," Sera said, stepping closer and placing the neatly folded parchment into my hands.

I took it with a quiet hum. "Hmm..."

My eyes skimmed the lines quickly—numbers, locations, dates—then slowed as the meaning settled in.

"The damaged castles have been repaired," I read aloud, tapping the page lightly. "No signs of corruption among the current nobles... and farming resumes next month." I paused, then allowed myself a small nod. "That’s... better than expected."

Sera smiled, clearly relieved. "Meren is developing very fast, Your Highness. If this continues at the same pace..." She hesitated, then asked carefully, "Will you open the seaside as well?"

I leaned back slightly in my chair, fingers drumming once against the desk. "Hmm... yes. But not all of it." I glanced back down at the report. "Only certain sections. The salt mine we discovered is still under inspection, and I won’t risk contamination or unrest for speed."

Sera nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense."

Then, curiosity lighting her eyes, she added, "I also heard a rumor—we may have found another salt mine? Near the ancient village?"

"Yes," I confirmed, lifting my gaze to her. "We’ve received preliminary reports. But until we confirm the type of salt and its stability, it remains sealed." I exhaled softly. "Still... once we ensure the coast is safe, I intend to open it."

"For nobles?" Sera asked.

"For everyone," I replied smoothly.

She blinked. "Your Highness... do you really think the nobles will agree to share the seaside with commoners?"

I smiled.

Slow. Knowing.

"They won’t," I said simply.

Sera frowned. "Then how—"

"That," I interrupted, leaning forward slightly, eyes sharp with intent, "is why I plan to open two sections."

She froze. "...Two?"

"One coast designated for common citizens—open markets, fisheries, public access," I continued calmly. "And another for the nobles. Controlled, regulated, and taxed accordingly."

Sera’s eyes widened. Then slowly—very slowly—her face lit up.

"That’s... actually brilliant," she said. "They get their exclusivity. The people get opportunity. And no one can accuse you of favoritism."

I smirked, folding the report and setting it aside. "I know."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Sometimes I forget how dangerous your ideas are, Your Highness."

I rose from my chair and walked toward the tall window, gazing out where the sea shimmered faintly in the distance—far beyond walls, laws, and noble complaints.

"Dangerous ideas," I murmured, "are the only ones that change empires."

Sera smiled.

I turned back and patted Marshi’s massive head, leaning down to plant a kiss right between his ears. He immediately shoved my face away with one enormous paw.

"...What?" I blinked. "You don’t want kisses?"

Marshi growled low in his throat, stretched dramatically like an offended noble, and stalked off to the corner of the room with his back very pointedly turned to me.

I stared after him. "Wow. He’s so moody."

Sera tilted her head, lips twitching. "He’s just like you, Your Highness."

I sighed, stretching my arms above my head and yawning. "Rude. But fair."

I turned toward the door. "Come on. Let’s go see where the captain is."

Sera’s smirk turned dangerous. "Hehe... it’s nice to see a wife looking for her husband."

I froze mid-step.

Blink.

"...I’m not married yet. Papa didn’t approve and I’m just curious," I said quickly, turning my face away as heat crept up my cheeks.

"Of course you are," Sera replied sweetly. Far too sweetly.

I marched out the door before she could say anything else. Behind me, Marshi cracked one golden eye open, reconsidered his dramatic exit, then stood up and padded after us like nothing had happened.

We hadn’t taken more than a few steps into the corridor when—"Are you going to meet my son?"

The voice was slow. Calm. Unreasonably deep and it came from right behind a pillar.

"AGGHHHHH—!!"

Sera screamed.

Even I jumped.

And marshi almost launched a fire spell on instinct.

"What—WHO—?!" I spun around, heart pounding.

General Luke stepped out from behind the pillar, arms folded, expression entirely too amused for a man who had just taken ten years off my life.

I stared at him.

Then yelled, "MAKE A SOUND, FOR GOD’S SAKE!"

He raised an eyebrow. "I did. I spoke."

"That does not count as a warning!" I snapped.

Sera clutched her chest. "Sir, I think my soul left my body."

Marshi huffed in agreement. Luke glanced between the three of us, then nodded thoughtfully. "Noted."

I crossed my arms, glaring. "Why were you lurking behind a pillar like a haunted ancestor?"

He shrugged mildly. "I was waiting."

"For what?"

"For you," he said, then added casually, "And yes—I assume you’re going to see my son."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Why does everyone suddenly know my schedule?"

Luke smiled—soft, proud, unmistakably paternal. "Because when a tyrant crown princess goes looking for one man in particular... the palace notices."

Sera coughed. Loudly.

I shot her a look. "Don’t."

She grinned. "I didn’t say anything."

***

[Later—Private Garden]

[Later—Private Garden]

THUMP.

"PLEASE. CHOOSE. ANOTHER. MAN."

"My son," Luke said, setting the cup down again—gently this time—"is innocent."

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