Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 383

Chapter 383: When Dawn Found Us

[Lavinia’s Pov—The Next Day—Morning]

Morning arrived gently.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting the chamber in warm gold, as if the day itself wished us happiness. I stirred—but couldn’t move.

Because I was wrapped in Haldor’s arms.

Not loosely. Not accidentally. But protectively. Possessively. Like he feared the world might steal me away if he loosened his hold. His breath brushed softly against my skin, steady and warm. Real.

I shifted slightly and immediately felt it—Oh gods... my body.

I winced.

I shot a glare at the sleeping captain beside me.

I never thought the shy, innocent Captain of the Imperial Knights was hiding such terrifying strength.

Then I looked at his face.

And melted instantly.

His lashes rested softly against his cheeks. His brows—always so tense in daylight—were smooth, unburdened. He looked younger like this. Gentler. Beautiful in a way that belonged only to me.

I smiled without realizing it.

Carefully, I moved just a little.

His arm tightened immediately.

"Don’t disappear," he murmured sleepily.

I froze.

"...I wasn’t planning to," I whispered back.

His eyes opened slowly, still heavy with sleep. When they focused on me, they softened in a way that made my chest ache.

"Good morning," he breathed, a faint smile forming. "My dear wife."

I blinked—startled by how easily the word wrapped around me.

Then I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Good morning, dear husband."

His ears turned pink instantly. He pulled me closer, tucking me safely against his chest.

"I never knew," he murmured, half-awake, half-dreaming, "that mornings could be this beautiful."

I stared at him.

"Haldor Valethorn," I said seriously, "are you flirting with your wife before sunrise?"

"...Yes," he admitted softly. "Is that inappropriate?"

"Very," I replied solemnly. "But continue."

He smiled—slow, warm, and completely unguarded. For a moment, we simply looked at each other. No empire. No crown. No future waiting to demand something from us.

Only this.

His thumb brushed gently over my cheek.

"Thank you," he whispered, "for being my morning today... and for all the mornings to come."

My chest tightened in the best way. I smiled and snuggled closer to him, resting my head against his shoulder.

The palace was awake.

The world was moving.

But inside our chamber—There was only peace.

A quiet, gentle peace that felt like home.

***

[The Bath Chamber—Later]

Sera scrubbed my skin gently, carefully, and respectfully. Her gaze flickered over the faint red marks before she looked away with a shy smile, "Looks like the night was... rather intense, Your Highness."

I turned my head slowly. "Sera."

She immediately lowered her eyes. "I apologize."

I laughed softly. "You should apologize for your terrible attempt at subtlety."

She chuckled, relief easing her shoulders as she continued washing my arms.

"Now," I said lazily, "I wonder when you and Rey plan to marry."

Her hands paused for just a second before resuming. She smiled faintly. "Not so soon... I am not leaving your side, Your Highness."

I tilted my head. "Why would you need to leave my side?"

She hesitated, then answered carefully, "Because as a woman and a noble woman, after marriage, I must care for my husband and child. That is... my duty."

I smirked.

"An absurd duty."

She looked up, startled.

"If I, as a woman, can rule an empire," I continued calmly, "why can’t you serve an empress?"

She stared at me, silent.

"But all noble women do the same, Your Highness," she said slowly. "Just like Lady Mairella. They leave their houses. Their positions. Their names."

I smiled.

"Yes. And that is exactly what we are going to change."

She blinked. "Change...?"

I turned slightly in the bath, meeting her eyes fully.

"I want women to rule under me. I want women to lead noble houses. I want women to sit in council chambers without being called exceptions. I want women to join the armies too."

Her breath hitched.

"And," I added softly, "I will begin with you."

She stared."Me?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

I nodded.

"You are the only daughter of House Aurelmont, are you not?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes... but my cousin is named as my father’s heir."

I smiled.

"And that," I said sweetly, "is precisely the problem."

Her eyes widened. "Your Highness... what do you mean?"

"I mean," I replied calmly, "that I will introduce a new imperial law."

I am not changing the law only to save women, I thought calmly. I am changing it to draw every hidden enemy into the open.

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