Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 386

Chapter 386: The Upcoming Storm

[Sera’s Chamber—The Same Time—Night—Rey’s POV]

"Oh, my darling," I sighed dramatically, spreading my arms wide as Sera stepped into her chamber, "I have been waiting for you for ages."

She stopped in the doorway, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.

"And what," she asked sweetly, "is the Supreme Mage doing inside a lady’s chamber? Should I arrest you?"

I stepped forward at once and pulled her into a hug.

"You already arrested me with your love, darling," I said solemnly. "What more punishment remains?"

She smirked against my chest. "You’re still not on a leash."

I looked down at her with exaggerated seriousness and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

"I can be on a leash for you," I whispered dramatically, then paused. "But—"

I lifted her carefully and placed her on the table, standing between her knees. "Only if you hold the leash."

Her face turned red instantly. She hit my shoulder. "You are absolutely shameless."

I smirked proudly. "Thank you. I worked very hard on that reputation."

She crossed her arms. "So. What do you want, shameless mage?"

I leaned closer, resting my hands beside her on the table.

"May this poor soul stay tonight?" I asked with tragic sincerity. "I am starving."

She squinted at me. "For love?"

"Of course," I replied smoothly.

"...Not lust?"

I blinked innocently. "What is that word? I believe I am hearing it for the first time in my scholarly life."

She burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You’re impossible."

"And yet," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "you still let me stay."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her.

"Only because you’re hopeless."

I grinned.

"Hopelessly in love," I corrected.

She looked away, cheeks warm, "...Well. You can stay."

I lifted her carefully into my arms, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"I promise," I said solemnly, "I won’t do anything. Just cuddles. Cuddles and more cuddles."

She chuckled softly, and I wrapped her in my arms, holding her close, letting her rest against my chest.

"Let me hold you properly," I murmured. "The coming days are going to be very... busy."

She glanced up at me. "Huh? Are you going somewhere?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Of course not, my love. I will stay. But the palace... the empire... everything around us will soon move like a storm."

She sighed and snuggled closer. "Gosh. Can’t you speak in a language I understand?"

I laughed quietly. "You know what the princess is doing, right?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes. She’s trying to catch everyone who is plotting treason against the imperial family."

"Exactly," I said softly. "The coming days will be filled with shadows. The nobles and the princess... this time, it will be a face-off."

She looked up at me, eyes bright with certainty.

"And I know the princess will win."

I smiled faintly and patted her head. "Yes. She will."

Then my smile faded—just a little.

"But victory always comes with a price, my love and the princess will have to pay that price."

She lifted her head, searching my face. "What price?"

I didn’t answer immediately.

The room felt quieter. The candle flickered. My arms tightened around her just slightly.

"...Someone," I said softly, "...will lose their life."

Her breath caught. I pressed my lips gently to her hair.

"And when that happens," I whispered, "the empire will never be the same again."

She held onto me a little tighter. And in that quiet embrace, surrounded by warmth and innocence, we both felt it—The storm was coming.

And love... Was the only shelter we had left.

"I should tell the princess—" she began.

I gently cut her off, resting my forehead against hers. "Let her fight, my love. That is how an empress is forged. And that is how she will be respected... and feared."

She frowned softly. "I still don’t understand why fear is necessary."

I kissed her gently, slowly and carefully.

"Fear," I whispered, "is not meant for the innocent. It is meant for those with evil intentions... so they keep their eyes away from what they want to destroy, and the ordinary people can live in peace."

She sighed, then murmured, "She wants to make me the ruler of my household... I wonder how Father will react."

I looked down at her, brushing my thumb lightly over her cheek.

"Your father loves you far too much to be your enemy," I said softly. "He is not the problem. That cousin who was chosen is. And trust me..."

My voice lowered just a little.

***

[The Next Day----Lavinia’s Pov---Lavinia’s Office]

Knock. Knock.

I nodded, agreeing with her. "She’s right; maybe they are using some illusion spell to let us get confused about the messenger birds."

Rey nodded. "But the question still is the same, princess: who is casting that illusion spell? Because only we, the people from the magic tower, hold such authority."

Silence again.

Haldor’s voice was calm but heavy as he said, "Then the answer is simple, Your Highness."

I looked at him.

"There is someone among them... who knows magic."

I nodded slowly.

Rey stepped forward at once. "It is not from my tower. I monitor every mage, every apprentice, and every sealed record. None of my people are involved."

"I believe you," I said quietly.

"...Except the Magic Tower and the Holy Temple—No one else holds divine magic in this empire. And no elf from Nivale will go against me, since I carry their bloodline and the people from Astreon mind their own business and don’t get involved."

We looked at each other.

"And that leaves only one place."

My breath slowed as realization struck like a blade. Together, in unison, we said, "The Holy Temple."

The air turned cold and silent.

"But there’s no reason for a holy temple to be involved, your highness," Sera said.

"We will find that," I turned to Rey immediately. "Keep your eyes on the Holy Temple. I want reports of every movement, every ritual, every visitor."

He bowed. "At once, Your Highness."

Then I turned to Haldor. "And Haldor... it seems we must pay the temple a visit."

He frowned slightly. "But we have no official reason to go, Your Highness."

I smiled.

A slow, dangerous smile.

"As Crown Princess and Captain, no," I said softly.

Then I lifted my gaze.

"But as newlyweds... we must seek the blessings of the Lord of the Universe, must we not?"

Haldor stared at me for a moment. Then he smiled. "I understand."

I returned the smile and as I walked out of the office chamber, I said, "Sera, send a letter to grand duke Osric...summon him and tell him it’s an urgent call from me."

she nodded saying, "At once, your highness."

Because now—We were no longer just hunting traitors. We were stepping into sacred ground. And whatever waited inside the Holy Temple... Would decide whether this empire would be ruled by faith—Or by blood.

The storm was near, and this time... I would make sure no traitor was left behind while walking toward the execution ground.