Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 390

Chapter 390: The Promise and the Storm

[Haldor’s POV — On the Way to the Imperial Palace—Inside the Carriage]

Astreon.

I had never set foot on its soil, yet half of my blood still belonged to it.

Having a mother from Eloria and a father from Astreon did not give me balance—it gave me responsibility. For whatever rose from that land, my name would be dragged into it, whether I wished it or not.

The shadows I had hired had already reported unusual movements in the auction houses. Hidden exchanges. Quiet transactions. Faces that appeared once and vanished forever.

But my mind had never once wandered toward Astreon.

Until now.

I stared out of the carriage window, watching the city pass like a painting I no longer trusted.

’Does Father know something?’ I wondered.

He would never betray Eloria. He could not—even if he wanted to. There was an invisible collar around his neck. A magical seal that would end his life before betrayal could even form into thought. That was the cruelty of power. That was the mercy of magic.

Yet still—Why would Astreon suddenly care about Eloria’s politics? What reason did they have to step into our storm?

I turned my gaze toward Lavinia.

She looked calm. Poised. Untouched, but I knew her too well. Behind that stillness was calculation. Behind that calm was fear she would never voice aloud.

Because if the empire learned Astreon was plotting against Eloria—The first blade would turn toward me.

Not because I was guilty.

But because I existed.

The common people would begin to question.

’Why did the Crown Princess marry him? Is he loyal to Eloria? Does Astreon control him?’

And just like that, trust would rot, in a way that even the Devereux line would shake. Faith in the throne would fracture.

And Eloria’s pillars—built on belief—would begin to crack.

I remembered the High Priest’s eyes. How they had shifted to me before he even spoke Astreon’s name. How he had looked at me first—And only then allowed the word to fall.

I clenched my fist slowly.

I was not afraid of Astreon. I was afraid of what my blood could destroy.

Lavinia turned slightly, sensing my silence.

I did not speak. Because if I opened my mouth, I would admit the truth. That I was not scared of being hated. I was scared of being the reason she would be.

And as the carriage rolled forward, carrying us toward the heart of the empire, I realized something with bitter clarity.

If Astreon truly stepped into Eloria’s shadow—Then I would be forced to choose.

Not between lands.

Not between blood.

But between who I was born as... and who I had chosen to become, and I would burn my own blood before I let it touch her crown.

***

[Later—Imperial Palace]

The carriage finally came to a stop before the imperial palace. I stretched my arms slightly, trying to release the tension from my shoulders. Lavinia immediately took my hand.

"We should meet Father," she said softly.

I nodded. "I won’t mind."

We walked together toward the training grounds, where the sharp sound of swords clashing echoed through the open hall. The air smelled of steel, sweat, and discipline.

As we stepped inside, every knight froze.

They turned.

Then bowed.

Father stood at the center, sword in hand, his brows furrowing the moment he saw us.

"Aren’t you both at the Holy Temple?" he asked.

"We just returned," Lavinia replied calmly.

"So soon?" he questioned, eyes narrowing slightly.

Lavinia glanced around at the knights. "Dismiss."

The command was gentle—but absolute. Every knight bowed and rushed out as if their lives depended on it. The training ground fell silent.

Father looked between us.

"...Did something happen?" he asked. "Why do you both look like rotten pudding?"

Lavinia blinked. "We have rotten pudding faces too?"

Then she sighed. "Anyway... we have something to ask you, Father."

His expression instantly softened as he smirked, saying, "Yes. I want to become a grandfather soon."

I froze.

Lavinia froze.

We stared.

Blinked.

Then she scoffed. "Seriously? Do all fathers-in-law dream about becoming grandfathers the moment they get a beautiful daughter-in-law?"

Father answered without hesitation.

"Yes."

Lavinia gaped at him. "At least hesitate a little."

"I don’t want to," he replied calmly.

I stepped in quickly. "Alright, we are not here for that. Please stop talking about children."

Father frowned. "Then why are you here?"

Lavinia and I exchanged a glance.

I inhaled slowly.

"We have found a suspicious magic spell in the air, Father," I said carefully. "And... we believe it is from Astreon."

The moment the word left my mouth— Father flinched.

His eyes widened.

"What?" he said sharply. "That’s not possible."

The humor vanished.

The air tightened.

Lavinia stepped closer. "You reacted too fast."

Father exhaled and turned away slightly. "Astreon does not interfere with Eloria."

"Then explain the magic," I said quietly. "Explain why the Holy Temple cannot identify it. Explain why it feels foreign."

He turned back to me, brows furrowed. "Are you certain it is Astreon?"

"...Except once."

"I will send my shadows to Astreon," he said coldly. "Immediately."

He looked at me, "No one will touch you in the name of blood."

Then he looked at Lavinia. "And no one will shake the Devereux throne through him."

I swallowed.

And in that moment, I realized—This was no longer a matter of empires. This was a matter of identity.

Of loyalty.

Of who had the right to decide who I was.

And for the first time... I was no longer willing to let anyone else write that answer.

Father left the training hall without another word. His steps were firm. Decisive. Heavy with a truth he had just accepted.

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. "We should report this to His Majesty, Lavi."

When I turned to her—She was not looking at the training ground.

She was looking at me with an intensity that made my breath stall.

"...What?" I asked softly.

She stepped closer and took my hands in hers. "Promise me something, Haldor."

I smiled faintly. "If I can, I will."

"No." Her grip tightened. "You have to promise me."

I searched her face. This was not a crown princess standing before me. Not an empress.

Not a ruler.

This was my wife.

I nodded slowly. "Alright. I promise."

Her voice lowered.

"Promise me... no matter what happens... you will never walk this path alone. You will not disappear into danger thinking it will protect me."

I blinked. "Why would I ever leave your side? You know how much I love—"

She cut me off gently but firmly.

"Because you are foolish," she said softly. "Foolish enough to think that hurting yourself could ever keep me safe."

Her voice trembled just slightly.

"So I want you to promise me," she whispered, "that you will stay. That you will trust me. That you will never choose sacrifice over us."

I lifted my hands and cupped her face.

Then I kissed her forehead slowly.

"I promise," I said quietly. "I will never leave your side. No matter what waits for us."

She exhaled and rested her forehead against my chest, hugging me tightly. "I don’t know why, but I sense trouble on the way, Haldor."

I held her closer.

"Everything will be fine," I whispered.

But deep inside... Even I felt it. The storm was no longer far.

It was already walking toward us.

And this time—Love would not be enough to stop it. Only trust would.