Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 399

Chapter 399: The Night of Judgement

[Lavinia’s POV—Imperial Palace—Private Garden—The Next Day]

Sera poured the tea with careful hands, though her eyes kept drifting toward the woman seated across from me.

Eleania.

Her posture was straight, but her gaze was lowered, as if she feared the garden itself might judge her. I studied her for a long moment before speaking.

"You can relax, Eleania."

She flinched slightly, then nodded. "I am... relaxed, Your Highness. I was only wondering why you wished to speak with me privately."

Sera stepped back behind my chair as I lifted my teacup.

"I wished to have a conversation," I said calmly, "with the future Grand Duchess of Eloria."

Eleania’s fingers tightened around her cup.

I tilted my head. "Do you feel anger toward me?"

She shook her head quickly. "I would never dare, Your Highness. How could a mere commoner hold anger toward the Crown Princess?"

A faint smile touched my lips.

"You are allowed to be angry," I said. "You are no longer a commoner. You are the next Grand Duchess; that truth will not change."

She finally lifted her eyes to me.

"At first... I was angry," she admitted softly. "I thought I had lost my first love. I believed destiny had taken everything from me."

She hesitated. "But slowly, I realized my obsession blinded me. I blamed myself more than anyone else, but—"

I interrupted gently, "Destiny plays a greater game than any of us, Eleania. Osric was always meant to walk beside you."

Then I added with a faint smile, "You may call him Osric in front of me."

Her lips curved into a fragile smile. "Thank you, Your Highness. And... I apologize for the troubles I once caused you."

I set my cup down. "You are forgiven."

She looked startled.

"I would like to build a bond with the future Grand Duchess of this empire," I continued. "Together, we can rule wisely. And this time... I choose to place my trust in you."

Her eyes widened. "But why? I have done nothing to deserve it. I only caused you trouble in the past."

I leaned forward slightly, "If a person learns from their past and grows from it, then we judge them by who they are now—not who they once were."

My gaze softened but remained firm, "You have not yet proven yourself. But I believe you will not betray me. Nor this empire."

Her voice trembled. "Thank you... for giving me that chance. And congratulations on your marriage. Captain Haldor truly deserves to stand beside you."

I smiled, "Yes. But you must know... the nobles are stirring. They wish to destroy the Devereux line."

My eyes sharpened as I met hers.

"And they are using Haldor as their pawn, and I would never let that happen, so... I want your help."

She stiffened. "But Your Highness... I was cast aside by Count Talvan. How can I help you?"

I replied calmly, "...That is exactly why you can."

She stared at me for a long second, then whispered, "Do you wish to know where Talvan hides his illegal ledgers?"

A slow smirk curved my lips. "You are sharper than I expected, Eleania."

She smiled faintly. "I will help you, even I have many debts to repay for that house."

I lifted my teacup again.

"Then I shall enjoy tea with you once every week," I said lightly. "It will be... refreshing."

She raised her cup at last. "As the next Grand Duchess, I swear loyalty to you."

Sera clapped softly. "Should I bring more macarons?"

I nodded. "Yes, Sera."

The sunlight filtered through the garden leaves as two women sat across from one another—not rivals, not enemies.

But allies.

"Osric is fortunate to have you," I said.

She smiled. "Lord Haldor is even more fortunate to have you."

And in that quiet garden, with tea and fragile trust between us, two important women of Eloria began preparing to bring down a wicked house.

***

[Haldor’s POV—Same Time—Hallway Window]

I stood by the tall window with Grand Duke Osric on one side and Rey on the other, all three of us silently watching the garden below.

Lavinia, Eleania, and Sera.

They sat together with teacups in hand... smiling far too calmly, far too wickedly.

Rey crossed his arms and shivered dramatically. "...Why do I suddenly feel like the empire is about to suffer?"

Osric chuckled softly. "It will, but for the first time, Eleania is not alone. I am... relieved she has found someone to gossip freely with."

I tilted my head, eyes still on the garden, "For gossip... or for plotting the downfall of noble houses?"

Rey burst out laughing, "Obviously for plotting. My father always said, Women are more dangerous than any man alive, and he was damn right."

I snorted. "Your father sounds wise."

Osric smiled faintly, watching Eleania laugh for the first time in days. "If our women are planning to stir chaos... perhaps we should make their work easier."

Rey shot him a look. "Oh? Is this courage coming from a man about to get married?"

"Planning to marry?" I asked.

Osric blinked, then coughed into his fist, "Yes, I... am planning to marry her after Her Highness takes the throne."

I smiled genuinely. "That sounds like good timing."

Rey’s face twisted in mock offense. "Wait—why is everyone getting married except me? My future father-in-law keeps glaring at me like I’m a criminal."

I laughed. "That’s because you behave like one."

He placed a hand over his heart. "I am wounded. Deeply."

Osric shook his head with amusement. "You should consider yourself lucky. At least you are alive."

We all looked back down at the garden again. Below us, Lavinia leaned closer to Eleania, whispering something. Sera covered her mouth as if hiding laughter.

***

[Later—Meeting Room—Lavinia’s POV]

Osric’s brows knitted together. "Behind her?"

Sera tilted her head. "You mean... behind a portrait?"

Eleania nodded. "Yes. In Talvan’s office, there is a large frame of his sister’s painting. Everyone believes it is placed there out of grief."

Her voice hardened, "But the frame is not for memory. It is a door."

Silence struck the room.

"A door to his corruption," she finished.

My lips curved slowly.

Then—SLAM.

My palm struck the table.

"Then we attack."

Haldor looked at me sharply. "Right now?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Right now—before those rats sense danger. Before they scatter into holes and pretend innocence." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

My gaze swept across the room.

"I do not intend to play a foolish game of cat and mouse," I continued coldly. "I intend to end every house that dared rise against me."

General Luke’s hand tightened around his sword hilt.

Papa’s eyes burned with approval, and I straightened, my voice carrying authority. "Tonight, we strike."

Ravick nodded. "Black Knights will move first."

"The Magic Tower will mask all movements," Rey added with a smirk. "No signal leaves the city."

Osric stepped forward. "My men will seize Talvan’s estate."

Zerith crossed his arms. "And the auction house?"

"I will handle the rest," I said. "Every noble house tied to treason will be searched. Every record seized. Every name dragged into the light."

They all bowed their heads.

Papa then looked at me sharply. "Where is your pendant?"

I blinked. "Pendant?"

"The one your grandfather gave you."

I pulled it from beneath my collar—the green gem glowing faintly in the candlelight.

Papa nodded once. "Good."

Rey’s eyes gleamed. "The empire is about to expand."

I exhaled slowly and turned toward the doors.

"Enough talk," I said. "Let us clean the city."

One by one, they stood. Steel, magic, loyalty, and rage moved as one, and thus—the night of judgment began.