Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 411

Chapter 411: THE END

[Imperial Palace—Three Years Later—Palace Grounds—Lavinia’s Pov]

Pour.

The attendant filled three porcelain cups with steaming tea, careful and precise. No—she was definitely not Sera. Sera, at the moment, was far too busy blushing like she’d just been accused for romantic treason.

"After becoming the Countess," she said with a dramatic sigh, fingers nervously circling the rim of her cup, "Father finally agreed to my marriage with Rey."

She paused, then added quietly, "...It was very hard to convince him."

I raised an eyebrow. Eleania’s lips twitched.

"Hard?" Eleania echoed innocently, sipping her tea. "That’s one way to put it."

Sera groaned and hid half her face behind her cup. "I still can’t believe—Rey laid flat on the marble floor. Fully. Face-down. On my coronation day."

I burst out laughing.

Eleania nearly choked on her tea. "Face-down?" she repeated, eyes wide. "As in—"

"Yes," Sera squeaked. "Arms stretched. Dramatic sighing. He even said, ’I offer my dignity in exchange for your daughter’s hand.’"

"I knew he would do that." I said.

"I agree," Eleania added solemnly. "The Supreme Mage of the Magic Tower. Lying flat like a sacrificial offering. Begging your father."

Sera’s ears turned bright red. "It was so embarrassing! I wanted the ground to swallow me."

"But," I said sweetly, "It worked"

"...Yes."

Eleania and I exchanged a look.

"At least he committed," I said. "That’s true love."

Sera muttered, "He lost all pride that day."

"That’s how you know he’s serious," Eleania nodded wisely.

She took another sip of tea, then suddenly looked up at the attendant.

"Can I have olives and macarons?" she asked politely.

Silence.

Sera froze mid-sip.

"...Grand Duchess," she said slowly, "what... what kind of combination is that?"

I didn’t even blink. I turned calmly to the attendant. "Bring whatever the Grand Duchess desires."

The attendant bowed and fled. Eleania smiled serenely.

Sera stared between us. "That’s not normal."

I laughed. "Oh, you’ll understand."

She blinked. "Understand what?"

"You’ll crave the strangest things when you’re pregnant," I said lightly. "One moment you’ll want sweet, the next moment salty, and then—" I waved my hand, "—something that makes everyone around you question reality."

Eleania nodded enthusiastically. "Yesterday I cried because the bread was too confident."

Sera’s mouth opened. "...What?"

"It looked judgmental," Eleania said firmly.

I nodded. "Valid."

Sera’s face went even redder. "I— I’m not even pregnant yet!"

"You will be," I said with absolute confidence. "And when you are, you’ll understand."

She squeaked, "I—!"

Eleania leaned forward conspiratorially. "Osric was so shocked by my cravings that he nearly summoned a priest."

I laughed. "Again?"

"He thought I was possessed," Eleania said calmly. "I asked for pickled fish dipped in honey."

Sera covered her mouth. "That’s horrifying."

The garden filled with warmth—sunlight, tea steam, soft laughter drifting through rose-covered arches. For a moment, there were no crowns, no wars, no bloodstained histories.

Just women who had survived.

Who had loved. Who were creating life—and chaos—in equal measure. I lifted my cup, smiling softly.

"This," I thought, watching them, "is peace."

And somehow... it tasted like tea, olives, macarons, and impending disaster. Sera suddenly looked around, brows knitting. "Empress... where are Aurelia and Ignis?"

I didn’t even sigh. I stared at her flatly and took another sip of tea.

"Grandpa Thalein and brothers arrived from Nivale," I said calmly. "Which means right now, my children are giggling at magic tricks while Papa and my father-in-law glare at the elves like they’re planning a massacre."

Eleania hummed knowingly. "Ah."

Sera blinked. "...That sounds intense."

"It is," I replied. "Papa believes they’re here to steal his grandchildren. Father-in-law believes they’re here to corrupt them. Both are correct in their own way."

Eleania smiled faintly. "I can already imagine the atmosphere."

Sera laughed softly. "I never knew adults could be this overprotective."

Eleania leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly with a satisfied sigh. "Then let’s relax here."

I raised my cup. "Agreed."

Far, far away from responsibility.

***

[Cassius’s POV—Nursery Room]

"WOW—MORE! MORE, UNCLE, MORE!"

Aurelia clapped her tiny hands, golden hair bouncing as green magic spiraled across the nursery like fireflies on madness.

Ignis giggled beside her, eyes glowing faintly as another illusion bloomed—flowers made of light, birds woven from mana, and tiny stars floating dangerously close to my sanity.

"...This is pissing me off," General Luke muttered beside me, arms crossed, jaw tight.

I clenched my fist. "Me too. What’s so special about this stupid magic?" I snapped. "If they want magic, I can summon priests every day."

Thalein—the smug, leaf-haired menace—smirked.

"Well," he said smoothly, "my great-grandchildren clearly love us more than they love you."

I turned slowly.

Dangerously.

"And this," Thalein continued cheerfully, "is how I lure them to Nivale—"

"UTTER ONE MORE WORD," I snarled, stepping forward, "AND I WILL SLICE YOUR TONGUE WHERE IT STANDS."

General Luke leaned closer to me and whispered, "Why didn’t you kill him before?"

I whispered back, "I wonder that too."

Thalein didn’t even flinch. He only smiled wider. "Should I show them a portal next? Perhaps—"

"GRANDPA!" Aurelia suddenly stretched her arms toward me, fingers wiggling. "Lift me!"

...And just like that, my rage died.

Instantly.

I melted.

I scooped her up without hesitation, holding her close. "What is it, sweetheart?"

She rested her head on my shoulder. "I’m hungry."

General Luke lifted Ignis effortlessly. "My little warrior must be hungry too, yes?"

Ignis bit his lip seriously, then nodded. "Yes."

My heart was annihilated. We turned and walked out together. Behind us, Thalein panicked. "Wait—wait! They were enjoying the magic!"

I shot him a glare so sharp it could’ve ended wars.

"You’ve had enough fun," I said coldly. "Now go back to your forest before I decide elves are an endangered species."

Thalein froze.

Aurelia wrapped her arms around my neck, kicking her legs happily and tugging my hair. Ignis rested calmly in Luke’s arms, already half asleep.

Behind us, the elves stared in absolute horror.

In front of us—dinner, and peace, and if anyone thought they were taking my grandchildren away—they were welcome to try.

***

[Haldor’s POV — Night—Corridor Outside Lavinia’s Chamber]

"Sigh..."

Ignis raised both hands dramatically, eyes glowing with excitement. "Dada—we saw magic!"

Before I could respond, Aurelia puffed out her chest. "Then I will become like you, Dada!"

She tilted her head. "Slice. Like—whoosh!" She made a dramatic cutting motion.

. . .

. . .

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