Too Lazy to be a Villainess

[Imperial Palace—Dungeon—Lavinia's POV—Continuation]

SLASH!! SLASH!!

The sound of leather against flesh echoed harshly against the stone walls, mixing with Caelum's ragged screams. His back was a crimson canvas, each stripe of pain a testament to my resolve. My gloves were soaked, my hands stung and bled, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. Not until he gave me what I demanded.

Through the haze of torment and oil-slicked stone, I sensed the quick, heavy steps—the unmistakable authority of my father. My heart didn't skip; it beat harder, exhilarated. Papa had arrived.

But before he could reach us, Caelum's voice cracked, desperate and broken.

"I… I WILL… TELL!!! I… I WILL… CONFESS…"

I paused mid-strike, the thorns hovering an inch above his scorched flesh. Victory tasted bitter and sweet.

Papa burst into the dungeon, his expression a storm of fury and disbelief.

"Lavinia…" His voice was a low growl, eyes wide as they swept across the scene—Caelum's torn body, my bloodied hands, the oil-slicked floor, and my heaving chest. "Have you… have you gone mad?! Just look at your hands."

I didn't flinch. I looked up at him, cool and unyielding. "He's ready to confess, Papa."

Papa's sharp gaze flicked at me and then to Osric, who bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty. Caelum… has just said he is ready to confess," Osric said, his voice steady, measured.

But Papa barely heard him. His eyes were drawn to my hands—the delicate skin marred by the lashes, the tiny rivers of blood that trickled between my fingers. His lips pressed into a thin line, a mixture of fear, anger, and… concern.

"But… Lavinia, this… your hands… they are—look at them! This is madness! You will not—"

I cut him off, voice sharp and unwavering. "Just a few more minutes, Papa. After that, you may yell at me as much as you like." My eyes flicked back to Caelum, who trembled under my gaze, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.

Papa's shoulders slumped slightly, tension coiling in the air like a storm waiting to break. He ran a hand over his face, letting out a long sigh. "Fine… just… a few minutes. But after… after this, Lavinia… you will listen. You hear me?"

I nodded once, deliberately, my expression unyielding. The thrill of power coursed through me as I stepped closer to Caelum, towering over him like a dark sun. My voice was quiet and cold, yet sharpened with steel.

"Now… Caelum," I said, letting the words drip like venom, "tell me. Did Marquess Everett… ever know… that you were the Emperor of Irethane?"

His eyes darted to mine, fear and pride clashing violently. The dungeon was silent, save for the faint hiss of oil and the heavy, anxious breaths of the men behind me.

I held the lash loosely now, letting its weight dangle like a pendulum of authority between us. Every second he hesitated, every word he swallowed, only fanned the fire burning hotter inside me.

"Speak, Caelum," I whispered, leaning closer, the cold tip of the lash grazing the scarlet sheen on his tortured back. My voice was soft, but every syllable dripped with command. "Don't forget… your fate… it still rests in my hands."

He trembled violently, his body quivering with pain and fear. His voice was ragged, broken. "Y-Yes… He knew all along… infact… he pretended to adopt me… to take over the throne from you."

My eyes narrowed, piercing, hungry for every detail. "And… who else was involved in this treachery?" I asked, my tone almost casual, but every word a blade.

He swallowed hard, avoiding my gaze. "I… I don't know. I just followed his instructions… from poisoning you… to… and… all the attacks… since you were born… I heard it was all him. I...I just wanted the throne...but the plans...were all made by him."

A slow, dark smile curved across my lips. "Good, Caelum… very good. You've spoken honestly now. And because of that… I will ensure your death is without unnecessary suffering."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Wh-what?"

But I had already turned to Sir Haldor. "Sir Haldor… make him swallow the poison. And… drag Marquess Everett to the throne room."

Sir Haldor inclined his head, moving swiftly to obey.

Papa's strong hands landed gently but firmly on my shoulders. His eyes, deep with concern, searched mine. "Now… let's go. You need healing, Lavinia."

I shook my head lightly, trying to smile. "But Papa… I am fine—"

He glared, voice low and dangerous. "Lavinia."

I froze, swallowing the words in my throat, and immediately bowed my head slightly. "Yes, Papa. I… I shall follow you immediately."

We moved out of the dungeon, the echoes of Caelum's desperate voice following us:

"N-NO…! YOU… YOU CANNOT KILL ME!!"

I let a small, mischievous smile tug at my lips, and Papa voice filled with anger and worry. "You know… one shouldn't lose their temper so easily. I wonder where you got that temper from."

"Ofcourse from you, papa."

He shot me a piercing glare.

I flinched just slightly, biting my lip. "Oh… I mean… I do have your blood running through me… isn't it… natural for me to have a temper?"

He didn't even blink. The silence stretched, heavy and tense.

"I… I am sorry, Papa… for letting my temper rule me," I added softly, lowering my gaze, letting him see both my defiance and my submission. "I will try to be calm next time."

The dungeon fell behind us, leaving only the scent of oil, blood, and power—and me, walking beside my papa, already planning my next move to wipe a noble family from this empire.

***

[Living Area—Later—Lavinia's POV]

"Ouch… it stings," I muttered, flinching as the physician pressed cotton soaked with healing salve against the cuts on my hands and arms.

Papa's eyes snapped to the man like a hawk spotting prey. His hands clenched at his sides, and his voice cut through the room like steel on stone. "How are you even healing her… when it still stings her?!"

The physician swallowed hard, his fingers trembling. "Your Majesty… I—"

Papa's glare intensified, dark and suffocating, pinning the man in place. "Who made you a physician? Did I summon someone to heal my daughter—or to barely touch her wounds?!"

I bit my lip, trying not to wince as the physician fumbled, clearly terrified under Papa's wrath.

"You call this healing?" Papa continued, pacing in measured, terrifying strides. "Her blood… her hands… this is war on her flesh, and you treat it like a nursery scrape?" He leaned in close, his face almost brushing the physician's, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If she still feels pain, if she still flinches… you've failed your duty. Do you understand me? Failed!"

The physician trembled with fear, perhaps even praying to every god in existence.

Before Papa could continue, Theon stepped forward nervously, hands raised like he was diffusing a bomb. "Your Majesty… he is a physician, not Lord Thalein… he won't magically vanish her wounds with fairy dust."

Then papa mumbled, "That Old elf....i wish he was here."

I leaned back slightly, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "I… I think Theon's right, Papa. The wounds will sting until…"

Papa's glare swung to me, full of fire. "Shut up, Lavinia!" His voice boomed like a drum roll of doom. "I am still furious at you for scraping your hands open! You could've asked someone else… but noooo, my dear daughter insists on turning herself into a battle flag of pain!"

I couldn't help but let out a soft giggle, which earned me a glare that could freeze molten steel.

Papa's eyes narrowed. "Did you just… laugh?"

I coughed, straightening my back. "Of course not, Papa. I would never. I dare not."

The physician, pale as parchment, tied off the last bandage with shaky hands. "I-It's done, Your Majesty. Please—these are the medicines. Give them to the princess if… if it hurts."

Papa accepted the bundle with a cold nod. The physician didn't wait for dismissal; he bolted like a startled deer, nearly tripping over his own robes as he fled.

Papa exhaled through his nose, then turned on Theon. "Theon. Send a letter to Nivale. Tell them Lavinia will undergo the divine benediction next week. They must arrive early. And—" his voice dropped to a dangerous rumble, "write clearly: do not bring the entire elf world marching into my palace."

Theon bowed so low his forehead nearly brushed the floor. "At once, Your Majesty."

I blinked, staring at Papa in surprise. "It's… really happening so soon?"

Papa took my hand again, gentler this time, though his eyes still carried a storm. He inspected the bandages with a sigh. "Yes. The sooner it's done… the sooner you will finally be free."

I nodded, a flicker of excitement stirring within me, but I was not unaware that the events of that day would not only threaten my life but also uncover a truth I never could have imagined…