Page 137 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

A man who might secretly want out but felt too honorable to leave a pregnant wife.

The guilt crashed over her again, heavier than before.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

"My lady?" Daisy's voice called. "May we come in? We thought you might want help changing for bed."

Carol took a breath, steadying herself. "Yes, come in."

Daisy and Millie entered, carrying a soft nightgown and robe.

"How are you feeling, my lady?" Millie asked, her observant eyes taking in Carol's expression. "You seem troubled."

"Just... thinking about the evening," Carol said, which was true enough.

The maids helped her out of the blue gown—still pristine despite the wine attack, thanks to the stain-resistant potion—and into the comfortable nightgown.

"The banquet was a triumph," Daisy said encouragingly as she brushed out Carol's hair. "Everyone was talking about how gracefully you handled Lady Millicent."

"And how beautiful the hall looked," Millie added, folding the gown carefully. "And how well you and His Grace danced together."

Carol managed a small smile. "Thank you both. For everything. For helping me prepare, for being so patient with me."

Both maids looked surprised by the genuine gratitude.

"It's our pleasure, my lady," Daisy said warmly.

"You've been so much kinder these past weeks," Millie added quietly. "It's been... nice. Serving you."

Carol felt her throat tighten. Even her personal maids had noticed the change. Had been relieved by it.

How terrible had Caroline been?

After the maids finished and departed with quiet curtsies, Carol climbed into bed.

Mochi immediately jumped up to curl against her side, purring. Shadow settled at the foot of the bed, his growing bulk taking up significant space.

Carol lay in the darkness, staring at the ceiling.

She should sleep. It had been a long, emotionally exhausting day.

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw the memory.

Caroline's devastation. Caspian's guilt. The moment Caroline had sobbed "It wasn't supposed to be him!"

And Caspian had heard it. Had known, from that very first moment, that he was a mistake. An accident. The wrong person.

How had he felt, these past three months? Married to a woman who'd trapped him accidentally while trying to catch someone else? A woman who'd made her resentment clear every single day?

Carol had changed that. Had been kind to him. Had tried to build something real.

But did he know it was genuine? Or did he think it was just another manipulation? Another scheme?

Did he want to be married to her?

Or was he just too honorable, too dutiful, too trapped by circumstances to say otherwise?

Carol turned over restlessly. Mochi adjusted with a small meow of protest.