Page 138 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

She needed to know.

She needed to give him a choice.

Even if it meant losing everything she'd built these past weeks. Even if it meant facing the death flags alone. Even if it meant—

Carol sat up abruptly.

She couldn't sleep. Not like this. Not with the guilt and questions churning through her mind.

She needed air. Space. Movement.

Quietly, she slipped out of bed and pulled on her robe.

Mochi and Shadow both stirred immediately, alert.

"Want to come?" Carol whispered.

Shadow's tail wagged. Mochi stretched and jumped down from the bed.

Together, the three of them left the chambers.

The estate was quiet at this late hour, most servants already retired for the night. A few guards nodded respectfully as Carol passed, but no one questioned the Duchess taking a late-night walk with her pets.

Carol found herself drawn to the gardens—the western gardens near the fountain that she'd walked through with Caspian before.

The night air was cool and crisp. The moon was bright overhead, casting silver light across the paths and flower beds.

Carol walked to the fountain and sat on its edge, running her fingers through the cool water.

Mochi investigated nearby bushes while Shadow sat at her feet, his presence comforting and solid.

She'd come so far these past weeks. Survived death flags. Won over the staff. Made friends with her pets. Started building a real relationship with Caspian.

But it was all built on Caroline's trap. Caroline's lie. Caroline's spell.

And Carol couldn't move forward—couldn't truly be happy—until she knew if Caspian wanted this marriage at all.

She had to ask.

Had to give him the choice his family had taken away.

Even if the answer broke her heart.

Carol took a deep breath of cool night air and looked up at the moon.

"Okay," she whispered to herself. "Tomorrow. I'll ask him tomorrow."

Behind her, footsteps approached on the garden path.

Carol turned, her heart already knowing who she'd see even before his silver hair caught the moonlight.

Caspian stood at the edge of the fountain garden, dressed in his evening clothes but with his coat removed and his cravat loosened. He looked tired and, like her, unable to sleep.

Their eyes met across the moonlit space.

And Carol knew she wouldn't have to wait until tomorrow after all.

Chapter 29