Page 159 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

He looked around at his assembled men, all of whom were watching him with a mix of trepidation and barely-suppressed amusement.

Then Caspian smiled—actually smiled, wide enough for everyone to see.

"I'm a married man now, Captain," he said to Edwin. "A happily married man. My wife had... needs this morning."

The training grounds erupted.

Soldiers whooped. Someone dropped their practice sword in shock. Edwin laughed so hard he had to brace himself against a training post.

"Saints preserve us," Lieutenant Marcus said faintly. "He made a joke. The Duke made an actual joke about his—"

"His spicy married life," Edwin finished, wiping tears from his eyes. "Oh, this is the best day of my entire military career."

"Should we even bother with training today?" someone called out. "Or should we just accept that the world has fundamentally changed and nothing makes sense anymore?"

Caspian walked to the weapons rack and selected his practice swords with his usual efficiency. "Of course we're training."

"Really?" Edwin asked. "You're four hours late and you want to train now?"

"I have to maintain my physique," Caspian said, testing the weight of the blades. "My wife has certain... expectations."

The laughter that followed probably echoed all the way to the main estate.

"I can't," Edwin gasped. "I actually can't. This is too much."

"Your Grace," Lieutenant Marcus managed, "with all due respect, who are you and what have you done with our Duke?"

"I got married," Caspian said simply. "Properly married, this time. And I intend to enjoy it."

He moved to the center of the training ground, falling into a ready stance. "Now, are we training or are you all going to stand there gaping like landed fish?"

That got them moving, though the grins didn't fade.

Edwin joined him, picking up his own practice weapons. "You're in an excellent mood."

"I am," Caspian agreed.

"Four hours late."

"Yes."

"Making jokes about your wife's needs."

"Also yes."

"And completely unapologetic about all of it."

"Why would I apologize?" Caspian asked, blocking Edwin's first strike with ease. "I'm exactly where I want to be. Doing exactly what I want to do. With exactly who I want to be with."

Edwin grinned, pressing the attack. "Marriage agrees with you."

"Married life with Caroline agrees with me," Caspian corrected, parrying and counter-striking. "There's a difference."

They moved through the familiar patterns of their sparring, but even Edwin could tell something had changed. Caspian's movements were as precise as ever, his skill undiminished.

But there was a lightness to him now. A looseness that hadn't been there before.

He looked... happy.