Page 187 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Carol kept her head high, her hand steady on Caspian's arm.

And then she heard a familiar voice.

"Caroline!"

Carol's head turned, and her heart leaped.

Her family.

Her father, Aldous, stood near one of the massive pillars, his distinguished face breaking into a broad smile when he saw her. Beside him, her mother, Countess Prudence, looked elegant in deep blue silk, her eyes already misty with emotion.

Jasper was there too, tall and handsome in formal black with subtle fire-themed embroidery on his jacket. And Beatrice, beautiful in rose-colored silk, her face lighting up when she spotted Carol.

"Excuse us," Caspian said to a noble who had been approaching them, and guided Carol toward her family.

The moment they were close enough, her mother rushed forward and pulled Carol into a careful hug, mindful of her belly.

"My darling girl," her mother said, her voice thick. "Let me look at you."

She stepped back, hands on Carol's shoulders, studying her face intently.

Carol felt tears prick her own eyes at the genuine love and concern in her mother's expression.

"You look wonderful," Prudence said. "Truly wonderful. And look at you!" Her hands moved to Carol's rounded belly. "Five months now?"

"Yes," Carol said, smiling. "Due in less than four months."

Her father stepped forward and embraced his daughter warmly. "It's good to see you, Caroline. So good."

"It's good to see you too, Father," Carol said.

Jasper grinned and pulled her into a hug next. "Little sister. Still glowing, I see."

"Jasper," Carol laughed.

"No, really," Jasper said, stepping back. "You're positively radiant. I've never seen you look this happy. Pregnancy suits you. Or maybe it's the domesticity."

"Domesticity?" Carol asked.

"You're practically a country wife now," Jasper teased. "Managing estates, collecting pets, glowing with maternal happiness. It's bizarre and wonderful."

"I'm not that domestic," Carol protested.

"You have four pets," Beatrice pointed out, hugging Carol tightly. "Four! And you brought them all to the capital!"

"They're family," Carol said defensively.

"See?" Jasper said to their parents. "Domestic."

Caspian had been watching the reunion with a slight smile. Her father turned to him and extended his hand.

"Your Grace," her father said warmly. "Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter."

"The pleasure is mine, Lord Holloway," Caspian said, shaking his hand. "Caroline has brought... considerable joy to Frostholme."

"And chaos," Jasper added. "From what I saw when we visited."

"Organized chaos," Caspian corrected, and there was definite amusement in his voice.