Page 201 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

The plot is right on track, she thought. Percival and Rosalie going to the Wasteland with the kingdom's forces. They'll fight the Blight, Rosalie will use her holy powers to cleanse the corruption, they'll save the day. It's all very heroic and predictable.

"But seriously," Beatrice pressed. "The expedition. Earl Sinclair. You're really not bothered?"

Carol met her sister's eyes. "Earl Sinclair is a capable knight. Lady Rosalie seems like a lovely person. I'm sure they'll do very well together. But that's their life, not mine." She reached for Caspian's hand. "I have everything I want right here."

The enthusiasm from the nearby table continued.

"—going to be legendary—"

"—save the entire kingdom—"

"—true heroes—"

Carol tuned it out and focused on the much more important question of which appetizer to order.

"You really have changed," Beatrice said softly, looking at her sister with something like wonder.

"For the better, I hope," Carol said.

"Definitely for the better," Beatrice confirmed.

Caspian reached across the table and took Carol's hand, his thumb brushing across the new bracelet he'd given her.

"I'm glad you're here," he said quietly. "Just here. With me."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Carol said honestly.

The server returned to take their orders. Carol requested the duck and the lamb, plus two appetizers and a promise to look at the dessert menu later. Beatrice ordered more modestly. Caspian selected something simple, though Carol noticed him ordering an extra side of vegetables that he would inevitably give to her.

The nearby table was still discussing the expedition with breathless excitement.

Carol picked up a piece of bread from the basket the server had left and spread it with butter.

"This honeymoon week is going to be amazing," she said contentedly.

Caspian smiled. "Yes. Yes, it is."

And as the nobles behind them continued to rhapsodize about prophecies and heroes and glorious battles, Carol enjoyed her bread and planned which shops they should visit after lunch.

Let Percival and Rosalie have their grand destiny.

She had Caspian, excellent food, and a week of shopping ahead of her.

She was exactly where she wanted to be.

Chapter 45

Platinum Viewing

Three weeks had passed since their return from the capital.

Carol sat in her lounging room, one hand resting on her considerably rounded belly. Six months pregnant now, and Caelan was making his presence known with frequent kicks and movements.

She'd been reviewing estate accounts earlier, but her eyes had grown tired. Numbers were still her comfort zone, but pregnancy was making her tire more easily these days.

A translucent blue screen materialized in front of her, making her jump slightly.

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