Page 206 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Carol glanced at the battle, then at the tiny serpent in her lap, then at her collection of pets gathering around her.

"You know what?" she said. "I think it's nap time."

"You just watched people fighting for their lives and your response is to nap?" Missy asked.

"I'm six months pregnant and I just watched twenty-one days of brutal combat condensed into forty minutes," Carol said. "I'm tired. And napping is one of my primary skills. I need to keep it leveled up."

She picked up the control panel and switched off the screen.

The view of the Wasteland battlefield disappeared, replaced by the peaceful quiet of her lounging room.

Carol settled back into the comfortable couch, Snowball still curled in her lap. Shadow moved closer and laid his massive head near her feet. Mochi draped himself across the back of the couch. Sunny nestled against her side, his wings folded.

"Are you joining us?" Carol asked the sprites.

"Obviously," Missy said, settling onto a nearby cushion.

"Napping is important," Lumi agreed, finding her own spot.

Carol closed her eyes, one hand on her belly where Caelan was doing his usual gymnastics, the other gently petting Snowball's frost-cold scales.

Somewhere in the Wasteland, Percival and Rosalie were fighting corruption and saving the kingdom.

Here in Frostholme, Carol was napping with her pets in perfect comfort.

She knew which situation she preferred.

Within minutes, she was asleep, surrounded by her strange little family.

The room was peaceful. Quiet. Warm despite the baby Frost Serpent's chill.

Perfect.

Chapter 46

Victory News (And Strawberries)

Caspian was trying very hard to focus on the estate reports in front of him.

It was proving difficult.

Not because the reports were particularly complex—the harvest projections were solid, the northern border defenses were well-maintained, and the household expenses were perfectly reasonable.

No, the difficulty was the seven-months-pregnant duchess currently sitting on his lap, feeding him fruit.

"Try the strawberry," Caroline said, holding up a particularly plump berry. "This one looks perfect."

Caspian obediently opened his mouth, and she popped the strawberry in with a satisfied smile.

It was, admittedly, very good.

"Caroline," he said after swallowing. "I do need to finish these reports."

"You can work and eat at the same time," Caroline pointed out reasonably. She was nestled comfortably against him, her rounded belly resting against his chest, the platter of fruit balanced on the edge of his desk within easy reach.

"I can," Caspian agreed. "But you're distracting."

"I'm helping," Caroline corrected. She selected a grape this time. "You need to eat. You've been in here for three hours."