Page 40 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"Obviously. He's my baby now."

"He's going to be a giant apex predator."

"My giant apex predator baby," Carol corrected, carefully standing up while cradling the sleeping Mochi. "Come on, let's get you somewhere soft to nap."

As she walked back to the estate with her new familiar sleeping contentedly in her arms, Carol couldn't help but smile.

She'd been in this world for less than two days and she'd already:

● Chosen the laziest possible skill path

● Started fixing her terrible reputation

● Had a surprisingly nice dinner with her terrifying husband

● Adopted a magical creature that would eventually become a 400-pound shadow-manipulating dream walker

Her survival rate was still probably only 2%, but at least she'd have good naps and a very loyal (if eventually terrifying) companion.

"This is going well," Carol announced to her sprites.

"You have very low standards for 'going well,'" Lumi said.

"I have realistic standards for someone with seven active death flags and a baby on the way," Carol corrected. "Now come on. Mochi needs pillows. Lots of pillows."

She had approximately five hours until tea with Caspian.

Five hours to get Mochi settled, prepare herself mentally for more blushing and awkward conversation, and maybe practice her Puppy Eyes skill in the mirror.

This was going to be interesting.

Chapter 9

My Wife Did What?

Caspian was reviewing the morning border patrol reports when Sterling knocked and entered his study.

"Your Grace," the older man said, his expression carefully neutral in that way that meant something unusual had happened.

"What is it?" Caspian set down the report he'd been reading. Again. Without absorbing a single word. He'd been distracted all morning thinking about dinner last night, which was annoying.

"I have several updates regarding the Duchess," Sterling said.

"Go on."

Before Sterling could speak, the door opened again and Edwin strode in, not bothering to knock. He was grinning.

"Oh, this is good," Edwin said, dropping into his usual chair. "Sterling, please continue. Don't let me interrupt."

Sterling gave Edwin a long-suffering look before turning back to Caspian. "Your Grace, the Duchess took a morning walk in the gardens approximately two hours ago."

"That's... good," Caspian said slowly. "Exercise is healthy for pregnant women."

"Indeed. However, during her walk, she encountered the Dreamweaver cub that has been frequenting the estate grounds."

Caspian went very still. "The Dreamweaver."

"Yes, Your Grace."