Page 42 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Caspian stared at his advisor. "She bonded with one of the most dangerous creatures in the kingdom for... emotional support."

"It appears so, Your Grace."

"And named it Mochi."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Seventeen pillows."

"Quite."

Caspian stood and walked to the window, looking out over the training grounds. His mind was attempting to reconcile this information with his existing understanding of his wife.

Caroline had trapped him into marriage with a seduction spell meant for another man. She'd been openly hostile, thrown things at servants, attempted poisoning, and spent two months pining for Percival Sinclair.

And now she was apologizing to staff, making pleasant conversation at dinner, and adopting dangerous magical creatures that she apparently wanted to cuddle.

None of it made sense.

"What else?" Caspian asked.

"The Duchess has continued her pattern from yesterday," Sterling reported. "She's apologized to three more servants this morning, asked each of them by name how they're doing, and complimented the head gardener on his roses."

"The staff's current theory?" Edwin asked, still grinning.

Sterling sighed. "Possession by a benevolent spirit leads with 60% of the votes. Changeling replacement is at 25%. Genuine personality reformation is at 10%. And a very creative kitchen maid has suggested she was cursed by a kindness witch."

"A kindness witch," Caspian repeated.

"The kitchen maid reads a lot of romance novels, Your Grace."

Caspian turned from the window. "Any word on Earl Sinclair?"

Sterling flipped through his notes. "Earl Sinclair remains in the capital, Your Grace. He's currently occupied with preparations for his engagement party to Lady Rosalie Lennox, scheduled for next month. No attempts to contact the Duchess. No travel plans that would bring him near the northern territories."

"Good." Caspian wanted no complications in his domain. The last thing he needed was Caroline's former obsession showing up and creating drama. "Keep monitoring him. I want to know immediately if he makes any move toward this estate."

"Of course, Your Grace."

"Does the Duchess know about his engagement?" Caspian asked, trying to sound casual.

Sterling's expression shifted slightly. "We have no indication she's been informed, though the news is spreading throughout the nobility. It's possible she's heard through her correspondence with her family."

Caspian nodded slowly. That could explain the sudden change. Perhaps Caroline had finally accepted that Percival was truly lost to her and decided to make the best of her situation here.

Or perhaps she was devastated and planning something worse.

He still didn't know.

"Your Grace," Edwin said, his tone more serious now. "About the Dreamweaver. Do you want me to... handle it?"

"Handle it?"

"Remove it. Before it becomes dangerous. I could do it quietly, make it look like it wandered off—"

"No," Caspian said immediately. The word came out sharper than he'd intended.

Edwin raised his eyebrows. "No?"