Page 5 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"What the—"

"Hi, Bestie!" the sprite said, doing a little flip in the air. "Welcome back! Though you're acting super weird right now. Did you hit your head or something?"

"Bestie?" Carol repeated weakly.

The sprite's grin faltered. "Uh, yeah? That's what you call me? I'm your devil sprite companion? We've been working together for like, ten years?"

Carol's mind raced, pulling up memories that weren't hers—Original Caroline's memories. This sprite. Missy. No, she'd called her—

"Bestie," Carol said, the memory clicking into place. Original Caroline had relied on this sprite for everything, listening to every bit of chaotic advice, every scheme, every terrible idea.

"There we go!" Missy brightened. "See, you're fine! So what's the plan today? More sabotage? Oh! We could put dead fish in Lady Rosewyn's carriage again! That was hilarious!"

"Dead fish," Carol said faintly.

"I know, I know, we already did that one, but it's a classic—" Missy paused, tilting her head. "Wait, why are you looking at me like that?"

Carol's eyes drifted past the devil sprite to a corner of the room she hadn't noticed before.

There, floating near the ceiling, was another sprite.

This one was tiny and glowing with a soft golden light. She wore a white dress, had delicate wings, and a small flickering halo. She was also very clearly bound and gagged with what looked like magical rope, her eyes wide and desperate above the gag.

Carol pointed. "Why is there an angel sprite tied up in the corner?"

Missy glanced over dismissively. "Oh, her? That's the angel sprite. We tied her up ages ago because she kept giving you terrible advice."

"Terrible advice," Carol repeated slowly. "The angel sprite. Was giving terrible advice."

"Right? Always going on about 'kindness' and 'forgiveness' and 'not poisoning people.' Super annoying." Missy rolled her eyes. "You made the right call shutting her up."

The angel sprite made muffled, desperate sounds behind her gag, her eyes pleading.

Carol stared at the bound sprite, then at Missy, then back at the game interface still floating in front of her.

Death Flags Active: 7/7

Survival Chance: 2%

"Oh no," Carol whispered. "Oh no, no, no. What did she DO?"

"What did who do?" Missy asked, confused.

Carol spun back to the interface. "Show me the death flags. Now."

The screen flickered:

ACTIVE DEATH FLAGS:

1. The Trapped Marriage: Married Caspian Vanthorn, Duke of Vanthorn, through accidental magical seduction (intended for Percival Sinclair, Earl of Brightholm). Husband is aware of deception and is hostile.

2. The Obsessive Stalker: Continues to pursue Percival Sinclair despite marriage, causing public scandal.

3. The Attempted Poisoning: Multiple attempts to poison various people, including romantic rival Rosalie Lennox (all failed, thank the saints).

4. The Social Pariah: Universally despised across all social classes for cruel behavior and bullying.

5. The Mind Control Attempt: [FUTURE EVENT - 12 months] Will attempt to use rare Mind affinity to control both Percival and Rosalie. Will be discovered and arrested.