Page 67 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"He should be back in a few days," Carol said. Then, hopefully, "You'll stay until then, won't you? I'd like you to get to know him properly."

"We'll stay," Jasper promised. "Someone needs to make sure he's actually treating you well."

"He is," Carol insisted. "Really."

"We'll be the judge of that," Jasper said, but his tone was affectionate.

As they settled back into their seats and started making actual plans for decorating, Carol felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the tea.

Her siblings were here. They were concerned about her, protective of her, and—most importantly—they could see that she was genuinely happy.

Or at least, trying to be.

And when Caspian returned, she could introduce him to her family properly. Show them that he wasn't the monster they feared.

If he comes back, a small voice whispered in her mind.

Carol pushed the thought away. He'd promised to be careful. He'd promised to return.

She had to trust that he would.

But in the meantime, she had her siblings, estate decorating to plan, and Mochi purring in her lap.

It was more than enough.

Chapter 14

The Butcher's Impatience

Four days.

Caspian had been fighting Blightspawn for Four days, and he was getting impatient.

This was unusual.

Typically, border campaigns were exercises in patience and precision. Assess the threat. Plan the approach. Execute methodically. Clear the incursion. Secure the perimeter. Return when the job was done properly.

He'd never been in a hurry before.

But now, watching another wave of Blightspawn emerge from the corrupted forest, Caspian felt irritation flare through him. More monsters meant more time. More time meant more delay.

More delay meant longer until he could return home.

Home.

When had Frostholme become something he was eager to return to? When had "completing the mission" shifted from dutiful obligation to obstacle between him and—

"Your Grace!" Edwin shouted from his left. "North ridge! Twenty more!"

Caspian turned, assessing the incoming threat with cold calculation. Twenty Blightspawn—corrupted wolf-creatures with crystalline growths jutting from their backs and glowing green eyes. Fast. Pack hunters. Dangerous in coordinated groups.

Normally, he'd position his troops, set up a defensive formation, handle this tactically.

He didn't have time for tactics today.

Caspian extended his senses outward, feeling the matter around him. Stone. Earth. The metal of fallen weapons from previous encounters. The very ground beneath his feet.

His power responded instantly.