Page 77 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

He was still in his traveling gear, dust-covered and clearly exhausted from the journey, but he sat tall in the saddle, silver hair catching the last rays of sunlight. Even from here, she could see he was uninjured—no visible wounds, no favoring of limbs, moving with his usual controlled grace.

The company rode through the gates, and Caspian's green eyes immediately found her in the courtyard.

Carol felt her feet moving before she could stop them, already taking several steps toward him.

Then she caught herself.

We're still getting to know each other, she reminded herself firmly. We've had one dinner. One tea. You can't just run to him like—

But god, she wanted to.

Caspian dismounted in one fluid motion, and their eyes met across the courtyard.

Carol felt her cheeks flush with warmth. He was looking at her with an expression she couldn't quite read—something intense and focused and maybe a little relieved?

He crossed the courtyard toward her, and Carol realized she was still holding Mochi, who meowed loudly in recognition.

"You're back," Carol said, hating how breathless she sounded. "You're safe."

"I am," Caspian said. His voice was slightly rough from travel, and there was dust on his armor, but his green eyes were as sharp as ever.

"You're not injured?" Carol asked, her eyes scanning him for any signs of hurt. "The fighting—was it very dangerous? Sterling said it was a large incursion—"

"I'm unharmed," Caspian assured her. Then, with what might have been the slightest hint of warmth in his tone, "You were worried."

"Of course I was worried," Carol said. "You were fighting Blightspawn. That's extremely dangerous."

Something shifted in his expression—that almost-smile she was learning to recognize.

"I promised I'd be careful," he said.

"And you kept your promise," Carol said, unable to stop her own smile from spreading. "I'm glad."

They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, and Carol was acutely aware of every person watching them in the courtyard. The staff. The returning soldiers. Her siblings, who were standing a few feet behind her.

Her siblings.

Right.

Caspian's gaze shifted past her, and his expression became more guarded.

Carol turned to find Jasper and Bea watching the exchange with varying degrees of interest. Jasper had his protective-brother face on, while Bea was studying Caspian with careful assessment.

"Your Grace," Jasper said, his tone polite but with an edge of wariness. "Welcome back."

"Viscount Holloway," Caspian acknowledged. "Lady Beatrice. I wasn't aware you were visiting."

"It was an unplanned trip," Bea said. "We wanted to check on our sister."

"I hope you've found everything satisfactory," Caspian said, and Carol couldn't tell if he was being genuine or carefully neutral.

"Very satisfactory," Bea said, and Carol saw her sister's expression soften slightly. "Caroline has been showing us around the estate. It's quite impressive."

"And she's been spending your money redecorating," Jasper added bluntly.

Carol winced, but Caspian's expression didn't change.

"So I was informed," he said. "The improvements are welcome."