Page 98 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Carol winced. "Is that too much?"

"The ducal coffers are well-maintained," Caspian said. "Four hundred crowns is negligible."

"Still. That's a lot for one afternoon."

"You purchased gifts for your siblings and me. Supplies for your pets. Items for the estate. And you supported nearly every merchant in the square." Caspian's lips twitched slightly. "I'd say that's money well spent."

Carol smiled. "I'm being a generous patron. You're welcome."

"Indeed."

They reached the estate gates, and Carol looked back at the town one more time. She could see merchants already closing up their stalls, counting their earnings from the afternoon.

"They were expecting me to be terrible," Carol said quietly.

"They'd heard rumors," Caspian confirmed. "Your previous behavior reached the town."

"But I was nice today."

"You were very nice today," Caspian agreed. "You complimented everyone's work. Made genuine conversation. Purchased generously. Treated everyone with courtesy."

"Good," Carol said. "I want them to know I'm not the person from the rumors."

"They will," Caspian said. "Word spreads quickly in Frostmarch. By tomorrow, everyone will know the Duchess is kind and generous."

"And possibly a witch who charms monsters," Carol added.

"That rumor might persist," Caspian admitted. "You do have an unusual affinity for dangerous creatures."

Carol looked down at Mochi and Shadow, both trotting happily alongside her.

"Worth it," she decided.

◆◆◆

That evening, Carol arranged her purchases in her chambers—gifts wrapped for her siblings, and Caspian's gift (purchased when he wasn't looking), new supplies organized for the pets, the wooden carvings displayed on her shelf.

"You had a good day," Lumi observed.

"I had a great day," Carol confirmed. "I explored the town, bought things I wanted, met some of Caspian's people, and Caspian didn't object to any of my spending."

"He seemed pleased that you wanted to see the town," Lumi said.

"He did, didn't he?" Carol smiled. "And he let me give him a gift. I pinned it to his coat myself."

"Very forward of you," Missy said with a grin. "Getting all close, touching his chest..."

"I was pinning a brooch!" Carol protested, though her cheeks warmed at the memory.

Four hundred gold crowns spent.

Multiple merchants made happy.

Townsfolk's opinions starting to shift.

Another successful day in her campaign to not die.

"I'm getting good at this," Carol said.