Page 143 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

He pulled her closer, one hand coming up to cup her cheek.

"I like you," he said quietly. "This version of you. The real you. The one who cares about honey cakes and pets and whether I come home safely from the border."

"I like you too," Caroline whispered. "The you who brings me shadow wolf puppies and lets me spend your money and finds my dessert sounds endearing."

"They are endearing."

"They're embarrassing."

"They're perfect," Caspian corrected.

He led her to a nearby bench, both of them sitting close enough that their shoulders touched.

The night was quiet around them, the fountain's gentle splash and the soft sounds of Mochi and Shadow nearby the only interruption.

"I'm sorry," Caroline said after a moment. "For everything I put you through. For the trap, the resentment, the cruelty."

"And I'm sorry," Caspian replied, "for my family forcing the marriage. For the lack of choice. For the way it all began."

"But we're choosing now," Caroline said.

"Yes," Caspian agreed. "We're choosing now."

Caroline leaned her head against his shoulder. Caspian's arm came around her waist, holding her close.

"For what it's worth," Caroline said softly, "I'm glad it was you. In that garden. I'm glad the spell caught you instead of Percival. Because you're... you're so much better than any fantasy I ever had."

Caspian felt his chest tighten with emotion. "I'm glad too. Even though it was messy and complicated and began all wrong. I'm glad it was you."

Caroline turned her face up to look at him, and in the moonlight, she was breathtaking.

"Caspian?" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Will you kiss me?"

Instead of answering, Caspian leaned down and captured her lips with his.

This kiss was different from the one in the garden a week ago. That had been tentative, testing, both of them uncertain.

This kiss was a choice. A promise. A commitment freely made.

Caroline's hands came up to frame his face, her fingers threading through his hair. Caspian pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, pouring everything he couldn't say into the touch of his lips against hers.

When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Caroline was smiling.

"That was much better than my cottage plan," she admitted.

Caspian laughed softly. "I should hope so."

"Though I still think the fake boating accident had merit—"

Caspian kissed her again, effectively silencing any further absurd escape plans.

Chapter 30

The Wedding Night