Page 157 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"Also aware," Caspian said, but finally, reluctantly, rolled to the side. "Fine. Breakfast."

He got up and pulled the bell cord, then returned to bed, gathering Caroline against his side.

"You're insatiable," Caroline teased.

"You're irresistible," Caspian countered. "There's a difference."

"Such flattery."

"You like it."

"I do," Caroline admitted, pressing a kiss to his chest. "I really, really do."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, until a discreet knock announced the servants' arrival with breakfast.

And as Caspian watched Caroline enthusiastically attack a plate of honey cakes with the same passion she'd brought to their lovemaking, he thought:

This. This was everything he'd never dared to hope for.

A wife who chose him. A son on the way. A future filled with warmth instead of cold isolation.

Caelan Holloway Vanthorn.

His family.

His choice.

His life.

And it was perfect.

Chapter 33

The Walk of Shame

The training grounds of Frostholme were active at ten o'clock in the morning, but something was off.

Normally, by this hour, the Duke would have already led his men through four hours of rigorous drills and moved on to his other duties. But this morning, Captain Edwin was running the training session—something that rarely happened when the Duke was in residence.

The drills were competent but subdued. The men went through their forms with less intensity than usual, casting occasional glances toward the courtyard gates.

Edwin stood watching the troops, arms crossed, barely suppressing a grin.

"Should we send someone to check on him?" Lieutenant Marcus asked quietly during a water break, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

"Give it another few minutes," Edwin said, his grin widening.

"He's never been late before," one of the younger soldiers said. "Not once. Not in the entire time I've served here."

"First time for everything," Edwin replied.

"Do you think something's wrong?" another soldier asked. "What if there was an attack? What if—"

"There was definitely an attack," Edwin said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just not the kind you're thinking of."

Several of the soldiers snickered.

Then, finally, the gate opened.