Page 176 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"Good," Caspian said, his hand lingering on her belly. "I worried about you. Both of you."

"We missed you," Carol said softly. "Every day."

"I missed you too," Caspian said. He glanced back at his horse, where several bags were secured. "I brought you something."

Carol's eyes lit up. "You did?"

Caspian walked back to his horse and carefully retrieved one of the bags. He brought it to Carol, opening it to reveal...

"Oh my god," Carol breathed.

A baby griffin looked up at her with large golden eyes, its downy feathers ruffled from travel. It made a soft chirping sound.

Carol's hands flew to her mouth. "It's so cute! Oh, darling, it's adorable!"

"Its parents were killed by the corrupted dragons," Caspian explained. "I found it alone in their nest. I thought..."

"Of course we're keeping it!" Carol said immediately, already reaching carefully into the bag. The baby griffin chirped again but didn't resist as she gently lifted it out.

It was so small in her hands, so delicate. Its feathers were golden-brown with a cream chest, and its tiny lion's tail curled around her wrist.

"Hello, little one," Carol cooed. "Aren't you precious? Yes, you are!"

The baby griffin made a trilling sound and nestled against her chest.

Shadow sniffed curiously at the new arrival. Mochi climbed up Carol's shoulder to investigate, his whiskers twitching.

"That's not all," Caspian said, pulling out his satchel. He opened it carefully to reveal an egg—about the size of a melon, with beautiful frost-white and ice-blue scales.

"A Frost Serpent egg," Carol gasped. "Caspian..."

"Also orphaned," Caspian said. "Its parents hid it from the corruption before they were killed. It's still viable, but it needs warmth and care."

Carol looked at the egg with wonder, one hand still cradling the baby griffin. "They're both orphans?"

"Yes."

"Then they're both staying," Carol said firmly. "They're part of our family now."

She looked at the baby griffin, thinking. "You need a name. Something bright and cheerful. How about... Sunny? Because you're golden like sunshine."

The baby griffin chirped happily, as if approving.

"Sunny it is," Carol said, smiling. Then she looked at the egg. "And when you hatch, little one, you'll be Snowball. Because you're all frosty and white."

Caspian raised an eyebrow. "Snowball? For a Frost Serpent?"

"It's ironic," Carol defended. "And cute. Don't judge my naming choices."

"I wouldn't dare," Caspian said, but he was smiling. "Though I maintain that naming a shadow wolf 'Shadow' was extremely unimaginative."

"Shadow likes his name," Carol said. "Don't you, boy?"

Shadow's tail wagged.

Carol held Sunny carefully, examining the baby griffin with absolute delight. "Look at these little talons! And the tiny wings! Oh, you're going to be magnificent when you grow up, aren't you?"

Sunny chirped and nuzzled against her hand.