Page 191 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

That stopped Lucinda short. "What?"

"Your sabotage gave me Caspian," Carol said simply. "And I'm very happy with him. Happier than I ever would have been chasing after Percival. So in a way, you did me a favor."

Lucinda stared at her as if she'd lost her mind. "You're... grateful? You're married to The Butcher of the North! Everyone knows you were miserable!"

"I was," Carol agreed. "For a while. But things change. People change. I love my husband. I'm carrying his child. I have a life I actually want now."

She paused, meeting Lucinda's eyes directly.

"But you're still chasing Percival," Carol continued. "Still scheming. Still interfering. And that's why I wanted to speak with you."

"I'm not—"

"Stop acting like a nice, caring cousin," Carol interrupted. "I know the real you now. I see you clearly. And I'm giving you this warning because, despite everything, you are family."

She stepped closer, her voice firm.

"Stop pursuing Percival. Stop interfering with him and Rosalie. Walk away. It will end badly for you if you don't."

Lucinda's expression hardened into something ugly. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a warning," Carol said. "There are forces at play here that you don't understand. Consequences. The universe has a way of dealing with people who interfere with fate."

"You sound insane," Lucinda said coldly.

"Maybe," Carol said. "But I've seen what happens to people who ignore warnings. I'm trying to save you from making a terrible mistake."

Lucinda laughed—sharp and bitter. "Save me? You? You were never good enough for Percival anyway. You threw yourself at him for years and he never wanted you. Not once."

The words were meant to wound, but Carol felt nothing. No pain, no anger. Just... resignation.

"You're right," Carol said calmly. "He didn't want me. He wanted Rosalie. He still wants Rosalie. And no amount of scheming on your part is going to change that."

"You don't know anything," Lucinda snapped.

"I know enough," Carol said. "I know that you're walking toward disaster with your eyes wide open. But I've warned you. That's all I can do."

Lucinda's face twisted with contempt. "I don't need warnings from you. I don't need anything from you."

She turned and walked to the door, yanking it open.

"Enjoy your monster husband, Caroline," Lucinda said venomously. "You deserve each other."

She swept out of the room, her pink skirts swishing with agitation.

Carol stood there for a moment, alone in the quiet guest room.

Then two familiar presences materialized beside her.

"Well," Missy said, her tiny form glowing red-purple with sarcasm. "That went well."

"Oh dear," Lumi added, her golden glow dimmer than usual with worry. "She's signing her own doom. She won't listen."

Carol sighed, moving to sit on the edge of one of the chairs. Her hand rested on her belly, feeling the small flutter of movement inside.

"I tried to warn her," Carol said quietly. "I did what I could. But she's made her choice."

"She's going to keep interfering," Lumi said. "Keep pursuing Earl Sinclair. Keep trying to sabotage Lady Rosalie."