Page 200 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

So many choices. Roasted duck with berry sauce. Braised lamb with herbs. Fresh trout from the nearby lakes. Pasta with cream and mushrooms. Vegetable tart with cheese.

Everything sounded delicious.

"I'm getting at least three courses," Carol announced.

"Naturally," Caspian said.

Beatrice was studying her own menu when voices from a nearby table caught their attention.

"—finally happening!" a nobleman was saying excitedly. "The Crown is organizing the expedition."

"About time," his companion replied. "The Blight has been spreading for too long. Someone needed to take action."

Carol's attention sharpened slightly, though she kept her eyes on the menu.

"Earl Sinclair is leading the knights," the first nobleman continued. "Can you imagine? The hero himself, taking the fight directly to the Wasteland."

"And Lady Rosalie Lennox is accompanying them," a woman at the table added. "Her holy powers are supposed to be able to cleanse the corruption. Purify the land."

"The Chosen Ones," someone else said reverently. "Prophecy made manifest."

"They're gathering the kingdom's finest adventurers," the first nobleman said. "Mages, warriors, healers. This is a proper campaign. They're going to end the Blight once and for all."

The table erupted in enthusiastic agreement. Patriotic fervor. Hope for the kingdom's salvation.

Carol turned a page in her menu, considering the dessert options.

"The expedition leaves in two weeks," the woman was saying. "There's going to be a grand ceremony. The King himself will see them off."

"Lord Percival looked so noble when I saw him last night at the ball," another woman sighed. "So brave and righteous."

"And Lady Rosalie is absolutely lovely. So pure and kind. They're perfect together."

Carol's eyes moved to the beverage list. The restaurant offered an impressive selection of fruit cordials and herb-infused waters.

Beside her, Caspian was watching her with barely concealed amusement.

Carol looked up and met his gaze. "What?"

"You're not reacting at all," Caspian observed quietly.

"To what?" Carol asked innocently.

"To the entire table behind us discussing Earl Sinclair's and his heroic expedition."

Carol glanced over her shoulder at the enthusiastic nobles, then back at Caspian. "Should I be reacting?"

"A few months ago, you would have been," Caspian pointed out.

"A few months ago, I was an idiot," Carol said matter-of-factly. She returned her attention to the menu. "Now I'm more interested in whether I should get the duck or the lamb."

Caspian's smile widened. "Both?"

"You know me so well," Carol said.

Beatrice was trying not to laugh. "You really don't care at all, do you? About Sinclair and the expedition?"

"Not even a little bit," Carol said honestly.