Page 35 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

● Watch attractive husband train - BONUS OBJECTIVE UNLOCKED

New Reward: Successfully use "Puppy Eyes (Husband Edition)" during tea time for extra XP

Tip: Your husband is actively creating opportunities for you to spend time together. This is a positive development! Try not to mess it up!

"Even the system is rooting for me," Carol said.

The system is still judging you for wasting your magic potential, the interface added in a small text box at the bottom.

"The system can judge me from the comfortable lifestyle I'm about to build," Carol retorted.

She had tea to prepare for.

And a very attractive, very dangerous husband to... observe. Respectfully. From an appropriate distance.

While possibly using her new Puppy Eyes skill to see if she could get him to smile again.

For purely tactical reasons, of course.

Purely tactical.

Chapter 8

How to Accidentally Adopt a Monster

After breakfast—which Carol ate in her room because she wasn't quite ready to navigate the dining hall alone yet—she decided a morning walk would be good for her.

"Exercise is important when you're pregnant," Lumi said approvingly as Carol changed into a simple day dress. "Fresh air, gentle movement, it's all very healthy."

"Plus, you get to scope out the gardens before your tea date with your husband," Missy added with a knowing grin.

"It's not a date," Carol protested. "It's... strategic reconnaissance. And tea."

"Sure, Bestie. Whatever you need to tell yourself."

Carol ignored her and headed outside.

The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying the sweet scent of spring blossoms. The gardens were even more spectacular in the soft morning light—flowers blooming in vibrant colors, new leaves unfurling on the trees—and Carol found herself genuinely relaxing for the first time since waking up in this world.

This is nice, she thought, following a winding stone path between beds of roses. I could get used to this. Morning walks, beautiful gardens, no quarterly reports...

She rounded a corner near a particularly lush section of flowering bushes and stopped short.

Something was moving in the shadows.

Carol squinted, trying to make out what it was. The movement was quick, furtive—definitely alive, definitely not human.

"Um," she said quietly to her sprites. "What is that?"

"I don't know," Lumi whispered. "Should we leave?"

"Absolutely not," Missy said. "Investigate the mysterious creature! What's the worst that could happen?"

As if in answer to her question, the creature poked its head out from behind a rosebush, and Carol's heart melted instantly.

It was about the size of a small dog, with the most unusual coloring she'd ever seen—patches of black and white like a panda, but with the sleek body and pointed ears of a cat. Its eyes glowed with a soft amber light, and as it turned, Carol could see it had two fluffy tails that twitched independently.

"Oh my god," Carol breathed. "It's adorable."