Page 37 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"It's a baby," she said softly. "An orphaned baby who provides good dreams and warmth for napping."

"It's also going to grow into a 400-pound apex predator," Lumi pointed out nervously.

"But look at its little face!" Carol gestured at where the creature was peeking out again, its glowing amber eyes watching her warily. "And it likes dried fish and sweet cream pastries. We're basically the same."

"You're going to bond with it, aren't you?" Missy asked, delighted.

"I need to get it some food first." Carol was already backing away slowly so as not to startle the creature. "The scan says it likes mackerel. The kitchen should have some, right?"

"My lady, this might not be wise—" Lumi started.

But Carol was already speed-walking back toward the main house, her mind made up.

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The kitchen staff looked absolutely terrified when Carol appeared in their domain for the second time in two days.

"Your Grace!" the cook—whose name Carol really needed to learn—practically jumped. "Is something wrong with breakfast? I can prepare something else—"

"No, no, breakfast was perfect," Carol said quickly. "I was wondering if you had any dried fish? Preferably mackerel?"

The entire kitchen went silent.

"Dried... fish, Your Grace?" The cook looked bewildered.

"Yes. Oh, and some warm milk with honey if possible. And maybe a sweet cream pastry?" Carol paused. "Actually, make that two pastries. One for me."

The cook glanced at her assistants, who all looked equally confused, but nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. Right away."

Within minutes, Carol had a small basket with dried mackerel, a bowl of warm honeyed milk, and two delicate cream pastries that smelled absolutely divine.

"Thank you so much," Carol said sincerely. "This is perfect."

"May I ask..." the cook said hesitantly. "What is this for, Your Grace?"

"The garden cat," Carol said. "The skittish one with two tails. I want to make friends with it."

Understanding dawned on several faces.

"Oh, the little Dreamweaver!" one of the younger kitchen maids said. "We've been leaving scraps for it, but it never lets us get close."

"It's such a sweet thing," another maid added. "Though Cook says we shouldn't encourage it too much since they get dangerous when they grow up."

"I'll be careful," Carol promised, already heading back outside.

Behind her, she could hear the whispers starting.

"The Duchess is feeding the garden cat herself?"

"She said thank you again. She keeps saying thank you."

"Do you think she's actually being nice now?"

"Or it's an elaborate plot..."

Carol smiled to herself. Let them wonder. She had a magical creature to befriend.

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