Page 43 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Caspian wasn't entirely sure why he'd said no. The tactical decision would be to eliminate the potential threat before it grew into an actual threat.

But something stopped him.

Maybe it was the image Sterling had painted—Caroline sitting on the garden path, hand-feeding a small creature, calling it beautiful. Caroline carrying it back to her chambers, building it a bed with seventeen pillows.

Caroline, who had never shown kindness to anyone since arriving at his estate, being gentle with an orphaned cub.

"Monitor it," Caspian said finally. "Keep watch on both the Duchess and the creature. If it shows any signs of aggression or if she attempts to train it for combat, then we'll reconsider."

"And if it's genuinely just... a pet?" Edwin asked.

"Then we'll deal with it when it reaches 400 pounds," Caspian said dryly. "I'm sure that will be an interesting conversation."

Sterling made a note. "Very good, Your Grace. Is there anything else?"

"The tea this afternoon," Caspian said. "Is everything prepared?"

"Yes, Your Grace. The eastern garden terrace has been set up as requested. Tea service at three o'clock, with Your Grace's training scheduled for the grounds directly visible from the terrace."

Edwin's grin returned full force. "You're really going through with the 'watch me train' invitation."

"I'm providing my wife with appropriate viewing opportunities," Caspian said stiffly.

"You're showing off."

"I'm being accommodating."

"You're peacocking for your wife who was hiding in bushes yesterday watching you fight."

"Edwin," Caspian said with forced patience. "Don't you have training drills to run?"

"Not until this afternoon. Which I will be running directly in your wife's line of sight. I'm very excited about this."

"Of course you are."

Sterling cleared his throat. "Your Grace, if I may? I recommend you address the Dreamweaver situation directly with the Duchess during tea. Ask her about it. Gauge her intentions."

"That was my plan," Caspian said.

"And perhaps..." Sterling hesitated. "Perhaps approach the conversation with an open mind? The Duchess has been making significant efforts to improve her behavior. It's possible her bonding with the creature was genuinely motivated by compassion rather than strategy."

"Or," Edwin added, "she just really likes cute animals and didn't think through the consequences. Which, to be fair, is very on-brand for someone who just spent two months being dramatically miserable instead of actually trying to make things better."

Caspian had to concede that point.

"I'll speak with her about it," he said finally. "Observe her reactions. Determine if this is part of a larger plan or just... poor judgment."

"Excellent, Your Grace." Sterling bowed. "Will that be all?"

"Yes. Thank you, Sterling."

After Sterling left, Edwin remained in his chair, still looking entirely too amused.

"What?" Caspian asked.

"You're worried about her."

"I'm concerned about a potential security threat—"