Page 48 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

A servant poured tea for both of them, and Caroline immediately reached for one of the small cakes—something with layers of cream and berries.

She took a bite, and her eyes closed.

A soft sound of pleasure escaped her throat.

And Caspian's brain short-circuited.

Because that expression—that exact expression—eyes closed, lips parted slightly, that small sound of satisfaction—

He knew that expression.

He'd seen it three months ago. In the garden at that ball. When the seduction spell had taken hold and—

The memory flashed unbidden: Caroline beneath him in the moonlit garden, her eyes fluttering closed, that same soft sound as he touched her, as she found her release, as—

Caspian picked up his teacup so quickly that tea sloshed slightly.

Do not think about that. Do not think about the garden. Do not think about that expression meaning anything other than she likes cake.

But she was making that sound again as she took another bite, savoring it with the same blissful expression, and Caspian needed a distraction immediately.

"What does it mean?" he asked abruptly.

Caroline's eyes opened, slightly dazed. "I'm sorry?"

"Mochi," Caspian said, latching onto the first topic that came to mind. "What does the name mean?"

"Oh!" Caroline set down her cake, reaching over to scratch the cub's ears. "It's actually from an exotic dessert I had once in the capital. It's this sweet rice confection—sticky on the outside, but filled with ice cream on the inside. They come in different flavors. It was absolutely delicious and reminded me of something soft and sweet, so..." She smiled at the creature. "It seemed to fit."

"You named an apex predator after a dessert."

"A very good dessert," Caroline corrected. "And he's soft and sweet now. We'll deal with the apex predator part when we get there."

Despite himself, Caspian felt his lips twitch. "That's remarkably short-sighted planning."

"I prefer to call it 'living in the moment,'" Caroline said. Then, hesitantly, "Would you like to try some? The desserts, I mean. There's quite a variety."

She was offering to share with him. Another small gesture, but intimate in its casualness.

"Thank you," Caspian said, selecting one of the smaller pastries.

He took a bite and immediately understood why he typically avoided sweets. It was very sweet. Almost overwhelmingly so.

"Too much?" Caroline asked, watching his expression.

"It's well-made," Caspian said diplomatically. "But perhaps sweeter than my preference."

"More for me then," Caroline said, smiling. She picked up another small cake and took a bite, her eyes closing again in that same blissful expression.

Caspian took a long drink of tea and tried very hard to think about border patrol schedules.

"Your training was incredible, by the way," Caroline said suddenly, opening her eyes. "The way you moved with both swords—I've never seen anything like it. You're very skilled."

Was she... complimenting him? Again?

"Thank you," Caspian said carefully. "You mentioned watching yesterday as well."

Her cheeks flushed pink. "Yes, well. I was taking a walk and happened to pass by and—you're very impressive. To watch. I mean, your technique is impressive. Very... athletic."