Page 79 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"I've been traveling for five days," Caspian corrected.

"Fought monsters for most of them," Carol added. "You should rest. Clean up. There's no rush for dinner or anything formal. I just—" She stopped, feeling suddenly shy. "I'm glad you're home safe."

Caspian's expression softened in a way she hadn't seen before. "Thank you."

They stood there in the courtyard, Carol holding an orphaned shadow wolf puppy, Caspian dusty from travel, surrounded by soldiers and servants and her protective siblings, and Carol felt absurdly, perfectly happy.

Behind them, the sounds of troops dismounting and beginning their familiar routine of settling in filled the courtyard.

Caspian glanced back at his men, then returned his attention to Carol. "I should see to my troops. Get them settled."

"Of course," Carol said. "Go. I'll take care of Shadow."

"I know you will," Caspian said, and there was something in his tone that made Carol's heart skip.

He turned to go, then paused and looked back.

"I'm glad to be home," he said quietly.

Carol's smile widened. "Welcome home."

She watched as he walked away to coordinate with his troops, and she realized she was still smiling, probably looking ridiculous with a puppy in her arms and what was likely a dopey expression on her face.

Bea appeared at her side, Mochi cradled in her arms. "So. That's The Butcher of the North."

"That's my husband," Carol corrected, unable to keep the warmth from her voice.

"He brought you a puppy," Jasper said, joining them. "An extremely dangerous puppy that will grow into a killing machine, but still. A puppy."

"He saved an orphaned creature and thought of me," Carol said. "That's... that's really thoughtful."

"You're blushing again," Bea observed.

"I am not—" Carol stopped. She probably was blushing. "He's just back from fighting monsters. Of course I'm happy to see him safe."

"You looked like you wanted to run to him when he arrived," Jasper said.

"I did not—" Carol stopped again. She had. She'd taken several steps before catching herself. "Okay, maybe I did. But we're still getting to know each other. It would have been inappropriate to just throw myself at him in front of everyone."

"Even though you wanted to," Bea said gently.

"Even though I wanted to," Carol admitted quietly.

Shadow stirred in her arms, making a small sleepy sound, and Mochi meowed from Bea's arms, clearly wanting attention.

"You now have two dangerous creatures who think you're their mother," Jasper observed. "What's next? A dragon?"

"Don't tempt fate," Bea said, but she was smiling. "Come on. Let's get Shadow settled. And then you can continue to tell us all about your husband who fights monsters and rescues puppies for you."

Carol followed her siblings inside, Shadow warm and content in her arms, and she couldn't stop smiling.

Caspian was home.

Safe.

And he'd brought her a puppy because he'd thought of her while traveling back from fighting Blightspawn.

He thought of me, Carol realized. While fighting monsters at the border, he found an orphaned puppy and thought of me.