Page 82 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Carol felt her cheeks warm under his gaze.

"Less suspicious," Jasper repeated. "My sister tried to poison you and you're 'less suspicious.'"

"She also came to see me off when I left for the border," Caspian said. "She'd never done that before. She seemed genuinely worried for my safety."

"I was worried," Carol said quietly. "You were riding into danger."

"And she was disappointed when I had to cancel dinner the night I left," Caspian continued.

"How do you know that?" Carol asked, surprised.

"Sterling mentioned it in his report."

"You get reports about me?"

"I get reports about everything happening at my estate," Caspian said. "It's standard procedure."

"So you've been spying on our sister," Jasper said, his protective instincts flaring again.

"I've been monitoring my household," Caspian corrected. "There's a difference."

"Is there?" Jasper challenged.

"Yes," Caspian said simply. "Spying implies deception. I'm openly receiving reports from my senior advisor about estate management. Your sister knows Sterling reports to me."

"I did assume you'd be informed about major decisions," Carol confirmed. "Like adopting Mochi. Or the decorating expenses."

"Which brings us back to the question," Bea said, steering the conversation back. "How are you treating our sister, Your Grace?"

Caspian set down his fork and met Bea's eyes directly. "I invite her to dinner. We have tea together when I'm not on campaign. I allow her to make decisions about the estate. I don't question her expenses. I let her keep dangerous pets that will require significant accommodations as they grow. And I brought her a shadow wolf puppy because I thought she'd appreciate it."

"You thought of her while fighting monsters," Bea said softly.

"I found an orphaned creature and knew she'd want to care for it," Caspian said. "It seemed... appropriate."

"It was very thoughtful," Carol said, unable to stop herself from smiling at him.

Caspian's expression softened slightly. "You named it Shadow."

"He's shadow-colored," Carol said. "It fit."

They looked at each other for a moment, and Carol completely forgot her siblings were watching until Jasper cleared his throat meaningfully.

"Right," Carol said, quickly looking back at her plate. "Um. The vegetables are also excellent. Very well-seasoned."

"You're blushing again," Bea observed, though there was warmth in her tone now.

"I am not—" Carol stopped. "Fine. Yes. I'm blushing. Can we please move on?"

"I'd like to know more about these campaigns," Jasper said, his tone slightly less confrontational now. "You defend the northern border against The Blight?"

Caspian seemed to recognize the olive branch for what it was. "For eleven years now. The Blight spawns corrupted creatures that cross into our territories. My responsibility is to eliminate threats and maintain the defensive line."

"That sounds dangerous," Bea said.

"It can be," Caspian acknowledged. "But my troops are well-trained, and I have certain advantages in combat."

"Your Matter Manipulation," Jasper said. "I've heard stories. They say you can reshape the battlefield itself."