Page 84 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

It wasn't a declaration of affection, but coming from Caspian, Carol thought it might be close.

"Fair enough," Jasper said, though his protective-brother expression hadn't completely disappeared. "But if you hurt her—"

"Jasper," Carol protested.

"No, let me finish," Jasper insisted. "If you hurt her, Your Grace, you'll have to deal with me. And while I'm aware you could probably kill me seventeen different ways before I finished this sentence, I'm still her brother, and I'm still obligated to threaten you."

"Your fire magic would make it at least twenty seconds," Caspian said.

There was a beat of silence.

Then Caspian's lips twitched in what might have been amusement. "That was a joke."

"Oh," Jasper said, looking slightly stunned. "You made a joke."

"I occasionally make jokes," Caspian said.

"He does," Carol confirmed. "They're very dry, so sometimes it's hard to tell."

"I'm still processing the fact that The Butcher of the North just joked about how long it would take to kill me," Jasper said.

"At least twenty seconds," Caspian repeated. "I was being respectful of your abilities."

Bea laughed—actually laughed—and the tension in the room finally broke.

"I think I'm starting to understand what Caroline sees in you," Bea said, smiling. "You're unexpected."

"I've been told that," Caspian said.

The rest of dinner passed more smoothly. Conversation flowed to safer topics—the estate's management, the upcoming summer festivals, Jasper's own holdings, Bea's interest in art and design. Caspian engaged with questions about their family, their interests, their lives in the capital.

Carol noticed how he listened carefully, asked thoughtful follow-up questions, and showed genuine interest in her siblings' answers. This wasn't the cold, distant duke from a week ago. This was someone making an effort.

For her.

She also noticed how Caspian made sure her juice glass stayed filled, how he served her portions before serving himself, how his attention would shift to her whenever she spoke.

And from the looks Bea kept giving her, her sister had noticed too.

When dessert arrived—a beautiful array of pastries and cakes—Carol couldn't help but smile.

"The cook knows you have a fondness for sweets," Caspian observed.

"I may have mentioned it once or twice," Carol admitted, selecting a chocolate tart. "Or a dozen times."

"You make enthusiastic sounds when you eat dessert," Caspian said. "It's distinctive."

Carol nearly choked on her tart. Across the table, Bea was fighting a smile.

"I do not make sounds," Carol protested.

"You do," Caspian said. "Small satisfied sounds. It's... endearing."

"Endearing," Carol repeated, feeling her face heat again.

"Yes."

Jasper looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh. "I think our sister might actually die of embarrassment, Your Grace."