Chapter 11
The First Goodbye
Carol stood in front of her mirror while Daisy arranged her hair, trying not to fidget with excitement.
"The deep blue gown, my lady?" Millie asked, holding up an elegant dress. "It brings out your eyes."
"Perfect," Carol said, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically.
Both maids exchanged knowing smiles.
"Someone's excited for dinner," Missy observed from her perch on the vanity, grinning. "Could it be because of a certain silver-haired duke?"
"I'm just looking forward to a pleasant meal," Carol said primly.
"With your very attractive husband," Lumi added, though her tone was gentler than Missy's teasing. "Who you spent all afternoon watching train."
"And who watched you eat dessert like you were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen," Missy continued. "The man could barely keep his composure when you bit into that chocolate cake."
Carol felt her cheeks warming. He was just being polite, she sent telepathically to the sprites.
"He was mesmerized," Missy corrected. "It was hilarious. Also kind of hot."
Missy!
"What? I'm just saying, the sexual tension was—"
There is no sexual tension, Carol interrupted quickly, very aware of Daisy and Millie in the room. We're just... getting to know each other. Building a friendship.
"A friendship where you blush every time he looks at you," Lumi said.
"And where he gets flustered when you make sounds while enjoying your cake," Missy added.
Carol buried her face in her hands. I was not. Please stop talking.
Both sprites laughed, but mercifully went quiet as Daisy finished pinning up Carol's hair. Millie helped her into the blue gown, which fit perfectly and did indeed bring out the amber in her eyes.
Carol examined herself in the mirror. She looked good. Not trying too hard, but definitely making an effort.
It's just dinner, she told herself. The second dinner in a row. Maybe they were starting to develop a routine. A normal routine. Nothing to be nervous about.
Except she was nervous. Excited-nervous. The good kind of nervous that came from anticipating something pleasant.
She was looking forward to seeing Caspian. To talking with him. To watching those rare almost-smiles when she said something that amused him. To the way his green eyes would focus on her completely when she spoke, like she was the only person in the world.
Oh no, Carol thought. I'm developing actual feelings for my husband.
A knock at the door interrupted her mild panic.
"Enter," Carol called.
Edmund, the butler, stepped inside and bowed. "Your Grace, I apologize for the interruption."
Something in his tone made Carol's stomach drop. "What is it?"
"His Grace sends his regrets for this evening's dinner," Edmund said carefully. "There has been a report of monster activity at the northern border. A significant incursion. His Grace is mobilizing troops and will be departing within the hour."
Carol felt the disappointment hit her like a physical weight. "Oh."
"He asked me to convey his apologies and assure you that the estate guards will remain at full strength during his absence."
"How long will he be gone?" Carol asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"His Grace indicated it would be several days at minimum, Your Grace. The duration will depend on the severity of the incursion."
Several days. No dinners. No afternoon tea on the terrace. No watching him train or seeing those almost-smiles or—
Carol took a breath. "Thank you, Edmund. Please let His Grace know I understand."
Edmund bowed and left.
Carol stood in her beautiful blue gown, suddenly feeling foolish for being so excited about dinner.
"My lady?" Daisy asked quietly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Carol said automatically. Then, more honestly, "I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to dinner."
"His Grace seemed to enjoy your company at tea this afternoon," Millie offered. "I'm sure he's disappointed as well."
Carol looked at herself in the mirror again. The blue gown suddenly seemed excessive for eating alone in her chambers.
Then a thought struck her.
Within the hour, Edmund had said. Caspian was leaving within the hour.
Original Caroline had never gone to see him off. Had never shown any concern for his safety or his work. Had treated his departures as welcome absences.
But Carol wasn't Original Caroline.
"Help me change," Carol said suddenly, already reaching for the gown's fastenings. "Something simpler. I need to go downstairs."
Both maids looked surprised but immediately moved to help.
"You're going to see him off?" Lumi said, sounding pleased.
He's riding out to fight monsters, Carol projected to the sprites. Of course I'm going to see him off.
Missy grinned. "Look at you, being a proper concerned wife. I love it."
"I still think you should have picked the Sorceress path," Lumi added. "But this is definitely character growth."
Within minutes, Carol had changed into a simpler day dress and was hurrying through the halls toward the main courtyard. Mochi trotted along beside her, his twin tails swishing as he matched her pace.
The courtyard was organized chaos. Soldiers in light armor were checking weapons and supplies. Horses stamped and snorted, being prepared for the journey. Orders were shouted across the space as the troops assembled with military precision.
And in the center of it all stood Caspian.
He was in full armor now—dark metal that seemed to absorb light, fitted perfectly to his tall frame.
His silver hair was tied back, and both Wintersbane and Frostreaver hung at his sides.
He was speaking with Edwin, who was also armored and ready, pointing at something on a map spread across a nearby table.
He looked every inch The Butcher of the North. Dangerous. Powerful. Absolutely devastating.
Carol's breath caught.
Several soldiers noticed her arrival and nudged each other, whispered conversations starting. The Duchess never came to see troops off. This was new. This was notable.
Caspian looked up, his eyes finding her immediately. Surprise flickered across his face.
Carol walked forward, Mochi still at her heels, very aware of every eye on her.
"Your Grace," she said when she reached him.
"My lady." He seemed genuinely startled. "I didn't expect—you didn't need to come down."
"I wanted to," Carol said simply. She glanced at the assembled troops, at the organized preparation for departure. "How bad is it?"
"Reports indicate a larger incursion than usual," Caspian said, his tone shifting to something more professional. "Multiple Blightspawn crossing the border in coordinated groups. It requires immediate attention."
"Blightspawn?" Carol's worry increased. Those sounded dangerous.
"Creatures corrupted by The Blight," Edwin supplied, stepping over to join them. "Nasty things. But nothing we haven't handled before." He grinned at Carol. "Don't worry, Your Grace. We'll have your husband back in one piece."
Carol felt her cheeks warm at the casual way Edwin said 'your husband,' but she didn't correct him.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked Caspian.
"Several days minimum," he replied. "Possibly longer depending on what we find. I'm leaving Captain Thorne in command of the estate guard. The estate will be well protected."
"I'm not worried about the estate," Carol said, the words coming out before she could think better of them. "I'm worried about you."
The surprise on Caspian's face deepened. Behind him, Edwin's grin widened knowingly.
"You're... worried about me," Caspian repeated, as if testing the words.
"Of course I am," Carol said. "You're riding out to fight monsters. That's dangerous."
"It's my duty," Caspian said. "I've done this hundreds of times."
"That doesn't make it less dangerous."
They stared at each other for a moment. Carol could see Caspian processing this, trying to reconcile her concern with whatever his expectations had been.
"You've never come to see me off before," he said quietly.
"I should have," Carol said. "That was wrong of me. I'm sorry."
Another flash of surprise crossed his face. Then something else—something warmer.
"Your Grace!" A soldier called from across the courtyard. "Troops are assembled and ready."
Caspian nodded, then looked back at Carol. "I should go."
"Be careful," Carol said, meeting his green eyes. "Please."
"I will," Caspian said, and it sounded like a promise. He hesitated, as if wanting to say something more, then seemed to think better of it. "Take care of yourself. And the estate. And..." His gaze dropped to Mochi, who was sitting at Carol's feet. "Your apex predator."
"He'll miss you," Carol said. Then, more softly, "So will I."
She saw the impact of those words in the way Caspian's expression shifted—surprise giving way to something that looked almost like wonder.
"I'll return as soon as I can," he said.
"I know."
Edwin clapped Caspian on the shoulder. "Come on, Your Grace. The monsters won't kill themselves. Well, actually they might fight each other, but we should probably handle it anyway."
Caspian nodded, but his eyes lingered on Carol for another moment before he turned toward his horse—a massive black destrier that looked as dangerous as its rider.
Carol watched as he mounted in one smooth motion, settling into the saddle with practiced ease. Edwin mounted his own horse nearby, and the assembled troops fell into formation.
"Move out!" Caspian's voice carried across the courtyard with clear authority.
The gates opened, and the troops began to move.
Carol stood there, Mochi at her feet, watching as Caspian rode past. He looked down at her as he passed, and she raised her hand in a small wave.
He nodded back, something in his expression softer than she'd ever seen it.
Then he was through the gates, his troops following in organized rows, and Carol was left standing in the courtyard as the sounds of hoofbeats faded into the distance.
"That was very sweet, my lady," a voice said beside her.
Carol turned to find Sterling, Caspian's senior aide, watching her with an expression of approval.
"I was just—" Carol started.
"Showing concern for your husband's safety," Sterling finished. "As any good wife would. His Grace was clearly touched by the gesture."
"He seemed surprised," Carol said.
"He was," Sterling confirmed. "The Duchess—that is, you previously—showed no interest in His Grace's departures or returns. This is a marked change."
Carol looked back at the gates. "I'm trying to be better."
"You're succeeding, Your Grace," Sterling said gently. "Would you like me to have dinner sent to your chambers?"
"Yes, thank you," Carol said, though the thought of eating alone now felt even more disappointing than before.
As Sterling bowed and departed, Carol remained in the courtyard for a few more minutes, staring at the gates as if Caspian might suddenly reappear.
"You really are worried about him," Lumi said softly, floating near her shoulder.
"I am," Carol admitted. "He's riding into danger. Of course I'm worried."
"You like him," Missy observed. "Like, actually like him. Not just 'he's my survival strategy' like, but real feelings like."
Carol sighed. "Yes. I think I do."
"That's actually kind of sweet," Missy said. "Unexpected, but sweet."
"Is it good or bad?" Carol asked. "Catching feelings for my own husband?"
"Good," Lumi said immediately. "Very good. It means you're not just going through the motions. You're building something real."
"Even if he's still suspicious of me?"
"He's less suspicious than he was," Lumi pointed out. "Did you see his face when you said you'd miss him? He looked like you'd given him a gift."
Carol thought about that expression—the surprise, the wonder, the softness.
"He probably thinks I'm plotting something," she said.
"Maybe," Lumi conceded. "But I think part of him wants to believe you're genuine. And the more you show him genuine care, the more that part will grow."
Mochi meowed at her feet, bumping his head against her leg as if offering comfort.
Carol picked him up, cuddling the cub close. "Well, I guess it's just you and me for dinner tonight, Mochi."
The cub purred in response.
As Carol turned to head back inside, she couldn't help but glance once more at the gates.
Several days. Maybe longer.
She'd have to manage the estate, continue building relationships with the staff, prove that her change was real and lasting.
But mostly, she'd be waiting for him to come home.
When did that happen? Carol wondered. When did this become home? When did he become someone I'd miss?
She didn't have a good answer.
All she knew was that the thought of several days without seeing Caspian—without their dinners, without afternoon tea, without watching him train—made her chest feel tight with something that was definitely more than strategic concern.
"I'm in trouble," Carol muttered to Mochi as she walked back inside.
The cub meowed in agreement.
Behind her, the courtyard was empty, the gates closed, and the man she'd been looking forward to having dinner with was riding toward danger.
All Carol could do was wait.
And hope he'd keep his promise to return.