Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The morning sunlight filtered through the windows of Liria's room, illuminating the extravagant demon-style decor that still felt a little too much for her taste. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, yawning as she swung her legs out of bed. It was then she noticed a familiar pineapple-shaped form sitting smugly on the windowsill.

"You're back," she said, her voice flat.

Ananara didn't even bother to turn his spiky, smug face toward her. "Oh, good morning to you too, oh great and wise summoner."

"Don't start." Liria crossed her arms. "Where were you last night?"

Ananara turned to her, his leafy crown swishing with exaggerated drama. "Places. Doing things. Being important."

"That's... vague."

"Because it's all you need to know," Ananara snapped. "I don't owe you a detailed report of my movements, do I? Do I ask you to explain every time you sneak off to contemplate your pathetic mortal existence?"

"Pathetic—what?" Liria spluttered. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Ananara said, puffing himself up. "Now, stop badgering me. We have bigger things to worry about. Like your hideous bedhead. Honestly, it's an affront to demon-kind."

Liria groaned, running a hand through her mismatched silver-and-black hair. "You're the worst familiar ever."

"And yet, here I am. Lucky you."

Deciding it wasn't worth the argument, Liria grabbed her uniform and started getting ready. She was still fuming as she buttoned up her academy jacket. Ananara, lounging on her desk now, added unhelpful commentary about her every move.

"You missed a button. No, the other one. Have you considered tailoring? That jacket looks like it's eating you alive."

"Would you just—ugh!" Liria spun around, pointing at him. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Absolutely," Ananara said cheerfully. "Now hurry up. If we're late, I'm blaming you."

By the time Liria, freshly dressed and barely keeping her temper in check, made it down to the dining hall, Enara was already seated. She was sipping elegantly from a crystal goblet, her midnight eyes flicking to Liria as she entered.

"You're late," Enara said, smirking.

"And you're insufferable," Liria shot back, flopping into the seat next to her.

"Good morning to you too," Enara said, unfazed. She set her goblet down and studied Liria's face. "You look tired. Nightmares about the Hellbeast?"

"More like nightmares about my life," Liria muttered.

Before Enara could respond, the double doors at the end of the hall opened, and Daena entered with Enara's mothers, Queen Verida and Queen Nyssara, following behind. Their presence filled the room with an aura of power so strong that even Ananara, who had been quietly insulting the table settings, fell silent.

The queens sat at the head of the table, their regal poise making even the luxurious dining room seem unworthy of their presence. Daena took the seat to Verida's left, her violet eyes scanning the table.

"Good morning, everyone," Nyssara said, her tone polite but distant.

"Mornin'," Liria mumbled through a bite of fruit.

"Is that how you address royalty?" Verida asked, raising an eyebrow.

Liria blinked. "Um... yes?"

Verida's golden eyes narrowed, but before she could say more, Daena cut in. "Leave her be, Verida. It's too early for lectures."

"It's never too early for discipline," Verida replied, though she leaned back in her chair, her intense gaze still fixed on Liria.

Ananara, apparently feeling brave, decided to break the tension. "I agree. Someone should teach this girl how to chew with her mouth closed."

Liria shot him a murderous glare. "I will punt you into the abyss."

"I'd like to see you try," Ananara retorted, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Enough, you two," Daena said, though there was a faint hint of amusement in her voice.

As the servants began bringing out platters of food, the room settled into a strained, awkward silence. Liria focused on her plate, trying to ignore the way Enara kept glancing at her out of the corner of her eye.

It was halfway through the meal when Daena cleared her throat. "Nyssara and I will be leaving for a few days."

Liria's fork paused halfway to her mouth. "Wait, what? Why?"

"That's none of your concern," Daena said.

"It absolutely is if you're leaving me alone in this demon-filled chaos," Liria protested.

"You're not alone," Nyssara said, her lilac eyes calm but firm. "Verida will be here. And Enara, of course."

"Great," Liria said, deadpan. "I feel so safe now."

"Watch your tone, girl," Verida growled, though there was a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Enara leaned toward Liria, her voice low. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

"From what? You?" Liria shot back.

Enara just grinned.

"What are you even doing that's so important?" Liria asked, turning back to Daena.

Daena's eyes narrowed. "I said it's none of your concern."

"But—"

"Liria," Daena said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Drop it."

Liria slumped back in her chair, grumbling under her breath. Ananara, ever the opportunist, decided to add fuel to the fire.

"I bet they're going to have some secret demon queen meeting where they plot world domination. Or maybe they're just going shoe shopping. Hard to say."

Nyssara glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "What an... interesting familiar you've chosen."

"I didn't choose him," Liria muttered. "He just happened."

"I'm a blessing," Ananara said haughtily.

"You're a pest," Liria corrected.

"Enough," Daena said again, her patience clearly wearing thin. "We leave at noon. Behave yourselves while we're gone."

Enara raised an eyebrow. "You're telling Liria to behave? That's optimistic."

"Hey!" Liria protested, but Enara just smirked, sipping her drink like she hadn't just insulted her to her face.

As the meal wound down, the queens and Daena excused themselves, leaving Liria, Enara, and Ananara alone at the table.

"Well," Enara said, leaning back in her chair. "This should be fun."

Liria sighed, resting her head in her hands. "Define 'fun.'"

Enara's smirk widened. "You'll see."

From his perch on the edge of the table, Ananara muttered, "I give it two hours before something catches fire."

Liria groaned. "Why do I feel like you're probably right?"

Liria was halfway to sneaking off to her room when Daena's sharp voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Liria. A word."

Uh-oh.

Liria turned slowly to see Daena standing near one of the tall arched windows, her arms crossed, violet eyes glowing faintly. The tone in her voice left no room for argument.

"What did I do this time?" Liria muttered, trudging over like a guilty child caught sneaking sweets.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Daena waited until she was close enough before speaking, her voice calm but stern. "I need to talk to you about what happened with Principal Seraphis."

Liria tensed. "Oh, that. What about it?"

Daena raised an eyebrow. "Don't act clueless. You set her office on fire, destroyed valuable documents, and nearly brought down half the Academy staff trying to extinguish it."

"Okay, but in my defense," Liria began, holding up a finger, "she's insufferable and deserved—"

"She didn't deserve it," Daena interrupted sharply. "Liria, what you did was reckless and unnecessary. Just because someone irritates you doesn't mean you respond with chaos."

Liria looked away, arms crossed. "She's not just irritating. She was being manipulative."

"Even if that's true," Daena said, her tone softening but remaining firm, "revenge isn't the answer. You're better than that."

"Am I, though?" Liria muttered under her breath.

Daena sighed, running a hand through her long hair. "Listen. You're going back to the Academy today, and I expect you to apologize to Seraphis."

Liria's eyes widened, her head snapping up. "Apologize? To her?"

"Yes," Daena said firmly. "Not because she's right, but because you are. It takes strength to rise above petty grudges. And the moment you stoop to her level, she wins."

Liria opened her mouth to argue, but Daena raised a hand to silence her.

"I'm serious, Liria. I don't care if you have to grit your teeth and choke on every word. You will apologize. Do you understand me?"

Liria scowled but nodded begrudgingly. "Fine. Whatever."

"Good." Daena's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Liria's shoulder. "You're better than this, kid. I know you are."

As Daena turned to leave, Liria felt a strange chill crawl up her spine.

[Do you really believe that nonsense?]

Liria froze, her heart skipping a beat. The voice wasn't Daena's. It wasn't coming from anywhere around her. It was inside her head, smooth and sinister, with a honeyed malice that sent shivers through her.

[Apologize? To her? That wretched principal tried to control you, to trap you. And now you're supposed to bow your head like a weakling?]

"Who... who are you?" Liria whispered under her breath, glancing around to make sure no one could hear her.

[Oh, darling, I'm just a friend. Someone who sees your potential. Someone who knows what you're capable of.]

"I don't need this right now," Liria hissed, gripping the edge of her tunic.

[No, what you don't need is to listen to Daena's bleeding-heart nonsense. She doesn't understand you. She doesn't know the fire that burns in your veins. The power that's waiting to be unleashed.]

Liria's hands clenched into fists. "You don't know me."

[Oh, but I do. And I know Seraphis deserves worse than a simple fire. You should remind her why she should never cross you again.]

The words slithered into her mind, leaving an uncomfortable, almost intoxicating weight.

"Liria!" Daena's voice snapped her out of it.

She blinked, realizing Daena was staring at her with a frown. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes! Of course," Liria said quickly, forcing a grin.

Daena sighed. "Good. Remember what I said. Apologize and move on." Continue reading at empire

As Daena walked away, the voice whispered again, mocking and persistent.

[Move on? No, little one. You're not here to move on. You're here to rise above. And that means taking what's yours.]

Liria shook her head, trying to block it out. But as she made her way back to the others, the voice's sinister words lingered in her mind like a poison she couldn't quite shake.