Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Liria trailed behind Daena, her thoughts swirling. She was exhausted, mentally and physically, but the promise of food dangled like a distant beacon of hope. Yet, a nagging sense of dread gnawed at her stomach, making her wonder if she'd even be able to eat.

As they stepped into the grand dining hall, Liria froze. Queen Verida and Queen Nyssara were seated at the long table, their regal postures unwavering. Enara lounged nearby, elegantly picking at a plate of fruit, her midnight eyes flicking toward Liria with a hint of curiosity.

"Good morning," Verida said, her deep voice cutting through the air like a blade. Her golden eyes narrowed slightly. "I trust you both slept well… or not, judging by the explosion we all heard in the dead of night?"

Liria swallowed hard, her steps faltering. Ananara, who had been perched smugly on her shoulder, whispered mockingly, "Oh, look. They noticed. Shocker."

[ You have entered the 'Awkward Family Interrogation Zone.' Escape is not possible.]

"Good morning, Your Majesties," Daena replied smoothly, completely ignoring Liria's deer-in-the-headlights expression. "The explosion? A minor magical mishap. Nothing to worry about."

Nyssara's silvery gaze slid toward Liria, her smile faint but knowing. "A mishap? It sounded rather… catastrophic."

Liria's throat went dry. "I—uh—"

"Catastrophic?" Enara interjected with a smirk. "That's her specialty."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Enara," Verida warned, though there was a flicker of amusement in her tone.

Daena, sensing the need for a distraction, clapped Liria on the back. "She's just coming to terms with her power. A little destruction is a necessary part of growth."

"A little?" Liria hissed under her breath. "That was a whole forest!"

Enara leaned back in her chair, tossing a grape into her mouth. "So, what did you do, destroy a tree? Maybe two? Oh wait, let me guess you tripped over your own shadow and caused the apocalypse."

Liria shot her a glare. "Listen, Princess Snark, if you think you're funny—"

"I don't think. I know." Enara's smirk widened.

"Enough," Verida said firmly, her voice commanding immediate silence. "Liria, tell us what happened. No evasions."

Liria felt the weight of the room pressing down on her. She glanced at Daena, who gave her a slight nod as if to say, Go on.

"I… lost control," Liria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It wasn't on purpose, I swear. The power it just… took over. I wasn't me anymore."

For a moment, there was silence. Even Enara's usual snide remarks were absent as she studied Liria with an unreadable expression.

Nyssara leaned forward, her lilac eyes softening. "And how do you feel now?"

Liria hesitated. "Like I don't trust myself anymore. Like I'm… dangerous."

Ananara, never one to let an emotional moment linger, piped up. "Oh, you're definitely dangerous. But not in a cool way. More like a 'caution: slippery floor' kind of dangerous."

Liria slapped a hand over her face. "Not now, Ananara."

The entire table turned their attention to the smug, sentient pineapple perched on Liria's shoulder.

"I resent your tone," Ananara declared, puffing up indignantly. "Here I am, your loyal familiar, constantly offering pearls of wisdom, and this is the gratitude I get?"

Nyssara stifled a chuckle, her lilac eyes twinkling. "Ananara, it's far too early for your dramatics."

"I disagree entirely," Ananara sniffed. "Drama is best served with breakfast."

"Drama," Verida cut in, her golden eyes narrowing, "is not what this table is for. Keep it up, and I'll see to it that you're served with breakfast."

"Oh, please," Ananara shot back, undeterred. "I'd pair wonderfully with your eggs and bacon."

Enara choked on her juice, her laughter spilling out before she could help herself. "He's insufferable, but he's got a point."

"Don't encourage him!" Liria hissed, glaring at Enara.

Ananara perched himself higher on Liria's shoulder, his voice dripping with superiority. "You should all take note of Enara's good taste. Though, I must say, Liria, your choice of company leaves much to be desired. What's next? Will you start befriending shrubs?"

"Shrubs would be quieter," Liria muttered under her breath.

Ananara gave an exaggerated gasp. "How dare you? I am a pineapple, not some common greenery. Honestly, the disrespect I endure…"

"Ananara, enough," Daena cut in sharply, her violet eyes fixed on Liria. "We're not here to debate the merits of fruit over foliage."

Nyssara leaned forward, her lilac gaze thoughtful as she addressed Liria. "What concerns us more, child, is what happened to you. That explosion… the transformation… What do you remember?"

Liria hesitated, fidgeting with a piece of bread. "Not much. Just… rage. Darkness. It felt like something else took over, like I wasn't in control anymore."

The room grew heavy with tension, the playful atmosphere evaporating. Enara finally broke the silence, her voice surprisingly gentle. "That's why you've been so quiet, isn't it? You're scared of yourself."

"I'm not—" Liria started, but her words faltered. She dropped her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I am. What if it happens again? What if I hurt someone?"

Daena's expression softened, though her tone remained firm. "Power is neither inherently good nor evil, Liria. It's a tool, and how you wield it defines what it becomes. But losing control? That's a choice. A dangerous one."

"Easy for you to say," Liria muttered. "You don't have this… thing inside you."

Daena leaned forward, her horns casting sharp shadows across the table. "Don't assume I haven't fought my own battles with power. And don't you dare use it as an excuse to wallow in fear. You're stronger than that."

Liria flinched under Daena's intense gaze. "I don't know how to be," she admitted, her voice cracking.

Nyssara interjected, her voice soft but firm. "Then let us teach you. You're not alone in this, Liria."

The system chose this moment to chime in with its usual tactlessness: [ Emotional pep talks detected. Recalibrating to adjust for human sentimentality… Error. Cannot compute sincerity.]

"Quiet, you." Liria shot back in her mind, glaring inwardly at the intrusive message.

Verida, watching Liria carefully, added, "Fear is natural. It's even useful. But you can't let it control you. We'll help you learn, but the effort has to come from you."

Ananara, perhaps sensing the gravity of the moment, for once didn't interrupt. Instead, he shifted slightly on Liria's shoulder, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "You've survived worse. You'll survive this, too."

Liria blinked at him. "Thanks, I guess?"

"Don't get used to it," Ananara replied, the smugness creeping back.

Enara smirked, leaning back in her chair. "See? Even the pineapple believes in you. What's your excuse now?"

Liria rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Fine. I get it. I'll… try. But no promises."

Daena crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly. "That's all we ask. For now."