Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Daena's lips curled into a thoughtful smirk. "Interesting."

"Interesting?" Enara repeated, her tone sharp as a blade. "That's all you've got to say after we just tangoed with a Hellbeast and almost died?"

"Correction," Ananara piped up, emerging from behind a tree where he had been suspiciously absent. "You two almost died. I was wisely keeping myself out of harm's way. My brilliance knows no bounds."

Liria shot him a glare. "If you're so brilliant, why didn't you help? Oh, wait, it's because you're a pineapple."

"I resent that." Ananara sniffed, puffing up like a pompous fruit. "I'm more than just a pineapple. I am your guide, your beacon of wisdom—"

"My reason for wanting to commit arson," Liria finished, earning a choked laugh from Enara.

"Enough," Daena interjected, her voice carrying an edge that silenced their bickering. She turned her glowing violet gaze onto Liria. "Do you feel… strange?"

"Strange how?" Liria asked, though her stomach twisted at the question.

"Any lingering pain? A sense of unease? Voices whispering in your head?" Daena pressed, her tone casual but her expression razor-sharp.

Liria blinked. "Voices? No. Should I?"

"I don't know," Daena replied cryptically, leaning closer. "You're the one sprouting scales like it's the latest fashion trend."

Enara frowned, her darkfire flickering faintly around her fingers. "What's going on with you, Liria? You're acting… weird."

"Define weird," Liria shot back, crossing her arms.

"You're dodging questions. You never dodge questions unless it's about your hygiene or why you eat soup with a fork," Enara said bluntly.

"I—" Liria sputtered. "That was one time!"

"Twice," Ananara chimed in unhelpfully.

Before Liria could hurl her sword at him out of sheer frustration, Daena sighed and straightened. "Whatever it is, it's not my problem right now. Let's head back to the castle before another Hellbeast decides to drop in."

"And next time," Enara muttered as they began the trek back, "try not to grow extra limbs or whatever it is you're doing."

The trek back to the castle was mercifully uneventful, though the tension between the trio lingered. Liria kept stealing glances at her arms, half-expecting the black scales to reappear, while Enara kept stealing glances at Liria, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

By the time they reached the castle gates, Liria was ready to collapse into her bed and pretend the day hadn't happened. Unfortunately, fate or perhaps her own misfortune had other plans.

"Liria!"

The high-pitched, overly enthusiastic voice made Liria groan before she even turned around. Milara, dressed in a shimmering gown of gold and violet, bounded toward her like an overexcited puppy.

"Oh no," Liria muttered under her breath.

"Oh yes," Ananara countered gleefully.

"Liria, my beloved!" Milara exclaimed, clasping her hands dramatically. "Have you finally come to your senses and decided to accept my proposal?"

"No," Liria said flatly. "And for the thousandth time, I'm not marrying you."

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Milara pouted, her amber eyes shimmering with mock tears. "You wound me, my darling! But I shall not give up. Our love story is destined!"

"There is no love story!" Liria snapped, throwing her hands up.

"That's debatable," Ananara said, earning himself another murderous glare.

Enara, who had been watching the exchange with increasing irritation, finally spoke up. "Milara, can you not?"

Milara turned to Enara, her pout transforming into a smug grin. "Ah, little cousin. Are you jealous?"

"Of you?" Enara scoffed, crossing her arms. "Please. I just don't want to listen to your nonsense."

Milara smirked, her gaze flickering between Enara and Liria. "Oh, I see. You're protective of her. How adorable."

Enara's cheeks flushed a faint pink. "I am not protective. She's my bodyguard, that's all."

"Sure," Milara drawled, her smirk widening. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Alright, that's enough," Liria interrupted, stepping between them. "Milara, I am tired, covered in monster guts, and this day has been absolute trash. Can we save the theatrics for another time?"

Milara sighed dramatically. "Fine, but only because you look so dashing when you're annoyed."

Liria groaned. "I need a drink."

"You're twelve," Enara pointed out.

"And this is why," Liria replied, trudging past Milara and toward the castle doors. "I'm surrounded by lunatics."

As they walked inside, Enara fell into step beside her, her earlier irritation replaced by a hint of something softer. "Hey," she said quietly. "You okay?"

Liria glanced at her, surprised by the genuine concern in her voice. "Yeah. I think so."

Enara nodded, her dark eyes lingering on Liria's face for a moment longer before she looked away. "Good."

Milara, who had been trailing behind like a particularly glamorous shadow, suddenly gasped. "Excuse me, cousin, but could you stop flirting with my fiancée? It's terribly unbecoming."

Enara whipped her head around, her cheeks flushing. "What?! I wasn't flirting!"

Milara sauntered forward, her golden chains jingling lightly with every step. "Oh, please. The lingering looks? The concerned tone? If this were a novel, it would be chapter three of Enemies to Lovers. Textbook material."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I'm not in a novel, and I'm not her enemy!" Enara snapped, her voice going up an octave.

"So you admit you're trying to be her lover?" Milara shot back, raising a perfectly arched brow.

"I—What—No!" Enara sputtered, her composure crumbling like a poorly made pastry.

"Sounds like a yes to me," Ananara chimed in from Liria's shoulder. "Honestly, Enara, I expected better. At least Milara is direct about her intentions. You're just awkward."

"I am not awkward!" Enara shouted, her face now a spectacular shade of crimson.

"Enara," Liria cut in, rubbing her temples. "Don't argue with the pineapple. You'll lose."

"She's not losing," Milara said with a smirk. "She's digging her own grave. Don't worry, cousin, I'll send flowers to your funeral after Liria chooses me."

"For the last time, I'm not choosing anyone!" Liria shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "I'm twelve! I can't even legally own a cat, let alone a spouse!"

"Oh, but darling," Milara cooed, ignoring Liria's outburst entirely, "our love transcends laws and logic. It's fate!"

Ananara snorted. "Fate? Is that what we're calling obsession these days?"

"You're just bitter because no one loves you," Milara retorted, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

"I'm a pineapple," Ananara said dryly. "If someone loved me, I'd question their sanity."

"Well, you're halfway there already," Enara muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Ananara said, his leaves bristling indignantly.

"Enough!" Liria yelled, her voice echoing down the corridor. "Can we please just get to my room so I can collapse in peace? Or do I have to fight another Hellbeast to get some quiet?"

Milara shrugged. "As long as Enara stops trying to seduce you, I have no objections."

Enara let out a frustrated growl, her hands igniting with faint flickers of darkfire. "I am not seducing her!"

"Could've fooled me," Ananara said with a smirk in his voice.

"Shut up, Ananara!" Enara and Liria shouted together, earning a delighted laugh from Milara as they continued down the hall in chaotic disarray.