Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the violet-glowing sconces embedded in the obsidian walls. Daena sat at the head of the long table, her leathery wings draped behind her chair like a cloak. To her right, Queen Verida leaned back, her golden eyes sharp and scrutinizing. On her left, Queen Nyssara sipped delicately from a crystalline goblet filled with an inky black liquid, her expression contemplative. Neither of them looked particularly pleased.

"So," Verida began, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "The scales."

Daena sighed, massaging her temples. "Yes, the scales. They appeared briefly during the fight with the Hellbeast. Black as night, cold to the touch, and radiating an energy I'd rather not think about."

Nyssara's silvery brows arched. "Cold, you say? That's not typical for our kind. Darkfire burns hot, not cold."

"I know that," Daena snapped, her tone sharper than intended. "But these scales… they weren't like anything I've ever seen."

Verida leaned forward, her muscular frame casting a shadow over the table. "And you're finally considering what we suggested last time? That Liria might be connected to her?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Daena's jaw tightened. "I dismissed it because it sounded absurd. The Dark Sovereign has been sealed for centuries."

"Sealed," Nyssara echoed, swirling her drink thoughtfully, "but not dead. And we all know her power could linger in unexpected ways."

Daena clenched her fists, her claws digging into the polished wood of the table. The last thing she wanted was to entertain the possibility that Liria her Liria, the child she had come to love as her own could be connected to that woman. But the scales, the unnatural strength Liria had displayed, and her increasingly chaotic aura were becoming harder to ignore.

"Fine," Daena muttered, glaring at the queens. "Let's assume for a moment that Liria is connected to the Dark Sovereign. How would that even work? She's a child, not some ancient demon reborn."

Verida smirked, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Do I need to remind you of the Sovereign's… reputation?"

Nyssara sighed, setting her goblet down. "Perhaps we should recount the story, for clarity."

Daena groaned, leaning back in her chair. "Fine. But make it quick."

Nyssara folded her hands elegantly. "The Dark Sovereign was once the most feared demon in all the realms. Her power was unmatched, her cunning legendary. She ruled through terror, wielding her darkfire and her armies with ruthless efficiency. But it wasn't just her strength that made her dangerous; it was her charisma. She could seduce and manipulate even the strongest minds."

"And her… appetites," Verida added with a grimace. "She wasn't picky about her conquests."

Nyssara nodded. "It's said she left behind children in every corner of the realms. Some were known, some… not."

"So you think Liria is one of those hidden children?" Daena asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "After all this time?"

Verida shrugged, flames flickering along her fingertips. "You saw the scales. You felt the energy. Can you honestly say it didn't remind you of her?"

Daena's silence was answer enough.

Verida's smirk widened. "Ah, see? Even you can't deny the similarities now. Those scales might as well have screamed her name."

"Let's not get carried away," Daena growled, her tail flicking with irritation. "We're dealing with theories, not certainties. And if this connection were true, why would Liria show no signs until now?"

Nyssara tilted her head, her lilac eyes narrowing in thought. "Perhaps because she's half-human? It's plausible that her mortal blood suppressed those traits… until now. A powerful event like the fight with the Hellbeast could have triggered them."

"Or," Verida interjected, "the Sovereign's influence is starting to wake. Who's to say her imprisonment hasn't weakened over the centuries? Her essence might be reaching out to her kin."

Daena rubbed her temples again, her headache worsening. "If you're right, then we have a much bigger problem. Liria could become a target. Or worse, a pawn."

Nyssara's voice softened. "That's why we need to act, Daena. Not out of paranoia, but protection. If Liria truly has ties to the Dark Sovereign, we must prepare her—and ourselves—for what may come."

Daena's wings twitched as she let out a slow, reluctant breath. "First, we need to confirm whether this connection is real. Speculation won't help her."

Verida grinned, though it lacked her usual sharpness. "Then let's start by recalling where the Dark Sovereign was last sealed. If her essence is leaking, we'll find answers there."

The queens exchanged glances, their expressions darkening.

"It's been centuries since we thought of that place," Nyssara murmured. "If memory serves, it lies deep within the Abyssal Rift, past the Wailing Chasm."

Daena groaned. "You mean the most cursed, miserable stretch of land in existence? Perfect."

"Do you have a better plan?" Verida shot back, her tone mockingly sweet. "Or shall we wait until those scales consume her entirely?"

Before Daena could retort, Nyssara raised a hand. "Enough. We need to focus. If we go there, we must tread carefully. The Sovereign's prison is likely still guarded."

"And riddled with traps," Daena muttered.

"Which is why we'll need Liria to stay behind," Nyssara said firmly.

Verida's brow furrowed. "You think she'll agree to that?"

"She will," Daena said with conviction. "Because I'll make her."

For a moment, the room was silent, save for the faint crackling of the sconces. Finally, Verida stood, her towering frame casting a shadow over both queens.

"Then it's settled. We leave at dawn. The sooner we get answers, the better." Explore more stories with empire

Nyssara adjusted her silver horns thoughtfully, her lilac eyes flickering with hesitation. "We may be rushing this. The Abyssal Rift is dangerous, even for us. Shouldn't we gather more intelligence first? Perhaps consult the archives or question those who might know more about her sealing?"

Verida snorted, flames dancing briefly across her fingertips. "The archives are centuries out of date, and anyone with firsthand knowledge of the Sovereign's imprisonment is long dead or worse."

"Or worse?" Daena raised an eyebrow, her tail flicking in irritation. "You think some ancient husk of a demon is waiting to spill secrets to us out of loyalty?"

"Not loyalty," Verida shot back with a smirk. "Fear. If we press hard enough, someone will talk."

Nyssara sighed, placing her hands neatly on the table. "Let's not waste time interrogating half-mad demons who barely remember their own names. The Abyssal Rift may be treacherous, but it's where the answers lie. And we've delayed long enough."