Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The Abyssal Rift's eerie silence was broken by a crackle of darkfire. Seated on a throne carved from twisted bone and encased in black flame was the Dark Sovereign herself. Her crimson skin gleamed like polished rubies under the flickering light, and her golden eyes burned with malevolent amusement as she leaned back, fingers steepled in front of her.

"They're finally talking about me," she purred, her voice a velvety blend of menace and mockery. Her hair, a cascade of liquid fire, swirled around her like a living entity, reacting to her every word. "Took them long enough. For a bunch of royals, they're not exactly quick on the uptake."

Behind her throne, a small, hunched demon with mottled gray skin and an oversized pair of bat-like ears trembled. He held a crystal orb aloft, its surface shimmering with scenes from the royal demon castle.

"Master, they plan to visit the Rift," he croaked, his voice trembling as much as his hands. "To seek the truth about the girl."

The Dark Sovereign rolled her eyes, her spiraling black horns catching the light. "Oh, the girl. The so-called miracle child of the Demon Court. Honestly, I've been waiting for someone to connect the dots. Do you know how boring it is watching them stumble around in ignorance?"

The spy demon swallowed nervously. "Shall I… intervene?"

She laughed, a sound that echoed through the cavern like shattering glass. "Intervene? You? Oh, my dear Frixle, you'd barely make it through the front gate before Verida roasted you alive. No, no. Let them come. This should be entertaining."

The orb shifted, revealing a new scene. The royal family's dining hall flickered into view, with Enara's parents deep in conversation about Liria. Verida's fiery temper was on full display, while Nyssara's cool logic tempered her partner's outbursts. Daena, perched between them like a reluctant referee, looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.

"Ah, Daena," the Dark Sovereign mused, her lips curling into a predatory smile. "Still playing the noble guardian, are we? You always were so tedious."

Frixle shifted uncomfortably. "The queens suspect you're connected to the girl," he murmured. "They've noticed her scales."

The Sovereign's smile widened. "And what glorious scales they are. Black as night, sharp as my wit. Really, it's about time someone noticed. I thought I'd have to start dropping bigger hints."

Frixle hesitated, his wings twitching nervously. "Do you wish to claim her, then? As your own?"

Her laugh this time was softer, but no less dangerous. "Claim her? No, no, dear Frixle. Let them sweat. Let them twist themselves into knots trying to figure out the truth. That's far more entertaining. Besides," she added, her golden eyes narrowing, "she's not quite ready for me yet."

The orb shifted again, this time showing Milara in one of the castle's grand corridors. She was chasing after Liria, her golden chains jingling as she prattled on about wedding plans. Enara followed close behind, her expression caught between irritation and something that looked suspiciously like jealousy.

"Oh, this one," the Dark Sovereign muttered, gesturing toward Milara with a flick of her clawed hand. "She's exhausting. All that energy wasted on wooing a girl who clearly has no interest. Someone ought to tell her she's embarrassing herself."

"Shall I send her a message?" Frixle offered timidly.

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. "If Milara wants to make a fool of herself, who am I to interfere? Besides," she added with a sly grin, "watching Enara's jealousy bubble over is almost as satisfying as watching Verida try to hide her temper."

Frixle risked a small smile. "You do enjoy chaos, don't you, Master?"

The Dark Sovereign stretched languidly, her wings spreading wide and casting massive shadows on the walls. "Chaos, my dear Frixle, is what keeps life interesting. It's the spice in an otherwise bland stew."

The orb flickered again, showing a private moment in Liria's chambers. She sat cross-legged on her bed, her mismatched eyes staring intently at something unseen. The Sovereign tilted her head, watching with keen interest as Liria muttered under her breath.

"She's talking to that infernal system of hers," the Sovereign mused. "I can't quite hear what it's saying, but the way she scowls at it is delightful." Experience tales at empire

"The system is beyond even your reach, isn't it?" Frixle asked cautiously.

Her smile turned icy. "For now. But everything has its weaknesses. Even that insufferable, invisible little helper. Mark my words, Frixle, I'll find a way to make it regret crossing paths with me."

Frixle nodded quickly, his wings folding tightly against his back. He wisely decided not to push further on that topic.

The scene shifted once more, this time to a dark corner of the castle's library. Ananara, the talking pineapple, was berating a flustered librarian demon who appeared to be searching for a book.

"And another thing!" Ananara's shrill voice echoed through the orb. "If you don't find that volume on ancient curses within the next minute, I'll personally roll myself into the fire pit and make sure my screams haunt your dreams!"

The Dark Sovereign blinked, then let out a peal of laughter so loud it shook the cavern walls. "That pineapple has more bite than half the demons in this realm. Remind me to recruit it if I ever need a new general."

Frixle dared a chuckle but quickly stifled it when the Sovereign's gaze turned sharp.

"Now, Frixle," she said, her tone suddenly serious, "tell me. Have our little spies been discovered?"

Frixle shook his head fervently. "No, Master. They remain hidden within the castle's walls. No one suspects a thing."

"Good," she purred. "Let them keep watching. And if anything… interesting happens, I want to know immediately. Understood?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Of course, Master," Frixle said, bowing deeply.

The Dark Sovereign leaned back in her throne, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "Let the royals fret and scheme. Let the girl wonder about her origins. In the end, they'll all come crawling to me. And when they do…" Her golden eyes blazed with wicked delight. "Well, let's just say it'll be a day to remember."