Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

[You don't have to tell her everything,] the system murmured in Liria's mind, the words wrapping around her like a thin, uneasy blanket. [But she's right about one thing you're not alone in this.]

For once, the system's voice didn't sound like an irritating know-it-all. It sounded... genuine. Liria let out a shaky breath, resting her head against Daena's shoulder, the overwhelming terror ebbing away into a dull thrum in her chest.

"You want to tell me what happened?" Daena's voice was soft but firm, like someone trying to coax a wild animal into their arms.

Liria pulled back slightly, her mismatched eyes meeting Daena's steady violet ones. For a moment, she hesitated. How could she even begin to explain the absurdity of what had just happened without sounding completely insane?

"I…" She rubbed her temples, as if the action could rub away the vivid memory of that infernal laughter. "I had a dream except it wasn't just a dream. I was in this... this place. Everything was white, like an endless void, and then there was this woman."

Daena's expression didn't shift. She was listening, but her calm demeanor didn't fool Liria. Those sharp, glowing eyes missed nothing.

"She was chained up, but it was like the chains didn't matter. She was... terrifying," Liria continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And then she smiled at me, called me her daughter. It was like looking into a mirror that was warped and wrong. She felt so familiar but so... monstrous."

Daena's lips thinned, but she didn't interrupt.

"And then the ground gave way," Liria said, her fingers clenching into her lap. "I fell, and when I woke up, it felt like—like she was still there, like I couldn't shake her off me."

"That's because you probably can't," Ananara chimed in, his pineapple body shuffling closer on his stubby little legs. "Demons aren't known for subtlety. She probably latched onto your soul for dramatic flair."

"Thank you for that helpful insight, fruit-brain," Liria snapped, glaring at her familiar.

"You're welcome. I aim to enlighten." Ananara wiggled smugly. "Also, you look terrible. Maybe stop with the dramatics and oh, I don't know pull yourself together?"

Liria launched a pillow at him. It bounced off harmlessly, leaving the pineapple cackling like a deranged goblin.

Daena raised a brow but didn't comment. Instead, she placed a hand on Liria's shoulder, grounding her. "She called you her daughter," Daena said slowly, as though testing the words for weight. "And she felt familiar?"

Liria nodded miserably.

Daena's jaw clenched for a fraction of a second. "Liria, I don't know what this woman wants, but whoever she is, she doesn't define you. You're my granddaughter. You're strong. And you've faced worse than this."

Liria's gaze darted to Daena's. "You don't get it! She wasn't just terrifying—she was right. About me. I could feel it. There's something wrong with me."

"Oh, trust me, there's a lot wrong with you," Ananara piped up cheerfully.

"Not. Helping," Liria growled through gritted teeth.

[Ignore the pineapple,] the system cut in, its telepathic tone taking on a rare softness. [You've faced dangerous people before. What makes her different?]

"She knew me!" Liria yelled aloud, startling both Daena and Ananara. She clutched at her chest, trembling. "She wasn't just scary—she knew things about me I don't even know. Like... like she'd been waiting for me."

Daena's hands tightened on her shoulders. "And what do we do when someone tries to control us with fear?"

Liria blinked, her lips parting but no words coming out.

"We punch them in the face," Daena answered flatly. "Or burn them to ash. Depending on how much you hate them."

Despite herself, Liria let out a weak laugh, the absurdity of Daena's words cutting through the haze in her mind.

Ananara huffed. "I'd suggest the ash option. Seems more poetic."

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"You are literally a pineapple. No one asked you," Liria snapped.

"Careful, child," Ananara said with a mock bow. "The pineapple giveth, and the pineapple taketh away."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Liria rolled her eyes, but the tension in her chest had eased just a little. She glanced at Daena. "You really think I can handle this?"

Daena smirked. "You've already handled worse. A cranky demon ghost calling herself your mom? That's nothing compared to the chaos you bring to my life every day."

Liria's lips twitched into a faint smile. "I don't know whether to feel reassured or insulted."

"Both, probably," Daena replied with a shrug.

[She's right, you know,] the system added. [You're not defined by what she said. Whoever she is, she doesn't get to decide who you are.]

Liria let out a long breath, some of the weight finally lifting from her chest. "Thanks," she muttered. "All of you."

"Don't mention it," Daena said, rising to her feet. "Now get some rest. We'll deal with this whatever this is when you're ready."

As Daena left the room, Ananara waddled closer to Liria, his leafy top bobbing with exaggerated concern. "For the record," he said, "if you do turn out to be some evil demon overlord's spawn, I'll happily serve as your villainous sidekick. I draw the line at fetching coffee, though."

Liria groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Can you not right now, Ananara? I just had the mental equivalent of a battlefield, and you're auditioning for villain support roles."

"Preparation is everything," Ananara replied smugly. "You can't just wing evil domination. It's a craft."

Before Liria could argue with her pineapple familiar about the finer points of hypothetical evil plans, the door to her room slammed open.

"Liria!" Enara's voice rang out as she strode in, arms crossed and her face twisted into a scowl. "What happened to you? You look like you got hit by a runaway spellbook."

Liria blinked up at her, exhaustion clouding her mismatched eyes. "Nice to see you too, Enara. I'm fine. Totally."

Enara's sharp midnight eyes narrowed as she studied Liria. "You don't look fine. You look like someone dragged you through an underworld swamp and forgot to wring you out." She hesitated, then added in a much quieter voice, "I was... worried, okay?"

"You were worried about me?" Liria raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're not possessed?"

Enara's cheeks flushed a faint pink as she shot Liria a glare. "W-What? Don't be ridiculous! I'm not worried! I just... can't have my only friend collapsing before I get to one-up her. That's all!"

Ananara snorted. "Textbook tsundere behavior. Adorable."

"Shut up, fruit," Enara snapped, pointing at Ananara, who was now laughing in tiny, wheezy bursts.

Liria couldn't help but smile, the tension in her chest easing just a little. "Relax, Enara. I'm fine. Just... had a bad nap."

"A bad nap?" Enara frowned, her tsundere mask slipping as genuine concern peeked through. "You're terrible at lying. Did something happen?"

Liria hesitated, glancing at Ananara, who simply shrugged. "Let's just say... weird dreams suck, okay? But really, I'm good now."

Enara studied her for a moment, then huffed. "Fine. But if you pass out again, don't expect me to carry you. You're too heavy."

"I'm not that heavy," Liria muttered.

"You are." Enara smirked, her tone softening. "But if you were in trouble... I guess I'd help."

Liria chuckled, grateful for the poorly veiled kindness. "Thanks, Enara. You're a real softie under all that snark."

"Shut up!" Enara turned on her heel, flustered, and stomped toward the door. "Get some rest! And don't be stupid!"

As the door closed, Ananara cackled. "She totally likes you."

Liria sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Shut up, Ananara."