Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 95 Apologies, Asterisks, and Awkwardness

The royal carriage bumped along the winding road to the Academy, the lush, dark forests stretching endlessly outside the windows. Liria sat stiffly across from Enara, her chin propped on her hand, while Ananara perched on the seat beside her, radiating his usual haughty disdain.

Enara leaned forward, her piercing midnight eyes narrowing. "You've been fidgeting since we left. Spill it. What's wrong?"

Liria blinked at her, startled. "What? Nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

"Liria." Enara's tone was sharp enough to cut through steel. "You're the worst liar I've ever met. Something's clearly bothering you."

Ananara didn't even bother looking up. "She's probably just nervous about being dragged back to face Seraphis. Honestly, if I had any semblance of pride, I'd jump out of this moving carriage before groveling to that woman."

"I'm not groveling," Liria shot back defensively, though her shoulders stiffened at the mention of the principal. "I'm just—"

[What's going on?]

The familiar mechanical voice of her system cut into her thoughts, and Liria had to fight the urge to physically react.

Oh, you're back? Took you long enough, she replied silently, keeping her expression neutral.

[Don't sass me. I was temporarily disconnected for a few minutes. Something interfered with my signal. What happened?]

You tell me, she thought with a mental shrug. You're the all-knowing one.

[Don't play coy. Did you feel anything unusual? A disturbance in your emotions or surroundings?]

You mean aside from the fact that I've got an angry principal waiting to roast me alive? Nope. Business as usual.

[Hmm. This isn't the first time my connection's been disrupted recently. It could be related to—]

"Liria, are you even listening to me?" Enara snapped, her voice cutting through Liria's internal dialogue.

"Yes! Totally listening!" Liria said hurriedly, only to realize she had no idea what Enara had been saying.

Enara sighed dramatically. "You're impossible. Just don't embarrass me when we get there, okay?"

"Define 'embarrass,'" Liria muttered, earning a smirk from Ananara and an exasperated groan from Enara.

When the carriage rolled to a stop outside the Academy's grand gates, Liria stepped out with a sense of impending doom. The towering spires loomed above her like judgmental fingers pointing out her crimes.

"Here we go," she muttered under her breath.

As they entered the main hall, students bustled around them, casting curious glances at Liria. Some whispered to each other, clearly having heard about the incident in the principal's office.

"Don't look so guilty," Enara whispered, giving her a small nudge. "You're making it obvious."

"I can't help it!" Liria hissed. "Everyone's staring at me like I'm some kind of delinquent."

"I know," Liria said, staring down at her hands. "But I'm trying to do better. Even if I mess up sometimes. A lot of times. But still."

The silence stretched for a moment before Seraphis sighed. "Very well. I accept your apology for now. But you'll need to prove that you can handle yourself with more maturity."

Liria nodded quickly. "Got it. No more fire. Scout's honor."

"And another thing," Seraphis added, her tone sharp. "I assume this means you're ready to take your apprenticeship seriously."

Liria froze. "Uh... about that."

The principal's eyes narrowed again. "What about it?"

"I, uh..." Liria scratched the back of her head, trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking, and... maybe being your apprentice isn't the best idea for me."

Seraphis's expression darkened. "Excuse me?"

"It's not you," Liria said quickly. "It's me. I just don't think we're... compatible. Like, our teaching styles, and, uh, personalities. You know?"

The principal's glare could have melted steel.

"Miss Silverthorn," she said slowly, her voice dripping with menace, "are you telling me that you set my office on fire just to avoid becoming my apprentice?"

Liria winced. "Well, when you put it like that, it sounds bad. But... yes?"

The room fell deathly silent. For a moment, Liria thought Seraphis might actually explode.

Then, to her surprise, the principal let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

"You truly are insufferable," Seraphis said, shaking her head. "But fine. If you're so determined to squander this opportunity, I won't waste my time trying to change your mind."

Liria blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, really? You're letting me off the hook?"

"For now," Seraphis said, her silver eyes gleaming. "But mark my words, Miss Silverthorn: one day, you'll regret walking away from this."

"Noted," Liria said, rising quickly to her feet. "Thanks for understanding! Gotta go!"

She bolted from the office before the principal could change her mind, her heart pounding in her chest.

Back in the hallway, Liria let out a long sigh of relief.

[That could have gone worse,] the system remarked dryly.

No kidding, Liria thought. I'm just glad I survived.

[You may have survived, but I wouldn't get too comfortable. Seraphis doesn't strike me as the forgiving type.]