Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 80 Serve as your villainous sidekick

[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.

"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."