Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 49 Exes and Entrances

The system remained silent, but Liria could practically feel its smugness as she made her way back to class. She clutched her notebook tightly, her thoughts swirling around Principal Seraphis and the cryptic, loaded conversation they'd just had. It felt as though she'd stepped into a battlefield without realizing it, and every word exchanged had been a carefully placed strike.

Why did she care so much about my connection to Daena? And what was all that about knowing what I want?

[Observation: Principal Seraphis may harbor unresolved emotions regarding Daena. This could manifest as protective or adversarial behavior toward you. Proceed with caution.]

Thanks for the obvious, Liria thought, annoyed.

When she finally reached her classroom, Enara was waiting by the door, arms crossed and looking unimpressed. "Took you long enough. Did she eat you alive or something?"

Liria blinked, trying to shake off her lingering unease. "No, but she definitely tried."

Enara raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, which Liria was grateful for. Together, they re-entered the room just as the last bell rang, signaling the end of their lesson.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Liria struggled to focus, her mind still caught on Seraphis's sharp words and the bizarre, disarming way she'd brought up Daena. Even Enara noticed Liria's distraction, occasionally shooting her curious glances but saying nothing.

By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Liria was more than ready to leave. She followed Enara toward the school gates, eager to get back to the castle and escape the stares of her classmates some still wary, others resentful after the events in the magic lesson.

As they approached the exit, a sudden, high-pitched shout pierced the air. "LIRIAAAA!"

Before she could react, a small blur of motion came hurtling toward her.

"Milara—oof!"

The eight-year-old demoness launched herself into Liria's arms with the precision of a seasoned acrobat. Milara's glossy black hair and golden chains gleamed in the late afternoon sun, and her wide amber eyes sparkled with excitement.

"You're back!" Milara exclaimed, her arms wrapped tightly around Liria's neck. "I missed you! Did you miss me?"

"Milara, I saw you yesterday," Liria said, her voice muffled as she awkwardly patted the younger girl's back.

"Exactly! That's a whole day!" Milara pulled back slightly to pout, her expression far too adorable to argue with.

Enara crossed her arms, smirking. "Milara, you do realize you're being ridiculous, don't you?"

Milara stuck out her tongue. "You're just jealous because Liria likes me more!"

"Don't start," Liria muttered, gently setting Milara down.

The younger demoness immediately latched onto Liria's hand, practically skipping as they left the school grounds. "You have to tell me everything! Did anyone try to bully you? Did you show them how amazing you are?"

"I survived," Liria said with a wry smile.

Enara rolled her eyes. "She did more than survive. Half the class is terrified of her now."

Milara gasped, her eyes sparkling. "Really? You're so cool, Liria!"

By the time they reached the castle, the evening sun bathed the obsidian spires in a warm, golden light. As they entered the grand halls, Milara reluctantly let go of Liria's hand, skipping off toward the dining hall with a promise to meet them later.

Liria and Enara made their way to their respective rooms, but before Liria could even think about relaxing, a familiar presence loomed in the doorway.

Daena stepped inside, her violet eyes narrowing slightly. "How was your first day?"

Liria hesitated. She hadn't planned on mentioning Seraphis, but the system chimed in before she could decide.

[Recommendation: Full disclosure. Hiding this interaction may cause complications later.]

Oh, now you want me to be honest?

"Uh... eventful," Liria said, trying to ease into the topic. "Actually, I was... summoned to the principal's office."

Daena's expression didn't change, but the tension in her posture was unmistakable. "Summoned? Why?"

"She said she wanted to meet me," Liria replied, keeping her tone casual. "And... well, she mentioned you."

Daena's wings twitched slightly, and her tail curled in a way that betrayed her agitation. "Mentioned me? What did she say?"

"She said you were... close," Liria said carefully.

For the first time since Liria had met her, Daena looked genuinely flustered. Her usually regal demeanor cracked just slightly, and a faint flush darkened her obsidian cheeks. "Of course she did," Daena muttered under her breath, rubbing her temples.

"So... I'm guessing you two have history?" Liria ventured.

Daena sighed, sinking into a nearby chair. "Seraphis and I were... an item a long time ago. It ended amicably, or so I thought, but she has a tendency to make things... complicated."

"That explains a lot," Liria said, thinking back to Seraphis's knowing smirks and pointed comments.

Daena fixed Liria with a stern look. "Listen to me, Liria. Seraphis is clever, and she loves to play games. Don't let her get inside your head."

"Too late," Liria muttered, earning a sharp look from Daena. "I mean, I'll be careful."

Daena's expression softened slightly. "Good. If she gives you any trouble, you let me know immediately."

Liria nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. If Seraphis was as unpredictable as Daena implied, this was far from over.

[Assessment: Principal Seraphis's involvement introduces significant unpredictability. Monitoring her actions is advised.]

Yeah, no kidding.

As Daena rose to leave, she paused in the doorway, glancing back at Liria with a rare hint of vulnerability. "And for the record... you're doing well. Better than I expected."

Liria blinked, taken aback by the unexpected praise. "Thanks, I guess."

Daena nodded and left, leaving Liria alone with her thoughts and the system's ever-present commentary.

[Encouragement: Your performance today exceeded baseline expectations. Progress is evident.]

Thanks... I think.

The day had drained Liria in more ways than one. With the system quiet for once and her thoughts a jumbled mess, she decided to lie down and recharge. The plush bed felt like a cloud beneath her, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, she allowed herself to simply breathe.

She had almost drifted off when a loud, dramatic voice shattered the silence.

"How could you forget me ? I, the illustrious Ananara, Lord of the Sweet Sands, abandoned and unloved? Truly, the betrayal cuts deeper than the sharpest blade!"

Liria bolted upright, her heterochromatic eyes wide with alarm. Standing at the foot of her bed was a creature so utterly ridiculous it was impossible to take him seriously. Ananara, her self-proclaimed "animal companion," was a pineapple. Yes, a pineapple. Except this pineapple had tiny golden limbs, a pair of overly dramatic emerald eyes, and a voice that could rival the most melodramatic stage actor.

"Ananara," Liria groaned, rubbing her temples. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" he exclaimed, throwing his stubby arms into the air. "You are the one who left me behind! Alone! In this grand but soulless castle while you frolicked in the demon school with your unworthy companions!"

Liria sighed, already regretting whatever series of events had led to her acquiring such a bizarre pet. "I didn't forget you. I just… got busy."

"Busy?" he gasped, clutching his leafy top as though she had stabbed him in the heart. "Too busy for your most loyal and magnificent ally? I, who have sworn to stand by your side through every trial?"

"Ananara," Liria said flatly, "you've been napping in my room . The only trial you've faced is deciding whether to sleep on the bed or the sofa."

He sniffed, turning his back on her with an exaggerated flourish. "Clearly, my dedication goes unappreciated."

Liria flopped back onto the bed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? Next time, I'll take you with me."

"Next time?" Ananara spun back around, his eyes sparkling with hope. "You mean it?"

"Sure," she muttered, too tired to argue.

"Ah, my heart swells with joy!" He leapt onto the bed, landing beside her with surprising agility for a fruit. "Now, let us rest together, for the day has been long, and the night holds many possibilities!"

"Please don't talk like that," Liria mumbled as she rolled onto her side, ignoring the sentient pineapple as best she could.

After a brief, much-needed nap, Liria woke to the sound of a distant bell chiming through the castle halls. Dinner time. She sat up, stretching, and glanced over to see Ananara sprawled dramatically across a pillow, snoring softly.

"I'll leave you to your beauty sleep," she muttered, slipping out of the room and heading toward the dining hall.