Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The moment the carriage pulled into the castle courtyard, I felt the heavy weight of doom pressing down on me. Daena was waiting, her towering form silhouetted against the flickering torchlight of the grand entrance. Her horns gleamed menacingly, and the violet glow of her eyes could probably cut through steel.

"Out," she barked before the carriage had even come to a full stop.

I glanced at Enara, who offered me the tiniest smirk before stepping out first, leaving me to face the music alone.

Daena's eyes locked onto me as I climbed out, Ananara nestled smugly under my arm like the world's most judgmental pineapple.

"I've had enough of your antics, Liria," Daena growled, her voice low and thunderous. "First, I have to pay for the damages at the academy. Now, I hear you were brawling again? This is not the behavior of someone entrusted with protecting the future queen."

"It wasn't my fault," I started, but she cut me off with a glare so fierce it practically burned.

"No excuses!" she roared, pointing a sharp, clawed finger at me. "You're grounded. No dinner tonight. And if you think I'm joking, try me."

[Grounded. No dinner. How will you survive? Truly tragic,] the system chimed in with mock pity.

"Not. Helping," I muttered under my breath.

Daena turned on her heel and stormed off, her tail whipping dramatically behind her. I stood there for a moment, stunned, before trudging up the stairs to my room, Ananara still under my arm.

"This is all your fault," I grumbled at him.

"My fault? You're the one who can't control yourself," he replied, utterly unfazed.

Hours later, I lay sprawled on my bed, my stomach growling louder than a dragon in heat. The castle was silent, save for the occasional creak of the old walls and the distant hoot of an owl.

[Hunger. The ultimate punishment. Will you perish before sunrise?] the system quipped.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Shut. Up," I hissed into the darkness.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence. I sat up, confused, as the door creaked open to reveal Enara. She stepped inside, carrying a tray covered with a silver dome, her expression uncharacteristically... sheepish.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, suspicious.

She rolled her eyes. "What does it look like? I brought you food. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I crossed my arms. "Why? So you can rub it in that I got grounded?"

Enara sighed, setting the tray on my bedside table. "No. Because I... might have been a little harsh earlier. And maybe I feel a little bad."

"A little?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't push it," she snapped, but there was no real venom in her voice. She lifted the dome to reveal a plate of roasted meat, fresh bread, and a small bowl of soup. My stomach growled loudly at the sight.

"Is this poisoned?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

She groaned. "Do you want it or not?"

I snatched the plate. "Fine. But I'm not saying thank you."

"Good. I didn't do it for your gratitude," she retorted, plopping down in a chair by the window.

As I devoured the food like a starved animal, Ananara piped up from his spot on the nightstand. "I see you've finally decided to act like a decent person, Princess."

Enara glared at him. "And I see the pineapple is still talking. Lovely."

I snorted, nearly choking on my bread.

For a few moments, the room was quiet, save for the sounds of me eating. Then Enara spoke again, her tone softer. "Look, Liria... you did stand up for me today. I don't need anyone to fight my battles, but... it was nice knowing someone had my back."

I paused mid-bite, looking at her. She was staring out the window, her face half-hidden in shadow.

"Well," I said, swallowing. "If you really want to thank me, you could tell Daena to un-ground me."

She laughed, a genuine, melodic sound that made the tension between us ease. "Not a chance."

"Figures," I muttered, shoving another piece of bread into my mouth. "Guess I'll just wither away in solitude while you enjoy your royal feasts."

"Oh, please," Enara shot back, crossing her arms. "With the way you inhaled that food, you've got at least three days before you starve to death."

Ananara, perched smugly on the nightstand, decided to chime in. "If she starves, I vote we plant her remains in the garden. Maybe she'll finally be useful as fertilizer."

I glared at him. "You're really pushing your luck for someone who gets carried everywhere."

"Carried with dignity," he retorted, puffing out his spiny little chest. "Unlike you, who stumbles through life like a drunk troll."

Enara snorted, trying and failing to hide her laughter. "He's not wrong."

"Oh, great. Now you're siding with the pineapple," I snapped, jabbing a finger at her.

"Pineapple? I am a divine entity trapped in this humiliating form!" Ananara huffed, his leaves quivering with indignation. "And if I could walk, I'd march out of here right now."

I grabbed him and held him up to eye level. "Oh, yeah? Where would you go? The kitchen? Join your cousins in the fruit bowl?"

"You wouldn't dare!" he gasped.

"Oh, I would."

Enara doubled over in laughter, clutching her sides. "Stop! You're going to make me choke!"

"Oh no," I deadpanned, holding up Ananara like a trophy. "The mighty pineapple is defeated. What will I ever do?"

"Put me down!" he screeched. "This is abuse!"

"Abuse?" I repeated. "I should have let the gardener turn you into mulch!"

"Good luck finding another companion as brilliant as me," Ananara sniffed.

"Brilliant?" Enara wheezed. "You couldn't even fend off a level one slime."

"That was a strategic retreat!" Ananara snapped, his voice almost as high-pitched as his ego.

I sighed, setting him back down. "You're lucky I don't throw you in the compost bin."

"And you're lucky I tolerate you," he shot back, wobbling indignantly.

Enara wiped tears from her eyes, finally catching her breath. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I think the pineapple is my favorite person in this room."

I groaned, flopping back on my bed. "That makes one of us."