Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Liria was still processing Milara's bold declaration when a ripple of laughter erupted from her System.

[Congratulations,] it chimed in dryly. [You've just been proposed to by a demon noble. This must be some sort of record for speed.]

"Oh, you're hilarious," Liria replied silently, trying to keep her expression neutral. Out loud, she said, "Milara, that's… very sweet of you. But I don't think marriage is on the agenda."

Milara pouted, her tiny horns poking up in indignation. "But I gave you a kiss! That means we're engaged!"

The absurdity of the moment almost made Liria laugh, but she quickly composed herself as Milara's eyes widened with pleading innocence. "You're such a warrior! You're beautiful, and your sword is so shiny! I've never seen anyone like you, Liria. It must be fate!"

Enara's face was an impressive shade of red. "Milara," she hissed, voice sharp, "you can't just go around kissing people and declaring yourself engaged! It's… it's embarrassing! And Liria's supposed to be my bodyguard, not… your bride!"

Milara gave Enara a haughty look. "I don't need a bodyguard, Enara. Besides, you're just jealous. Liria's amazing, and I'm going to be her favorite from now on."

Liria tried her best to keep a straight face. It was oddly flattering to be admired by this noble little demon, and she knew that telling her the truth might break her heart. But she had to draw some sort of line.

"I'm honored, Milara," Liria said, choosing her words carefully. "But I'm here for a very serious purpose to protect Enara." She shot a glance at Enara, who was glaring daggers at her. "Which means my attention needs to stay on her."

Milara tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "So… if I'm in danger, you'll protect me too, right?"

"Of course," Liria replied automatically. It was instinct by now. And besides, despite the differences in their worlds and customs, she couldn't resist the tiny demon's open-hearted affection. The girl had a spark that reminded her of herself at that age, though she'd never been quite so forward.

[She may not be entirely wrong,] the System commented in her mind. [Political alliances have been built on stranger things. And earning favor among the nobility, even young nobility, could prove advantageous.]

"Oh, so you're a matchmaker now?" she thought, trying to hide her annoyance. "She's just a kid, System. I'm not here to play political games."

[Of course, of course. Just remember that each interaction in this realm could ripple into a larger effect. And given how powerful her family is, Milara's goodwill could be helpful. Consider this relationship one of mutual… understanding.]

Liria's lips twitched. "Fine, but don't push it."

Milara seemed to have made up her mind about the arrangement, regardless of anyone else's opinion. She took Liria's hand in her tiny one, squeezing it tightly as she declared, "I'll make sure you're happy here, Liria. Anything you need, I'll get it for you!"

Liria blinked, stunned by the sincerity in the little girl's eyes. "Thank you, Milara," she said softly, feeling a pang of warmth. "That's very kind of you."

"Good!" Milara chirped, brightening with a triumphant smile. "Then you'll visit me every day, right?"

Enara groaned. "Milara, you can't demand every minute of her time! She's got work to do. And I need my bodyguard, so you'll have to stop… commandeering her."

Milara folded her arms stubbornly. "Then maybe you should be nicer, Enara. Maybe Liria wouldn't mind spending more time with me if you weren't so grouchy."

"Grouchy?" Enara spluttered, the tips of her pointed ears burning. "I am not grouchy!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Liria cleared her throat, holding up her hands to prevent any further bickering. "I'll make time for both of you. How about that?"

Milara beamed, clearly satisfied, but Enara's gaze remained stormy. "Fine," Enara muttered, crossing her arms. "But I'm going to make sure you're actually useful as a bodyguard."

She said it as if testing Liria, her words edged with a challenge. It was clear she wasn't going to make things easy.

[Well, look at that Enara's practically gifting you opportunities for strength training,] the System quipped.

"More like giving me a headache," Liria thought, but she smirked despite herself. "Challenge accepted, Princess Problem."

Their strange standoff was interrupted by the arrival of a servant. The young demon cleared his throat nervously, glancing between Liria, Enara, and Milara as if unsure whom he should be addressing.

"Uh… Lady Liria, Lady Enara, Lady Milara," he said, bowing deeply. "The Queen requests your presence in the dining hall."

Milara's eyes lit up with excitement. "Liria, you can sit with me at dinner! I'll introduce you to all my friends."

"Oh… lucky me," Liria said under her breath, trying not to sound too wary. With Milara's personality, "friends" might mean anything from actual people to enchanted creatures she'd adopted.

Enara shot Liria a pointed look, her lips pursed as though she'd swallowed a lemon. "Great. You can babysit her all you want, but don't forget your actual duties."

Liria raised an eyebrow. "Babysit? I wouldn't dream of it. Milara's more like my… charming little host."

Milara grinned smugly, shooting Enara a look of triumph as she took Liria's hand and practically dragged her down the hallway. Enara trailed behind them, grumbling under her breath, though Liria couldn't help noticing how her gaze lingered on the back of Milara's head with something that looked suspiciously like fondness.

When they reached the dining hall, a grand space lit by chandeliers made of dark crystal, Milara eagerly introduced Liria to every servant, guard, and noble she spotted, each introduction grander and more embellished than the last.

"This is Liria, my future bride and the most powerful warrior ever!" Milara announced with pride to anyone who would listen.

Liria was trying to keep up with the onslaught of introductions, smiling awkwardly and making polite nods, when she noticed Enara stiffen beside her. The demon princess glared at Milara, her hands clenched at her sides.

"Stop that nonsense, Milara," Enara hissed. "Liria's not here to be shown off like some… some prize."

Milara stuck her tongue out. "You're just jealous."

Enara's face flushed, her jaw tight. "I am not jealous."

[Interesting dynamic forming here,] the System observed with a note of amusement.

"Yeah, interesting," Liria replied in her mind, stifling a sigh. "Except I don't know if they'll tear each other's hair out or team up to make my life even harder."

The System chuckled in her mind. [Such is the nature of politics. You're navigating a delicate web, Liria, but think of how this environment can sharpen your abilities.]

"Can it sharpen my patience?" Liria asked, amused. "Because that's the skill I need most right now."

Milara, oblivious to the tension, dragged Liria over to the table and plopped down beside her, tugging on her sleeve to keep her close. Enara sat stiffly on Liria's other side, throwing her cousin a dark glare whenever Milara leaned too close.

As the meal progressed, Liria couldn't shake the surreal feeling of the scene. She was dining with the demon nobility, somehow caught between a child's unexpected affection and a princess's simmering resentment. It was a strange kind of chaos, but in a twisted way, it felt almost… comfortable.

Maybe this place wasn't as hostile as it first seemed. Or maybe she was just getting used to the madness.

After the meal ended, Milara looked up at Liria with wide eyes. "Will you read me a story before bed?"

Enara nearly choked on her drink. "You are not reading her a story, Liria!"

Milara glared, her eyes narrowing. "Why not? It's not like you're going to."

"I—well—" Enara stammered, before clenching her fists. "I just don't think it's… appropriate."

Liria chuckled, deciding not to pick a side just yet. "Maybe some other night, Milara," she said gently. "It's been a long day, and I think Enara and I have a lot of… bodyguarding things to discuss."

Milara pouted, but finally relented, waving her hand grandly. "Fine. But tomorrow, you're spending the whole day with me. It's my royal decree!"

As she watched Milara prance off, Liria couldn't help but glance at Enara, who was frowning in that particular way that suggested her mind was busy calculating something.

"Good luck with her," Enara muttered, her voice soft and resigned.

[Congratulations,] the System added, [you've just become the most eligible bodyguard in the demon realm.]

Liria sighed, bracing herself for the days to come. "Thanks, System. Just what I needed."