Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard-Chapter 175: A Long Day Ahead

Enara exhaled slowly, pushing past the absurdity of the conversation. Ananara was still grumbling about his superiority complex, Daena looked like she was contemplating murder, and her mothers had already moved on to exchanging knowing glances that suggested they were about to make her day even longer.

"Right," she said, stretching her arms with forced nonchalance. "I’m going to pretend none of you exist for the next hour. I have things to do."

Daena raised a brow. "Like?"

"Not dealing with any of you," Enara shot back smoothly, spinning on her heel and striding out of the room before anyone could stop her.

Behind her, she heard Ananara gasp in dramatic betrayal. "You wound me, Enara. Wound me!"

Enara flipped him off without looking back.

The halls of the palace were quieter than usual, save for the distant hum of activity from the lower wings. The royal court was still in session, advisors and generals coming and going like clockwork. Normally, she’d be stuck sitting in on one of those meetings, pretending to listen while her mother outlined battle plans, trade agreements, or whatever else kept the kingdom from falling apart.

Today, however, she had successfully avoided the diplomatic nightmare by sheer force of will and by making a swift exit before anyone thought to drag her back.

The castle had changed since she was younger. She had changed.

Three years ago, she’d had a shadow.

Now, the space beside her felt empty.

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Enara shook off the thought as she made her way to the training grounds.

The morning air was crisp, the sky a muted shade of violet a remnant of the lingering twilight hours unique to demon territory. As she approached the open courtyard, she could already hear the rhythmic clang of steel against steel, the barked orders of instructors drilling young warriors into shape.

She adjusted her gloves as she stepped onto the training field, nodding to a few familiar faces. The younger recruits straightened at the sight of her, eyes widening slightly before quickly looking away. She wasn’t royalty, but she was close enough the daughter of two queens, the heir’s closest confidant, and someone whose presence demanded respect, whether she wanted it or not.

"You’re late," a voice called out.

Enara smirked as she turned to see Rhyzar, one of the senior instructors, watching her with his arms crossed. His crimson skin was marked with old battle scars, his horns jagged from years of combat. He was one of the few people who didn’t seem particularly impressed by her lineage, which was probably why she liked him.

"I wasn’t aware I was on a schedule," she quipped, rolling her shoulders.

Rhyzar snorted. "You’re always on a schedule. You just never follow it."

Enara shrugged. "Sounds like a you problem."

The instructor let out a deep sigh, clearly debating whether arguing with her was worth the effort. He eventually waved a hand toward the weapon racks. "Pick something. We’re doing endurance drills."

Enara grinned. "Finally, something interesting."

She strode over to the weapons and ran her fingers along the hilts, eventually settling on a pair of twin daggers. They weren’t her preferred weapons she favored a longer blade, something with reach but today, she felt like testing herself.

The sparring ring was already occupied with pairs of demons locked in combat, each one focused on their footwork, their reactions, their precision. Enara stepped into one of the empty circles, twirling the daggers in her hands as she sized up her opponent.

A tall, broad-shouldered warrior stepped forward someone she recognized from previous training sessions. He was good. Strong. But not faster than her.

"First to three strikes wins," Rhyzar called. "Begin."

Enara moved the moment the word left his lips.

Her opponent barely had time to raise his blade before she was there, closing the distance in a single breath. She struck low, forcing him to pivot, and then twisted her body to swipe at his side. He barely managed to block, his movements sharp but predictable.

She was faster.

He tried to go for a counter, but she ducked under his swing, twisting behind him and bringing the edge of her dagger against his exposed ribs.

"Point," Rhyzar said.

Enara grinned, stepping back.

Her opponent rolled his shoulders, exhaling through his nose before resetting his stance.

This time, he didn’t wait.

He lunged, and Enara had to lean back, barely dodging the swing of his blade. He pressed forward, forcing her to weave between his attacks, searching for an opening.

Good.

He was adapting.

But she was still better.

She blocked his next strike, shifted her weight, and used the momentum to throw him off balance. He staggered, and in that moment, she drove the hilt of her dagger against the back of his knee.

Another point.

"Enara."

She blinked at the voice and turned just as Verida stepped onto the field, her golden eyes sharp as they landed on her.

The entire training ground seemed to tense at once.

"End the match," Verida commanded.

Rhyzar nodded, and Enara sighed, stepping back as her opponent did the same.

"What?" she asked, sheathing the daggers.

"You’re needed in the war room."

Enara frowned. "I thought I was free today."

"You thought wrong," Verida said simply. "Move."

Enara groaned but followed, feeling the eyes of the other trainees on her as she walked away.

So much for a normal day.

Enara sighed and rolled her shoulders as she followed Verida through the castle halls, her boots echoing against the polished obsidian floors. The war room wasn’t far, but it was far enough that she had time to stew in her irritation.

"You’re not even going to tell me what this is about?" she asked, quickening her pace to match her mother’s long strides.

Verida didn’t break her stride. "You’ll find out soon enough."

Enara groaned. "You know, it wouldn’t kill you to give me an actual answer instead of the usual cryptic queen act."

Verida cast her a look that clearly said I could throw you through a wall, and you’d survive, so don’t test me.

Enara shut up.

The entrance to the war room loomed ahead—massive, double doors carved with intricate sigils of past victories, battle records forever imprinted into the dark wood. A pair of demon guards saluted as Verida strode past, pushing the doors open with a single motion.

Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension.

Nyssara was already seated at the long table, fingers laced together as she studied the map in front of her. Several high-ranking generals stood nearby, their expressions grim.

And then there was Daena.

Enara nearly faltered in her step at the sight of her.

Daena stood near the far end of the room, arms crossed, her obsidian skin gleaming under the dim lighting. Her wings were folded neatly behind her, but there was an edge to her stance, something coiled and waiting.

She wasn’t just here as a guest.

She was here as a warrior.

Something was wrong.

Enara schooled her features, slipping into the seat beside Nyssara as Verida took her place at the head of the table.

"Alright," she said, forcing nonchalance into her voice. "What’s so important that I had to be dragged out of training for it?"

Nyssara sighed and tapped the map. "We received new information about a potential Abyssal disturbance near the eastern border."

Enara frowned. "Abyssal? Like, actual abyssal?"

Daena finally spoke. "Like her abyssal."

The room went silent.

Enara’s fingers twitched against the table. She didn’t have to ask who her referred to.

For three years, they had scoured the lands for even a trace of Liria. For three years, she had heard whispers of the Dark Sovereign’s growing influence, of a shadow spreading through the abyss.

And now, finally—

"You think she’s there," Enara said flatly.

Daena’s gaze was unreadable. "I think it’s worth investigating."

Nyssara nodded. "We have reports of unusual activity—creatures emerging that shouldn’t exist outside the abyss. If she’s involved, we need to know."

Enara exhaled through her nose, fingers tightening against the armrest of her chair.

Liria.

The name was both familiar and foreign now, something sharp lodged deep in her chest.

She should be furious.

She should be ready.

Instead, all she could think was—

"Do we have confirmation?" she asked.

Verida’s expression darkened. "Not yet. That’s why you’re going."

Enara blinked. "I’m going?"

"With Daena."

Enara’s head snapped toward Daena, who simply inclined her head in confirmation.

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"Wait—" Enara held up a hand. "Hold on. You want me to go chasing abyssal corruption with her?"

Daena’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smirk. "Don’t tell me you’re scared, princess."

Enara scowled. "You should be scared of me."

Verida slammed her fist against the table. "Enough."

The room went still.

Enara clenched her jaw, but she said nothing.

Verida let the silence settle before speaking again. "This isn’t about your petty grudge. It’s about understanding what we’re dealing with before it spreads beyond our control. You and Daena are the most capable for this mission. You will go. You will investigate. And you will not let your emotions compromise the mission."

The finality in her tone left no room for argument.

Enara exhaled slowly, forcing the tension from her shoulders.

"Fine," she muttered. "When do we leave?"

Nyssara glanced at Daena.

"Tomorrow morning," Daena said.

Enara nodded, pushing back her chair. "Then I’ll be ready."

She stood and left the room without another word.

If Liria was out there…

She would find her.