Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

In the infinite expanse of the void, silence reigned. A throne of jagged obsidian sat in its center, exuding an aura of suffocating dread. Upon it, a woman was bound by chains that glowed faintly with ethereal runes, pulsing with ancient magic. Her crimson skin gleamed like molten jewels in the dim light, her golden eyes blazing with suppressed fury. Though her body was restrained, her presence was anything but diminished. She was power incarnate, even in captivity.

The woman shifted slightly, testing the chains that had bound her for years . They groaned in protest but held firm. Her lips curled into a sneer. Mortals and their petty magics. They think this will hold me forever?

She let out a bitter laugh that echoed across the void. "Idiots," she muttered, her voice dripping with contempt. "They don't realize what they've done. Sealing me here only delays the inevitable."

Her eyes closed, and for a moment, her expression softened not with kindness, but with calculation. Images of a girl with mismatched eyes and twin-toned hair flickered in her mind. A girl who had unknowingly awakened her.

"Liria," the woman murmured, her voice laced with a dangerous affection. "My sweet little piece of chaos. You don't even know what you are, do you?"

The memory of Liria's hesitant, confused demeanor brought a twisted smile to her lips. She didn't have to see the girl to know the fear that coursed through her veins. Fear was a potent tool, one this woman wielded with precision.

"They think you're their little pawn," she continued, addressing the empty void. "A plaything for their wars and their schemes. But you're mine. My blood, my legacy. And soon, you'll realize it too."

She glanced at her chains again, disdain flickering in her golden eyes. These bonds were powerful crafted by the combined efforts of the demon royals and celestial forces. But even the strongest chains had their weaknesses.

Her fingers twitched, and the runes along the chains sparked faintly. "Patience," she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else. "Patience is a virtue they taught me. A cruel joke, considering I was born to destroy virtues."

The woman's thoughts drifted to the past, to the betrayal that had landed her here. The demon royals had sealed her away, fearing her ambition and her power. Fools, the lot of them. They had claimed it was for the safety of their kingdom, for the greater good. But she knew the truth they had feared her because she was unstoppable.

And now, their descendant, the current queen, lived in blissful ignorance of the storm that brewed within her prison.

"Your little kingdom has grown complacent, Verida," she hissed, venom dripping from every word. "You and your precious Nyssara think you've won. But your downfall is already in motion."

The thought of Verida's fierce, golden gaze faltering filled her with dark amusement. She envisioned the queen brought to her knees, her kingdom consumed by fire and shadows.

Her mind returned to Liria, the unsuspecting catalyst for her plans. The girl was a fascinating puzzle. Even now, she could feel the echoes of Liria's power a fragment of her own. The black flames, the chaotic surges of energy it was all proof of their connection.

"Such potential," she mused. "And such a delightful mess you are, my dear. They see you as a threat, don't they? Even your precious grandmother, Daena. How long before they turn on you?"

Her smile widened, cruel and predatory. "It's only a matter of time. And when they do, you'll come to me. You'll have no choice."

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The chains rattled as she leaned forward, her voice growing softer, more coaxing. "And I'll be waiting. I'll show you who you truly are, Liria. Together, we'll tear this world apart."

A flicker of frustration passed through her as the chains tightened, reacting to her growing power. The runes burned brighter, searing into her flesh. She hissed in pain but refused to cry out.

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Closing her eyes, she reached out, her consciousness brushing against the faint link she had to Liria. It was fragile and tenuous, but it was enough. A seed of doubt, a whisper of temptation that was all she needed to nurture.

"Sleep well, my little chaos," she murmured, her tone almost tender. "You'll see the truth soon enough. And when you do, this world will burn."

The void around her trembled as her laughter rang out, cold and unrelenting. Though she was bound, her will was unbreakable, her purpose unwavering. Liria was her key to freedom and her weapon against a world that had dared to imprison her.

Her golden eyes burned brighter, and her thoughts drifted to a memory a day drenched in blood and power.

The air was thick with the scent of sweat and iron, the cries of a woman filling the dimly lit room. It was a humble place, the wooden beams of the ceiling cracked and warped, the only illumination a single flickering candle. On the bed lay a human woman, her face pale and strained, her hair plastered to her forehead with sweat.

"Push," came the brusque command of the midwife, a squat figure with rough hands who worked with practiced indifference.

The woman on the bed whimpered, her hands clutching the stained sheets beneath her. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her strength waning. "Please… is she here?" she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

From the corner of the room, a figure stepped forward. She was striking and wholly out of place in this dilapidated setting. Crimson skin glistened in the candlelight, and her golden eyes gleamed with amusement. Her horns spiraled upward like a crown, and her black dress shimmered as if woven from starlight.

"Yes, I'm here," the demon woman said, her tone smooth and condescending. She walked closer, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor. "Though I must say, your human resilience is disappointing. I expected more from you."

The human woman flinched but managed to hold the demon's gaze. "I… I did what you asked. Please, just… keep her safe. She's innocent."

The demon chuckled, crouching beside the bed to meet the woman's eyes. "Oh, I will keep her safe," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Safe, so she can fulfill her purpose. You've done well, pet. Consider your debt repaid."

The woman's lips trembled, but she nodded weakly. Her body convulsed as another wave of pain tore through her, and she let out a guttural scream.

"Push harder," the midwife snapped, oblivious to the exchange.

Moments later, the room filled with the sharp cry of a newborn. The midwife worked quickly, cutting the cord and wrapping the infant in a rough cloth. She handed the baby to the demon woman without hesitation, clearly aware of her place.

The demon cradled the child with an unexpected gentleness, her golden eyes narrowing as she took in the sight before her. The infant was small but striking, her hair a mix of midnight black and silver even as a newborn. Her mismatched eyes one amber and one green glimmered faintly, as if aware of the world around her.

"Magnificent," the demon murmured, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "You'll be perfect."

The human woman's eyes fluttered open, her gaze fixed on the child. "Let me… let me see her," she begged weakly.

The demon woman tilted her head, as if considering the request, before turning the child slightly to face her mother. "Here she is," she said, her tone almost kind.

The woman reached out a trembling hand but froze as her strength gave out. Her breath hitched, and her body went still, her eyes closing for the final time.

The demon stood, unbothered, looking down at the lifeless form with a cold smirk. "Well, that saves me the trouble," she remarked, cradling the infant closer. She turned to the midwife. "Clean this up. The child and I have important work ahead of us."

The midwife nodded silently, already moving to remove the body.

The demon stepped out of the room, the baby in her arms, and glanced at the sky above. The stars seemed to burn brighter that night, as if heralding the arrival of something monumental.

"You'll grow strong, my little chaos," the demon whispered to the child. "And one day, we'll show this world the true meaning of power."

The infant cooed softly, unaware of the destiny being woven around her.

In the void, the demon woman on the throne clenched her fists, the chains biting into her skin. "They thought they could steal you away from me," she growled, her voice echoing with rage. "But you're mine, Liria. You've always been mine."