Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

The castle loomed as the carriage pulled into the grand courtyard, its spires silhouetted against the darkening sky. The second the wheels stopped, the door swung open, and Milara was already there, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Liria!" she squealed, her dainty horns jangling with gold chains as she threw her arms wide. "You're back! Oh, you look… earthy."

"Thanks," I grumbled, stepping out and leaving a trail of dirt on the pristine stone steps. "It's a bold new look: 'Decomposing chic.'"

Milara, ever the optimist, clapped her hands. "You pull it off so well! But let's get you cleaned up. You're not meeting the queen looking like that."

"I wasn't planning to meet anyone," I muttered, dragging my feet toward my room. Ananara, perched on my shoulder, offered no support.

"Honestly," he sniffed, "if you'd just left me in charge, we wouldn't be in this situation. Your complete lack of grace is becoming legendary."

[Legendary for all the wrong reasons,] the system added. [Also, Daena's still furious. Good luck.]

"Great," I muttered under my breath. "Can't wait for round two."

After a scalding-hot shower that felt like salvation itself, I trudged back to my room to find Daena waiting. She sat in a high-backed chair, her glowing violet eyes boring into me.

"Do you have any idea," she began in a tone that could curdle milk, "how much that little 'incident' at the Academy cost me?"

I winced. "Uh… a lot?"

"Fifteen thousand ember shards."

"Fifteen thousand?!"

"Do you know what that translates to in mortal terms? Enough to buy an entire town."

[Impressive. You're officially an economic disaster zone.]

"I can pay you back," I offered weakly.

Daena snorted. "With what? Your endless charisma? Just behave yourself from now on. You're lucky I didn't pull you out of the Academy altogether."

"Noted," I muttered, head down.

"Good. Now, get dressed. Dinner's in the grand hall, and you'll be on your best behavior."

The grand dining room was as intimidating as ever, its long, polished table lined with gleaming candelabras and velvet-upholstered chairs. Enara lounged at her usual seat, flanked by her parents: Queen Verida, looking as regal and fierce as a thunderstorm, and Queen Nyssara, her calm demeanor betraying nothing. Milara, of course, had taken a seat beside Liria, her sparkling amber eyes glowing with uncontainable joy.

"Ah, the infamous Liria," Verida said as I slid into my chair. "I hear you've been… productive."

Nyssara arched a delicate brow. "Fifteen thousand ember shards' worth of productivity."

Enara smirked, stabbing her fork into a piece of roast. "Oh, it was legendary. She destroyed half the principal's office and got sentenced to manual labor. Quite the role model."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I groaned, sinking lower in my seat. "Can we not?"

"But we must," Verida said, leaning forward. "Because as Enara's bodyguard, your primary duty is to remain with her. Not gallivanting off on your own destructive adventures."

[They're not wrong, you know.]

I mentally swatted at the system.

Verida continued, her golden eyes boring into mine. "If this pattern continues, we'll have to reconsider your role here."

"Mother," Enara interjected, smirking. "Give her some credit. She did manage to survive manual labor without collapsing. Barely." Stay updated with empire

Milara, ever the cheerleader, chimed in, "I think Liria's doing wonderfully! And she looks radiant tonight!"

Verida sighed, clearly unimpressed, while Nyssara sipped her wine, her expression unreadable. Daena, seated at the far end of the table, silently watched the exchange with a look that promised more lectures later.

Hours later, I stumbled into my room, exhausted and grateful for the solitude. Ananara hopped onto my desk, inspecting the trinkets I'd accumulated.

"Do you think the queens are mad at you?" he asked, his tone smug.

"Gee, you think?" I shot back, flopping onto the bed.

[Well, they won't stay mad for long,] the system chimed in. [Because you've got bigger things to worry about. Like your next mission.]

I groaned. "What now?"

[Introducing: Dungeon Protocol! I've generated a customized dungeon for you to clear. It's a pocket dimension designed to test your skills and resilience. Monsters start at level 1 and increase to level 15. Each floor gets progressively harder, but the rewards are worth it.]

"Rewards?" I sat up, intrigued despite myself.

[Gold, gear, and stat bonuses. Plus, you might actually learn something. Doubtful, but possible.]

"Do I have a choice?"

[Oh, you always have a choice, Liria,] the system replied with a tone drenched in mockery. [You could choose to fail, embarrass yourself, and possibly lose your bodyguard title. Or, you could enter the Trial of the Shifting Labyrinth and try to survive. Your call.]

"Shifting Labyrinth?"

[Catchy, right? I spent .03 seconds naming it. It's a dynamic dungeon, meaning the layout changes every time you enter. No map, no shortcuts. You'll love it.]

"Love isn't the word I'd use," I muttered.

[Too late! Time's ticking. I've synced it so that three hours inside the dungeon equals one hour outside. Your bed won't even miss you.]

Before I could protest further, the system continued, launching into an unnervingly cheerful explanation of the labyrinth.

The Trial of the Shifting Labyrinth was no ordinary dungeon. Designed to test every facet of a novice adventurer's skills, it started with a sprawling stone chamber illuminated by eerie, blue-green flames that flickered with every step.

The monsters, while not overly powerful, were cunning and varied:

Shadow Imps: These tiny, nimble creatures darted between shadows, clawing at exposed skin and cackling as they fled. They were low-level but annoying enough to test patience.

Crystal Wasps: Flying insects with sharp, translucent wings that buzzed in grating harmony. Their stings caused mild paralysis, forcing combatants to fight smarter, not harder.

Moss Hounds: Plant-like wolves with glowing eyes and tendrils instead of fur. They moved in packs, overwhelming with coordinated attacks.

Glint Beetles: Shimmering bugs that left trails of light, luring adventurers into traps or ambushes.

The labyrinth itself was alive in its own way. Floors shifted unexpectedly, walls appeared where corridors once were, and glowing runes served as clues or decoys. On every fifth floor, a Wardkeeper guarded the exit. These larger creatures, such as a hulking Stone Sentinel or a flame-spewing Ember Drake, demanded actual strategy.

[Don't worry,] the system reassured. [If you die in there, you'll respawn. The catch? You'll need to wait 24 hours to re-enter. And any progress you've made? Poof. Back to square one.]