Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

The sun wasn't even properly up yet, and Melisa was already staring at herself in the mirror like it held all life's answers. Which it didn't, because if it did, it would tell her why people thought scheduling a conference at 7:30 in the fucking morning was a good idea.

[Seriously, can't these things wait until *after* we've all let our coffee settle and, I dunno, had lunch or something? Geez.]

Her eyes roamed her own look. She'd spent the better part of the morning right here, just trying to get her outfit right.

[At least I look presentable,] she thought, smoothing down her deep purple dress for the millionth time. The cut was respectable enough for a speech, but still showed off just enough cleavage to remind everyone that nim weren't exactly known for their modesty. [Though maybe I should've gone with something less... nim-like? No, that probably defeats the whole point.]

"You're overthinking again," Raven said quietly from the bed, still wrapped in sheets and looking adorably disheveled. Her usually perfect black hair was a mess, probably from all the 'stress relief' they'd engaged in last night.

"I'm not overthinking. I'm doing the exact appropriate amount of thinking. And, by the way, shouldn't you be getting dressed?"

"... I'm not the one giving a speech," she said. "Getting dressed won't take me long."

[She's talking more these days,] Melisa noted. [Good. I like hearing her talk. It's calming... She would absolutely kill it back on Earth, if she tried running an ASMR channel.]

Melisa took a deep breath, watching her reflection do the same. The academy uniform had been modified slightly, still proper enough for a student but with touches that screamed 'also kind of a big deal.'

"You'll do fine," Raven said, finally dragging herself out of bed. She was still getting used to this whole 'supportive girlfriend' thing, but she was trying. And, well, Melisa appreciated it. "Just... be yourself?"

"Be myself. Right. The nim who spent most of last week getting railed by her cousin. Perfect role model material."

"I meant the other parts of yourself. The ones that don't involve Isabella's cock."

Melisa couldn't help but laugh. Not even so much at what Raven said, but rather just hearing the word "cock" come out of her mouth felt bizarre.

"When did you get so funny?"

"Was that funny? I was being completely serious."

That just made Melisa giggle harder.

The walk through the academy was surreal. Students of all ages were already up and about, some heading to early classes, others probably just curious about the conference.

Haughty young adults in perfectly pressed uniforms crossed paths with bleary-eyed teenagers who looked like they'd rather be anywhere else. Some stared as she passed, others pretended not to notice her.

[This is weird. This is so weird. I'm still supposed to be one of them! Instead, I'm about to get up on stage and try to be some kind of... what? Role model? Leader? Professional 'please don't murder all the humans out of righteous vengeance' spokesperson?]

"Your horns are twitching," Raven murmured, close enough that her breath tickled Melisa's ear.

"Shut up," Melisa muttered, but she was smiling. "You know, you don't have to come to this thing. It's going to be boring as hell."

"I..." Raven looked away. "I'm sure there's a small chance something will happen. And, if something does, I'd like to be there for you."

"..." Melisa looked at her.

[... FUUUUUCK, that was so cute!]

They passed the training yards where Melisa had spent countless hours learning to control her magic. Now some pre-teens were there, more magical talent than discipline, flinging spells around with wild abandon.

The conference hall loomed ahead, already filling with people.

[Well, here we go. No pressure. Just the future of an entire race riding on not fucking this up. Sure. Fine. Totally normal morning.]

"Hey," Raven caught her hand, squeezing gently. "You've got this."

[Maybe,] Melisa thought, squeezing back. [But if I don't, there's always Plan B: Orgy.]

---

{Aria}

The carriage wheels clattered against the cobblestones, and Aria resisted the urge to peek through the curtains again.

She knew exactly what she'd see, of course. Crowds of curious people following her carriage, all hoping to catch a glimpse of their (relatively) new queen. Some were probably already climbing on each other's shoulders for a better view.

[Which is exactly what I wanted,] she thought, smoothing down her white dress. The fabric was probably worth more than some people made in a year, but being queen meant looking the part. [The more people who show up to hear Melisa speak, the better... Though I could do without the constant gawking.]

Having been the princess of Syux up until last year, she thought she'd be ready for it. But, all the time spent trying to patch things up with Rhaya outside of the city had perhaps had the adverse effect of preventing that from happening. Oh well.

"Your Majesty," Lord Caelum's voice drew her attention. The older advisor sat across from her, looking distinctly uncomfortable about something. His grey beard twitched as he spoke, which always happened when he was nervous. "Are you certain about the security arrangements?"

"I will trust the academy's protective measures," Aria said, though she couldn't help but add, "And the royal guards. And the city watch. And whatever other security forces you've probably hidden around the grounds. Did you perhaps hire some invisible assassins too?"

"This is hardly a joking matter, Your Majesty."

"Who's joking? I'm being completely serious. Wouldn't put it past you."

"One can never be too careful."

[One can absolutely be too careful, in my honest opinion,] she thought, but kept that to herself. Last time she'd said that out loud, Caelum had subjected her to a two-hour lecture on historical assassination attempts. [If normal people had just a bit more access to Mother, for example, maybe someone would have seen the moment in which she died. Or, maybe I'm being unreasonable.]

The carriage hit a bump, making her bounce slightly in her seat.

[Life really does have a sense of humor, doesn't it? I was so convinced Melisa had something to do with Mother's murder. Now, I helped to promote her speech, hehe... Mother would have a fit if she could see me now.]

"I've stationed guards at all major entry points," Caelum continued, consulting a small notebook that seemed to appear from nowhere. "And we have mages monitoring for any suspicious spell activity. I've also taken the liberty of-"

"Installing trap doors under every seat?" Aria suggested. "Hidden crossbows in the walls?"

"Your Majesty, please."

"I doubt anyone's going to try anything," Aria said, softening her tone. Poor Caelum looked like he might have a heart attack. "But I appreciate the precautions."

[Though if someone does try something, the royal guards will probably just set them on fire, on sight.]

"And the emergency escape routes-"

"Are all properly mapped out and memorized," Aria finished for him. "Just like the last three times we went over them."

"Four times, Your Majesty."

"My point exactly."

The carriage rolled to a stop, and as Aria walked out, she caught a glimpse of purple skin and black hair in the distance. Melisa, hurrying into the conference hall with her black-haired friend.

[At least she showed up. Would've been awkward to promote a speech where the speaker didn't bother to come.]

"Your Majesty!" Headmistress Eliana's voice cut through the growing crowd noise. The silver-haired woman approached with her usual dignified grace, though Aria noticed she looked slightly frazzled. Her normally perfect bun had a few strands escaping. "We're honored by your presence. I trust your journey was pleasant?"

"As pleasant as it can be with half the city trying to chase down my carriage," Aria said dryly. "Headmistress, I was hoping there might be somewhere quiet I could wait until the speech begins? I'd rather not steal attention from the actual speaker."

[Plus, if I have to hear one more person call me 'Your Majesty' in that tone that suggests they're worried I might spontaneously combust, I might scream. Or actually spontaneously combust, just to give them something real to worry about.]

"Of course, of course! Please, follow me. We've prepared a private room where you can-" Eliana paused, watching a group of nobles trying to subtly follow them. "Perhaps we should use the side entrance."

"Thank you."

As they walked, Aria caught snippets of conversation from the gathering crowd. Not all of it was friendly. Words like "monster" and "savage" drifted past, making her jaw clench.

"Charming people," she muttered.

"You should have seen how things were when Miss Blackflame first got here. If you ask me, people have actually started to come around."

[Well, Melisa,] Aria thought, following Eliana through a side door that probably hadn't seen use in decades, judging by the dust. [Let's see what you've got in store for us. No pressure or anything. Just the near future of all of Syux could be influenced by this little speech of yours. No pressure at all, really.]