Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

I watched, frozen, as the chaos unfolded around me, helpless beneath the iron grip of Azael's shadowy control. Every muscle in my body was held tight, immobilized by invisible chains that pressed painfully into my bones. My mind screamed against the binding, clawed desperately at the edges of my consciousness, but no matter how fiercely I fought, the enchantment was stronger. It whispered into my veins, filled my blood with cold, thick darkness, drowning any trace of free will beneath its oppressive weight.

In the distance, the human warrior glowing irritatingly bright with that damned holy sword continued his relentless assault on Azael. His every strike sent dazzling flares of divine magic streaking through the air, clashing spectacularly against the dark power my captor wielded. It was like watching a storm battle the sunrise: fierce, vibrant, breathtakingly dangerous, and completely infuriating.

"Pathetic," Azael hissed, golden eyes blazing with fury as she stepped backward, forced onto the defensive for the first time. "Do you truly believe a mere mortal can stand against me?"

The human smirked confidently, pushing forward steadily, his blade cutting effortlessly through every shadow she threw at him. "Seems like I'm doing pretty well so far," he replied calmly, voice strong and determined despite the chaos surrounding us.

I felt my stomach twist unpleasantly. There was something about his unwavering heroism, that unshakable confidence and nobility, that made me feel irrationally annoyed, even though logically, I knew I should be relieved someone was finally challenging Azael. Maybe it was because I'd grown accustomed to darkness and cruelty or maybe it was something far more personal, and infinitely more painful.

The human glanced briefly toward the castle gates, his gaze assessing, careful. "Everyone clear!" he shouted suddenly, voice booming commandingly across the battlefield. "Now's your chance retreat while I hold her!"

My heart lurched painfully as I saw Enara rise shakily to her feet, her dark cloak billowing around her like wings. She looked exhausted, wounded, yet undeniably fierce as she gathered her shadows protectively around Daena and the others. For just a moment, our eyes met across the distance mine desperate, pleading, hers determined yet filled with lingering sorrow.

Then, without another word, Enara turned away sharply, helping Daena and the remaining survivors retreat swiftly toward the inner sanctum, disappearing from view behind the shattered castle walls. A deep ache settled heavily in my chest as I watched them vanish leaving me behind, alone, trapped, forced to watch everything crumble around me.

Azael snarled furiously, lashing out violently with tendrils of darkness, frustration sharpening each strike as her targets escaped. "Cowards! You will pay dearly for this!"

But the human warrior moved swiftly, deflecting every attack with infuriating ease. He seemed utterly unfazed, almost as if this kind of desperate battle was merely routine for him. It made me irrationally angry.

[I wouldn't get too irritated if I were you,] came the annoyingly familiar, smug voice in my head. [This guy happens to be the protagonist the hero of this entire world, remember? He's supposed to be charmingly heroic and disgustingly noble.]

The hero? I thought, heart sinking even further. You're telling me the guy glowing like a cheap lightbulb is the actual, official hero of this messed-up world?

[Unfortunately, yes,] the system confirmed cheerfully. [And just like in the original novel, Enara is totally going to fall head over heels for him. Congratulations, you've officially triggered the main plotline. Hope you enjoy heartbreak and existential despair again.]

I felt a sickening twist deep in my gut, a raw wave of jealousy and bitterness so intense it almost physically hurt. Of course Enara would fall for him why wouldn't she? He was brave, noble, and irritatingly good-looking, standing there with his stupid heroic hair tousled perfectly by the battle, his face smudged artistically with dirt, his stupid glowing sword that practically screamed "I'm special."

How could I even begin to compete with that? Especially now, trapped beneath Azael's control, nothing more than a helpless puppet forced to watch as everything I cared about slipped further and further away.

[I'm sensing jealousy,] the system said teasingly. [A lot of jealousy, actually. Do you want to talk about it? I can offer supportive sarcasm or tough love, your choice.]

Shut up, I snapped irritably. Just please shut up.

The system chuckled quietly, then mercifully fell silent, leaving me alone with my swirling, conflicted thoughts as I stood frozen, still watching the battle play out before me.

The human warrior pressed forward steadily, his divine magic growing stronger with every passing moment, overwhelming Azael's increasingly desperate attempts to counter him. It was becoming painfully clear even to her that this fight was not going as she'd planned.

I could feel Azael's anger radiating outward, powerful and uncontrolled, a terrifying storm brewing beneath her outward composure. Her frustration built to dangerous heights, shadows writhing wildly around her like living things, eager to tear apart anything and everything in their path.

"Enough of this nonsense," she finally snarled, eyes blazing dangerously. She turned sharply toward me, golden gaze narrowed with cold fury. "Come, Liria. It's time we ended this ridiculous farce."

My body moved obediently despite my frantic, internal resistance, forced forward by the enchantment's merciless grip. I walked slowly, mechanically, until I stood beside her, a silent puppet, unable to even protest as she placed a possessive hand on my shoulder once again.

The human warrior hesitated, watching me warily. His expression was thoughtful, surprisingly gentle despite the chaos and devastation around us. "You don't have to do this," he said quietly, voice steady and reassuring, speaking directly to me. "Fight her control. You're stronger than this I can sense it."

For a brief, agonizing moment, hope surged desperately within me. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a way out a chance to break free of this nightmare, to finally escape Azael's suffocating hold.

But the enchantment tightened painfully around me, squeezing tighter and tighter, drowning out even that faint glimmer of hope beneath its oppressive weight.

"She belongs to me now," Azael declared coldly, her grip on my shoulder painfully tight. "Your heroics won't change anything."

The warrior frowned slightly, clearly troubled but resolute. "We'll see about that."

Before either of us could react, he lunged forward suddenly, sword blazing brilliantly as he struck swiftly at Azael. She deflected instinctively, shadows clashing violently against his radiant magic, but the force of his attack pushed her backward sharply, creating a momentary opening.

His gaze met mine again briefly, his expression surprisingly sincere and determined. "Hold on a little longer. I'll free you I promise."

My heart twisted painfully at his words, caught between desperate longing and stubborn resentment. Part of me yearned fiercely for freedom, for release from this torturous control, yet another part despised the thought of owing my rescue to this irritatingly noble, heroic stranger.

Azael recovered swiftly, her fury now boiling over uncontrollably. Shadows erupted violently around her in a furious tempest, blasting outward in all directions, forcing even the human warrior back momentarily.

"We're done here," she growled harshly, voice trembling with barely-contained rage. "Enjoy your hollow victory, hero it will be your last."

With a furious gesture, she summoned a massive surge of shadows, enveloping us both instantly. Darkness consumed my vision, smothering everything beneath its oppressive weight, until finally, mercifully, we vanished entirely from the battlefield.

The shadows cleared slowly, reluctantly revealing our new surroundings a desolate plateau overlooking the distant, burning remains of Enara's kingdom. The air here felt heavy, thick with despair and lingering traces of powerful magic. My heart ached bitterly at the sight below everything I had once loved now lay ruined, crushed beneath the weight of betrayal, war, and my own helplessness.

Azael released her grip on my shoulder, stepping forward to gaze coldly out over the devastation below. Her fury had quieted slightly, replaced by a calculating, dangerous calm that frightened me far more.

"They'll return," she said quietly, eyes narrowed with grim determination. "And when they do, we'll be ready."

I stood silently beside her, feeling utterly broken and defeated, trapped in a nightmare I had no hope of escaping. The hero had won a small victory today but deep down, I knew the real battle was far from over.

Because even if he did succeed in freeing me what then? Could I truly return to Enara's side after everything I'd done? And worse still, could I bear to watch her fall in love with someone else, someone noble and good someone who deserved her far more than I ever could?

The questions burned fiercely within me, each more painful than the last. But I had no answers, no relief, nothing left but darkness and silence.

[Oh, cheer up,] the system said brightly, sensing my spiraling despair. [Things could always get worse! You know, considering your luck, they probably will.]

And for the first time, as despair overwhelmed me completely, I was forced to admit bitterly that the system was right.

I stood in silence, the shadows around my feet cold and clinging, as if they, too, knew I no longer belonged to the light. Below, the smoke still curled from the ruined walls of Enara's kingdom, a place I once called home. My fists clenched uselessly at my sides. I couldn't scream. I couldn't cry. I couldn't even turn away.

Above me, the sky was fractured with crimson veins of fading magic, and in that sickening light, I imagined her Enara safe, alive… looking at him with something like hope in her eyes.

And I hated that it wasn't me.