Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard-Chapter 205: Tea and Consequences

Daena sat at her favorite table in the corner of the dimly lit tea room, staring moodily into her cup. The room was a strange little place, tucked away at the edge of the village, run by an eccentric demon named Nyleth, whose long, violet hair had a habit of getting into the tea leaves. Daena suspected this added flavor rather than detracted from it, although she never mentioned it aloud. She wasn't in the habit of insulting those who made her tea, especially when that tea was strong enough to soothe or at least temporarily distract from the chaos swirling around her life.

The tea room itself was a peculiar space, decorated with a collection of furniture that looked like it had been scavenged from at least a dozen different eras and tastes. There were chairs upholstered in faded velvet, tables of polished black marble, and rugs woven in colors that clashed so badly they somehow came full circle into accidental harmony. The walls were painted a rich, dark teal and were covered in framed portraits of various historical figures all of whom looked distinctly irritated to have ended up on Nyleth's wall. Daena suspected this was deliberate, as though Nyleth took particular pleasure in tormenting historical figures in effigy.

She sighed, the sound lost beneath the soft murmur of other customers, each hunched over steaming mugs, whispering anxiously or muttering into their cups. Eldermire had fallen, news of its destruction spreading faster than she'd anticipated, and now the village she'd chosen as her temporary refuge had become unbearably anxious. Her own anxiousness, however, had little to do with imminent danger—she was more than capable of handling herself and everything to do with the hollow ache that had settled in her chest since her encounter with Liria.

"Are you trying to glare the tea into submission, my dear?" Nyleth said cheerfully, appearing beside Daena's table as silently as smoke. She carried a small silver tray piled high with miniature pastries shaped like tiny dragons, their scales dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Daena eyed the pastries suspiciously; last time she'd eaten one, it had actually tried to fly away, and while amusing, it had ruined her appetite completely.

"I doubt even my glare is powerful enough to intimidate this tea," Daena said dryly, lifting her cup with exaggerated care. "It tastes like it's already lost all hope."

Nyleth laughed, a musical sound that drifted through the room, momentarily lightening the oppressive atmosphere. "Nonsense, Queen Daena. Hope is precisely what I steep my tea in. Well, that and a dash of despair, just for balance."

Daena raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. Nyleth had a way of speaking that left one uncertain whether she was entirely serious or entirely insane. Daena suspected both were equally true.

"Is it helping at least?" Nyleth asked gently, leaning in slightly as though sharing a secret. Her violet hair fell forward in a cascade, perilously close to landing in Daena's tea.

Daena hesitated, her lips tightening. "Not as much as I'd hoped."

Nyleth sighed dramatically, setting the tray on the table. One of the tiny pastries promptly stretched its wings and gave an experimental flap. "Perhaps you just haven't drunk enough yet. There's magic in the bottom of that cup, you know."

Daena frowned down into the tea, half-expecting to see runes forming at the bottom. All she saw was murky liquid and her own troubled reflection staring back at her. "All I'm seeing is my own scowl."

"Oh, that's the despair. Drink a bit more, dear." Nyleth smiled brightly, patting Daena gently on the shoulder. "I'll be here if you need anything."

She glided away, leaving Daena alone with her tea, her thoughts, and a dragon-shaped pastry that was now cautiously sniffing the air. Daena picked it up carefully between two fingers and regarded it sternly. "Don't even think about it," she warned. It gave a tiny squeak of protest but obediently folded its sugary wings again.

The door opened abruptly, letting in a gust of damp air scented with rain and unease. Daena glanced up, her eyes narrowing in suspicion at the newcomer, then softened into mild amusement. Enara had just entered, her dark hair plastered to her face, eyes flashing with annoyance as she shook droplets of water from her cloak onto Nyleth's garish rug.

Enara scanned the room quickly, spotted Daena in her shadowy corner, and strode toward her, the hem of her cloak leaving a damp trail behind her. Several patrons shot her irritated looks, which she ignored effortlessly.

"You're late," Daena said mildly, setting her cup down. "And dripping."

"I noticed," Enara snapped, pulling off her cloak and draping it over the back of an empty chair. She dropped into the seat opposite Daena with a sigh, eyeing the tiny pastry suspiciously. "Why is your snack glaring at me?"

Daena shrugged, pushing the plate closer. "Maybe it thinks you're planning to eat it."

"Not if it keeps looking at me like that," Enara muttered, pouring herself tea from the teapot on the table. She took a sip and made a face. "This tastes like sorrow."

Daena smiled faintly. "Apparently, it's hope and despair."

Enara gave her a skeptical look but took another cautious sip. "I mostly taste despair."

"Probably a bad batch," Daena replied lightly. "Too much existential dread, not enough optimism."

Enara laughed softly, shaking her head. The sound was brief, but it lifted something heavy from Daena's chest, if only for a moment. "I missed your dry humor."

Daena's smile faded, her gaze returning to the dark liquid swirling in her cup. "Humor helps distract from how spectacularly everything is falling apart."

Enara's expression shifted, the lines around her eyes deepening with worry. "You're still thinking about her."

Daena stiffened slightly, fingers tightening around her cup. "Always."

Enara leaned closer, voice lowering. "You know we're going to have to face them soon. Azael's forces won't stop at Eldermire."

"I know," Daena whispered, staring into the shadows swirling gently in her tea. "I just wish—"

"You wish things were different," Enara finished softly, her own voice aching with longing. "Me too. But wishing won't change reality."

Daena sighed deeply, the heaviness returning swiftly, pressing against her chest like an anvil. "Unfortunately, reality seems quite determined to be disappointing."

Enara smiled sadly, her dark eyes glistening in the dim candlelight. "Then we'll just have to be more determined to defy it."

Daena stared at her friend, at the stubborn tilt of her chin, the fierceness blazing behind her eyes, and felt a sudden spark reignite inside her. Perhaps the tea had more magic than she'd given it credit for, after all. She reached out, gently squeezing Enara's hand.

"Alright," Daena said quietly, her voice steadying. "If defiance is what it takes, then let's defy reality together."

Enara squeezed back, her grip strong, comforting. "Good. Because reality really needs a swift kick right about now."

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Daena laughed softly, feeling lighter than she had in days. "Indeed."

Across the room, Nyleth watched them with a knowing smile, her violet hair gleaming softly in the candlelight. She raised her own cup in silent toast, the gesture lost in the flickering shadows.

They had no idea just how much magic was truly in that tea.

Nyleth hummed softly to herself, moving gracefully between the tables as she collected empty cups and refilled tea pots. Her violet hair shimmered faintly under the gentle glow of candlelight, strands occasionally drifting down to brush against her patrons sometimes intentionally, sometimes accidentally but always leaving a subtle trace of enchantment behind.

She paused beside the small, round window set deep into the teal-painted wall, peering thoughtfully out into the darkening village streets. Night was swiftly falling, shadows lengthening into strange shapes beneath flickering lamplight. Somewhere beyond the village's edge, she sensed the gathering darkness, the storm that would soon sweep away their brief respite.

Yet, for tonight at least, this strange little haven she had carved out of chaos would stand firm.

Turning away from the window, she cast another glance toward Daena and Enara, their heads bent close together, their expressions filled with determination rather than despair. Nyleth smiled knowingly, a quiet satisfaction blooming within her chest. She'd always believed tea was one of the oldest, most subtle magics in existence capable of soothing hearts, strengthening resolve, and offering hope when hope seemed impossible.

She moved behind the small counter tucked neatly into a far corner, pulling open a wooden drawer carved with intricate swirling patterns. From within, she withdrew a small silver box, beautifully polished yet faintly tarnished with age. Carefully, almost reverently, she opened it to reveal a tiny glass vial filled with shimmering silver liquid. Moonlight essence, bottled beneath the light of a rare lunar eclipse a magic so potent, she rarely dared use it.

But tonight, circumstances demanded something stronger than hope alone.

She uncorked the vial carefully, pouring a single drop into a fresh pot of tea. It dissolved instantly, rippling softly outward before vanishing without a trace. The tea itself didn't change color or scent but the air around it hummed softly, almost imperceptibly, with the ancient enchantment.

Satisfied, she sealed the vial away once more, tucked the box safely back into the drawer, and lifted the newly infused tea pot onto a tray.

She crossed the room with gentle footsteps, placing the tray between Daena and Enara with a conspiratorial smile. "On the house, dears. You both look like you could use something a little stronger."

Enara raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Is it still mostly despair?"

Nyleth chuckled warmly. "I promise, this batch is a little more optimistic."

Daena regarded the tea thoughtfully, her violet eyes meeting Nyleth's. For a moment, understanding seemed to pass silently between them a brief acknowledgment of what was at stake, and the quiet strength they'd need to survive it.

"Thank you," Daena murmured softly.

Nyleth merely inclined her head gently, stepping away to allow them their privacy. She returned to her spot behind the counter, quietly content.