A Fiery Encounter

"Keep it up, System, and I'll see if Daena can give you a good smacking too."

[Oh, the horror. That would simply devastate my nonexistent physical form.]

Liria couldn't help but smirk, feeling victorious. But as they strolled down the forest path back toward the cabin, Daena suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing.

"What's wrong?" Liria asked, instantly on guard.

Daena tilted her head, listening intently. "We're not alone."

Just as she spoke, a soft rustle came from the bushes to their right, followed by the faintest of giggles a sound that was as eerie as it was beautiful. Before Liria could react, a girl stepped out onto the path, her expression one of pure, haughty arrogance.

Liria froze. She recognized that look. There was only one character in Lady Viper's Vow with a smirk that irritating.

This had to be her: the princess of the demons, the central villainess, and self-proclaimed future queen of terror herself. Enara Valthorne.

Enara was as striking as Liria had imagined, with raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders, so glossy it shimmered with faint hints of violet under the sunlight. Her skin was porcelain pale, contrasting sharply with her midnight eyes , eyes that seemed to peer right into a person's soul, as if weighing it and finding it wanting. And though she was only twelve, her stance had the haughty elegance of someone far beyond her years.

She wore a crimson dress embroidered with black roses, and a delicate silver circlet sat atop her head, half-hidden by her hair. In her hands, she held a polished obsidian dagger, idly twirling it as if it were merely a toy.

"Who are you?" Liria asked, trying to mask her nerves. She might know this character well, but meeting her in the flesh was another matter entirely.

Enara's lips curved into a smile that would've sent chills down a lesser mortal's spine. "Who am I? Little human, do you not know? I am Enara Valthorne, daughter of the Dark Plains of Noctir, heir to the demon throne. And who, pray tell, are you to question me?"

Daena's brows knitted together as she gave Enara an appraising look. "And what is a demon princess doing so far from her homeland? It's hardly safe for someone like you to be wandering about alone."

Enara narrowed her eyes at Daena, her expression venomous. "Alone? Ha! As if I would need protection in a place like this."

Liria's System immediately pinged, as if eager to provide information.

[Status Update for Enara Valthorne]

Name: Enara Valthorne

Age: 12

Race: Demon Princess

Level: 12

Health: 700/700

Magic: 500/500

Attributes:

Strength: 18

Agility: 20

Endurance: 16

Intelligence: 22

Magic: 30

Abilities:

Darkfire Manipulation (Level 3)Shadow Step (Level 2)Royal Intimidation (Level 1)Charm (Level 1)

[Observation: Warning: This individual is significantly more powerful than you. Suggested strategy: avoid direct confrontation unless you wish to be flambéed.]

Liria squinted at the stats, bristling. "Oh, please. Avoid direct confrontation? She's twelve. How bad could it be?"

[Let's not find out, shall we?]

Enara's gaze turned to Liria, her smile sharpening. "And you, human? You seem to know quite a bit for someone so unremarkable. Do you even possess magic? Or did the forest grant you your dubious bravado?"

Liria felt her cheeks heat up. "Listen here, 'Princess.' Just because you have a fancy dress and a little knife doesn't mean you can go around calling people unremarkable."

Daena put a hand on Liria's shoulder, as if sensing she might start a fight she couldn't win. "Perhaps we're getting off on the wrong foot here."

Enara's eyes flicked to Daena, her expression softening slightly, though the disdain was still there. "I suppose… I can forgive the child's ignorance. After all, humans are a pitiful species. Tell me, why are you here in my forest?"

"Oh, your forest now, is it?" Liria snorted. "News flash, you're not the queen yet. This forest belongs to everyone."

Enara's face turned a shade darker, her eyes narrowing. "Is that so? Maybe I should demonstrate the power of the true ruler of these lands."

Liria's fingers itched toward her new sword. She didn't care what the System said about avoiding a fight. No bratty demon princess was going to scare her off her path home.

But Daena stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Enara. "We're not here to challenge you, Princess. My granddaughter and I simply live in the woods nearby, and we're passing through on our way to the human town."

Enara's mouth twisted into a slight sneer. "Living in human territory? How tragic."

Liria barely suppressed a laugh. "At least we don't have to worry about people trying to bow to us every time we sneeze. Must be exhausting to keep up that 'intimidating villainess' act all the time."

Enara's gaze flicked back to her, and for a second, something like surprise crossed her face. "Intimidating? Me? Hardly. It's not an act, little human. Power is simply something I was born with."

"Maybe, but does that make you any better?" Liria retorted. "Just because you were born a princess doesn't mean you've earned anything."

A flicker of genuine anger sparked in Enara's eyes. "And what would you know about power, little forest mouse? Have you even seen real magic?"

Before Liria could open her mouth, Enara raised her hand, summoning a dark flame that danced ominously on her palm. It was black as midnight, with tendrils of crimson, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor.

Daena's face turned serious. "Be careful with that. Even a princess shouldn't wield such magic lightly."

Enara ignored her, letting the flame grow larger, more intense, until it was the size of a small fireball.

Liria swallowed, though she wasn't about to back down. "Nice party trick."

"Party trick?" Enara smirked, tossing the flame into the air. It shot up, exploding in a flash that momentarily blocked out the sun. Birds squawked and flew from the trees, and for a brief moment, the forest was silent.

Daena clapped slowly, unimpressed. "Impressive… but such theatrics won't get you far."

Enara's face twisted in annoyance, but before she could respond, Daena held up a hand. "Why don't you run along, princess? Playtime's over. We have errands to run, and we'd rather avoid attracting unnecessary attention."

Enara's gaze turned sharp, but she seemed to hesitate. Perhaps she hadn't expected such a dismissive response from a human. Her hand flexed around her dagger, as though she wanted to lash out but couldn't quite bring herself to.

Liria stepped forward, grinning as she tilted her head. "See you around, Your Highness. And if you're planning on causing trouble, remember: I've faced worse."

Enara gave a dark chuckle. "Is that so? We'll see, little mouse." Her eyes gleamed, and she leaned in close, whispering. "Next time, you won't be so lucky."

And with that, she turned on her heel and melted back into the forest, disappearing as suddenly as she had appeared.

As soon as she was gone, Liria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Well. That was... something."

[System Alert: Congratulations on surviving an encounter with the future Queen of Nightmares. Reward: Slight increase in Agility and an official "Survival Instinct" badge.]

Liria rolled her eyes. "A badge? What am I supposed to do with a badge?"

[It's symbolic. Be grateful you're alive to earn it.]

Daena gave her an approving nod. "You did well to stand your ground, Liria. But be careful. A girl like that doesn't make idle threats."

"Oh, I'm sure we'll be seeing her again," Liria replied, a hint of excitement tingling in her veins. This encounter was only the beginning, and she'd be ready next time.

After all, a "little forest mouse" wasn't something she planned on being for long.