Reincarnated As The Villainess's Best Friend

My heart thudded heavily in my chest, its pace quickening as the moments passed.

"Fuck," I muttered, my voice rising a pitch higher than I anticipated.

Kyro was not in his room, and now Lucy was gone as well.

The dots were connecting and I didn't like where it led.

I had to find her. Fast.

I pulled out her drawers and scanned the items within. I found a dozen books, oils, and ointments, but nothing that could give me an idea where she went.

Then an image from earlier in the day flashed into my mind, along with Lucy's voice.

She had mentioned something about going to Pentra, but I had no reason to trust her words when she had that cursed pendant on her neck. For all I knew, Kyro was manipulating her.

I wasn't sure about anything yet, but until then, I had to find a way to locate Lucy and catch up to her.

"I always knew you were a pervert," a shrill voice muttered behind me.

I made a sharp turn toward the door. Standing at the doorpost, was Freya Lillith,

She was clad in a short white nightdress made of a thin fabric, slightly revealing the undergarment she wore within.

"I wonder what the Tribunal would do to you when they hear this," she jested, a slight smirk on her face

"This isn't what it looks like."

"Really?" She stepped closer to me, eyes scanning me all over. "I'm pretty sure I just caught you searching through Lucy's drawers. I wonder what you were looking for."

"There's a lot more going on here than you think."

"Oh, I'm sure the Tribunal would love to hear all about it."

Arms folded, she turned to leave.

"Freya... stop."

She paused, throwing a glance at me over her shoulder.

"What is it, pervert? Are you going to beg me for mercy?"

"No," I sighed. "I need your help."

"My help? That's interesting."

Freya made her way back to me, her footsteps echoing in the dark room. The only light source was from the waxing moon, seeping in through the open window.

"What would Rin Stormborn need my help for?" she asked, her grin completely gone.

"I need to find Lucy, and something tells me you know where she is."

Freya kept her eyes on me, her smirk returning. "If that's your excuse, I have to tell you it's not a good one."

"It's not an excuse. It's the truth."

I never expected Freya to believe me. She already hated me, and now I had just given her the ammo she needed to attack me.

"Even if I knew where she was," she said, "Why would I tell you?"

I clenched my fist, frustration rising. Freya had always been too cunning for her own good. But if she knew anything about Lucy's whereabouts, I had to play her game.

"Name your price," I replied, forcing my voice to remain calm. "What do you want? Money? "

A faint glint appeared in Freya's eyes. She stepped even closer until I could smell the fresh scent of soap on her. "You know me so well, don't you?"

"Cut the games, Freya. What do you want?"

She tilted her head, her thin smirk widening into a grin. "I want you... to take me out on a date."

I blinked. I wasn't sure I heard her right.

"You want me to what?"

"Take me out on a date," she repeated, emphasizing each word as if I were deaf. "A walk into town? Picnic at the orchard? Charming conversation? I'm sure you know what a date is."

I stared at her, cringing in confusion. "You'll tell me where Lucy went, if I take you out on a date?"

"I've seen the way she looks at you," she said, eyes gleaming. "She stares at you like you're the only thing that makes her happy."

She leaned even closer, until I felt her breath on my face.

"I want to know what that feels like."

My mind raced. Freya was the last person on earth I wanted to take... anywhere.

"If I say no?"

"Well," she shrugged, leaning away. "I'm sure Lucy will turn up eventually. But I do look forward to your trial at the tribunal."

My jaw tightened. "Blackmail, huh?"

"Call it a transaction. You want information about your precious Lucy? I want a night out with Rin Stormborn? Seems fair to me."

I sighed. Every second I wasted here was a second Lucy was slipping further away from me.

Freya wasn't bluffing. She knew where Lucy went and she wasn't going to give it up to me easily.

I had no choice.

"Fine," I growled. "One date. Now tell me what you know."

A triumphant smile appeared on Freya's face. She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms.

"Lucy left with Kyro. She came in after the exam, dropped her book in, and disappeared right after. She didn't even say goodbye to me."

My stomach twisted. "When did they leave? Where did they go?"

"Sorry Rin, I didn't bother to ask." She rolled her eyes, tossing her loose hair over her shoulder. "It's not like I'm her babysitter."

I frowned. "What do you want?"

"Two dates," she replied without hesitation.

"Fine," I sighed. "Two dates."

Her eyes lit up, like a spoiled princess who was getting what she wanted. "I followed them for a while, until they left through the old gate. Looked like they were in a hurry."

The old gate. Located at a far corner of the school beyond the tutor area. It led to a series of winding paths that led... I honestly had no idea where they led. I never bothered to find out.

My mind spun with the possibilities, none of them good.

"What else do you know?" I pressed on, stepping closer. "Were they with anyone else?"

Freya held up a finger, her brows furrowing. "Don't push your luck, Stormborn. I've told you everything I can."

"Fuck," I muttered, punching the wall. "It's already been hours. They could be anywhere by now."

I felt like bashing my head through the wall. I had spent so much time with Fumiko, that I failed to keep an eye on Lucy or Kyro's movements.

Freya's voice cut into my thoughts. "But if you really want to find her, I do have an idea..."

"What?" I said, turning to her. Her gaze locked onto mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something genuine in her eyes.

"I don't know where they went," she said, "but I know someone who can tell us."

My breath caught in my throat. I swallowed, dryly.

"Who is it?"