Reincarnated As The Villainess's Best Friend

The journey to Erentha was brutal.

After days of driving over rough terrain and rocky roads, we finally stopped at the outskirts right outside the castle.

The winter winds, had already set in and the snow pile would not allow for any carriage movement. So for the rest of the journey, we had to walk on foot and leave our luggage behind.

The air grew colder with every step, biting through my cloak like it had teeth. Frost crunched under our boots, and the wind howled, carrying flakes of snow that stung my face.

The landscape was a frozen wasteland filled with jagged cliffs of ice, trees coated in frost, and branches snapping in the strong winds. The sky was gray, heavy with clouds that blocked half the light that came from the sun.

Lucy walked beside me, her face pale, her eyes distant. She hadn't spoken much since we left Fumiko's house.

The shadows that clung to her in the forest were gone, but I could still feel the new mana churning inside her – dark and restless, like a storm waiting to break.

I kept close, my arm brushing hers, hoping she'd feel my presence. Hoping she'd know that she's safe with me.

Freya trudged behind, her green cloak dusted with snow. She muttered curses under her breath, pulling her hood tighter.

"This place sucks," she said, kicking a lump of ice. "Why do elves live in a damn freezer?"

Fumiko walked ahead, her brown winter coat in perfect contrast with the snow. She didn't complain and her steps were steady, but I caught her glancing at Lucy every few minutes, worry written all over her face.

Xira led the way. She moved like a ghost, her silver hair blending with the snow. She didn't speak much and when she did, her voice was tiny and blurred out by the winds.

She turned to Lucy occasionally, but unlike the rest of us, her eyes gleamed and a vague smile appeared on her lips, like she was happy to be walking close to her.

My mind drifted to vague memories – Rin's memories – of Lucy. Her laugh when we'd played together, her teasing when I messed up a spell. The way she'd looked at me, eyes bright, before she learned about her true nature.

Those moments felt like a lifetime ago, now buried under the weight of what she was becoming, and what she'd done to Kyro.

"We're here," Xira said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked up, gasping slightly.

The ice castle loomed ahead, its spires piercing the clouds. Walls of shimmering blue ice reflected the dim light, carved with ancient runes I couldn't understand.

The castle's towers stood like frozen flames, their tips sharp enough to cut the sky. The gates were massive, flanked by statues of elven warriors, their eyes glowing with pale light.

The elves at the gate didn't flinch as we approached. Their armor gleamed, swords at their sides, but their faces softened when they saw Lucy.

One of them, an older elf with braided hair, bowed slightly.

"Princess Lucy," he said, his voice warm. "You've returned."

Lucy froze, her eyes wide, like she didn't recognise them. "I… I don't…"

I stepped closer, my hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay," I whispered, "You're home now."

The elf's gaze shifted to me, a faint smile on his lips. "Aldrin Stormborn. House Elowen welcomes you."

Freya snorted, crossing her arms. "Great. Can we get out of this cold now?"

The gates opened with a low groan, revealing the courtyard of polished ice. Elves moved within silently, their white cloaks trailing like mist.

Some stared at Lucy, others at me, their eyes sharp with curiosity. The air inside was warmer, but still crisp, smelling of pine and magic.

Xira led us through halls of white marble, the walls glowing softly as if the entire building was made of Lumi Light. Tall tapestries hung between columns, woven pictures of great nobles.

I remembered this place... I remembered Lucy and me running through the halls, as we played hide and seek. I remembered hiding from the elven tutors, who taught us magic. It almost felt like I was back home.

Lucy's steps faltered, her gaze darting around like she recognized the place but couldn't remember why.

"I'll be showing you to her room," Xira said, her voice cutting through the silence. "Lucy's chamber. From before."

"Before?" Freya asked, frowning.

"When she was raised here," I said, keeping my voice low. "By House Elowen."

Lucy's hand tightened in mine. "I don't remember," she whispered. "Not really."

I paused for a moment, heart thudding with worry. Kyro's pendant must have messed with her mind, and now she was suffering the aftereffects.

"Don't worry," I said, squeezing her hand. "We'll figure it out."

We stopped at a heavy door, carved with flowers and vines. Xira pushed it open, revealing a large room. In it was a bed of white furs, a desk cluttered with books, and large windows overlooking a frozen valley.

A faint scent of lavender lingered, like Lucy had never left.

"Rest here," Xira said to Lucy. "The guards will bring your luggage up soon. I'll be going to the throne room to prepare for the audience."

"Audience?" I asked, turning to her.

"With my father," she replied. "He's waiting to see you, Rin."

I nodded, my stomach twisting. The elves probably knew a lot more than we thought.

Without another word, Xira left the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

I glanced at Lucy, who sat on the bed, her hands trembling.

"Stay with her," I said to Fumiko. "Don't let her out of your sight."

"No. We're coming with you."

She placed an arm over Lucy. Lucy flinched for a moment, then eased into her.

Freya leaned against the wall, her eyes narrowed. "Good luck. You guys can get me something to eat when you return."

I ignored her, exiting down another hall, Lucy and Fumiko trudging behind me.. Our shoes echoed on the floor, each step heavier than the last.

In my head, Kyro's words repeated, over and over.

Demon... Demon... Demon.

The elves had answers. They had to.

After making our way through the halls, I stepped into a massive throne room, its ceiling high above, studded with Lumi Crystals that glowed like stars.

At the far end, on a throne carved from pure ice, sat a man draped in long silver robes. His crown glittered faintly in the cold light, but it was his mana pressure that froze me where I stood.

For a moment, my heart clenched. I was afraid that he'd sense my true identity. But when I stepped closer to him, his gaze shifted to Lucy.

He leaned forward, studying her with an unreadable gaze. Then, with a voice that echoed through the chamber, he spoke.

"Welcome home… daughter."