The night had settled over the forest, casting long shadows around the small cabin as Daena set out plates and bowls for dinner. The table was small, made for two, but tonight it was packed. Queens Verida and Nyssara were seated gracefully at one end, looking as out of place in the humble surroundings as a hawk in a henhouse. Enara sat between her mothers, tossing smug glances across the table at Liria, who was doing her best not to roll her eyes so hard they'd get stuck.
Daena, trying to keep the peace, set down a steaming pot of stew. "Alright, everyone, let's enjoy a nice meal together. It's rare we get such… esteemed company."
Verida gave a respectful nod, spooning a portion of stew with surprising delicacy. Nyssara followed suit, adding a few soft words of thanks. Enara, however, poked at her bowl with all the enthusiasm of someone forced to eat a bowl of dirt.
"What's the matter, Enara?" Liria asked, trying and failing to keep the smirk off her face. "Not fancy enough for your royal palate?"
Enara gave her a withering look. "It's not that. I just didn't expect to be served… peasant food."
Liria's grin widened. "Well, maybe it'll give you a taste of what it's like to be humble. You know, since you clearly lack experience in that department."
[Observation: Hostility levels rising. Recommendation: Maintain low levels of aggression to avoid unnecessary conflict.]
"Fat chance of that," Liria thought back to her System.
Enara sniffed, turning up her nose. "I don't expect a human to understand what it means to have standards. But then, I suppose one can't blame you for your lack of refinement. You were probably raised in a barn."
"Oh, I wasn't raised in a barn. But I bet I could teach you a thing or two about manners," Liria shot back, gripping her spoon a little too tightly.
Daena shot both girls a look, trying to keep her tone light but firm. "Enough, you two. This is a dinner table, not an arena."
Enara gave a mock-sweet smile. "Of course, Grandmother. I wouldn't want to cause a scene." She paused, giving Liria a sly look. "Not that I need to. Your little forest mouse here seems perfectly capable of embarrassing herself all on her own."
Liria slammed her spoon down, barely holding back a retort. She could feel her patience slipping with every smirk Enara threw her way.
[System Alert: Warning: Sustained high hostility may lead to unintended skill activation.]
"Why don't you tell us a bit more about life in the Dark Plains, Daena?" Nyssara interjected smoothly, giving her daughter a side-eye. "I'm sure Liria is curious to know more about our world."
Daena nodded, clearly grateful for the distraction. "The Dark Plains is… different from what most humans believe," she began. "It's a harsh land, but one full of life, where respect is earned, not given. Demons may seem intimidating, but they're loyal to those they care about and surprisingly courteous. Just… don't mess with their tails or horns."
Liria was intrigued despite herself. She glanced at Verida and Nyssara, who were nodding in agreement. "Really? So all that stuff humans say about demons… it's exaggerated?"
"Very much so," Verida replied, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Humans seem to enjoy making up tales of horror about us. Though we may not be gentle, we aren't the monsters they paint us to be."
Enara leaned in, a smirk forming. "Of course, that's only for those who are worthy of our respect." She shot a look at Liria. "But some people just can't seem to rise to the occasion."
"Maybe because some people need a ladder to climb down from their high horse," Liria retorted.
Enara's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand the nuances of royal conduct."
[System Alert: Hostility threshold reached. Initiating…]
"Stop it!" Liria hissed mentally, forcing her System into silence before it could go any further. She was done listening to warnings.
The tension between the two girls grew thick enough to cut. Daena, trying to ignore the palpable hostility, continued her conversation with Verida and Nyssara about life in the human realms. But Liria could barely concentrate on anything but Enara's smug face across the table.
Finally, when the meal was over and everyone sat back, sated, Enara leaned over the table, her eyes practically glowing with challenge. "You know, Liria, for someone with such a big mouth, you certainly haven't shown much in the way of skill."
Liria's face burned, her hand twitching toward her fork. "And you're a princess who hides behind her title. Are you ever actually going to do something to prove you're more than just an arrogant brat?"
Enara's smile was icy. "Care to test that theory?"
Daena raised an eyebrow, looking between the two. "Girls…"
But it was too late. Liria was already pushing back her chair, eyes locked on Enara's. The demon princess stood as well, tossing her hair over her shoulder with an air of practiced indifference that only made Liria's blood boil further.
[System Notice: New combat objective initiated: 'Stand Your Ground' against Enara Valthorne. Reward: Experience boost, enhanced abilities.]
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Liria thought, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, then, 'little forest mouse,'" Enara sneered, her eyes flashing. "Let's see what you're made of."
"Oh, you'll see, alright," Liria shot back, clenching her fists. She could feel the familiar tingle of her fire magic, itching to be unleashed.
Nyssara sighed, exchanging a glance with Verida. "They're young. Perhaps it's best to let them work this out on their own terms."
Verida gave a reluctant nod, but Daena's expression was one of exasperation. "Fine. But the second it gets out of hand, I'm stopping it."
Enara flashed a triumphant smile, clearly enjoying every second of this. She flicked her wrist, and a faint shimmer of dark energy surrounded her hands. "Ready when you are."
Liria narrowed her eyes, letting her own energy gather. The air around her began to heat, black flames flickering to life around her fingertips.
"Try not to cry when you lose, Enara," she taunted.
"Oh, please," Enara scoffed, rolling her eyes. "A human like you doesn't stand a chance."