Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[Nymeria's POV]

It was a fleeting memory from a time which she doesn't remember.

Nymeria usually tried to remember much of her past as most of them were haunting.

'…This place feels familiar.'

But right now, she was once again living one of those memories.

The World Tree loomed over her as she slowly began to walk in her colourful dream.

'I remember it now…it was from that time.'

Despite all her burdened memories of mental abuse from her mother…there was a time when she was normal.

A time when she didn't hate Nymeria like she does right now.

'No.'

She quickly shook her head, clenching her fists tightly.

'She loves me, she just doesn't know how to express it.'

She kept on repeating the same words again and again until her mind calmed down.

In this memory, everything felt warm.

Somewhere in the distance, she could hear laughter, a light and carefree one.

She followed the voice and saw a little girl running around. A flower crown in her hand.

It was her from the time long ago and her smiling mother stood under the tree holding her child.

Not a fake smile, not a forced one, but something soft and real.

A kind of smile Nymeria hadn't seen in years.

'I was happy once… wasn't I?'

She stepped forward again, toward that younger version of herself, who was twirling in circles, giggling with pure joy.

Her heart ached.

'...'

Slowly, as if the world was expanding, the memories began to add details.

The things that she doesn't remember happening began to happen.

A boy ran towards her along with a young child—younger than her.

'…Is she Zenith?'

Nymeria recognised the child but the boy…

'Why is his face blurred out?'

No matter how much she tried to focus on him, that face remained blurred.

She came to a stop as her younger self smiled brightly at the boy.

But her face immediately changed as she pouted. "Where have you been?" she asked the boy.

"I got lost!" he said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

The younger Nymeria puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. "You promised you'd help me make the flower crown!"

"I know, I'm sorry," the boy said quickly, crouching down in front of her. "Let me help now?"

Younger Nymeria looked at him for a second, pretending to be upset, but then her pout faded.

She nodded and handed him the crown.

But Nymeria felt like her world was getting turned upside down.

'…Why?'

She wondered to herself.

'Why am I not getting disgusted with him?'

Since Nymeria could remember, she had her OCD that forced her to keep everything symmetrical.

It doesn't matter if it's a living or non-living thing. She gets triggered if they aren't symmetrical.

That is the reason, she always hated everyone.

No matter whom she looked at, she would always come to hate that person.

But…

'…Why is he special?'

Her confusion only grew when her younger self gave Zenith a disgusted look.

Zenith was laughing as she hugged Nymeria's younger self, but the little girl didn't return it.

She even took a step back after the hug, brushing off her dress as if it were dirty.

That reaction made present-day Nymeria frown.

'Did I hate Zenith even back then?'

Nymeria doesn't hate Zenith, what she hates is her relationship with her mother.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that she is jealous of Zenith solely because of it.

Nymeria once again looked at the boy whom her younger self seemed happy with.

'…Who are you?'

In her memory, she does remember a boy who didn't trigger her OCD.

But it's been so long that she doesn't even remember his face as well.

'...'

The boy placed the finished crown on her younger self's head.

She laughed and clapped her hands.

"I'm the queen now!" she announced proudly.

The boy gave a small bow. "Your Majesty."

She slowly walked closer to observe 'herself.'

Nymeria was walking deeper into the memory… or maybe deeper into herself.

Suddenly, the scene began to flicker.

The sky dimmed and the vibrant colours dulled.

"No," Nymeria whispered, her eyes darting around. "Not yet… I want to stay."

But the laughter faded and the warmth slipped through her fingers like smoke.

It was only a blink.

The world around her changed and Nymeria found herself in a completely different place.

Her heartbeat raced as she now stood in front of the boy in place of her younger self.

The boy stood with his back to her, he was shorter than her.

But what made her feel dread was the world tree that was burning behind him.

"Az."

Nymeria's lips moved on their own and her voice made the boy look back.

She took off her own necklace and extended it towards him.

"Find me."

---

---

[Himmel's POV.]

'Urgh.'

I clicked my tongue, deflecting the blade that Lazarus was swinging with the weight of a mountain.

The man turned sharply, his halberd slicing through the air with a sharp whistle, aimed right at my face.

The solitude of Buinal over me moved back and I followed his steps.

But even then I was grazed on my cheek from the sharp edge.

'Fuck, he is fast.'

Lazarus took a heavy step forward, halberd dragging against the ground, creating sparks.

I rushed in again, shifting to the left and then immediately stepping right—an illusionary feint.

His weapon came up to block, but I was already behind him.

I slashed down with all my might.

But he caught my sword with the shaft of his halberd and threw me off balance, then smashed his elbow into my ribs.

Grabbing his hand, I jumped up and kicked his body to force myself away from him.

"Alright, switch."

Inna's voice echoed within the place that made me panic.

"Wait, Inna—."

The world switched and now, I was within the solitude of Lazarus and Buinal was in front of me.

'Fuck.'

I changed the shape of my sword to a halberd as Buinal jumped at me.

Inna has done this for quite some time, changing my place between them so I can learn both their ways of fighting.

And I don't like it one bit.

'They both were really strong.'

I thought, moving my body just enough to let his sword graze past my face.

'Well, they both are battle-hardened warriors who saw actual war.'

I can hold Buinal fairly easily in his Overlord rank but Lazarus was much more dangerous.

"Ahhhh!!!"

A sudden shout immediately made me stop in my tracks.

Buinal also stopped as Inna made him.

I turned to look at Nymeria who had now woken up, drenched in sweat.

I walked towards the girl. "You saw a nightmare?"

Nymeria didn't respond immediately.

She was breathing heavily, her hands clutching the grass beneath.

"Nymeria," I said again, a bit softer this time as I crouched beside her.

She blinked as she looked at me slowly. "W..where am I?"

I shrugged. "Somewhere safe, I guess."

She didn't reply as I kept on looking at her face which changed from pain, confusion, and dread.

"…No," she whispered. "It wasn't a nightmare."

"Good for you then." I replied, standing back up. "Now, get out of here."

'Weird…'

Why does her sweat smell so good?

'Is it because she is an elf?'

Nymeria sat up slowly, brushing her damp hair away from her face.

Her eyes still looked a bit lost, like part of her was stuck somewhere else.

"…Did I say anything while I was asleep?" she asked quietly.

I blinked. "I wasn't paying attention."

She looked at me, more specifically at my neck.

I looked down finding my necklace dangling.

"That necklace." She mumbled softly. "Where did you get it from?"

I frowned, already too tired of her behaviour. "Just get out of here." I said, turning around. "Don't make me touch you."

Nymeria's breath caught in her throat.

"W…What did you do when I was asleep!?"

"Huh?" I looked at her in confusion. "Nothing?"

"You did something—!"

"Don't make me laugh." I cut in her words, turning around. "I would rather die than touch a fucking elf."

I then ignored her as I began to walk back to training.

Inna seems to be only visible to me right now.

"She isn't leaving." Inna said, looking at me. "Do you want to continue?"

"Yeah, ignore her."

Inna nodded as she brought back both of them.

'Huff…'

I let out a soft exhale and Buinal's solitude wrapped over me.

But before I could continue.

"Buinal?"

Nymeria's confused voice made me stop.

---

---

[Yennefer's home, Akasha.]

"What are you doing, mom?"

Zenith asked, as she walked inside her mother's room who was packing her things up.

"I have some work to do, baby." Yennefer replied softly as she smiled at her. "I will be out for a while."

Zenith frowned as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Work where?" she asked softly.

Yennefer paused for a heartbeat, then continued packing.

"To Lumina," she said. "There's… someone I need to speak to."

Zenith tilted her head. "What's this about?"

"Nothing special." Yennefer replied, shaking her head. "Don't worry I will be back soon."

"..."

Zenith didn't reply as she looked upset.

Yennefer smiled as she walked towards her daughter.

She hugged her gently. "I will be back soon, I promise."

"Um." Zenith hugged her back. "It's just…I don't feel so good."

Yennefer was about to reply but she stopped as she felt her pocket vibrate.

She slowly moved back from her daughter. "Can you give me some time alone?"

Zenith looked confused but didn't argue. "…Okay."

She walked out of the room and Yennefer quickly closed the door.

She took out a device from her pocket that was beeping and placed it down on the ground.

It slowly opened up and a holographic figure appeared above it.

Yennefer's eyes immediately turned cold as she looked at 'him.'

The man appeared to be in his mid-sixties with a long braided beard and grey hair.

Two antlers protruded off his head, dangling with silverish decorations.

He was the current head of House Atretic and the other demigod.

His name was Abram.

"It's been a while." he said, his voice deep. "You still have the same repulsive look on your face."

"What do you need?" Yennefer asked, getting straight to the point.

Abram remained silent as he rubbed his chin.

As the silence stretched Yennefer felt more uncomfortable.

Abram finally asked. "How far will you go for your daughter, Yennefer?"

Yennefer looked at him without any words as she stared at him. "Get. To. The. Point."

"Our 'family' has a task for you." Abram said, a small smile crept on his face.

"..."

Yennefer didn't reply as she waited for him to speak.

Abram's smile slowly died down. "I will give you three months." he said softly. "Kill Himmel—."

"No!"

Yennefer denied, her voice more angered than ever.

"Don't push your luck—."

"We will return you Zenith's mark if you do it and kill her if you don't." Abram said, cutting her off. "The choice is yours."

His hologram vanished just after that leaving her alone.

Yennefer stood there unable to move for a long time.

"Uh…"

A tear trickled down her face and it wasn't long before she broke down.

"No…No..Not like this."

Yennefer fell on her knees, rambling to herself.

Her soft sobs were the only thing that echoed within her room.