The Reincarnated Archmage

The day when the Crown Prince unofficially calls me his fiancee, my father keeps me in our mansion. I'm not really against it since I don't even like to go outside and be a walking entertainment for those nobles. When I asked my father his reason, he explained to me that he's just doing it to keep me safe from some bugs, especially an annoying bug that lives in the Royal Palace.

Father, is it okay to call the Crown Prince an annoying bug?

Sometimes a butler of the Royal family is coming to our house and giving me an invitation to a tea party hosted by the Crown Prince. But father is getting all those letters from me and burning it. He's the one who's rejecting all the invitations while giving an excuse that my body is weak or I'm sick because of the weather.

He even instructed our maids and guards that if a servant of the Royal family comes to visit our house, they will quickly hide me in my room and give an excuse that I'm busy playing with my dolls. I know that you simply love me and you don't want me to be engaged right now, but what's with that reason? If I'll be busy, it would be because I'm saving up my mana, not because if my dolls.

Is it really okay for you to give that kind of reason towards a royalty, my dear father? You won't be in trouble for that, right? I don't want you to be in prison because of your rude attitude towards the Royal Family. If you're planning to revolt against them, wait until I can use my magic in a stable manner so that I can help you escape the prison.

Wait. It sounds so wrong. Change of plans. Don't ever think of betraying the Royal Family, father. I want to live my life in peace!

-//-//-

"Brother!"

"Aly!"

The moment the carriage stops, the door quickly opens and my brother runs towards me the moment he saw me. He gives me a tight embrace and laugh happily. I don't want to admit it, but I really miss his presence. I also miss his doting attitude towards me. Huu. I'm loving the feeling of being spoiled.

I also noticed that my brother is a little different now. He got taller and I can feel the tone muscles on his arms. His quite long hair got shorter, which makes him more handsome. I knew for sure that in a few years, my brother will become one of the hot topics in the ladies' tea parties.

"I really miss you, Aly! You have no idea how I wanted to spoil you again!"

"Ah! Aly also misses brother! This, this much!" I said and make a huge circle using my arms.

"This is what I miss! Your cute face and sweet voice!" My brother said and lovingly pats my hair. "I also have gifts for Aly!"

"Really? What is it?"

My brother gestures his hand towards the servant and he opens the carriage behind him. My eyes widened the moment I saw the carriage that is full of boxes. When I look at my brother, his smiles is still there.

"When we are travelling, I saw a shop earlier that sells good quality items suitable for your age. Then I remembered that I won't be here for your next birthday, so I decided to buy a birthday gift for you in advance." My brother explains. "Though I still can't buy enough gifts for you since the carriage I use is not that big."

Brother, do you know that your action is making your servants behind you sighs due to your action? You're doting on me too much. What if I'll truly become spoiled? Are you going to take responsibility for it?

"I think I'll go to the town tomorrow to choose more gift—"

"That's enough for Aly, brother!" I said as I intentionally interrupt brother's words. "Being with brother is an enough gift for Aly!"

"Aly!"

My brother hugs me again, but it's a bit tighter this time. I wanted to complain, but I endure it. If this can stop my brother from buying me more stuffs, then It's worth it. May the gods and goddesses bless me for this sacrifice I just did.

'And stop laughing!'

"Why not?"

'Because it's not funny!'

I scolded Lyle, who is laughing at my back. Even if I can't see Lyle, his laugh is enough for me to know that he's enjoying it. Recently, Lyle has become slightly harsh dealing with me. Is this my punishment for ignoring your sweet attitude towards me when I'm still a baby? Should I repent so your attitude towards me will become soft? Ugh. Such a difficult Spirit I got here.

"Would you still like to greet us or we should leave now?"

When we heard mother's teasing, I separated from my brother and look at our parents who just came out of our house. My brother runs towards mother and also give her a tight hug. Well, even though my brother m.a.t.u.r.es a lot, he is still a kid who naturally loves his mother. When my mother calls me, I join them and enter our mansion.

-//-//-

Since brother will be staying in mansion only for a week, he decided to invite me to have a small trip in town. I was nervous at first because of this sudden invitation. What if we are just going to town so brother can buy me more gifts? But I was relieved when brother told me that we're just simply going there to have some fun. It seems like mother scolded him a little bit because of those gifts. I feel bad for my brother, but he also needs to be scolded sometimes to grow up into a good man.

As for me, I'm a little excited for this trip. Aside from the tea party and the time when the His Majesty called for me, it will be my first time to go out and have some fun in this town. It's a shame that our mother can't join us since she's a little bit busy. It may not look like it, but aside from being the Duchess, a good wife and a loving mother, she also handles some doc.u.ments needed in the Royal Palace. That's why she just instructed nanny Bella and some guards to accompany me and my brother in our small trip.

I choose a simple white short sleeve dress and a scarf for our trip. I don't want to stand out that much since I know that the town is full of different people. Even my brother chooses to wear a simple long sleeve buttoned shirt and black pants to avoid showing a flashy image in town.

We're discussing on what to do in town as we ride our carriage. We have decided to look at the different stalls and visit a famous pastry shop in town. As I look at the window, I just realized once again that what I'm seeing is a different Kingdom of Lapir. A lot of things have changed. But it's only natural. It would be weird if I'll be seeing the exact scene when I'm still living as Veronica.

After a half hour, we have already arrived in town. As we walk in town, my brother is holding my hand tightly. Nanny Bella is walking beside us. The guards who accompany us are blending well in the ground so they can protect us without disturbing the lively atmosphere of the town.

We had a good time while shopping in town. I saw a lot of things and tastes different food that is new to my eyes. We even saw a magician performing in the street which makes the children so happy. I saw a shop that sells feather pens so I asked my brother if we can go there to look inside. I was about to go inside with brother when someone bumps at me making me step backward to maintain my balance. But a sudden crowd gets in my way.

I got swayed by the crowd who's excited about something and since my body is still small, I can't go against the direction where the crowd is going. When I finally release from that crowd, I was in an unfamiliar place. I know that I'm still in the town, but I can't recall the scenery around me.

Why did no one help me get out of that crowd? Where are those guards earlier? Did they abandon me? Of course not. They won't do it unless they wanted to feel my father's wrath. Maybe they just didn't notice me since I'm too small? I let out a sigh and calls for Lyle.

"Want me to bring your brother here?" He immediately asked.

'No need. You'll just make him surprised if he sees you. Just tell me the right direction.'

"And what if I say no? Are you going to cry?"

'And why should I cry over a trivial reason?'

"It's not a trivial reason. It's only natural for a little girl to cry if she's lost." Lyle said and shakes his head as if I'm not doing the right thing.

'Are you really my Spirit or not?' I irritatingly asked.

"Of course, I am. That's the reason why you can see and talk to me, right?' He said as if stating the obvious.

'Then help me!' I complain.

While I'm arguing with Lyle, someone bumps into me again. The impact is too strong which makes me sit on the ground. Is it a day for me to bump into different people? As I complain in my head, I heard the one who bumped into me also complains.

"Are you hurt?" I asked and try to stand up. It's also a good thing that Lyle helps me to stand up by using his powers. If he still didn't help me, I'm planning to ignore him for the next three months.

"Tch. Why is a little girl like you blocking the way?"

This kid is too rude. You're the one who bumped into me first. Remember? No? Sighs. I guess today is my bad day.

The little boy stands up and removes the dirt on his shirt. I secretly observe him. He has a c.h.e.s.tnut hair and a pair of caramel-colored eyes. He's a little taller than me and has a cute face. He looks like a doll. So what? He's still a rude kid.

"A kid like you should apologize to me."

"And why should I?"

"Because you bumped into me!"

"Huh?"

This kid is not even rude. He doesn't even make sense.

"No apology from a kid like you? Tch. So rude."

I should be the one who should say that. Ah. This is tiring. I just let out a sigh and started to leave.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you." The little boy shouted.

"I'm not interested to talk to a kid who doesn't know how to speak properly to others."

"I'm obviously older than you. You should respect me!"

"If you want me to respect you, learn how to respect the others first."

"...What?"

"I'm just simply telling you that you're just a childish kid." I said. "Ah. If you're someone like you is with me, I'll be disappointed in you."

I stop walking for a while and turn my head to look at him. He is just standing there while staring at me with an obvious shock on his face. I let out a laugh because of it. Surprised that a small child like me will scold you?

"I won't say sorry until you apologize. A child like you should know when to admit he's wrong. You'll be in trouble the next time you do it." I scolded him for the last time. When I didn't get a response from him, I just shrug my shoulders and decided to go for real and find my brother.

What surprises me is the boy quickly follows me. He even stop me from walking by holding my hand so tight. I was about to scold him again when I saw his face. He has a longing expression as if he sees something so precious. What's wrong with this kid? When I tried to pull my hand, he puts his other hand on mine and hold me tighter.

"I finally found you."