The Reincarnated Archmage

"Come here."

No, I don't want to. I seriously wanted to refuse him, but I hesitated. What if he'll be mad at me and give me a punishment? I'm just starting to get a new and fresh life, so I don't want to mess everything up. When I look at my father, he is also looking at me. He has a grim expression on his face, but he still nods his head as if saying that it's okay to follow the King's orders. I reluctantly let go of my brother's hand and slowly walk until I'm standing in front of the King.

"Lady Alyssa, do you mind if I ask you some questions?" The King asked me.

"Not at all, Your Majesty." I said while mentally keeping my etiquette in check.

"Don't worry. It's just an easy question." The King said then let out a soft laugh. "Can you tell me the details during the Great War that happens three hundred years ago? And if possible, can you give more details about it."

My heart skips a beat the moment I heard the question. Even the crowd let out a loud gasp to show how surprised they were. The Great War he mentioned just now is the battle I participated before I left the Kingdom of Lapir. Of all things, why it has to be the question I needed to answer? Why can't I escape from this past?

"Lady Alyssa?" The King calls me again.

When I didn't respond, the Duke quickly steps forward to appeal in front of the King.

"Your Majesty, it's not an easy question that can be answered by a little girl like her. How can a little child—"

"The Great War started three hundred years ago here in the Kingdom of Lapir. It all started when Larzul, the Archmage of Dark, spread his black magic which destroys not only the balance of the world, but also the peaceful atmosphere that destroyed the human cycle. But if there's a dark, of course, there's also a light. The one who stopped Larzul is the Archmage of Light, Veronica Herol."

While I'm speaking, no one dares to interrupt me. I simply ignore them and continue.

"When the Great War was coming to an end, Veronica Herol summoned the sword of Bulgadi which the gods and goddesses gifted to her and used it to pierce Larzul's heart which results in his death. After that, the black magic he spread quickly dispersed, but it leaves the Kingdom in a brink of destruction. But Veronica didn't let the kingdom to fall down. Using her wide knowledge in magic and her overflowing mana, she restored the kingdom in three straight days. When everything was already redeeming the peace they once lost, Veronica put a barrier on this kingdom and left without leaving any traces."

"Then what is the impact of the Great War in our history?" The King asked me again.

"Before the Great War ended, many people suffered from it. The royal bloodline almost collapsed their foundation, the people lost their families and loved ones, and poverty spread widely that brought crime and disaster everywhere. When the war ended, the people started to hope and got a reason to live their lives once again. They tried their best to restore the life they had before the war occurs. Also, anything about black magic were destroyed. They learned from experienced that won't gain nothing from using black magic."

"Can you also tell me more details about this black magic?" The King asked again. I just let out a tired sigh in my mind and continue explaining.

"After some years, some people started to use black magic again. But instead of using it to do bad things, they used it to make the lives of the citizen easier. Due to this incident, a debate started on what to do with this matter. After a long discussion, it was decided that people can study black magic again only if they reach a certain level of magic mastery. It is to prevent the caster from being eaten and absorbed by the black magic. But even if this law was publicly announced, there are still people who stay viligant about black magic."

That's the reason why I'm still staying silent about having a Dark Spirit. There are still people who don't accept this law that easily. There is no way a small child can reach a certain level of magic without any guidance and allows them to cast a black magic. That's why I've decided to keep Lyle's existence a secret for now and dedicate myself in studying magic. When I reach the right level of mastery, that's when I'll reveal Lyle's existence so no one will dare to question me.

"Is that all you wanted to say?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." I said and bows my head.

That's enough explanation from me. I simply choose to summarize the details to avoid any suspicious from anyone. The one I just recited are the details written in textbooks that can be found in our library. It would be weird if a child like me can provide more information that cannot be found in textbooks. It's like I'm telling them the details as if I witnessed it all by myself, which is true. It's also a little awkward for me to tell this story so I know I made a good decision.

The moment I stop talking, I saw the King nod his head in approval. I turn my head to look at the people only to see them so surprised. The party hall is also silent that you can may hear the tiny sound of a needle if you'll drop it on the floor. Even Duke Randal is paralyzed on where he is standing. His eyes were focused on me as if I'm something who just gave him a final judgement.

"Lady Lydia Randal from the Randal household, please come here." His Majesty said.

A girl with a long blonde hair steps forward and gracefully bows in front of the King. The pink dress she's wearing shows her young beauty. This girl is truly beautiful just like what Duke Randal said. She's a little taller than me. Seems like this girl is older than me too.

"Greetings to you, Your Majesty." Lady Randal said to the King. However, the King ignores it and quickly moves to the reason why he calls her.

"Since Duke Randal told me about your intelligence, can you also provide me more details about the Great War? If possible, I want to hear something that Lady Alyssa hasn't mentioned yet." The King said with a smile to Lady Randal, as if encouraging her.

"I..."

I saw a streak of panic in Lady Randal's eyes. This King is a sadist. I'm sure of it. He already knows that the details I mentioned just now are the only information that can be found in one's library. If they truly wanted to know more about a specific topic, they should go to the Holy Library, where they can read books and parchments to get more information about it.

The party hall is still silent. They were all waiting for Lady Radal to speak. After a few minutes, her eyes were filled with tears and lowers her head.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty! But I... I can't provide you the answer you wanted from me." She said in a hurry before running towards her father.

"It seems like Lady Randal is not that interested in studying." The King murmurs enough for us to hear.

"M-My daughter is truly interested in studying. H-However, there are s-still some topics she find difficult t-to understand."

It's very obvious that he's just making an excuse to cover up her daughter's action. I pity Lady Randal for it. Her father is obviously a greedy man who wants to have more power in the society. He simply wants to make his daughter more appealing in front of His Majesty in hopes of getting his attention. He's thinking that if he shows how magnificent his daughter in front of the King, he'll change his mind and make his daughter as the Princess Consort instead of me.

I let out a sigh to lose some stress from these abnormal events. I'm still a little child, but I'm already stressed and tired from these of kind of people in my surroundings. I'm now getting worried about my future.

"Ah, yes. Of course. Some child really finds some topic difficult to study. Not all children can study and understand the true meaning behind those words they read in their textbooks." The King said with a smile.

The King informed Lady Randal that she can get to her mother's side again. But her gazes didn't escape my sight. Her eyes were filled with anger while looking at me. What now? I gained another hater because of it? I'm innocent yet I'm also a magnet for these kind of people. Why can't I simply live my life in peace?

"Do you still want to say something, Duke Randal? Do you still have an objection about this engagement?" The King asked the Duke.

"...No. I'm now thinking that Lady Vivione is really suited to be the Princess Consort of this kingdom." He said in a low voice.

"That's right. The moment I met Lady Vivione, I also know that she's a suited partner for my son. She's not only a charming lady, but she's also full of talent and smart. You've just witnessed it with your n.a.k.e.d eyes. Not all people were interested about the kingdom's history anymore. But Lady Vivione is an exception from it. She is truly an amazing lady."

This is the highest praise someone can get from a King who rules a huge kingdom. But I'm not ecstatic about it. I'm already used to hear praises towards me. Also, it feels creepy to see this King showering me with compliments. And father, don't just nod your head and agree with the King. You know that everyone can see you, right?

It seems like Duke Randal is not yet giving up. He was about to open his mouth again when the King interrupted him.

"Duke Radal, I don't want to be rude towards you, but you have already delayed my son's birthday party. If you still have matters you want to discuss with me, let's just set up a meeting tomorrow. For now, I want my son to enjoy his birthday party as well as the celebration of his engagement."

"...I understand. I'm sorry to take your precious time, Your Majesty. I also congratulate the Crown Prince and Lady Vivione's engagement." Duke Radal said and gives a lower bow in front of the King.

When the Duke looks at me, he has a blank expression. But it doesn't hide well his disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. He simply bows his head at me and walks away. The King then announce to resume the party. The orc.h.e.s.tra starts to play again and the servants serve the foods and drinks to the invited guests. Everything is so lively that no one can tell that something happened just a while ago.

I'm about to excuse myself and run to where my brother is standing when the Crown Prince runs towards me and holds my hand. Oh. You're still here. I have completely forgotten about this Crown Prince. For a prince like himself, he sure has a small presence for me. The prince pulls me with full of excitement and we get closer to the King.

"See? I told you that Aly is my true princess, after all." The Crown Prince said to His Majesty with a proud smile on his face.

"That's right, son. You chose well. After a few years, you'll be marrying her and she'll be a part of the Royal family. She will be my official daughter when that time comes."

Who's your princess, Your Highness? And who's your daughter, Your Majesty? All I know is that I'm a princess in my own family and my father is the Duke of Vivione family. And don't talk as if I'm not in your presence. Did my opinion doesn't matter here? Can you even ask this little girl about what she wants to say? No? Sighs. I'm still a little girl, but I feel like I'm already carrying all the burden of this world.