The Reincarnated Archmage

Together with Eliana, we return to the auditorium and separate ways at the entrance. I saw my parents walk together towards the door on the left. Maybe they'll meet someone there so I decided to go to my seat and wait for them. Before I can sit on my chair, someone approaches me from behind. It's the Crown Prince. He has this beautiful smile on his face and I give him a blank look. I almost forgot that the Royal Family is always attending the graduation ceremony as the most important guest of honors.

I simply give him a curtsy and turn my back on him. We don't have anything to discuss so it's better if we don't speak to each other today. I'm about to leave when this prince suddenly grabs my arm. When I look at him, he still has this beautiful smile on his face.

"Aly, you're so cold towards your fiance. It's been a while since we last saw each other. Your action just now makes me really sad." The prince said while trying to act like an abandoned puppy.

"Your Highness, I—"

"I told you that stop addressing me so formally, right?"

"But—"

"Aly."

I purse my lips and look at him again. This prince keeps on insisting that I should use his nickname instead of being formal to him. Why should I casually address him like that? We're not even close. Sighs.

Even in my past life, one of my hated things is cunning, despicable, vicious and black-hearted children. They're too difficult to be dealt with. And this prince has greedily taken all of this negative qualifications I hate. I feel like the more time I spend with this prince, my black hair will turn white sooner or later.

"Aly, that is an order. Remember?"

Tch. What a bossy kid.

"...Lars." I said in a very soft voice.

"I can't hear you."

"But—"

"Louder, Aly. I can't really hear you."

This brat. As much as I want to smack his head, I can't really do it. Not when a lot of people are looking at us. I won't put my family name in shame.

"Lars." I said again, now in a very clear voice.

"Yes, Aly?" He said with a smile and I secretly give him a glare.

"As much as I concern, we're not close to each other. Can you please stop asking me to call you with your nickname? Look. The people are staring at me." I said in a low voice.

"The people are looking?"

The prince simply looks at the people looking at us before looking at me again.

"They're just admiring your cuteness." He stated.

I can't help but give this prince a glare. I'm not that thick-skinned like you, okay? I know that I'm cute, but I don't boast it to other people. This prince really wants to bring a bad luck to my future.

"Even your pouting face is cute." He added.

"Do you have something important to tell me?" I asked to change the topic.

"Nothing. I just miss seeing you. It's also my responsibility to take good care of my future wife."

I'm about to rebuke when someone stand behind me.

"Your Highness, can you please refrain from teasing my sister?"

A tall man wearing a black formal attire is now holding my shoulder. His medium length silver hair were combed nicely, making him look more m.a.t.u.r.e. His eyes already lose its roundness and becomes sharp.

"Brother?"

He looks at me when I call him and give me a smile. I can't believe that my brother who I missed so much is now standing behind me. And he's not the little boy with a cute face anymore. My brother is too handsome and tall that I almost doubt that he's my brother. What did the two years do to make him this handsome and m.a.t.u.r.e?

"Brother!"

I can't help but to act like a child right now and hug him. Due to our huge height difference, I'm struggling to give him a hug. As a consideration, he kneels in front of me so I can give him a proper hug. This man is really my brother. He still has this loving embrace and fresh peppermint scent that I really love on him.

"I really miss you!"

"I also miss you, Aly." My brother said then give me a smile.

When he does that, I heard some gasps from the people who are watching us. Most of those gasps come from the young noble ladies who are also present at this ceremony. I know what you girls are thinking about. He's too handsome and even I'm his own little sister, I can't help but to admire him too much.

"Brother, you're too handsome! I almost can't recognize you."

"If that happens, then I'll be sad. I don't want my sister to forget me." My brother said and pats my hair. "I have something to give to you after the ceremony. I'm sure you'll like it."

"I should be the one giving you a gift. Congratulations on your graduation!"

Yes. This is the big brother I know. He may grow up into a handsome man, but the way he deals with me were still the same. He's still the doting brother I like the most.

"Tch. Still a siscon."

I'm stunned when I hear the prince said that. Had he just insulted my brother just now?! This two-faced prince really dares say it? Instead of getting mad, my brother looks at the prince and give him a smile.

"I'll just take it as a compliment." My brother said. Then, without a word, he lifts my body and carry me. I unconsciously grab his shoulders to avoid my body from losing its balance. Seeing me acting like that, my brother placed his hand on my back to help me. "After all, it's already a wide known knowledge how I and my parents dotes on my sister so much."

Brother, you should not be proud of that information. It's true that the whole kingdom knows how the whole Vivione household treasures me so much. This information started to spread secretly after my engagement with the prince. Then it gets exaggerated that my engagement happened was because the prince actually loves me and not for political purposes.

To be honest, I'm tempted to find whoever spread that rumor. What kind of information was that? And for a young child to actually feel that kind of romantic love is too impossible. It's obvious that the prince was just amused and curious with a child younger than him whose acting like an a.d.u.l.t. Not to mentioned that he loves to tease me whenever he had a chance.

"I can't blame Sir Cedric for being too protective of my fiancee. After all, my Aly is the cutest lady I've ever seen."

Excuse me? My Aly? I've been never yours to begin with. This stupid brat is acting as if I'm a toy that he originally owns. Just you wait, you foolish brat. I'll have my revenge soon.

My brother chooses to ignore the prince's words and focus his eyes on me. It seems like my brother m.a.t.u.r.ed not only physically, but also mentally. Ah. The cycle of a child is really too fast. In just a blink of an eye, the adorable children you've spend time with grows too fast.

Then we heard the bells ring three times. It's a signal that the graduation ceremony will start soon. My brother carefully sits me in my chair and told me to watch him as he receives his award. I watch my brother leaves and let out a soft sigh.

As for the prince, he doesn't forget to show the people here his gentle side. He elegantly bids me farewell by holding and kissing the back of my hand. I heard some noble ladies here voicing their d.e.s.i.r.es to be intimate with this prince. I'll gladly switch places with you if I can easily do it, okay.

After a few minutes, the ceremony started, but my parents were still not here. Maybe something urgent happened a while ago? I decided to wait for them patiently as I focus on the students lined-up and enter the auditorium. I patiently wait to see my brother entering the auditorium last. Entering the graduation ceremony last means that the person achieved a lot during his school years. As his younger sister, of course I'm too happy and proud of him.

As the ceremony proceeds the flow smoothly, my parents have also returned just in time when my brother is called on stage. When I ask them what happened, they tell me they just finished some work-related problems. I didn't ask more and continue watching the ceremony. After receiving the praises of the school director to my brother, all the people clap their hands, including me. Seeing how happy my brother makes me happy as well.

After the ceremony, my brother walks towards us with a smile on his face while ignoring the dreamy gazes of those noble women around him. My mother saw him and give him a hug. Then my father pats my brother's shoulder while telling how lucky and proud he is to have such a wonderful son.

Seeing this, I suddenly realized how lucky am I to be reborn in such a loving family. It's rare to find a family where they love each other in a noble society. Mostly, they'll just be filial as a front, but being ruthless and doesn't care each other's business on the inside.

I've been thinking of this for a while, but I think the reason why I'm alive is for me to experience the feeling of being a part of this living world. When I'm still Veronica, I focused all of my attention to make myself worthy of the gods' prophecy. I put all of my time making myself stronger each day until I received the title of Archmage of Light. The moment I achieved all of it, that's when I realized that I am different and there's already a wall gap between me and the people around me that is impossible to break.

I tried to approach them, but they were all scared of me. Some treated with so much respect as if I'm a living goddess. I don't want that kind of treatment. That's why I gave up trying to make a relationship with those people. I'm just glad and contented that a special five people gave new colors to my previous life. I'm really grateful for that.

"Aly, come here!" My father called me.

"Let's go home, Aly. I'll make us a delicious dinner later." My mother also said.

"You should sit beside me later, Aly." My brother said with a smile.

Then I look up to see my new family. They're all smiling at me. Looking at them, I make a new promise to myself. I will not try to make them safe, but I will also protect their happiness. Just like what a real Archmage does, I will make sure this promise of mine will be fulfill.