The Reincarnated Archmage

"Let's not talk about it." I said. "Tell me. Where did you go these past few weeks?"

Lyle the cat find another comfortable place to sit in before answering my question.

'I temporarily traveled to the Spirit World and look for an old friend. She's a spirit that is knowledgeable in different types of potions. Since you're still a child, I know that it will be a difficult task for you to also control the powers I have. So I decided to help you a little. It took me a while before I found that fellow and ask for a potion that can lessen my presence as a spirit and transform me into something simple.' Lyle explained.

"And you choose to be a cat?" I questioned as I look at him l.i.c.k.i.n.g his paws.

'It's not my own choice! It was that damn Celeste who chooses this form.'

"Your friend's name is Celeste? The old spirit Celeste of the Old Realm World?" I asked.

'Yes.'

Of course, I know her. I already met her several times when I'm still Veronica. Celeste is a moody spirit who has the appearance of a small child, which makes it hard to seek help from her. When I'm still learning magic before as Veronica, I tried to make a contract with her, but she refused. Celeste told me that I don't need to make a contract with her since I am powerful enough to do everything I want in this world. But even though I failed to make a connection with her, she still provides me her power whenever I needed it.

"Anyways, it's a surprised that the Spirit Celeste helped you. I heard that she's an unpredictable spirit."

'It's thanks to you though.'

"Huh? What do you—"

I was interrupted when Nanny Bella entered my room holding a tray with a cup of freshly brewed tea and a bowl of fresh milk on it. She placed the bowl of milk in front of Lyle and put the cup of tea on my table. Lyle, who is still pretending to be a cat, starts drinking his milk.

"We should ask the guard later to bring this cat outside the mansion after it drinks the milk." Nanny Bella said.

"No!" I said. "I... I want to keep this cat as my pet."

"But it's a stray cat, little miss. Who knows what kind of danger it will bring to you."

"It's a cute cat, nanny. I will talk to my mama and papa later about Lyle, so please don't throw him away."

"Oh my. You already gave the cat a name." Nanny Bella said.

She looks at the black cat and Lyle stares at her with his now big and round eyes. Then Nanny Bella let out a sigh.

"Fine. But if the Duke and Duchess disagree, we need to keep this cat away from this mansion, okay?"

"Okay!" I said then show her a sweet smile.

"Since you want to keep this cat, we need to wash its body. Who knows what kind of bacteria this cat is bringing on its body."

'No! Don't wanna!' Lyle protested through telepathy.

"Uhm... Do we really need to?" I asked.

"Of course. I assumed that you will pat and c.a.r.e.s.sed its fur since you have the intention to make this cat as your pet, right?"

"Well..."

"So we really need to clean this cat now." Nanny Bella said and fetch Lyle with her both hands.

'No! I don't want to do it! Do something!' Lyle is still protesting while trying to free its body from Nanny Bella's hands.

'Hey, don't struggle. What if you accidentally scratch my nanny's hands?'

But thinking about it, Nanny Bella has a point. If Lyle decided to stay with me in his current form, at least we need to make him a little presentable and clean. Like a little lady of this house, I don't want people to gossip about me keeping a dirty cat as her pet.

As if reading my thought, Lyle is looking at me with a little glare. It's a little weird though. It's as if Lyle really turned into a real cat who doesn't like water. If I didn't know Lyle's true appearance, I will suspect that he is a real cat instead of a Dark Spirit.

"Uhm... Nanny, please don't hurt Lyle, okay? At least be a little gentle to him."

"Of course." Nanny Bella said. "You should drink your tea before it gets cold. You can leave the task of bathing this cat to me."

'Traitor! How can you do this to me?! Master, no!'

I can still hear Lyle's inner scream in my mind as they leave my room. I'm sorry, Lyle. You need to do this little sacrifice if you want to stay by my side. I hope you can forgive me for this. Letting out a sigh, I decided to give Lyle a chunk of meat later as a reward for his sacrifice.

I can't help but to look at the window again. I remember the boy who suddenly showed up in front of me a while ago. He's too quick to escape that I forgot to ask his name. I'm really sure that he's the one they send to protect me. In that case, it should be nice and proper if I can at least know his name and say my thanks to him. I should remember it the next time we meet again face to face.

-//-//-

Months have peacefully passed and everything in my life is going smooth. Now I rarely received a summons from the Royal Palace and if I received one, it's from the Queen asking me to spend time with her in some afternoon tea. I heard that the troublesome prince was visiting the neighboring countries with the King to have a Royal visit. Aside from his title as a prince, I heard people were referring to him as a genius, talented and bright. Even my father and brother recognized it.

I also have to admit that I can see those attributes on that prince. Aside from his annoying attitude when he's teasing me, I can't simply deny his effort for doing great with his duty as a royalty. I just hope that one day, his personality will change when he becomes an a.d.u.l.t. It will be a great news for me if that will happen.

Lyle, with his appearance as a cat, is leisurely staying with me now at this mansion. I didn't have a hard time convincing my family to let Lyle as my pet since they always give whatever I wished for. They told me that if that's what makes me happy, then they're fine with it. They're such a doting family to their daughter.

Eliana and Victor were still visiting me regularly. Martin left a few weeks ago to go to the countryside. We also started exchanging letters. Martin is a smart and calm child. It's clearly evident by the way he writes his words in the letters.

Even his handwriting was smooth and clean. He once mentioned in his letter that he also wanted to be my friend which I happily accept. Being friends with him will make it easier for me to help him lessen his problems and worries.

As promised, I am taking good care of Eliana. Not only that, but I also started teaching her the basics when it comes to magic casting. Since I learned that I can't easily use magic, I already stopped collecting mana since its useless. But it doesn't mean that I'll become a pretty decoration in this lifetime.

I discovered that I really do have a talent when it comes to teaching. With my past experiences as Veronica, who nurtured her apprentices and my new knowledge as Alyssa in this time's magic, I teach Eliana with ease. Since we're still both children, my methods of teaching her are like we're simply roleplaying as teacher and student. Whenever the servants see us, they always say that I looked like an older sister who loves and takes good care of her little sibling. This event also causes a small ruckus to my parents.

Father asked me one day if I want to have a younger sister. I already have an idea of what is running on his head, but I still asked him what will happen if I ever want one. He answers me that he and my mother can give me a younger sister within a year. When I innocently asked him how he can do it, that's when the ruckus starts.

Coincidentally, Mother heard our conversation when she passed on Father's office. She quickly stops my Father from talking and asked me to go to brother and play with him. After I left the office, I heard my mother interrogating my father in a low voice. I can also hear my father's nervous voice trying to explain our conversation to her.

Well, it was father who started it. I pity my father who got a long serious scolding from my mother. But I also pity those people who don't know this side of my father. They have always viewed him as a cold and vicious Prime Minister in this kingdom. Who will dare to think that this "cold" and "strict" Prime Minister of this kingdom is being scolded by his wife? Sigh. Father of mine, please be more aware of your status as a Duke and Prime Minister of this Kingdom.