The Reincarnated Archmage

"Are you really leaving?" I asked even though I know it is a silly question.

Nanny Bella pats my hair and gives me a sad smile. Today is the day when my Nanny Bella will leave the mansion. She needs to go back to the countryside where her husband and child are living. A letter arrived earlier this morning at our mansion and it was addressed to Nanny Bella.

According to the letter, Nanny Bella's child had an accident last night. The child keeps on calling for his mother, that's why Nanny Bella's husband sends a letter to inform her about the situation. After reading the letter, Nanny Bella quickly told us the situation. I thought she'll only ask for a long vacation, but we didn't expect her to give a resignation letter to my mother.

Because of her child's accident, Nanny Bella realized that her child really needs her on his side. Nanny Bella also considered the idea that maybe it's now time to quit her job here in the capital so she can go home and spend more time in the countryside with her own family. We really understand her reasons, that's why we gave our permission to quit her job. Though I'm a little sad about it.

Aside from my family, Nanny Bella is also one of the people who raised me up until now. She treats me as if I'm her real daughter. She never neglects her responsibilities to me. That's why I can't help but feel sad about her departure.

"I hope you can understand, Aly." Nanny Bella said with a small smile on her face. "I want you to know that I'm also the happiest person the moment you were born. I treated you as if you were my own child. I love you just like how the Vivione household loves you."

Nanny Bella lovingly holds my hand. She sometimes pats my hair softly.

"But I also want you to understand me, My Lady. Now is the time for me to spend more time with my own family. Just like you, my child also needs a mother to take good care of him. He also needs someone to guide him as he grows up. And as his mother, it is my duty to make sure that he will grow up as a good person."

Of course, I can understand my Nanny Bella. I've been in her position a thousand years ago. As a mother, you want your child to grow up as a good person. You will have a sense of responsibility to guide your child as he slowly takes his steps in the real world. But saying goodbye to the person who's with you for a long time is really a sad feeling.

"I understand." I said. "But please send me a letter once in a while, okay?"

"Of course. Even if I'm living far away from you, please always remember that a piece of my heart is always with you." Nanny Bella said as her eyes become watery. "You are also my daughter, Aly."

"And you are also my second mother, Nanny Bella." I said as I jump into her arms and give her a tight hug.

After an hour, Nanny Bella finished packing up her things. Mother arranged a carriage for Nanny Bella. She also gives Nanny Bella a silk pouch that contains four pieces of gold coins and two platinum coins. Nanny Bella really wants to refuse it, but I force her to accept it.

A single gold coin can purchase fifteen sacks of rice grains while a single platinum coin can buy a big farm in the countryside. With the amount my mother gave to her, Nanny Bella and her family can live in peace without worrying about their food and shelter. Nanny Bella thinks it's too much. But for me, the love and care she gave to me are more priceless than those tangible things.

Nanny Bella hugs me so tight before riding on the carriage. She tearfully waves her hand at me and I do the same until I can't see the carriage anymore. We may never see each other again in the future, but I know that the memories we shared together are too precious and we will never forget it. My brother pats me on my shoulder like he's comforting me before telling me to go inside the house before it gets cold.

-//-//-

As I try to put some ribbons on Lyle's neck one morning, my father knocks on my door before opening it. He's with someone right now. My eyes widen in surprise seeing the appearance of the young boy who is now standing beside my father.

'Oh. He's your weird stalker.' Lyle said to me through telepathy. 'Finally decided to show himself to you, huh.'

"Aly, I want you to meet Zain. He will be your butler from now on."

"A p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you, My Lady Alyssa. I am Zain Maldore. Starting today, I pledge to serve you with my whole life."

As he said that, he maintained his blank face as he bowed elegantly in front of me. Since it's all new to me, I absent-mindedly look at my father.

"Aly, he will be your personal butler from now on." Father said.

"Butler?" I asked.

"Hmm, yes." Father said as he walks towards me and pats my head. "He will take care of anything that you want or need. He will also dedicate his whole life only for you."

I already know what a butler is, but father still explains it to me. His first sentence is quite fine to me, but why does he also need to dedicate his whole life to me? The boy will just need to do his job so he doesn't really have to dedicate his whole life to me. It's an absurd idea if you'll ask me.

"I will leave you with Zain so you can be more comfortable with him."

Before father opens the door, I see him looking at my new butler with a slightly furrowed eyebrows. Zain simply maintains his blank expression. Father then looks at me with a smile before leaving my room.

"Zain, how old are you?" I asked.

"I'm 10 years old, My Lady."

Oh. So he's one year older than me. I stare at him quietly while observing him. Zain is a boy with ash-gray hair and golden eyes. His clothes and shoes are clean and his hair was properly combed. A different appearance when I first met him.

"Have we met before, Zain?"

"...No, My Lady."

Zain took a little while before answering my question.

'Your new servant is a liar.' Lyle commented but I ignore him.

"Really?" I asked before staring at his eyes. "You are the one who trespasses in my room last time, right?"

"....It's not me, My Lady."

Zain awkwardly lowers his head to avoid my eyes. We stay like this for a while before I let out a sigh. If he doesn't want to admit it, then fine. I'll just pretend that I didn't know the truth.

There's a long silence between us. Zain is standing straight in front of me while I'm still observing him from head to toe. Today is Zain's official first day of work since father already informed me about him. I don't need anything for now so I'm thinking of anything that can break the silence between us.

'Why don't you ask him to bring my lunch?' Lyle suddenly suggests.

'You just ate a whole plate of ham, Lyle.' I reminded him.

These days, I discovered that Lyle's appetite is so big. He can seriously eat a box full of meat in an hour and will still ask for more. No wonder that Lyle is getting heavier each day. But being fat is not healthy, especially for cats, or should I say 'a spirit trying to be a cat'.

I walk towards Zain and wordlessly give Lyle to him. Confused, Zain looks at the black cat and then to me. Zain still gets the black cat from me and carefully holds its body.

"Can you give my cat a warm bath? Also, can you try to think of some ideas on how to lose Lyle's weight? I noticed that it is getting fat these days." I said.

'Hey! I'm not that fat!'

"That is my first request for now." I said to Zain, ignoring Lyle's complaint.

"...Request, My Lady?"

"Yes. Request." I said. "Meaning, you can refuse it anytime you want."

"But..."

"No buts. If you are willing to do my requests, then I want to say thank you in advance. If you don't do it, then that's okay too. I won't force you to do it."

I still have a soft heart for a child like him who is doing a job like an a.d.u.l.t. I may forget that I'm a real a.d.u.l.t inside sometimes, but I think it's not right to make a young child to make them do some hard work. They should be in an environment where they can feel safe and secure.

I look at Zain again and let out a sigh. It's obvious that he is not an ordinary kid. He's even hiding in the shadows to guard me before. Remembering the first time we've met, his speed and body's reaction is also extraordinary.

I don't know the reason why he ended up like this at an early age, but it's not right for me to ask him directly. Finding out the secrets of others is not my hobby. And besides, even a child like him also needs to have a privacy. Invading someone's privacy is not a good habit.

Zain complies with my wishes even though he's still confused. I just show him a smile because I'm getting lazy to tell him all my thoughts. Zain looks petrified while holding Lyle's body. Lyle and I look at each other before I wave my hand in front of Zain's face. He blinks his eye before he put a meter distance between us.

"...Then I'll give your pet a warm bath now, My Lady."

Zain retreats from my room so fast without waiting for my answer. What happened to him? Maybe he's just a little fl.u.s.tered in front of me?