The Reincarnated Archmage

Hot.

It's too hot as if my body is on fire. I'm already mentally awake, but I'm too lazy to open my eyes for some reason. I can hear people talking on my side. Based from their voice, it's my parents and Her Majesty.

"She'll be fine. According to the doctor, she's just having a fever due to exhaustion." I heard the Queen said.

"This is the first time she got sick."

"It's because she used a magic spell for the first time that's why her body reacted to it."

My father's voice doesn't have a hint of playfulness just like the usual. But he's correct. Unfortunately, this body contains only a small amount of mana making it too fragile. Since we are capable of using magic without wasting a single drop of mana, the substitution of it will be the physical energy on our body. I used a high-ranking spell magic earlier, so I automatically used a huge amount of my energy.

I admit that I become careless on that part. I thought that I can still have an energy left on my body enough for me to walk. I didn't know that having a fragile body is too troublesome. If I wanted to use magic freely without sacrificing my energy, I seriously need to find a way so I can gather a lot of mana in this body.

I slowly open my eyes and a blinding light welcomes my sight. I blink my eyes several times to adjust my sight before I can see my surroundings. When my mother noticed that I gain consciousness, she and my father quickly approach the bed. Mother puts her hands on my cheek. It's so cold that I lean my face on it.

"Aly, how do you feel?" My mother asked me in a very worried voice.

"Aly is too tired." I whisper. It's the truth. I feel that I can sleep for the next two days straight without any problem.

"You should take a rest first. Don't worry. Mama and papa will be here for you." My mother said as she tucks my hair behind my left ear.

Papa put a hand on my head and look at me with a sign of relief on his face. Don't be like that. You two are making me guilty. I make a promise in my heart not to repeat it again to avoid making my parents to worried like this.

"You can come home tomorrow morning if Alyssa feels a lot better. I'll tell the maids to arrange everything." I heard the Queen said. "For now, let her sleep more to gain the energy she lost. His Majesty and I also want to talk to the both of you."

My parents nodded to what the Queen said. My mother told me to sleep more and will be back later. The moment the door closed, someone quickly shows up in front of me. It's Lyle.

How do I explain his expression just now? Lyle is folding his arms on his c.h.e.s.t while looking at me with a blank expression. He's mad. Really, really mad.

'I'm still alive. You don't need to worry about it.'

"That's not the problem, young lady." Lyle said in a stern voice. "Why are you so careless?!"

'I'm not being careless. I just simply got overboard. That's all.'

Lyle stares at me for a while before turning his head in the other direction.

"I should punish those brats and teach them a lesson. They should know not to even think of showing disrespect towards you."

'There's no need for that. They're just kids.'

"And you're not?"

Ugh. Why do you have to hit me where it hurts? I should make an effort so I can grow up quickly. Lyle sighs loudly. In a blink of an eye, he's now sitting on my bedside.

"Take a rest. You're ugly when you get sick."

'Hey!'

This guy! He's the only one who said that me. Everyone is praising my cuteness, you know? Lyle is really weird. He changes his emotions in a blink of an eye. I roughly pull my blanket and decided to sleep. I feel that talking with Lyle right now will make my fever worst. When I close my eyes, I feel Lyle's hand playing with my hair. It's really comfortable and I feel sleepy that quick. I feel my body relax and finally lose myself in a dreamless sleep.

-//-//-

"Ester and Radel, you can take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

His Majesty, Fernan, said to me and my wife. We are currently in his office to talk about something. Me and Fernan are close friends ever since we're young. But since he's already a King and as the Prime Minister, I can't just recklessly call his name. But sometimes, I can completely forget our positions because of him. For a King, he's too troublesome. I always have this urge to smack his head, but for the sake of our friendship and my position as the Prime Minister, I always stop myself from doing it. And now, I have a feeling what His Majesty wants to talk about, and I didn't like it.

"How is Lady Alyssa's condition?" He first asked.

"She's feeling well now. She still has a little fever, but I think she'll regain her energy tomorrow morning." Ester explained my daughter's condition.

"I see. That's good to hear." He said and relax in his chair. Her Majesty gives us a cup of tea that she personally brew. We thank her and she sat down in front of us.

"Radel, you know that we've been a good friend for such a long time." The King said.

"That's right." I said.

"So how about making my son and your daughter engaged—"

"Thank, but no thanks." I quickly refuse.

"Hey!"

My guess was right. He wants to make my daughter to be the prince's fiancee.

"Why are you refusing, Radel? Don't you know what kind of proposal you are declining right now? And besides, your daughter is the strongest candidate to be my son's fiancee."

"I will still refuse."

Fernan was right. With my daughter's background, skills, talent and personality, she is the strongest contender for the Queen's seat. But I still refuse.

Alyssa is one of my treasures in life. When Ester gave birth to her, I quickly fell in love with her. She's quite different from the other babies I've ever seen. Aside from her appearance, Alyssa is quite unique. I remember Cedric when he's still a baby and he always cries that even disturb Ester's sleep at night. But Alyssa doesn't cry easily. Whenever we talk to her, she stares at us as if she's listening and understands us. She is too obedient for a baby.

After a few years, she grows up into a cute and adorable child. She's always cheerful and attentive to her surroundings. Even the servants in our house really likes her. She is too curious for a child, but that makes her more adorable in my eyes. I'm pretty sure that she'll turn into a real beauty when she grows up.

Recently, Alyssa has acted differently. When Cedric started to attend the academy, I also started teaching her how to read just like what I promised. When Cedric started to learn how to read, he memorized the letters and was able to read in one week. For the other child, it usually takes one or two months for them to learn how to read. That's why it makes me surprised to see Aly can read fluently in just two days despite her age.

After that, the servants reported to us that Alyssa usually stays in our library to read books. Half of the book in our library was all about magic. It's all basically mine since I used those books when I'm still young. Those books indicate the procedures on how to summon magic.

When I asked what kind of books she's reading, the servant said she usually chose the complicated books she can find. Bella also reported that when Alyssa reads a book, she will stare at it for a moment before turning its page. I didn't think of anything about it. Maybe she's not really reading it and just staring at the pictures in the book.

After a few months, I asked my daughter why she's not coming to our library anymore. Alyssa told me that there's no need for it because she already read all the books she can find in the library. I was praising her that time, but I'm truly lost on what she means by it. Does it mean she finished looking at the pictures in all the books? Or did she really finish reading the books? But that's impossible.

Or so I thought.

When a knight suddenly barged into my office that afternoon, I was shocked that I quickly go to the garden palace. While we're walking, the knight explained to me what really happened. He told me that some noble daughter attacked her and Alyssa just uses a high-ranking magic to stop it. How can a child summons a high-ranking magic if no one was teaching her? The only answer I can provide to my question are those books in the library. Alyssa is not joking or acting cute in front of me. She really reads all the books in the library.

From the moment I first saw my daughter, I know that she is special in a lot of ways. But it doesn't make my love for her lessen. Even if she's different, I still love her. Not only me, even Ester and Cedric treasures her a lot. That's why I won't easily give my daughter to anyone, not even to the prince.

"Don't be like that, Radel. And besides, I think my son took a liking to your daughter."

"Of course, he will. Alyssa is the cutest that you can find in this kingdom."

"That's why—"

"That's why I won't give you my daughter that easily!"

"This overly doting father! What if your daughter will marry late?"

"That's okay. She can help Cedric to lead the Vivione household in the future. Now that I remember, my daughter always mentioned that she wanted to be like me. She can be the next prime minister."

"Hey! That's—"

"Why? This kingdom allows women to have a higher position as long as they can prove that they're suitable for the job, right?"

"But I think Lady Alyssa will be overqualified for that position." Fernan sighs. "I think she'll suit to be the Princess Consort more than the position of the next Prime Minister."

"She's already a princess in my family. No need for her to be a consort."

"But I want her to be my daughter too— Hey!"

I simply throw the pen hidden in my b.r.e.a.s.t pocket. Just who is he to wish she wanted my daughter? Even if he's my friend and the King of this kingdom, I won't easily give my daughter to her.

"My wife told me that she didn't show any nervousness while interacting with the different people in the party. She even elegantly introduced herself in front of my wife with confidence. It's rare to find a child who's not nervous in front of the Royal family, you know?"

"I know. And if your citizen knows how troublesome you are, I think they'll be less afraid while facing you. Should I spread a rumor about it?"

"Oi! You're being rude now, Radel."

"You started it."

"But my wife also likes Lady Alyssa. Right, Jenna?"

When we both look at the Queen, but she is currently having fun conversing with my wife. Me and Fernan both let out a sigh. They always choose to ignore us whenever me and Fernan started a conversation. When they both notice us, the Queen and my wife just smile at us.

"I'm sorry. I just got excited to hear some stories about Ester's children." The Queen said. "But as for your question, that's right. When I met Alyssa earlier, she is too adorable in my eyes. She even got Larson's attention. It's rare for that child to have an interest to other children."

"I also noticed it too. I saw how the prince took some short glances towards Aly. It's cute to witness it." Ester said then softly smile. "I think everything will be alright, but..."

A sudden gloominess envelops my wife. We already know what she is talking about. Then Fernan takes some doc.u.ment and hand it to me.

"Those are the lists of crimes that Idel household secretly commits. We just finished investigating them. You can decide what do you want to do with them. You can add the crime of slandering your family's reputation on the list of their crimes. As for the daughter of Earl Noral, I'll leave the decision of her punishment to your wife."

"Understood."

They dare not only to bully my daughter, but also speak a malicious rumors in front of her? Then they should be ready for the consequences of their action. I won't let them get away from it.

"It may be rude, but I think Alyssa made a good decision earlier to show her talent in magic. This quickly disperses the rumors about her being an illegitimate child of the Vivione family." The Queen said.

I don't want to admit it, but she's totally right. I'm already aware of those rumors running around in the society, but I didn't pay much attention to it. And besides, all they can do is to spread rumors without any proofs since they can't even hold a candle to my family. But I didn't expect them to talk about it in front of my daughter.

I'm worried that she'll start believing those rumors. Ester told me that it seems like Alyssa is not affected by it. But as a father, it can't easily erase the uneasiness I'm feeling about it. I should be the one who needs to protect my family from these kinds of situation. I learn my lesson from this. I swear on my life that I'll never let this incident to happen ever again.