Reincarnated As An Archmage’s Daughter

The Spider Squad Arrives...

Kix and her squad crept into the weaving chamber, their legs moving silently across the floor. They saw the orb spinning in the air, making distressed whining sounds.

"There it is," Kix whispered. "On my signal, we surround it. Don't let it escape."

The spiders moved into position, forming a ring around the orb.

Velvet saw them and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Backup.

"Princess," she said smoothly, "I think we should move to the other side of the room. The lighting is better there."

Hania nodded. "Okay, but I want to come back to this later."

"Of course, Princess."

Velvet guided her away from the center of the room, giving the squad a clear path to the orb.

Kix raised her leg. "NOW!"

The squad lunged.

The orb shot upward, barely escaping their grasp. It ricocheted off the ceiling, bounced off a bookshelf, and zoomed toward the door.

"After it!" Kix shouted.

The orb flew down the corridor at breakneck speed. The spiders chased after it. The orb dodged left, then right, then shot through a gap in a tapestry.

I CAN'T GO BACK TO THE VAULT! I WON'T!

Hania poked her head out of the weaving chamber. "What's all the noise about?"

"Nothing, Princess!" Kix called back, still chasing the orb. "Just a routine pest control situation! Nothing to worry about!"

The orb zoomed past Hania's head, so close it ruffled her hair. She blinked.

"Did something just—"

"NO! Nothing!" Kix shouted. "Everything is fine! Please, just... continue with your lesson!"

The orb zoomed around a corner, the spiders close behind.

Hania stared after them, frowning. "That was weird."

Velvet appeared at her side, smiling too brightly. "Shall we return to the tapestry, Princess? I believe I saw something I missed."

★★★

The orb shot through the Academy, weaving between legs and ducking under webs. The spiders were closing in from all sides. It was trapped.

I need a distraction!

It spotted a large, ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It zoomed toward it, spun in place, and launched itself at the support chain. The chain snapped. The chandelier crashed to the ground, sending spiders scattering.

YES!

The orb shot through the gap and zoomed out the main entrance, into the open cavern beyond.

Freedom!

But then it saw hundreds of spiders. The entire Academy guard. All surrounding it.

...Oh no.

Kix emerged from the Academy, breathing hard. "Good work, squad. We've got it cornered."

The orb looked around frantically. It had nowhere to go.

HANIA! HELP!

It pulsed desperately, trying to send a signal to its human. But Hania was still inside the Academy, examining the tapestry with Velvet's help.

This is the worst day of my existence.

Kix stepped forward. "Orb. It's over. Come quietly, and we'll return you to the vault with minimal fuss."

The orb made a heartbreaking sobbing sound.

I just wanted to see her.

Kix's expression softened. "I know it’s boring but please come with us. You will meet her when the time comes. Have some patience."

The orb pulsed once, defeated. It floated toward Kix, ready to surrender.

Back in the Academy...

Hania frowned at the pattern on the wall. "Velvet, I wonder where's my orb. Did you find it? I wanted to see my orb."

Velvet's legs stiffened. "Ah. Yes. About that..."

"Velvet? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"No, no, nothing at all! The orb... We're still searching for it. We will find it soon."

A crash echoed from outside. Hania turned toward the window.

"What was that?"

"NOTHING!" Velvet's voice was suddenly very high. "Probably just a drill! The Academy has fire drills."

Hania stared at her. "Velvet. What is going on?"

Outside...

Kix had just secured the orb in a reinforced containment sphere.

"There," Kix said gently. "See? That wasn't so bad."

The orb pulsed once, sadly.

"You'll see her soon. I promise. Just... not today."

The orb pulsed again, even sadder.

Kix sighed. "It's for your own good. And the kingdom's structural integrity."

The orb made a pitiful sound.

Kix led the squad toward the vault.

A few minutes later, the orb sat in the center of its containment chamber, surrounded by newly reinforced wards.

It was absolutely miserable. She doesn't even know I'm here. I just... wanted to say hello.

★★★

Meanwhile, in the Academy...

Hania was still staring at the tapestry, but her mind was racing.

She had felt it the moment the orb entered the room. A presence she had known since the day she pulled it from the whale's heart.

The orb had been there. She was sure of it.

But Velvet had distracted her deliberately. Every time she tried to turn around, Velvet was there with another fascinating detail about the tapestry.

And then there was the signal. The quick, silent communication that only spiders could read.

Velvet knew. She knew the orb was there, and she kept me from seeing it. They think I don't understand the signals. Huh... I think they forget or don't know that my teacher is my father.

I feel sorry for the orb. It tried its best. Wait a little bit more, orb. Let me finish my work first.

Hania's eyes narrowed. She turned to Velvet with her sweetest, most innocent smile.

"Velvet, I think I need some fresh air. All this weaving is making my head spin."

Velvet's legs relaxed slightly. "Of course, Princess. I'll escort you—"

"No, no, I'll find my own way. You stay here and... catalog the tapestry. I know how much you love cataloging."

"But Princess—"

"It's fine! I'm a big girl. I can find the exit." Hania's smile didn't waver. "I'll be back soon."

She walked out of the weaving chamber before Velvet could protest. The moment the door closed behind her, her expression shifted.

Time to investigate.

Hania didn't go to the exit. She went to the nearest shadow and pressed herself against the wall, listening.

The Academy corridors were empty. The spider guards were still outside, dealing with the mess the orb caused. But Hania could hear a faint clicking sound coming from the direction of the Royal Library.

Lusha.

She crept toward the library, her footsteps silent on the stone floor. The door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, she could see Lusha pacing back and forth.

Kix was there too, her legs folded in a respectful bow.

"—the orb is secured," Kix was saying. "The wards are reinforced. It won't escape again."

"Good." Lusha's voice was tense. "Keep it contained. No matter what."

"My Queen, if I may ask... why are we keeping it from the Princess? She clearly has a connection to it. It's bonded to her."

Lusha stopped pacing.

"Because the Archmage ordered it."

Hania's breath caught in her throat.

Father?

"When he fell into the healing sleep," Lusha continued, "his last command was clear. The orb is not to be near Hania. Under any circumstances. He gave me his word that he would explain why when he woke. But until then, I must obey his wishes."

"But my Queen—"

"He didn't give me a reason." Lusha's voice dropped. "I've never seen him like that, Kix. The look in his eyes... Like he was troubled. Do you understand what that means?"

Kix was silent.

"So I made a vow," Lusha said quietly. "I would keep the orb away from Hania. No matter what. Even if she hated me for it. Even if she never forgave me. I would keep her safe."

Hania pressed her hand to her mouth.

Father. He fell into a healing sleep. Why? How? Is... is it because of me? Did I cause it? And why did he give that order? What's so dangerous about the orb? It's just a ball of light. It's friendly and it saved my life.

Unless... it's not just a ball of light.

She backed away from the door, her mind racing.

The orb is connected to me. And father was afraid of what that connection would attract.

But I need to know. I need to understand.

She made a decision.

★★★

The Royal Vault was heavily guarded. Spiders surrounded it on all sides, their eyes scanning for any sign of intrusion.

Hania walked toward them like she owned the place.

"Princess Hania of Silkhariana, Second in Command, Heir to the Spider Throne," she announced. "I request entry to the Royal Vault."

The spiders exchanged glances.

"Princess, we have orders—"

"I am aware of the orders. I am also aware that I am the Princess, and the Queen gave me authority over this kingdom." Hania lifted her chin. "Do you really want to argue with a Noctis heir?"

The spiders hesitated.

Hania smiled. Unlike her father, who never needed to smile to intimidate people, she found that a sweet smile could be just as terrifying.

"I'm going to give you two choices," she said sweetly. "Option one: you open the vault, I go inside, and we all pretend this was a completely normal occurrence. Option two: I go inside anyway, and you explain to Lusha why you tried to stop her Princess from doing something important."

She paused.

"Also, I'm nine. I'm very good at making people feel guilty. I can cry on command. Do you really want to test me?"

The spiders opened the vault.

"Thank you."