Reincarnated As An Archmage’s Daughter

Hania woke before dawn each morning, her body protesting the early hour even as her mind raced ahead. She spent hours in the Academy's medical wing, studying Tessik's mana map until the lines and nodes were burned into her memory. She practiced on Nettle five more times, each session longer and more complex than the last. She read every book on spider anatomy she could find, cross-referencing diagrams, sketching her own versions in the margins, and filling notebooks with theories.

​The orb hovered beside her constantly. It had stopped talking as much. Instead, it watched. It pulsed softly when she made a mistake, brightened when she succeeded, and dimmed when she pushed herself too hard.

​By the fifth day, she had mapped every damaged node in Tessik's network. She had identified the crystallized blockages, traced the rot's progression, and designed a step-by-step infusion plan. She had practiced the technique so many times on Nettle that her hands moved automatically, the threads responding to her will more than before.

​But she still wasn't ready.

​"You're pushing yourself too hard," Kofery said one evening, setting a tray of honey cakes beside her. He had taken to visiting her in the study chamber, his anxiety manifesting as a constant supply of food and gentle nagging. "You haven't properly eaten in days."

​"I ate this morning."

​"You ate half a muffin. That's not a meal."

​"It had honey in it. Honey is nutritious."

​Kofery sighed, his spectacles slipping down his nose. "Little moon, I understand that this is important to you. But you can't help Tessik if you collapse from exhaustion."

​Hania looked up from her notes. "I know. I just... I need to be perfect. If I make one mistake—"

​"You won't."

​"You don't know that."

​"I know you." Kofery knelt beside her, his voice gentle. "I've watched you since you were a baby. You've always been stubborn and pushed yourself past every limit. But you've always succeeded, haven't you?"

​Hania stared at him. Then, slowly, she smiled. "When did you get so wise?"

​"I've always been wise. You just never listened."

​"I listened. I just didn't obey."

​"Same thing."

​She laughed, reached for a honey cake, and took a bite. "Happy?"

​"Ecstatic." Kofery stood, adjusting his spectacles. "Now, eat the rest. And then sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."

​Hania nodded, her mouth full of cake. She would sleep after one more review of the infusion plan.

​The night before Tessik's first treatment, Hania found herself standing outside Lusha's private chambers.

​She hadn't planned to come here. Her feet had simply carried her through the silk palace until she stood before the Queen's door. The orb floated beside her, pulsing with quiet curiosity.

​Why are we here?

​"I don't know," Hania admitted. "I just... I wanted to see her."

​You're fidgeting.

​Hania looked down. Her fingers were twisting the hem of her sleeve. She forced herself to stop.

​"Maybe... I'm a little nervous."

​You're terrified.

​"That too."

​She raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she could touch it.

​Lusha stood in the doorway, her eight spider legs folded elegantly beneath her. She was wearing a simple silk robe, her hair loose around her shoulders, and she looked... tired.

​"Hania," she said, her voice warm despite the exhaustion in her eyes. "I was wondering when you'd come."

​"You knew I was coming?"

​"I know everything that happens in my kingdom." Lusha stepped aside, gesturing for Hania to enter. "Especially when it involves my heir wandering the corridors at midnight."

​Hania walked into the chamber. The orb floated in behind her, pulsing nervously.

​Her chambers are terrifying, no matter how many times I come here. There are webs everywhere.

​Hania ignored it. She walked to the desk, her eyes caught on the scattered papers. Most were official documents, trade agreements, territorial disputes, and reports from the seven territories. But one caught her attention.

​A letter sealed with the imperial crest.

​"Lusha," she said slowly, "what's this?"

​Lusha's expression flickered. She crossed the room in three quick strides. Before Hania could reach for the letter, Lusha snatched it up and tossed it into the fire.

​The flames flared, consuming the parchment in seconds.

​"Nothing important," Lusha said, her voice too casual. "The Empire sends all sorts of nonsense these days. Demands for tribute, complaints about border disputes, invitations to ceremonies I have no intention of attending."

​Hania stared at the fire. The letter was gone, but she had seen other burn marks. Scorch patterns on the hearth, older than the one Lusha had just created.

​She's been burning a lot of letters, the orb observed.

​I noticed, Hania thought back.

​She didn't press. Lusha was hiding something, but pushing her now would only make her defensive. Instead, Hania turned and walked to the window, looking out at the glowing cavern beyond.

​"The kingdom is beautiful at night," she said softly.

​Lusha relaxed slightly. "It is. I forget sometimes. I've lived here so long that I stop seeing it."

​"I don't think I could ever stop seeing it." Hania pressed her hand against the glass. "It's so different from the Tower."

​"You miss the Tower."

​"I miss him." Hania's voice was quiet. "I miss my father."

​Lusha was silent for a moment. Then she crossed the room and stood beside Hania, her spider legs folding gracefully beneath her.

​"He misses you too," she said. "More than you know."

​Hania turned to face her. "Is he okay?"

​"He's alive. Beyond that..." Lusha paused. "I don't know."

​Hania's chest tightened. Then she took a breath and said, "You know, I've been working on a medical technique. A new way to treat silk rot." Hania met her eyes. "I've already treated a patient successfully. Nettle. She's recovering faster than anyone expected. Her network is repairing itself, and her silk production is returning to normal."

​"That's great, Hania."

​Hania leaned forward. "Lusha, I can help Tessik. I can help every spider in this kingdom who suffers from silk rot. And I think I can change the way we treat this disease."

​Lusha stared at her. Her spider legs twitched. "You're serious," Lusha said finally. "Just relax, you're still young."

​Hania tilted her head. "Does age really matter?"

​Lusha laughed. "You're your father's daughter," she said. "He said the same thing to me once. When he was young and first started experimenting with magic that no one had ever tried."

​"What did you say to him?"

​"... I told him he was insane." Lusha's eyes softened. "And then I helped him do it anyway."

​Hania smiled. "So you'll help me?"

​"Of course I'll help you." Lusha walked to the desk and sat down across from Hania. Lusha leaned forward. "You know, Hania, you have the potential to change everything. But you also have the potential to destroy everything. That's the difference between a leader and a tyrant."

​"I'm not a tyrant."

​"No. You're not." Lusha's voice softened. "But you're also not just a princess anymore."

​Hania frowned. "What do you mean?"

​"I mean you're growing up." Lusha reached out and touched Hania's hand. "And you're doing it faster than anyone expected, faster than you should have to."

​Hania looked at Lusha's hand on hers. "I don't feel like I'm growing up," Hania admitted. "I feel like I'm still trying to catch up."

​"That's because you're smart. Smart people always feel like they're behind. It's the foolish ones who think they know everything."

​Hania's ears turned red. "I'm going to sleep now," she said. "Tomorrow is important. I need to be at my best."

​Lusha turned to look at her. "Yeah. You've earned it."

​Hania left her seat and headed toward the door. "I haven't earned anything yet." Hania paused at the door. "But I will."

​She left before Lusha could respond.

​The orb floated beside her as she walked back through the palace.

​You handled that well, the orb observed.

​Hania smiled. "Maybe."

​★★★

​The next morning, Hania woke before dawn.

​She bathed, dressed in her silk gown, and ate a breakfast of honey cakes and fruit that Kofery had left outside her door. She reviewed her notes one final time, tracing the infusion plan with her finger, memorizing every step.

​Then she left her chambers and walked toward the Academy. But she didn't go directly to the medical wing. Instead, she wandered into the palace gardens.

​Hania sat down on a stone bench and stared at the stream.

​She wasn't sure what she was doing here. She just... wanted a moment before everything changed.

​She sighed and slumped her shoulders, looking exactly like a sad, lonely child. It wasn't entirely an act.

​What are you doing? the orb pulsed.

​"Shh."

​Are you... sulking?

​"I'm playing."

​Playing what? Why?

​Hania didn't answer. She just stared at the stream.

​The spiders noticed. A group of young weavers walked past. They stopped when they saw her.

​"Is that the Princess?" one whispered.

​"She looks so sad."

​"She's been working so hard lately. I heard she hasn't slept in days."

​"The challenge with Professor Arachnia. It must be weighing on her."

​"Look at her face. She's just a child. She shouldn't have to carry so much."

​They approached slowly. One of them, a smaller spider with bright blue markings, held out a small bundle wrapped in silk.

​"Princess?" she said softly. "We brought you some sweets from the bakery."

​Hania looked up. She blinked, as if she had just noticed them.

​"Oh," she said. "Thank you. You didn't have to."

​"We wanted to." The blue spider set the bundle beside her. "You've been working so hard. We wanted you to know we're cheering for you."

​Hania unwrapped the bundle. Inside were five small pastries.

​"They look delicious," she said. Her voice wavered slightly. "You're so kind."

​The spiders exchanged glances. They looked moved by her reaction.

​"Princess," the blue spider said, "we know the challenge is difficult. But we believe in you. Everyone does."

​"We've been telling everyone about what you did for Nettle," another added. "She's already back at work. She says she feels better than she has in years."

​"That's because of you."

​Hania looked up. Her eyes were bright, almost teary. "Thank you," she said. "That means more than you know."

​The spiders bowed, their legs folding respectfully. Then they scurried away, their voices carrying on the wind.

​"She's so brave."

​"She's just a child."

​"She's doing so much for us."

​"We should do something to show our support."

​Hania watched them go. Then she looked down at the pastries.

​One of the smaller spiders hurried up to her, a young spiderling with wide eyes. "Princess, we won't let Professor Arachnia be mean to you! We'll curse her!"

​Hania smiled gently. "No, no. Don't do that."

​"But she—"

​"Professor Arachnia is a brilliant healer. She's dedicated her life to helping spiders like Tessik. She's not my enemy, but my teacher." Hania's voice was soft but firm. "The challenge isn't about winning. It's about finding a better way, and that's what she wants too."

​The spiderling stared at her. "But... the rumors say she's trying to humiliate you."

​"Rumors are just stories. The truth is, Professor Arachnia gave me a chance when no one else would. She believed in me enough to let me try."

​The spiderling's eyes grew wet. "You're... you're so noble."

​"I'm just trying to do the right thing." Hania reached out and patted the spiderling's head. "Now, go. Enjoy your day. Don't worry about me."

​The spiderling nodded and scurried away, sniffling.

​Hania watched her go. Then she let her smile fade into a look of quiet melancholy. She stared at the stream again, her shoulders slumping.

​You're manipulating them, the orb observed.

​"I'm giving them a princess they can believe in."

​Same thing.

​A figure appeared at the edge of the garden: tall, thin, with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a spider. His name was Klis, and he was Lusha's personal courier. He carried letters and messages throughout the kingdom.

​He stopped when he saw Hania sitting alone.

​"Princess?" he said, his voice hesitant. "Are you... are you alright?"

​Hania looked up. She blinked, as if she had been caught doing something private.

​"Oh, Klis. I didn't see you there." She wiped at her eyes quickly. "I'm fine. I was just... thinking."

​Klis approached cautiously. "You looked upset."

​"I'm not upset. I'm just..." Hania paused, as if considering whether to share. "I miss someone. That's all."

​Klis's expression softened. "Someone important?"

​"My father." Hania's voice cracked slightly. "I haven't seen him in so long. I don't even know where he is. And I..." She took a breath. "I wrote him a letter to tell him what I've been doing. But I don't know the address."

​Klis's heart ached. He was a courier; he delivered messages every day, connecting people across the kingdom. The thought of a child unable to reach her father...

​"Why don't you write the letter anyway?" he suggested gently. "You can send it to the Spider Mail Office. I can gather it for you."

​Hania looked up, hopeful but hesitant. "You would do that for me?"

​"Of course. It might not reach him, but... it's a connection." Klis's voice was warm. "And I wouldn't laugh at you. I promise."

​Hania's eyes widened. "You're so kind." She looked down at her hands. "I had a friend too. But she's far away. I worry about her a lot. I want to send her a letter as well, but how can I? It's impossible to send a letter to the human territory without approval."

​Klis hesitated. "I might be able to help, but passing letters beyond the territory requires the Queen's permission."

​Hania shook her head quickly. "No, no. Don't bother Lusha with my little games. She's busy. Instead, let's play a game."

​"A game?"

​"Yes. Let's play that we're secret messengers. I'll write a letter, and you'll deliver it to the Spider Mail Office."

​Klis's heart melted: a lonely princess who wanted to play games, a child who was trying so hard to be brave.

​"That sounds wonderful," he said. "I would love to play."

​Hania flashed a bright smile that lit up her whole face.

​"Thank you, Klis." She stood, brushing moss from her dress. "Now, I have a patient waiting for me."

​"Let me escort you to the medical wing."

​"That would be lovely."

​They walked together through the cavern, the orb floating quietly behind them. Klis talked the entire way, his nervous excitement manifesting as a stream of questions.

​"Princess, is it true that humans can't produce silk? How do you make thread, then? Do you use plants? Do you have special animals? What is it like on the surface? Is the sky really blue? Is the sun really warm? How do humans survive without eight legs? How do you climb things? Do you fall a lot?"

​Hania laughed. "One question at a time."

​"Sorry. I've just never met a human before. I've read about them in books, but it's different to actually talk to one."

​"It's fine. I'll answer what I can."

​So she did. She explained human anatomy, the basics of surface life, the nature of the sun and sky. She made jokes about human clumsiness and their inability to climb vertical surfaces. Klis laughed and asked more questions.

​When they reached the medical wing, Klis bowed deeply. "Good luck, Princess. I'll be cheering for you."

​"Thank you, Klis." Hania paused. "And remember our game. I'll bring you a letter soon."

​"I'll be waiting."

​He scurried away, his eight legs carrying him swiftly through the corridor.

​Hania watched him go. Then, when he was out of sight, she let out a quiet laugh before walking into the medical wing. Tessik's room was at the end of the hall.

​The door was open.

​Professor Arachnia stood beside Tessik's bed. The vials of sap and the map of Tessik's mana network were laid out on a side table.

​Hania walked to the bed. Tessik was awake, her eight dim eyes fixed on Hania's face.

​"You came," Tessik whispered.

​Hania took her hand gently. "Are you ready?"

​"I've been ready since the day I collapsed." Tessik's mandibles curved into a weak smile. "Do what you need to do, Princess. I trust you."

​Hania nodded. She turned to the table, picked up the vial of undiluted sap, and took a breath.