Chapter 04: Brother and I

It probably didnt take a week for me to get along with brother.

Brother came to visit me as if making up for the time we spent apart. I mean, hes always in my room.

First, he brought in a small table, chair and sofa; and the room, which was bare with only a crib in it, became a little cosier. Brother welcomed me.

My brother wasnt annoying. When he comes in the mornings, he holds me as long as I wasnt asleep and let me on the floor. Because I was put on the floor, it now had carpet on it and was a lot cleaner than before.

And while brother was studying, I could roll on the floor to my hearts content. Sometimes, I would sit and take a rest. Then, when my brother took a break from studying, he would put me on his knee and hug me tightly.

Leila.

Niini, Aai.

And he was thrilled at being called Niini. He would bring picture books that hed read when he was younger, and the two of us would lie on our stomachs as he read me the book.

We also have lunch and snacks together. But, I was still drinking Marthas milk, so I accompanied him while eating my baby food. Brother would feed me baby food with a spoon while he was eating his meal. At first, he would put too much food on the spoon, and he would thrust the spoon too deep in my mouth, and I would often yell out in anger, Uurts!

But recently, he has gotten better at feeding me. However, that was only during the day. Brother had meals with father in the morning and evening, and father who worked at the Royal Castle in the afternoon, was also home at night, so brother didnt carelessly approach my room.

We continued to spend pleasant days like this until one day, as I was sitting on brothers lap and we were reading a picture book together; he suddenly froze.

Luke, what are you doing over there? I had heard this voice once before half a year ago.

Otou-sama

What are you doing? That person repeated his question.

I was reading a book to Leila.

Leila?

The person called father finally lowered his eyes to look at me. He had cold eyes with beautiful long blonde hair which was tied in a ponytail at the back. His eyes were the same violet as brothers.

Im sure that father, who was looking at me, was thinking the same thing as me.

Claires he muttered, and he looked at me with even colder eyes. But, I averted his gaze.

Im just going to say this, but I didnt lose.

Daai.

It couldnt be helped that my voice was lower than usual. To father, I may have been the cause of mothers death. But, that wasnt true. If I had to say it, then it was the responsibility of father who made mother, who didnt have a healthy body, pregnant with a baby.

I thought calmly.

Moreover, someone who avoids his duties as a parent and hasnt come to see his daughter even once.

I pondered.

If hes a Marquis, then he must have money. He can acquire things that he wants to have and escape in just the right places. I have memories of my previous life, so I know that one couldnt live without working hard. Ill just be a parasite here until then.

Daau. Niini.

I dont care about father anymore, so would you read the book already?

I hit the book as I looked up at brother.

Thats right, Leila, Brother nodded.

Otou-sama, what do you want? If its nothing, Id like to read this book to Leila, he said.

Father, without saying a word about me, said, Do whatever you want as long as youve finished with your studies, and left.

At that time, a young maid named Hannah muttered, Its his daughter, so why?

This person seemed to be the exclusive maid attached to me since brother started coming to my room. I dont know what to make of this situation since she was next to me day and night even though Ive been left alone until now, but Sebas was happy that brother was interested in me and quickly assigned this maid to me. Apparently, she was a newly hired maid referred here by relatives. Thus, she didnt understand how I was being treated at this mansion until now.

There were a lot of butlers in a Marquis mansion, but Sebas seemed to be in charge of personnel. The Marquis had declared that he had no interest in me, so I wasnt assigned any servants.

Its an open secret that Luke-sama loves his little sister, as usual, I felt

why are they saying this to a baby?

Im not interested in my father in this world. But, there was no reason for him to step up now since he had said, If you werent born, and left me alone for more than six months. It was fine as long as I worked a lot and paid for my own education.

Leila. Leila, you have me.

Aai, Niini.

Brother hugged me and the picture book.

Im telling you somethings going to come out. Help, Sebas!

During brothers summer holidays, I was able to stand up. It probably wasnt that fast since it has been eight months since I was born. And, I wasnt just able to roll; I was finally able to crawl. My actions have increased quite a lot.

Although, I still wasnt allowed out of my room yet. Brother and Sebas were happy that I was able to crawl and stand up. When Marthas milking was reduced to twice a day, brothers summer holiday ended and he went back to the academy.

Leila probably doesnt know that Ill be leaving for school. What should I do if she feels abandoned again because Ill suddenly disappear tomorrow?

Brother was all shaken up and looked as if he would cry. I smiled and shook my head to the left and right.

Niini, Daau.

I know. Dont worry.

Then I patted his cheeks.

Leila put up with it for a little.

Yup, yup. Until the winter holidays, right? I wonder if Ill be able to walk by then.

Ill come back on the weekends, okay?

So fast! On the weekends?!

I couldnt help but retort in my mind. I looked at Hannah, and she explained it, There are 10 days in a week, and two of them are holidays. So, err, hell be back after Leila-sama goes nightie-night for eight times.

I see, so a week is 10 days. But, even if you do your best to explain this, a baby cant understand how long eight days are.

I smiled.

Ah, Leila-sama, that expression.

What is it?

You sometimes smile like an adult. It seems like you know everything.

Ooh, Hannah. Are you pretty sharp?

Even if you make that kind of face, my Leila is so cute.

Without realising, my brother became a sis-con.