Chapter 21

Thank you for reading.

Regarding the parts that have been published, I have intentionally left the typos, omissions, and additions as they are, hoping that they might serve as reference material later on.

Please understand.

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I decline any reports other than typos and omissions.

If it becomes too excessive, I will block it.

Please bear with me.

My head hurts.

My consciousness, which had faded into darkness, was gently awakened by a pleasant vibration, and the moment I accepted it, an intense pain hit me.

Feeling the sensation of my head being tightly squeezed, I sucked in a breath and opened my eyes.

There, I saw fluffy blonde hair and blue eyes that seemed to be melting with tears, and a brown-skinned child.

"Big brother?"

"…Regulus?"

What does 'big brother' mean?

Startled by the beautiful child sobbing on my stomach, I gently stroked his hair, which was like a chick's.

His small hands patted my chest as if to soothe me. The pleasant vibration I felt was probably this.

My back was soft, and above my head was a familiar chandelier.

So, I must have fainted in front of the princess and was carried to my room…?

I don’t understand.

While I was dazed and stroking Regulus's hair, I heard a gentle knock, and before I could respond, the doorknob turned.

"Excuse me… Regulus-sama? Regulus-sama? Where did you go, Regulus-sama?"

From the voice, I could tell it was Utsunomiya.

Regulus, who had been called by his name, got up from my body.

I could feel Utsunomiya approaching as Regulus's chick-like hair poked out from under the blanket.

"Ah… That’s not right, Regulus-sama. Big brother is sleeping. Sitting on his stomach is not good, you know."

"Uh… Not good?"

"Not good."

"Is it not good?"

What am I supposed to say to that, being right below me?

Well, to be honest, it’s not light, so I want him to get off.

"Would you mind getting off? It would help."

"Big brother, are you waking up?"

"Yeah, I’m waking up."

Nodding, the little chick got off my stomach and sat at the edge of the bed. As I sat up, Utsunomiya ran over.

"Young master!? Are you feeling better!?"

"Yes… My head still hurts a bit, so please keep your voice down."

"A, a, I’m sorry!"

Imitating Utsunomiya’s deep bow, Regulus also bowed. When I put my fingers in his fluffy hair, he giggled cutely.

In contrast, Utsunomiya had a very serious expression.

"Young master, do you remember fainting… in the inner garden?"

"Yes, I do. I was walking in the garden… right?"

"Yes. Mr. Romanov brought you and Regulus back. Mr. Romanov saw Regulus crying and coming out of the garden. Regulus was probably shocked by you fainting in the garden and came to seek help."

"I see… Regulus…"

How smart he is.

I don’t think I could have done that when I was three.

Thanking him, I tousled his blonde hair, and Regulus wriggled and laughed.

However, Utsunomiya didn’t smile at all. In fact, she looked like she might cry, which was concerning.

Just as I was about to ask why, Utsunomiya spoke first.

"Is it true that you fainted because you were staying up late to make Regulus’s picture books?"

"Huh?"

"Recently, the light in your room hasn’t been going out until late at night, and then Regulus’s picture books increase in the morning…"

"Oh…"

Sewing is fun.

I tend to lose track of time when I’m sewing… But staying up late to the point of affecting my health is not something a five-year-old can do. When I’m sleepy, I go to bed immediately.

A tear rolled down from his large, moist eyes and fell on his rosy cheek.

Now that I remember, Utsunomiya is also a beautiful girl, and a beautiful girl’s tears are a powerful weapon for most people.

"What!? What!? What’s wrong!? Did I do something!?"

"Regulus-sama’s bad, making big brother faint!"

"No! I didn’t! I didn’t!"

Oh no! A beautiful girl crying, I’m in agony!

Regulus looked at me with a puzzled expression. Don’t look at me, I didn’t do anything.

Handing a handkerchief with embroidery to Regulus from the bedside, I pushed him towards Utsunomiya, and he seemed to understand his mission and offered it to her.

"Sorry! Big brother, I’m worried."

"Y-Yes… I’m sorry…"

"Regulus, you sometimes speak normally and sometimes don’t, right?"

"Yes, sometimes he speaks like an adult… No!"

Damn, I thought I could divert the conversation, but it didn’t work.

Wiping her tears with the handkerchief, Utsunomiya opened her lips hesitantly.

"…Young master, why do you do so much for Regulus?"

"Hmm? Making picture books is one of my hobbies. It’s not just for Regulus…"

"That’s not all. You make sure Regulus can study properly in this mansion and try to keep him from being shunned by Lady…"

"Isn’t it normal for an older brother to take care of his younger brother?"

"…When you didn’t even know Regulus existed until recently?"

Hmm, is that so?

In my previous life, I had some social interactions and knew about the conflicts and lack thereof between older and younger brothers, but in this life, I have almost no social interactions. Moreover, my interactions with my parents were so minimal that I was practically a stranger to them, and then I was told, "From today, we are brothers." Honestly, I don’t know how to react in such situations.

"It’s common sense not to bully someone younger than you. And to protect them."

"But… Regulus is a child your father had with someone else…"

"That’s my father’s doing, not Regulus’s. As I said before, I’m already shunned, and it’s not because of Regulus."

Is this it? The tension from expecting to be shunned and bullied, and the stress from not being bullied and not understanding the true intentions, must have been overwhelming. I should have had a serious talk with Utsunomiya earlier.

Thinking I made a mistake, I encouraged Utsunomiya to sit at the edge of the bed, though it felt a bit awkward. She hesitated at first but sat down when I suggested we talk. Regulus, for some reason, was on my lap.

"Utsunomiya, I think facts are multifaceted. Different people see different sides. Regulus is a symbol of your father’s betrayal to Kikunoi, but to Regulus’s mother’s family, I am the symbol of Kikunoi’s injustice. So, Regulus probably thought he would be bullied if he came here."

"That’s… true."

Utsunomiya nodded.

Well, that makes sense. A child born from a mother who was betrayed by her husband and had a child with another woman wouldn’t be accepted easily. This is based on my previous life’s experience. My mother there loved daytime dramas.

However, that’s not the case here.

That’s the mirroring effect where a child who is loved by their mother will also hate the person their mother hates to gain love and empathy. I don’t have that.

Moreover, Utsunomiya is Regulus’s guardian, so it might be good to tell her a little more.

"Utsunomiya, to be honest, I don’t think I’ll live very long."

The Regulus I saw in the vision from the fall down the stairs was still somewhat innocent, even as a young man.

Regulus and I are two years apart.

If Regulus is young, then I am young too.

When I said this, Utsunomiya turned pale.

"W-What are you saying!?"

"What? I said it before when I welcomed Regulus, didn’t I? You never know what will happen, and it’s necessary to have a replacement."

Utsunomiya’s behavior became suspicious, and I tilted my head. Is she overreacting?

"…I almost died from a popular disease half a year ago. Since then, I’ve had a feeling that I won’t live long. So, I thought I should prepare Regulus to take over if I die."

This is a lie. I already know that Regulus will kill me. So, I just want Regulus to grow into a fine lord before that happens.

"Even if I die, my parents won’t feel anything. They don’t even expect me to be alive."

"That’s not true! That’s not…!"

"It is. When I was on the brink of death half a year ago, the only people by my bedside were Mr. Rottenmayer and the staff of the mansion."

"……"

"But Regulus is different. He lost his mother, but his father brought him here to get the best education, even though he didn’t want to come. And now, his father is working hard to earn a lot of money to protect Regulus from harm. I think more people will be happy when Regulus becomes the head of Kikunoi than when I do. The greatest happiness for the greatest number. That’s the principle of governance. Since I won’t live long, I want to make my brother the best lord… okay?"

"But you might live a long life! What if…?"

"If I do, I’ll pass the family headship to Regulus, and I’ll… live a life of singing and handcrafts."

That future will never come.

In the corner of my mind, Regulus, wielding a sword, is shouting.

I have a lot to do before that day comes.

Feeling a bit tired from talking too much, I let out a soft sigh.

"Utsunomiya, there’s something I want you to do. Even though Kikunoi Mansion is no longer an enemy to Regulus, it’s not entirely friendly either. So, I want you to increase Regulus’s supporters. You are the only one who can show how smart and good Regulus is. Make the staff of the mansion Regulus’s supporters. Even if I die, no one should suspect Regulus of being involved."

"Young master! What are you saying!?"

"If Regulus is suspected of killing me, it will play right into the hands of my mother and Sebastian! I don’t side with my parents or oppose them. But I don’t want to benefit someone who would push a child down the stairs! If my mother ordered it, I don’t want to be considered the same as her!"

Breathing heavily, I felt Utsunomiya’s hand gently touch me.

Gripping her hand, Utsunomiya looked at me seriously and returned the grip.

"Sebastian tried to make me help him kick Regulus out. That bastard was hinting that if I did, my mother might notice me! He said I wouldn’t be worth loving if I didn’t bully someone weaker than me! …Don’t underestimate me, I have some pride too!"

Yes, when pushed to the limit, I had anger.

Anger that I couldn’t do anything about, even if I told Sebastian, my father, or my mother.

Maybe I want to take revenge on my parents by making Regulus a fine adult.

Startled by my raised voice, Regulus looked up.

My little brother.

If I had to say whether he is cute or not, he is probably cute. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have fallen down the stairs together.

It’s complicated because I am still a five-year-old, and my existence is inconsistent in many ways.

I talked too much.

As I smoothed Regulus’s hair, Utsunomiya stood up straight, lifted the hem of her maid’s skirt with both hands, and took a curtsy, placing her hand on her chest.

"…Understood. This unworthy one, Utsunomiya Alice, will do my best to protect Young Master and Regulus-sama!"

"Eh? Utsunomiya, it’s fine if you work for Regulus."

"No, fulfilling Young Master’s wishes will also benefit Regulus. I will work hard as Young Master’s hands and feet!"

I don’t quite understand, but Utsunomiya seems motivated. By the way, I just learned that Utsunomiya’s first name is Alice. It’s the first time I’ve heard it.

Nodding, feeling overwhelmed by Utsunomiya’s determination, her face suddenly turned serious.

"Young Master, please get along with Regulus. If you and Regulus get along, I will definitely protect both of you!"

"Eh… Isn’t that a bit too much enthusiasm?"

"Eh!? N-No, it’s not! Also, Young Master is unexpectedly intense! Saying things like ‘that bastard’!"

Laughing brightly, Utsunomiya quickly said, "I’ll go tell everyone that Young Master is feeling better!" and disappeared down the hallway, singing.

Something seems off.

Thank you for reading.