I Will Not Be a Villain! I Will Be Happy With My Brother!

The winters in Finley territory are quite cold. The Harvin Countdom[1] where I was born was a little further south, and it never snowed even in the winter. However, in Finley’s, snow accumulated. The winter festival is held to give thanks for the year, and people make statues of gods with the accumulated snow. Last year, I couldn’t go to the winter festival because I had a fever, but another one would be coming up soon this year.

“What is it like? ”

“There are all sorts of things. They sell delicious food, handmade cute toys, beautiful decorations, clothes, and more.”

“That sounds like so much fun!”

As I said that, my father ruffled my hair. “Yeah. But if you get too excited, you might get a fever again. This year, Alfred’s friends are coming to play, so be friends with them.”

“Yes,” I said. “I’ll be friends with them. I won’t be a bother to Al niisama and the others.”

My brother laughed at my words and said, “No one will bother Eddie.”

This year, since Mother is pregnant, Father has been busy with various things besides the festival. I was thinking that I might not be able to go to the festival, but I was very happy when he said he would take me with him.

I asked him, ” Father, you say a word of thanks to God, and then the festival begins, right?”

“That’s right. It’s an important job for the lord of the territory.”

“Yes. It’s amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing Father looking cool.”

“Hahaha, I have to do my best so that Edward’s first festival will be a fun one too.”

Smiling at my father’s words, I drank hot milk and thought about buying souvenirs for my mother and the baby. ‘I wonder what would be good. I hope I can decide by looking at various stalls.’

“Does Al niisama have many friends?”

“About three. They’re all the same age as me. Oh, and there’s also the child from Eddie’s teacher’s house.”

“Is it Daniel Cress Mason, Howard-sensei’s child?”

As I thought, he’s one of the members of the Beloved Child’s group.

“Yes. And then there’s James Cornell Stanley. His father, Lord Stanley is the commander of the Royal Guard and is very strong.”

“I see.”

Hmm. This is one is also a member of Beloved Child’s, I believe.

“Also Martin Raymond-kun. Count Raymond household has held the title of Grand Wizard for generations. Martin’s father is an amazing magician.”

“…So he’s very good at magic, huh?”

You know Martin-kun, right? He’s the one who restrained me with magic in the novel.

“I want to be friends. I absolutely want to get along.”

Because if not, it would be troublesome. If people thought I was a weird kid, I would definitely, definitely be in trouble!

“It’s okay. Everyone is not the kind of person who bullies little kids. They want to meet you because they know that I love Eddie so much.”

“I’m also looking forward to meeting everyone,” I replied while becoming a little teary-eyed inside.

◈◈◈

Feeling restless with the approaching Winter festival, I took out a paper and pen I was given when I initially started writing, “Let’s write down anything I can remember about what happened.”

In this world, paper is a luxury item, but in the world of “Memory”, it seemed relatively easy to obtain. I wish it could be like that here too, I thought.

Um, first of all, there’s Al-niisama. I killed him before I enter the academy. Why did I kill him? I think I definitely said something to him. “Brother is in the way…” What was he getting in the way of again?

“Ermmm…”

I know that using magic to kill is wrong, but I can’t recall why. Anyway, I’ll remember to write it down later.

Next is Howard-son, sensei’s Daniel Cress Mason-kun. His father had already become the head of the viscount family by the time I entered the academy. Daniel-kun is extremely intelligent, as evidenced by his ability to enter the Prime Minister’s office when he grows up. He’s the type of person who comes up with numerous strategies, to the point where I’m not sure what he’s thinking. But, since Howard-sensei has also taken care of me, let’s be friends with Daniel-kun as well.

And then there’s James Cornell Stanley-kun, whose father is the captain of the Royal Guard. It’s been said that his son is just as skilled with a sword. Although, he looks scary with his red hair. He hated me a lot. In his mind, Al-niisama was his closest friend, and he hated me for killing him.

Then there’s Martin Raymond-kun. He’s a magician. He’s the one who used magic to capture me and tied me up with a rope. He really loves magic and admires whenever the ‘Beloved Child’ uses special magic, I think. “

So, if I were to try to stop “Beloved Child,” I could forget about getting any kind of mercy from him.

No way, I don’t want to be caught and killed. I have no intention of harming or killing my older brother. If we become friends now, they might warn me first if I’m about to become the villainous son, so let’s try my hardest to get along with everyone. Oh, and there’s an important person. I think he’s a member of the royal family. A prince. I can’t remember his name. Although, until we become friends, I doubt I’ll have any contact with him. He’s a prince, after all. So let’s avoid getting too close to him.

In any case, there’s the Beloved Child. Beloved Child and I are the same age. It would be inconvenient if they[2] were in a different grade because I will most likely interfere with them in various ways in the story. If I’m not mistaken, the Beloved Child can use rare magic such as light magic and special holy magic to purify things.

Hmm, there’s a distinction between when I remember things clearly and when I don’t. But if I remember it too clearly, I’ll lose my identity, so I think this is fine. Anyway, I have no intention of being mean or interfering with “Beloved Child,” so they are free to do as they please.

Of course, I won’t interfere with anyone else either. I’ll make an effort not to be disliked. As for me, I’ll just stand here in the corner and silently root for the world to be saved. Is this all right? Will I be all right? I hope I won’t be condemned. Well, that’s it for now. I’ll jot down the details as they come to mind. Even if I don’t remember it clearly, I believe that having that ‘Memory’ has the potential to change the situation.

Even now, Al niisama and I are good friends, and Mother is expecting a child. Furthermore, there was no story in the novel about Al niisama, me, or the Beloved Children’s group attending the Winter festival. So long as I behave well and don’t do anything to offend or draw attention to myself. To avoid becoming a “villainous son,” I’ll get along with the members of the Beloved Child’s group! Okay, I have a plan and I’m ready to go!

◈◈◈

“Hello. I’m Edward Finley. I’m five years old. Pleasure meeting with you.”

Daniel, Teacher Howard’s son, was the first to arrive. His blue hair, similar to his father’s, had a silver sheen and sparkled. He was slightly taller than Brother Al and had lovely, slanted blue eyes. He appeared strict, and I was nervous, but I believe I was able to greet him properly because Theo had taught me proper manners.

“Thank you for the introduction. Nice to meet you, I’m Daniel Cress Mason. I heard from my father that Edward is a very excellent student. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

When Daniel smiled, I smiled back and said, “Thank you.”

Since Theo had told me that when I was younger, it was better to take compliments from people older than me literally, I took it that way. “Howard sensei’s lessons are difficult, but they are very important, so I will do my best.”

Then, Daniel looked surprised. I thought that when he made that kind of face, his tough attitude softened a bit.

“…Wow, Edward is amazing. I don’t think there has ever been a five-year-old who praises my father’s lessons before. I’m sure my father would be very pleased.”

“Ah, thank you very much. Um, please just call me Edward or Eddie.”

“Oh, thank you. Then I’ll call you Eddie-kun. Please call me Daniel.”

“Thank you, Daniel-sama.”

“Hey, Alfred. I wonder what Eddie-kun calls you?”

My older brother, who was standing next to me, gave me a small smile and said, “He calls me Al-niisama.”

“Al-niisama…that’s nice. I don’t have an older brother, so I admire you a little. Hey, Eddie-kun, if you don’t mind, could you call me Danny or Dan-niisama, at least during the festival?”

“Dan-niisama? Is it okay, even though you’re Al-niisama’s friend?”

“It’s okay. He’s my father’s former student.”

Ah, when Daniel-kun smiles, his eyes droop a little, and he looks kind. He looks like a fairy from the picture book I saw the other day.

“Yes, Dan-niisama, I’m overjoyed! Thank you very much!”

“Likewise. Nice to meet you, Eddie-kun.”

‘See, everything worked out fine, didn’t it?’ my elder brother’s eyes were telling me. I like Father’s ‘It’s alright,’ but I also like my brother’s ‘It’ll be fine,’ I reasoned to myself.

“Yes! I’m looking forward to the festival!”

All right, let’s keep it up like this!

The day before leaving for the winter festival was bitterly cold, accompanied by a heavy snowfall. Today, the other two members of Beloved Child’s group had finally arrived. I was concerned that the festival would be ruined by the heavy snowfall, but Mother Patty assured me, “It snows like this every year.” I couldn’t recall much because I had a fever and slept a lot around this time last year..

“I see. But since it’s cold, please make sure to cover yourself with a blanket, Mother Patty.”

“Thank you, Eddie. You’re such a kind child. I’m so happy to be your mother. Make sure to enjoy the winter festival without getting injured or catching a cold.”

When I nodded and said “Yes,” Mother gently stroked my head.

I really want to hug her, but she told me to just pat her belly until the baby arrives. Mother’s belly isn’t very big yet, and you wouldn’t know she’s pregnant just by looking at her, but she seems to be in pain or can’t eat with me at times, so I’m hoping spring comes sooner.

Footnotes

[1] Territory reigned by a count.

[2] Since its not mentioned clearly in the raws whether the Beloved Child is male or female, I’ve taken the liberty to use they/them pronoun for now.