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Chapter 3
I only realized who it was after my body was suddenly lifted into the air.
“Our little munchkin has grown so much!”
A familiar nickname, a cheerful voice, and curly silver hair brushed past my eyes.
“…Big brother Werner?”
Even after seeing him, I was so stunned that I could only mumble. Werner grinned.
“Ah, what a shame. If you hadn’t guessed, I wasn’t going to put you down.”
Only then did I recover from my surprise at his teasing voice.
“Have you been well?”
Werner von Valentine.
The second child of the three Valentine siblings, and my older brother.
Once I understood what was happening, I spread my arms and hugged Werner tightly.
“Brother! When did you get back?”
Hearing my excited shout, I could feel him smiling with satisfaction.
“Ahem. Your wonderful brother worked very hard because he missed our little munchkin—”
But Werner couldn’t finish bragging.
Just as he proudly puffed out his chest, my body was lifted into the air once again.
“How long are you planning to keep Rowell all to yourself?”
The voice was slightly deeper and calmer than Werner’s, and the arms holding me were so steady and broad that it was hard to believe they belonged to a boy.
Among the people I knew, there was only one person like that.
“Brother Kizeph!”
“Hello, Rowell.”
The stern eyes that resembled Father’s softened.
Kizeph von Valentine.
The eldest of the three Valentine siblings, the heir of the family, and my oldest brother.
Both brothers, who had been away because of the academy and a visit to the territory, had finally returned.
Werner pouted as Kizeph stole me away from him.
“Tsk. Why does he get called ‘Brother Kizeph,’ but I’m just ‘Big Brother’? Little munchkin, you shouldn’t play favorites.”
“What favorites?”
Ignoring Werner’s complaint, Kizeph looked at me with admiration.
“I saw you last month, but you’ve grown again.”
“Because I’m a kid!”
I proudly declared it without hiding my satisfaction.
Maybe because both Mom and Dad were tall, I grew faster than children my age.
I had crawled early, walked early, and even started talking early.
For someone like me, who still remembered my previous life, that was something to be thankful for.
Thinking back to the time when I had to rely completely on other people still made me feel gloomy.
…Now that I think about it, my old body as Roel was pretty tall too. Was I about the same height as Isid? Anyway, if I keep growing like this, maybe I’ll become just as tall as I used to be.
Considering that my past self had been a half-fairy born between a fairy and a human, the Valentine family’s genes were definitely impressive.
But my pride didn’t last long.
“…Huh?”
After Kizeph put me down, I suddenly felt something strange.
I looked closely to figure out what felt different.
Then I realized it.
Kizeph’s eye level was a little higher than before.
I quickly turned toward Werner.
He was the same.
“…Did you grow taller too? I think you did, Brother Werner.”
“Hehe.”
Kizeph didn’t deny it, and Werner smiled proudly.
Seriously…
I thought I had been growing quickly every day because of my young body.
But compared to Kizeph and Werner, I was nothing.
Well… they inherited Father’s genes much more strongly.
Though it wasn’t as if I wanted to become that tall.
Still, unlike me, Werner treated Kizeph like a rival.
Of course, Kizeph found it amusing.
“It won’t be long before I catch up to you.”
“You sound confident.”
Kizeph chuckled at Werner’s loud declaration.
“Of course! I’m going to be even taller than Father. Catching up to you will be easy.”
“Kizeph. Werner.”
Their argument—or rather, Werner picking a one-sided fight—had absolutely no value.
Still, the familiar noise, which I hadn’t heard in months, made me happy.
As I watched them with a warm smile, a deep voice came from behind us.
Turning around, I saw a man so tall that he made even my unusually tall brothers look small.
He was Calypse von Valentine.
The master of this mansion, the Duke of Valentine, and the father of us three siblings.
“Father.”
“We’re back, Father.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Father patted Kizeph’s and Werner’s shoulders before lifting me into his arms.
Werner’s embrace had been comfortable.
Kizeph had held me so naturally that I hadn’t felt uncomfortable at all.
But neither of them could compare to Father.
Even Basha, my nanny, admitted she couldn’t compete with him.
After personally raising all three of his children, Father had become something of an expert at carrying kids.
Still holding me, he walked confidently toward the dining room.
Nestled comfortably in his arms, I kicked my feet playfully before leaning closer.
“Dad.”
“Yes?”
“Did you know my brothers were coming together?”
I glanced behind us.
Werner was chatting away while Kizeph ignored him with practiced ease.
“Just wait. Within a year I’ll definitely be taller than you.”
“…”
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“Because what you’re saying is impossible.”
“Hmph. You say that, but you’re actually worried, aren’t you? Once I’m taller than you, Rowell will like being carried by me more!”
“There’s no chance of that.”
“…Seriously, you’re no fun. You never let your little brother win. Though I’d hate it if you only let me win on purpose!”
“…Sigh.”
It was such a familiar sight.
One I hadn’t seen lately.
Kizeph had entered the academy last year and was living in the dormitory.
Werner had left for the territory two months ago in Father’s place.
Compared to all the years they had been by my side, it wasn’t a long separation.
But even a short absence could leave a large emptiness.
“I knew.”
Father answered with a quiet laugh.
When I looked back at him, his usually stern eyes were warm.
“They asked me to keep it a secret. They wanted to surprise you.”
I knew it.
“It was Brother Werner’s idea, wasn’t it?”
“Most likely.”
I couldn’t help smiling.
The corners of Father’s firm lips lifted slightly as well.
Today was definitely going to be a wonderful day.
“Rowell, try some of this too.”
Werner pushed another plate toward me.
But I was already full, so I shook my head.
“I’m full now.”
“What? Already?”
Werner’s eyes widened.
No wonder.
His own plate was still piled high with meat.
He would probably finish all of it and easily eat another full plate afterward.
“I can’t eat as much as you can.”
Even now, I had eaten more than usual because I was so excited to have everyone together again.
“Our little munchkin’s stomach is so tiny. How will you grow if you don’t eat more?… Though honestly, I’m fine if you don’t get any taller.”
…It’s not that my stomach is small. Yours is just incredible. And it’d be a problem if I stopped growing now.
The words almost came out.
But seeing Werner happily stuffing his face, I decided it didn’t really matter.
Besides, considering how old I had been before I died, arguing with him over something like this felt silly.
If we’re being technical, I was even older than Dad…
I quickly shook those thoughts away.
I didn’t want to tangle up this family relationship that I had finally grown used to.
Seeing Kizeph and Werner again had put me in such a good mood that I didn’t want to ruin it.
“Kizeph. Has everything been well at the academy?”
Father asked.
I had been wondering the same thing, so I also looked toward Kizeph.
He had been quietly eating.
Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, he paused for a moment, gently wiped his mouth with a napkin, and spoke.
“Nothing unusual. However, I was offered the chance to skip a grade.”
“Skip a grade?”
“Yes. They asked if I would like to move directly into the third year of the middle division after the vacation.”
My eyes grew wide.
Werner’s jaw nearly dropped.
Even Father looked slightly surprised.
Yet the one who had said it, Kizeph, remained completely calm.
“And your answer?”
“I’ll send them my reply soon.”
“So you’re planning to accept.”
“I see no reason to refuse.”
Father nodded.
“Good. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes.”
The quiet conversation between father and son came to an end.
“…Brother, are you really skipping a grade? You’re not joking?”
If we had been outside, Werner probably would have swallowed five flies from how shocked he looked.
His reaction was understandable.
The Imperial Academy where Kizeph studied was not only the most prestigious academy in the Tessernia Empire, but also considered the finest on the entire continent.
In other words, it ranked first in every aspect—education, students, graduates, and achievements.
For such a place to offer a student the chance to skip a grade—especially someone who had only just finished the first year of middle school—was an incredible honor.
“Why would I lie?”
“…Wait… Brother… don’t tell me you were… first place again this semester…?”
Werner’s voice became quieter and quieter.
Kizeph simply nodded as though it were obvious.
“Yes.”
For the record, he had also ranked first last semester.
First place in the entrance examination.
First place in the first semester.
First place in the second semester.
Well…
In that case, offering him a chance to skip a grade made perfect sense.
“Brother, that’s amazing!”
“Thank you, Rowell.”
I sincerely clapped my hands.
Kizeph smiled gently.
In almost every way he looked exactly like Father.
But that smile carried Mother’s warmth.
I really liked seeing it.
I swallowed the words that rose to my lips.
After all, it would sound strange coming from a little girl who was six years younger than Kizeph.
