Will You Remember Me?

The previous allergic incident occurred a month ago. The doctor determined that Esther was not allergic to flowers, but Oriana was stubborn and wouldn't let Esther go near any flowers.

News of the incident spread quickly like wildfire. Even until the aristocrats and commoners sent letters and gifts to Esther. Esther had never received this kind of treatment before because he used to be a fairy who never got sick. So everything felt a bit overwhelming.

Fortunately, these moments have passed. He is now eleven months old, the year where he was able to walk.

"You can do it, Esther! Just a little bit more!"

"C'mon! Two more steps!"

"Oh! He almost fell!"

"Catch him quickly! Get the pillows!"

'Ugh, they're so loud,' Esther glared at his older brothers as he struggled to lift his chubby leg forward.

Currently, Esther was the library with Xavier, Caleb, and Brahms. Violet and Juniper had to take some mandatory classes, so they couldn't come to play with Esther. Caleb then asked Emma for permission to take Esther to the library with Brahms and Xavier.

They started a walk practice session because Esther grabbed a chair's leg and got up. But he did it because he wanted to grab a history book on the table.

"There we go," Brahms cheered when Esther fell onto his outstretched arms.

Caleb clapped his hands, enthusiastically throwing his fist in the air with a loud "Whoop!".

Xavier, who was sitting on the sofa and not on the floor along with his little brothers, could only watch proudly.

"As expected of the fairy of Fallenrose. He can walk so effortlessly," Caleb harrumphed, nodding his head.

'I think it's normal to start walking at this age,' Esther thought, staring at Caleb dryly.

"That much is obvious, little brother," Caleb nodded.

Esther sighed, exhausted from entertaining his two big brothers.

"Should we do one more round?"

"Agoo!" Esther shook his head frantically, eyes widened in terror.

"Hm, I think that means yes," Caleb said.

'How is that a yes, you rascal?! Let me rest!' Esther babbled loudly in protest, kicking his short arms and legs.

"Let him sit," Xavier suddenly said. His eyes were on the book he was reading.

"Fine," Caleb huffed, pouting. Brahms carried Esther carefully in his arms, and the trio moved to the sofa next to Xavier.

Esther looked over to the book Xavier was reading. It was the history book of the great war that he was about to pick!

"Abubu," Esther garbled, making grabby hands.

"Hm? you want the book?"

"Maybe he wants a storybook," Caleb said, leaning in to sniff Esther's hair. "I love baby smells,"

'Weirdo,'

"You think he tastes great too?"

'Stop trying to eat your own little brother!' Esther garbled.

"I think he wants the book you're reading, Xavier," Brahms said.

Esther squealed in affirmation, smiling brightly. Xavier blinked and tensely offered the book to Esther. But instead of taking the book, Esther wriggled out of Brahms' hold and crawled onto Xavier's lap.

"?!"

Brahms, Caleb, and Xavier's jaws went slack.

Xavier, the only one who never dared carry or touch or interact that much with Esther because he didn't know how to act around babies, suddenly went frozen when Esther was busy trying to find a comfortable position sitting on Xavier's lap.

"Ababa!"

Esther pointed his fingers to the book. When no one said anything, the baby tipped his head upward to meet Xavier's surprised face and wide blue eyes.

'Oh? his reaction is kinda funny?' Esther thought in amusement.

"Kyaah!" Esther purposely laid the back of his head onto Xavier's chest, doing a cute little dance.

"?!"

"B-But I've been playing for hours with Esther, but he never does that to me," Caleb murmured.

"I skipped my classes to spend time with Esther too..." Brahms whispered.

The two of them sent Xavier a threatening glare. Xavier sputtered, still bewildered.

"I don't—I'm not sure why he's acting like this!" Xavier exclaimed. His hands hovered around Esther, too shy to hold him.

"You traitor," Caleb accused.

"Don't worry, Caleb. Do you remember that he'll attend the academy in a year? I heard that babies will forget someone if they leave for too long," Brahms said with a mischievous smirk.

Xavier's eyebrows shot upward, lips parted.

"Really? Then that's good news," Caleb giggled.

"And then we will be Esther's favorite instead of Xavier,"

"When Xavier returns, Esther will cry because he'll be so startled to see a stranger,"

"You two..." Xavier massaged his temple, trying to ease his headache.

"From now on, Xavier will be our enemy," Brahms declared.

"Yeah!"

"Caleb, go inform Violet and Juniper about this. We're declaring a war to win over Esther's love,"

"Got it, big bro!"

"If Esther is not sitting on my lap right now, I would've give you two lumps on your heads," Xavier grumbled.

Meanwhile, Esther, sitting peacefully on Xavier's lap, read the history book as he listened happily to his siblings' bicker.