The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!

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Author Notes:

  Thanks to everyone's support, this story is getting published. A popular vote campaign is also underway, so please check the activity reports.

  The title, which was quite different from the content, has also been changed. With renewed motivation, I will continue the series.

  I appreciate your continued support.

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"To me, it makes perfect sense. If I were bound by tradition, I wouldn't be able to think freely like I did when I was in Berisario. The success of the Fairy Company was thanks to my family's understanding."

"Indeed."

"And His Highness knows that, so he lets me do as I please."

"Then, the current distance is good for both you and Andy."

"Exactly."

Leaning my cheek on my hand, I glared at him with discontent. It feels like I'm being scolded.

"I didn't do anything to make Kamiru angry, right?"

"Then why aren't the men of the Empire doing anything? Despite the opportunity, not a single one came near you."

"Maybe because you were there?"

"That's the problem. Are there only men who are fine with letting another country's man take the lead?"

No, no. I'm ten years old, and there's no need to rush. I think marrying the Fairy Princess requires tremendous determination. You just said it would impact global affairs, Kamiru. Even within the Empire, it would draw attention from the entire family.

"And you know my personality, right? I'm not cute at all and not childlike either. I'm just a weird existence."

"What's that supposed to mean? Who said such nonsense?"

His expression darkened. Don't furrow your brows.

"Moreover, marrying me means having more opportunities to talk to His Highness and being accepted by my brothers. They need the capacity to deal with them on equal footing."

"Can those brothers of yours be dealt with somehow? Especially Chris."

"Is there a problem with my beloved brothers? Besides, I wouldn't want a husband who can't keep up with conversations. I'll be independent, so my partner needs to be too. I can't have someone I need to protect from assassination. Ideally, someone with similar interests who can walk through life with me as a partner."

"A man who can stand on equal footing with you?"

"If possible."

"Does such a man exist?"

"My brothers are amazing. His Highness is more than equal."

"How many men of the right age who match you and are on par with Andy and your brothers do you think exist in this world?"

Ugh... That's true. There are many of the right status, but for someone with the mind of an older woman like me, most boys my age are too childish for conversation.

"Boys who get along with my brothers are mature for their age and easy to talk to..."

"Even if they existed, if they knew your true nature, they'd all become good friends. They'd think of you as a comrade rather than a lady."

"No, that's not it. You just see them as friends."

Kamiru leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and looking at me with narrowed eyes.

Keith and Jema, standing a little distance away, seemed to nod in agreement.

"The boys who practiced dancing with you are suitable in terms of status and personality. They could make suitable partners if they made an effort. You only see them as friends."

"I'm the one seeing them as friends. I have no realistic perspective on engagements or love. You think of me as a good friend, right? That's why you followed me without any caution."

"Huh?"

"It's probably a big commotion in the hall right now."

Oh no! When Alan-oniisama and Patty were dancing, I considered the impact carefully, but I didn't think about it for myself.

The Fairy Princess dancing with a noble from Luftanen and then leaving for the terrace together would be seen as significant by others.

"That carelessness will be exploited by other men in the future."

"Kamiru, you're brave. Father and Chris-oniisama are furious."

"Please, invite Chris to the next dance. If he comes here, it will be an international issue."

"Then don't invite me."

"That's why I've been telling you to be aware. It's fine for now, but you're coming to Luftanen this year, right? A year passes quickly. The next year, you'll be twelve. Other countries' royalty might come, demanding you visit their lands. They might try to take you away."

"Take me away?!"

"Twelve-year-old girls are often married off in other countries."

"In the Empire, a girl's will is respected until fifteen. Forced engagements or marriages are not allowed!"

"That's just the Empire. Other countries don't care about that."

"That's why heirs to the throne are off-limits!"

"Then who is eligible? No one, right?"

"That's..."

I understand. It was the same in my previous life. I longed for a romance like in the stories I drew, but I never looked at real men.

My workplace colleagues were just that, colleagues. Male friends were just friends.

In this world, too. I admired beautiful people from afar. But the boys my age were too young.

Yet, men of a suitable age were usually married, and if they liked me, they'd be seen as pedophiles. They couldn't be romantic interests.

And I didn't take steps to get closer to boys in the higher education course, aged fifteen to eighteen.

Love was something to do later, I thought. But while I delayed, the good ones kept getting girlfriends.

Even though I failed that way in my past life, I was about to repeat the same mistake.

"But I'm only ten."

"Which part of you is ten? You wouldn't choose someone younger, would you? So the partner is older. There's no fortune in leftovers."

Ugh... I can't argue with that.

How can I fall in love with someone? What kind of situation makes you fall in love?

"Kamiru, how about you? You can't keep saying you've never talked to girls."

"Why do you think I brought you out here?"

"For your country, right?"

Luftanen also wants the Fairy Princess. Just like other countries, they see value in the title, my closeness to the Crown Prince, and being a Berisario daughter.

Even if I'm ugly, bad-tempered, or stupid, they don't care.

"I had one more condition."

"There's more?"

"No polygamy. No concubines or mistresses."

"Is that all?"

Is that all?!

In this world, it's common for royals and nobles to have second wives or mistresses.

In the Empire, generals married to the Empress can't have mistresses. My father is devoted to my mother, and Duke Powell has loved his deceased wife forever. But that's the exception. Many have mistresses because heirs are essential.

"Luftanen's former king... my father had many wives, causing disputes. I said I'm not good with girls. One is enough. I can't be responsible for multiple lives."

Kamiru's language was getting rougher as we talked. So was mine. But why were we having this conversation?

"When did you start thinking of taking me with you?"

"You used to avoid me."

"This morning."

"What?!"

"It's unprecedented in history for so many spirit kings to gather. I thought you'd marry Andy and become Empress, but now the Crown Prince's fiancées have been announced. This news will spread to neighboring countries tonight."

It's not my fault! It's the spirit kings' and the Crown Prince's fault!

"Luftanen wants you more than other countries. You're easy to talk to, and we can work together at the company. Moana would be overjoyed. I'm not in the line of succession, and I have all elemental spirit beasts. It's not a bad deal."

"Chris-sama is coming."

Saromon peeked in through the window.

"What about Alan?"

"He's with him."

"Then we're fine... I hope."

You're getting weak. Then don't invite me.

"Kamiru, what are you discussing?"

"Damn, time's up."

Chris-oniisama's cold face appeared on the terrace.

Despite adjusting the temperature, it suddenly felt cold.

"Calm down, he's a guest."

"Alan, you're the one who..."

"Chris-oniisama, please dance with me next."

I ran to Chris-oniisama.

"Huh? Oh, of course..."

His expression softened instantly. So easy. He's excellent at everything but is so sweet to me. My brothers are angels.

"I heard something from Kamiru. I need to consult you. I didn't think globally."

"Globally?"

"The gathering of spirit kings will stir neighboring countries."

"That... I was concerned about that too. Especially Bejaia and Starke."

Alan-oniisama nodded with a severe face. Is it that bad?

"Starke is the biggest concern. They were denied participation in the ceremony today."

"Luftanen's tears?"

Chris-oniisama's smile turned dark, but Kamiru smiled back. The atmosphere felt tense and uncomfortable.

"They were persistent. Starke is the most prestigious, but the Empire has surpassed them in national power. They desperately want Dia."

"Their capital is terrible. The royal garden flowers are all dead."

Where did Alan-oniisama hear that? The citizens might not know that.

"After this morning's events, Dia won't go to Starke or Luftanen."

"Overprotection isn't good for Dia. I'll return tomorrow night. Watch out for the Empire's men."

"You want me as a watchdog?"

"No way. You're not just a watchdog."

"Brother's moving to the capital, so he can't."

"Alan!"

"Seriously?"

Why are they deciding without my input? And leaving the celebration is bad, especially for Chris-oniisama with his fiancées. Kamiru with us is also problematic.

"I'll protect Dia. Dia, dance with

 me."

"Chris-oniisama, stay with Monika and Suzanna. They're probably overwhelmed with questions."

"But..."

"Who should you protect?"

I'll never forgive you if my friends cry.

"Alright. Alan, take care of her."

Don't look so sad. Stand up straight!

After dancing with Alan-oniisama, I returned to Berisario.

Suzanna told Chris-oniisama:

"She looked so pitiful, so I told her to dance with you."

Monika laughed:

"He's always been a siscon."

Even at home, Father asked what I talked about on the terrace.

"You should worry about other things. Kamiru was a guest from Luftanen, attending his first Empire ball. Without a dance partner, it could have been embarrassing."

As expected, Mother gets it. That's the point.

"I didn't consider that."

"The royal family lacks women. But the chief lady-in-waiting and ball organizers should have noticed."

"The Emperor's surrounded by Bantock supporters. We're recruiting nationwide for the princess's education. But we can't admit unvetted people to the palace. We're understaffed."

The Crown Prince is busy with politics. The royal family needs a female head in such situations.

"What did you discuss with Kamiru?"

"He said we should take the gathering of spirit kings more seriously."

"What?"

"He warned about potential abductions."

"You discussed that?!"

I exaggerated a bit but didn't lie. I couldn't mention the established facts or Kamiru wanting to take me.

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