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

[Camille's Perspective]

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Author Notes:

  This will likely be the last update for this year.

  Since registering on this site, this year has been a memorable and meaningful one, with many people reading my novel and it even getting published.

  How was your year? I hope the coming year will be a good one for you all. Happy New Year.

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I've had many opportunities to interact with Dia, but we never really talked much. I didn’t know how to approach girls, and I didn’t want to be rude to her, a member of one of the Empire’s great noble families and a business partner. But Dia wasn’t like a typical young lady at all, so my caution ended up being pointless.

While staying at the Berisario estate, I realized during our conversations that she often had inconsistent reactions. She had knowledge and judgment far beyond her ten years, yet she didn't know or remember common knowledge that everyone else did. She was fiercely protective of her family and friends, meticulously planning to keep them safe, yet she was careless about her own well-being. Sometimes she had the demeanor of someone with vast life experience, and other times she reacted to romance like a typical child.

Moreover, she seemed very uncomfortable acting like a noble lady. I understood that feeling well. Raised in a small separate house on the castle grounds, with commoners as attendants, guards, and maids, I found behaving like a noble quite cumbersome. But for Dia, who was born as the daughter of the Marquess of Berisario and had received all the necessary education within the castle, interacting like a commoner should have been unfamiliar.

"So? What did you talk about with Dia?"

Even though the daytime ball had ended and I was finally free, I was immediately summoned by Andi. I figured it was to discuss this.

"How many times are you going to ask me that?"

"Just answer. You should have known you'd be asked after taking the Fairy Princess out."

When I was first invited to dinner by the Imperial Crown Prince, I imagined a massive table with us sitting at opposite ends, surrounded by numerous attendants, eating cold food. Instead, we sat at a table small enough to reach across, with freshly prepared dishes laid out. We had our spirits check for poison, ensured our own safety, and ate what we liked. It was so unexpected I couldn't help but laugh. Whether this was the best way to interact based on my background, which they had thoroughly investigated, or Andi’s usual behavior, I couldn’t tell. Since he often dined alone from the age of five, this might also be comfortable for him.

"We talked about how it seems many people in the Empire aren't particularly concerned about all the nearby nations' spirit kings gathering here. I wondered if that was okay."

"Panicking at the ball wouldn’t help."

"Dia’s lack of awareness about her own position is alarming."

"...Did you overhear the spirit kings of Bejaia and Tabuk inviting Dia?"

"Tabuk?"

"The spirit kings who turned against Pendelus collaborated with northern humans to establish a new country."

How would Pendelus react to that? By now, they should have realized that turning the desert green is impossible without coexisting with spirits. Still, the king and nobles couldn’t easily admit their mistakes. Admitting it would mean holding the royal family and nobles accountable, potentially leading the populace to either abandon the country or revolt against the nobles.

"Dia said she won’t go to either country."

"Even so, humans will invite her next. To Pendelus, Dia's existence is nothing but a hindrance. They might try to kidnap her."

"Kidnap Dia? That's suicidal."

Andi found it amusing because Dia had the backing of the spirit kings. But the culprit might not be a clear enemy. I’ve heard that even the lowest-ranked servants in Berisario undergo thorough background checks, especially those interacting with children. They live within the castle to prevent their families from being taken hostage or falling into debt traps that might force them to help with kidnapping.

"Dia has a strong sense of protecting her friends. If something happened to them, she might willingly let herself be kidnapped."

"Even so, with her magic and the power of her spirit beasts, she could destroy an entire royal palace and return."

"You could do that. But she grew up loved by her parents in peaceful Berisario. Having the power to fight and actually fighting are different. Do you think Dia can kill someone? Can she make her beloved spirit beasts commit murder?"

"...I see."

"If it came to that, Luftanen wouldn’t sit idly by either."

Andi leaned on his fork, intently staring at me. Luftanen people only have dark brown or black eyes. I'd never seen golden eyes before. Dia’s purple eyes were also unique and beautiful, but Andi’s eyes seemed artificial, as if they were seeing a different world.

"Let me ask you one thing."

"What is it?"

"Does Luftanen want the Fairy Princess, or do you want Dia?"

"Me? Want Dia?"

Right, of course. I talked about taking her back to Luftanen under the conditions that suited me. Essentially, I was proposing to Dia. I’d been so focused on not letting her go to another country that I hadn’t realized I was proposing marriage.

Marriage? Me? To Dia?

"Why aren't you answering?"

"...Both."

"Liar."

"Both."

Unlike other girls, she’s easy to talk to and fun to be around. We could work together on product development and new projects, bridging the gap between our countries.

"So you're thinking about her happiness, right?"

"What?"

"Do you think the men around Dia haven’t acted because they’re seriously considering her happiness?"

"And yet, how many men in your Empire can match up to Dia, who can stand against Andi and her brothers? How many understand the spirit beasts and the business she does?"

"Can't her conditions be more reasonable?"

Hey, Crown Prince. Stop stabbing your meat with the fork. It’s bad manners, and it’s putting my spirit beasts on alert.

"Why did you withdraw? You could change things in the palace now."

"I’ve worked hard to earn the spirit kings’ trust and don’t want to waste it. Besides, I’m the future emperor. My priority is the country, then myself, and only then my heir and wife’s happiness."

"You shouldn't prioritize like that. You can think about your family during your non-working hours."

"...True. Dia said a man who can’t consider his wife’s happiness can't rule a country."

Since the Crown Princess candidates are her friends, making them cry would indeed be a big problem.

"It’s easy to think of it as someone else's problem for now. The Marquess and Marchioness of Berisario had a love marriage. Dia’s model of a couple is her parents. That family is very close. Just becoming part of that family will be a challenge."

"That’s why the Empire’s men are hesitant."

"Exactly."

And here’s the Crown Prince himself bringing up the topic. The spirit kings would show up just because she seemed a bit sad. The whole surrounding is keeping her marriage at bay.

"She only thinks about Berisario. She helped a neighboring count’s territory because they were the same ethnicity. She has no interest in other lands. She might defend the Empire over other countries, but that’s because she wants to help the nobles she knows. She’s not suited to be a queen at all."

"Ah..."

As someone who declared he’d destroy Luftanen if they tried to dethrone the Crown Prince and make me king, I understand Dia’s mindset. But that’s a problem for a Crown Prince.

"Considering that, you’re not a bad option..."

You think distancing the Fairy Princess from the Empire before she gains more power is wise? No, this man wouldn't think that way.

"What’s with that look? I want to maintain a good relationship with my friend, the neighboring duke."

With his sly grin, what’s he saying now? A prince endorsed by tricky dukes and marquises, who handles official duties surrounded by them, showing this easygoing demeanor. I’m not naive enough to take it at face value.

"Dia asked me to be her brother."

"What?"

"I can't let anyone but someone who can make her happy marry her."

Adding another brother to her already troublesome pair? She’s making more family-like connections to protect and cherish, creating a web around herself. If other countries start doing this...

So that’s why Andi is acting this way. He knows that future is unavoidable, so he wants to find a good match for her. Is there no one in the Empire willing to make Dia happy?

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The Berisario event the next day was a more relaxed, buffet-style party. Berisario was warmer than the capital, so the terrace was open for guests to enjoy. Guests received gift boxes upon arrival with different types of chocolate for men, women, and children. The men's had rum in it. I’m curious how rum tastes with sweet chocolate. I got one for my brother and can't wait to hear his thoughts.

"Camille, you’re leaving already?"

Today, Dia was in a dress of light green shades like fresh leaves. Simple with no decorations, but it had fluffy white fur on the hem and collar. A dress with magical beast fur?

"What’s with that outfit?"

"A different colored Santa costume?"

"Santa...what?"

"These fluffy parts are popular, so I tried adding them to the dress. Don’t you like it?"

Dia spun around with a big smile. The hem flared out, and the little balls of yarn decorating her collar swayed. She had her hair tied at the sides with similar yarn balls, bouncing with her movements.

"Aren't these pom-poms cute? We’re selling them at the Fairy Company, so I’m advertising."

"Anything looks

 cute on you, so it doesn't count as a reference."

"...What?"

"I told you not to stand out. With other countries watching, what do your brothers think about you starting something new now?"

"...They said there’s no point trying to stop me."

Hey! You guys need to control her.

"Camille, when did you get so close to Dia?"

Here comes the doting brother.

"Chris! You’re too lenient with Dia. Why let her stand out like this?"

"How could she not stand out? She’s cute enough to shine no matter what."

"This sis-con... it's almost admirable."

"You can’t deny it."

I couldn't help but look at Dia from head to toe. Sure, she’s cute, but there are other cute girls here too.

"What about your fiancé candidates? They’re just as beautiful."

"They understand me well."

"If you relax, they might leave you. They might find someone else, saying they don't want to marry a prince."

"That’s..."

"Think from the opposite perspective."

"Good point! Tell him more, Camille!"

This started as a talk about Dia’s actions. Can these siblings handle this? Aran! Don’t pretend you don't know us, get over here!

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading.

  I appreciate typo reports.

  If you find this story enjoyable, please rate it below.

  I mostly talk about my cats and update reports, but I’m on Twitter.

  https://twitter.com/rei_kaza_ma

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