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:

  I have been terribly late in updating. A persistent cold has left my voice husky, but I'm back and will slowly resume updates.

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The New Year's celebration and the debutante ball went off without a hitch... well, mostly without a hitch. Now, it's time for the New Year's festivities in each of the territories.

Nobles who own lands return to their domains, while the others stay in the imperial capital for the ongoing events.

The real New Year’s celebrations in each territory start from the second day. Each place has its own way of celebrating, but everyone takes three days off to enjoy the festivities. In our domain, entry and exit are prohibited during the holidays, and at the unused port, there’s an event where, for a small entry fee, you can eat and drink for free in the street market and shop at a market filled with merchants from all over the country. The entry fee is donated to the local orphanage.

The streets are decorated, lively music plays all day, and everyone drinks, sings, and dances to relieve their stress and rejuvenate. People from all over Berisario gather, making it a chance for new encounters, and young people are especially enthusiastic. Everyone in the territory knows about Chris-onii-sama's competence, so the people are bright-faced as they celebrate the coming of age of their future lord. They are confident that Berisario's prosperity will continue.

While the town is bustling, the nobles are actually very busy working. The people they invite and the places they make appearances over these three days reveal their social power and connections among the nobility.

High-ranking noble territories have many nobles who manage the land or work in the castle. Among them are those who are coming of age, so they need to hold debutante balls for them. This is why balls are held in every territory on the night of the second day. The issue arises when the lord’s family has a child coming of age, especially the heir. The coming-of-age celebrations usually take place from the second to the fourth day, since the Royal Guard’s public drill is on the sixth and the academy's second term starts on the seventh.

So, deciding when to host the party within those three days is a big challenge. It’s a problem if the celebration clashes with a high-ranking noble’s party, as no one might come. On the other hand, if high-ranking nobles hold their parties on the fourth or fifth day, they might be seen as incapable of gathering guests. Nobility is indeed troublesome.

Being invited is also a challenge. Since the events are concentrated within three days, the guests have to attend multiple parties, changing outfits in between, as going to several parties in the same dress is not acceptable. How many parties one attends becomes a status symbol—"I’m so popular, it's troublesome."

Of course, our celebration is on the second day at noon. Chris-onii-sama is the only high-ranking noble heir coming of age. Younger sons and daughters only need modest celebrations, and many nobles just celebrate at the debutante ball. Not all nobles are wealthy, so I think that’s sufficient. In most ordinary count families, close friends gather for a joint celebration. It’s peaceful and homely.

But that’s not the case in Berisario. Chris-onii-sama's coming-of-age celebration is a casual, buffet-style party where guests can enjoy delicious food while mingling. In this period’s parties, attending is acknowledged just by showing up, greeting the host, and sipping a drink. With so many parties to attend, you can’t stay long. But today, it seems there are no other celebrations in other territories. Not only are all the high-ranking nobles of Berisario present, but they are also sitting down and enjoying their food and drinks.

We’ve opened up the courtyard with terracotta tiles and white table sets extending to the guest annex from the castle, allowing guests to dine while gazing at the sea. Unlike the snowy royal palace, Berisario is a bit chilly, but a shawl is enough to stay comfortable outside. The temperature difference is quite significant. Here we have two retired marquises and two dukes enjoying seafood and drinks, chatting away. Even Paolo is next to Mia, talking to my parents. What about his territory’s celebration? Normally, Mia, his fiancée, would have gone to Paolo’s territory first.

It’s not just Paolo. Naturally, all the high-ranking nobles above marquis are gathered here in Berisario. The crowd is impressive, and the number of people eating heartily surprises me. It’s more like a food court than a buffet party.

My parents and Chris-onii-sama are constantly moving around, greeting everyone. Thank you for your hard work. As for me, just being present is meaningful, so I’m content to chat with friends and enjoy the delicious food. I feel accomplished having handed out the chocolate souvenirs to the guests. Everyone worked hard to make sure it was ready for today. It’s just two pieces of chocolate in a small box, mostly nuts, with a hint of rum or milk, but it’s the first step in introducing chocolate to this world.

“It's black. What is it?”

“What’s this?! Delicious!”

Opening the souvenirs on the spot isn’t considered polite, but it seems some children couldn’t resist the small bag with the Fairy Company mark and the beautifully packaged box. Their reactions spread, and a few people discreetly opened their boxes. The response is excellent. By tomorrow, it will be the talk of the town. However, we’ve run out of cacao. It will be months before we can sell more. Though it’s understandable, I wish I could directly buy the cacao from the cultivation area myself. I’ll need to ask Camille to send the cacao early again.

I moved around the party venue, keeping an eye out. I can't ignore acquaintances, so progress is slow.

'Dia, he’s over there.'

“As expected, Jin. Thank you.”

'Hehe.'

'We all searched, and yet...'

'You're unfair.'

'Quiet, you two.'

“Okay, okay. Thank you all.”

Thanks to the spirit beasts who’ve miniaturized and materialized, I can move around without much interruption. If Ifree were here in full size, people who don’t know him would be too scared to approach.

“Camille, you’re leaving already?”

When I approached him after his conversation with the diplomat ended, he turned and looked surprised to see me.

“What is that outfit?”

“A different colored Santa costume?”

“Santa... what?”

“The fluffy trim is popular, so I added it to the dress. Looks nice, right?”

It’s not that I’m particularly attached to Christmas. I was working that day and only bought slightly more expensive deli food from the basement of a department store. I was always busy around that time because of the winter comic market. I have no fashion sense, having mostly worn affordable mass-produced clothes in my previous life, so even if I wanted to use leftover magic beast fur, I had no idea what design would look cute. I could only think of adding fluffy trims to the hem and pom-poms to the neckline and hair.

“These pom-poms are cute too, right? I made them to promote the Fairy Company.”

“Anything you wear is cute, so it’s not much of a reference.”

“... Huh?”

Did he just nonchalantly say something outrageous? It's hard to react when he says it so matter-of-factly.

“Didn’t I tell you not to stand out? What do your brothers say about you starting something new while all the nations are watching?”

“... They said it’s pointless to stop me.”

And so, I’m getting scolded again. I’ve been getting scolded non-stop since yesterday.

“Camille, when did you become so close with Dia?”

Ah, Chris-onii-sama. Are his rounds of greetings finished?

“Chris! You’re too lenient with Dia. Why let her stand out?”

“How could Dia not stand out? Her cuteness makes her noticeable just by being there.”

“I have to commend your sister complex.”

“Can’t deny it.”

This is the first time I’ve seen someone call Chris-onii-sama a sister complex right to his face. Although Douglas, being a childhood friend, also expresses his opinions to my brothers quite frankly, I’ve never seen him complain like this. And he’s even scolding him about his attitude towards potential fiancées.

“Go on, Camille! Tell him more!”

“What? Dia, are you on his side?”

“I’m on Monica and Suzanna’s side.”

“That's harsh. I hoped you'd be on my side…”

Chris-onii-sama and Camille’s gazes were directed behind me, and when I turned around, Erda and Lady Bridget were standing close together.

“Lady Bridget? Oh my, you’ve come to Berisario despite just coming of age yourself?!”

“We’re holding a soirée tonight. This time is free.”

Chris-onii-sama has always said he’s still not comfortable around her because of the strong impression she left when she was more exuberant. But with her red hair styled up and wearing a salvia blue dress, she looks like a very graceful lady.

“Dia, Lady Bridget is willing to help with the spirit book we discussed.”

“The spirit care guide?”

“Yes. Lady Bridget loves books, and we often exchanged books at the academy.”

“I... spent much time in my room... um...”

Oh, right, she was under house arrest for charging at me.

I didn't know she had been in contact with Erda.

“Then, would you like to chat in my room later?”

“Would that be alright?”

“Of course. But please check with your parents first. You might need to greet some people. I’ll be around here.”

“Understood.”

“I’m fine with it, but I’ll invite Irene too.”

Wait a minute, Erda.

She

 just announced her engagement, so she has a lot of people to greet.

“It’s better to spread the word that you’re helping with the spirit book, favored by the Fairy Princess, isn’t it?”

“Is it?!”

I reflexively turned to ask Chris-onii-sama and Camille, who were standing behind me with exasperated looks.

Why do they always pull back when I switch to my lady mode?

“I think so. The book project is also Ruri-sama’s wish.”

Camille tilted his head silently, while Chris-onii-sama responded with a wry smile. Come to think of it, it’s more problematic for Chris-onii-sama, the guest of honor, and Camille, a guest from a neighboring country, to stand around here idly.

“Okay, both of you, get back to greeting. Oh, Camille, don’t forget about the cacao. We’ll meet again in May, but if possible, let me know the delivery schedule soon...”

“I’ll be back in March.”

“What?”

“Hey.”

“To help with West Island’s recovery, we’re gathering various crops and goods from the southern countries and the eastern continent. I thought you might like some of them, so I’ll bring them.”

“Wonderful! Especially the crops!”

I couldn’t help but lean forward.

Even if I’m clueless about fashion, I’m very particular about food.

“Dia, step back a bit.”

“But onii-sama, it's new crops. Bring as many as you like.”

“I’m only bringing one type. If you like it, you’ll want to import it in bulk, right?”

“Of course!”

“So stop moving forward while talking.”

Chris-onii-sama grabbed my arm, and as I turned back in protest, I noticed Patty watching me with concern. I waved a small greeting out of habit, and she smiled, coming over before waving back.

“Dia, what are you doing? You look like you’re pressing Camille-sama.”

“I want him to bring lots of new crops.”

“Yeah, I figured. But don’t press him. To those who don’t know you well, it looks like you’re trying to detain Camille-sama from leaving.”

Really?

That’s not good.

“I’ll see you in March.”

Camille! Don’t say things that could be misinterpreted!

“I’m not detaining him!”

“Bring new crops.”

“... And cacao.”

Ugh, don’t laugh.

I admit it, I prioritize food over everything else.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading. Your typo reports are very helpful. If you find the story enjoyable, please consider rating it below.

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