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:

  Since my last post, another significant gap has occurred. My throat is still husky from too much coughing. This cold was particularly tough. If any of you feel your throat is off, don't push yourselves too hard.

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I guided Lady Bridget, Erda, and Irene—who really did prioritize me over Elton—to a spacious room with a large table. This will be our workspace.

As usual, it seems my perception of things differs from those around me. The creation of the guidebook requested by the Spirit King is seen as a highly prestigious task. Participating in its creation is considered a great honor. To me, it felt more like, "Yay! Making a picture book with friends!"

"Because it’s also Ruri's request, His Highness the Crown Prince and other high-ranking nobles will be assisting us."

All three listened to my explanation with very serious expressions. Mentioning specific names probably made them think this was an even more significant task. I must be quite desensitized. It’s not common to have the Crown Prince and the Spirit King so close.

"So, what exactly should we do?"

Lady Bridget was the first to respond after a prolonged silence.

"We plan to create two books: a picture book and a guidebook. The picture book could help illiterate commoner children learn to read, and adults can read it to their kids."

The guidebook is for literate commoners and nobles. Since noble children are used to learning, they can handle more text. We want this book to be detailed and useful for both children and adults on how to care for spirits.

"I’m planning to handle the picture book. Here’s a sample of how I intend to draw it."

I showed them a picture of a child gathering magic in their palm and offering it to a spirit. Since it was just from yesterday, it was a rough sketch quickly colored, but it might be good for a picture book.

"Oh, how cute!"

"I didn’t know you could draw, Dia."

"Lady Diadora, you’re so talented."

Even if there were some social niceties involved, the reactions weren’t bad. The three looked a bit more relaxed. It seems this style of drawing will be accepted in this world.

"I’d like you all to help compile the guidebook. Chris-onii-sama will provide the content, but knowing him, it’ll probably be like a thesis or a report, so I’d like you to make it more accessible."

"Chris-sama does tend to write complex texts."

"I might not understand it."

Lady Bridget, who studied in the same class as my brother, nodded, and Erda expressed her concern.

"Chris-sama would never give Dia an incomprehensible document. More likely, it’ll be a list of necessary points in a very plain format."

"That sounds about right."

"Indeed."

Irene, with her keen insight, stated this, and the other two agreed. I had to admire how consistent Chris-onii-sama’s image is.

"If there are parts of the guidebook that need illustrations for clarity, just let me know what kind of pictures are needed, and I’ll draw them."

"Won’t that be too much work for you, Dia?"

"It’s fine. We’ll work on the picture book first since we can’t start the guidebook yet. Once the second term starts, we can plan and divide tasks in the dorm."

Sitting around the large table, the four of us sipped tea and chatted. Gradually, the initial tension faded, and everyone’s usual smiles appeared. Knowing what to do helps ease anxiety.

"I read a lot of books while staying in my room, but I never thought I’d be making one. And for the Spirit King’s request, no less."

Lady Bridget, with her hand on her cheek and a sigh of relief, seemed like a dreamer who probably read many romance novels. But it’s normal for most people to be readers only. Without the internet in this world, the chance to have someone read your writing is almost non-existent.

"I... actually have written a few novels."

"What?"

There was one.

A fellow writer so close by.

"Erda, really?"

"I’ve had Irene read them a bit."

Hey!

Why didn’t you show them to your childhood friend, but let Irene read them?

"And Irene too, actually..."

"Erda! You promised to keep that a secret!"

Wow, another one.

Count Regan’s territory had more cows than people, and she once mentioned that reading or embroidery was all there was to do. Most noble ladies are like that. They don’t usually run businesses, jog, or visit the Spirit King.

"I’ve also wanted to write."

"Dia too?!"

"But I only managed to jot down the plot before giving up."

"Even Dia gives up on things."

Does Erda see me as some kind of perfect superhuman?

I can draw manga, but I can’t write novels.

"Erda, let me read it too."

"If you show me your story outline."

"Is that enough? I’ll bring it later... Don’t you want to read various books from different people?"

"I do."

"Not like that."

The novels in circulation are often close to literary fiction, tales of knights with a bit of romance, or melodramatic soap operas. Sometimes you want those, but having intense drama all the time can be off-putting, and they aren’t exactly aimed at teenagers.

I want stories where people meet in everyday life, have moments that make your heart skip a beat, and leave you feeling warm and happy or sometimes a bit sad. Stories about school crushes where the person you like is already engaged to someone else.

"Do you know any other trustworthy ladies who write novels?"

"Trustworthy?"

"Yes, many might not think well of high-ranking noble ladies writing novels."

There are female writers in this world, but they are usually lower nobles and mostly unmarried. When a noble lady takes up a profession, be it as a writer, painter, or musician, there are people willing to be patrons, but few who would marry them.

"If it’s known they write romance novels, some might think they have those experiences or want to. There are men who will say such foolish things."

"I do want those experiences!"

"Erda, calm down."

Lately, I don’t understand Erda. She was a quiet, fragile girl as a child. Irene seems to have matured positively with her engagement to Elton.

"That’s true. I wouldn’t want it widely known either."

"Don’t worry, Irene. Our conversation is only audible to the four of us."

Beyond the table, the butler Gemma and the maid Cynthia were chatting with Lady Bridget’s maid. Neither Irene nor Erda had brought anyone, so it was just us.

"I might be overthinking, but I can’t cause trouble for Elton."

"Of course. I wouldn’t want anyone to know that the Fairy Princess has drawn or attempted to write novels. Please keep it a secret that I drew the picture book illustrations."

"I won’t tell anyone. I’d like to read your novels, so maybe I should try writing too."

"Partners in crime."

"Indeed."

The four of us nodded in agreement.

For now, our group has grown by three.

"I know someone who can draw well..."

This is a good opportunity.

I want to see if manga-style illustrations will be accepted in this world.

"Here’s an example of their work. What do you think?"

I placed an illustration of the Crown Prince and Chris-onii-sama on the table. It’s closer to a portrait but with manga-style hair and clothing.

"Oh, it’s His Highness and Chris-sama!"

"Lovely!"

"Is this for sale?"

Whoa... such positive reactions surprised me.

I see, this world doesn’t have bromides.

Pictures of the Crown Prince or Chris-onii-sama would be extremely popular.

This could be a business. But I won’t do it.

"There’s only one copy, and I won’t sell it. Without the artist’s permission, I can’t use duplication magic either."

"Who? I know it’s someone you know. Your circle includes the castle or the academy..."

"Erda, I promised not to reveal the artist to get these. Don’t try to find out."

To prevent discovery, I’ve drastically changed my style between picture books and these illustrations. Even changing the genre and circle name wasn’t enough to hide my style.

"They might draw illustrations for novels if asked. If we’re going to write, why not make it a book with illustrations and share it among trustworthy few?"

"A friend of mine is good at drawing too. I think she’d help."

"Just discuss it without mentioning names initially."

"I will."

While Irene and I talked, Erda and Lady Bridget were still gazing at the illustrations.

Do they like them that much?

"The Crown Prince and Chris together are indeed captivating. Just looking at them makes my heart race."

"Oh, Erda-sama too? I feel the same way."

Hey, you two! That’s a dangerous path! Come back!

Why did you go there? I don’t want to be the one who starts the trend of creating fujoshi in this world.

"But yesterday, Camille and Chris together were wonderful too. Chris in white contrasted with Camille’s black..."

"No, Chris-sama looks best beside the Crown Prince."

"What are you two talking about?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Those illustrations are now confiscated. They’re too risky to share.

"Both of you, please don’t use real people in your novels."

"Your formal tone is scary, Dia."

"Erda, especially you. No characters named Crown Prince or Emperor. Use Prince or King instead. Even if you’re careful, there’s a chance someone might accidentally see it. What if they find real names?"

"If His Highness learns of it... we might face charges of disrespect."

"Irene. That’s

 terrifying. I didn’t think that far."

"Eek!"

"That’s extreme, but some might misinterpret it as a real account. If it’s a romance, they might think it’s an exposé or suspect the author of being involved."

"I’m reconsidering writing."

"Lady Bridget?"

"If that happens, I’ll be kicked out for sure."

What kind of story were you planning?

BL? Boys’ Love?

"Calm down. As long as the author isn’t known, it’s safe. Besides, we’ll be busy with the guidebook first. We won’t have time to write novels for now."

"True. But I really don’t want to trouble my family anymore. My actions almost ruined my brother’s and sister’s engagements. My mother and the Marquess of Berisario had their history. While my sister’s marriage to the Duke of Goodfellow’s family seemed unaffected, I was worried about my brother’s."

Wow, seriously? It was that bad?

Sure, it was a significant issue, but I didn’t think it would threaten marriages. It was a child’s mischief, not something to cancel engagements over.

"We angered the Marquess of Berisario and Marquess of Corquette. It's understandable if people want to avoid the Chandler family. At that time, I wasn’t close to Dia and didn’t know what she was like. I was a bit scared."

Ah, back when I was seen as an UMA.

I didn’t talk to Irene until much later, so she probably heard various rumors and was cautious.

"Um..."

Erda timidly spoke up.

"Lady Bridget... your engagement..."

"It’s not decided. I caused the trouble."

What?!

A marquess’s daughter and still no engagement after coming of age?!

Even though it’s known her mother and the Marchioness of Chandler have reconciled?!

Is it because of me? Did they see her as a risk due to the Fairy Princess’s anger?!

"Lady Diadora, please don’t look so troubled. It’s my own doing. But after greeting you yesterday, I received many dance requests. Some even inquired about an engagement."

"Then many proposals will come your way."

She once wanted to get close to the Crown Prince. But he’s already chosen his fiancée, and she wasn’t selected. Without that incident, would she have been a candidate? Despite this, she seems more interested in pairing the Crown Prince and Chris-onii-sama together.

"I was approached by His Highness and Chris-sama right after the academy started. Chris-sama seemed exasperated but kindly laughed and said, 'What are you doing? You’re hopeless.' This helped my classmates see that Berisario wasn’t as angry as the rumors said, and I didn’t feel out of place at the academy."

Chris-onii-sama, you’re amazing.

Though often seen as cold, he’s actually kind and considerate.

"His Highness was amazed at my courage to charge at the Fairy Princess."

"What?"

"He said it takes remarkable nerve to approach you. He scolded me for being too fearless."

A good story ruined.

I was only six then. What did he mean by "remarkable nerve"?

Is the Crown Prince’s behavior one reason I was treated like a UMA?

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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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