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

Chapter 104

“Did I even say anything to her?”


When I mentioned the story Lady Bridget had told me while our family was gathered, Chris-onii-sama looked up at the ceiling with disinterest and muttered.


Looking out the window, I could see people busily cleaning up the garden. The party had just ended.


“We were looking for a way to wrap things up then. I didn't want to worsen the Chandler Marquessate's standing, so I spoke to her,” my father said, sitting down on the sofa. He looked a bit tired, as did my mother sitting beside him. They had been socializing since yesterday and had another evening event to attend tonight.


“Oh, that might have been it. I didn’t want it to become a Berisario vs. Chandler issue. Making it seem like a minor problem would help keep Dia’s image untarnished, right?”


Huh? For my sake?

For political maneuvering?

Was it all calculated??

I was moved by Lady Bridget's story, thinking Chris-onii-sama was a kind person...

But wait, could Chris-onii-sama be a tsundere?

No, probably not. He’s not the type to show kindness or consideration to someone who dragged his sister into a mess.


“She’ll be fine now. Her engagement will be settled soon. But you need to worry about yourself, Dia.”


I was sitting between my parents, with Chris-onii-sama to my right and Alan-onii-sama to my left. Alan-onii-sama turned to face me, holding my hand and gently shaking it.


“Worry about myself?”

“You don’t have the luxury to worry about others right now.”


Ugh… Camille said the same thing recently.


“With spirit kings from other countries gathering, your position has become even more important, Dia. If we don’t settle your engagement soon, it could become an international issue…”


“It’s too early. Dia is only ten years old.”


“She’ll be eleven soon, brother. This year she’s traveling to Luftanen, launching the chocolate business, and more. She’ll be twelve before we know it.”


“Even at twelve, she still has three more years.”


“Father is right. Alan just wants to settle Dia’s engagement before he leaves home.”


Leave home?


“I’m the second son. When I join the Imperial Guard upon coming of age, I’ll live in the capital. I can’t stay in Berisario’s townhouse forever, so I’ll need my own place.”


“At fifteen?!”


“You can stay at the townhouse for a while, can’t you? You won’t know what kind of house you need until you experience life in the capital, and there should be dorms for bachelors.”


Even if father says that, once Alan-onii-sama joins the Imperial Guard and becomes the Crown Prince’s bodyguard, he won’t be able to return to Berisario often. That means we’ll see each other much less. Only three years until he comes of age? That’s so soon?!


“I’ll visit you. If Alan-onii-sama gets engaged to Patty, we can host tea parties in the capital. Many of my friends are moving there this year, so I’ll visit more often.”


“Nothing is decided with Patty yet. She’s a duke’s daughter. First, I need to join the guard and see how things go.”


“I understand. You need to make them see that Alan-onii-sama is indispensable to the Imperial Guard.”


During the poison incident, Alan-onii-sama stopped Patty from drinking poisoned tea and quickly treated Derrick-sama. The Duke of Goodfellow has been paying attention to Alan-onii-sama since then. With the achievement of protecting Second Prince Eldred, he’s sure to become a baron. If he demonstrates his fighting skills with spirits in the guard, he could even become a viscount. Nobles are in short supply, and even the second and third sons of counts are becoming barons. As the Fairy Princess’s brother and Amber’s favorite, Alan-onii-sama is important to the empire. It wouldn’t be surprising if his status improved even more.


“I hope he becomes an earl eventually.”


“An earl?”


Father said it so nonchalantly, but isn’t that a bit too ambitious? But both mother and Chris-onii-sama looked like it was only natural.


“Could it be that when Alan-onii-sama comes of age, Chris-onii-sama will retire to Berisario?”


“As expected, Dia. You understand. Once Father and I retire to the territory, the central nobles won’t be able to let Alan go.”


Despite achieving numerous feats without seeking wealth or power, Berisario is incomprehensible to the central nobles. The border marquises understand because of their similar positions, and the dukes who interact with us regularly don’t see Berisario as an enemy. But in the future? With the highest-ranking noble housing the Fairy Princess backed by the Spirit King, we’re a formidable entity. They can’t afford to make us an enemy. They’ll offer titles readily just to secure Alan-onii-sama’s loyalty. He won’t need territory, and he won’t need money because of the Fairy Company’s profits. The only thing the royal family can offer is titles.


With a title and a key position in the Imperial Guard, Alan-onii-sama will gather information for Berisario. Scary, scary. My family is scary. How much calculation and maneuvering goes into their actions?


This is nobility.

For an ordinary person like me, living with such constant calculations is impossible.


“So, be careful what you tell Elton.”


“Huh?”


“He’s His Highness’s aide. Once he receives his title and becomes independent, he’ll likely distance himself from Berisario.”


There was a time I thought Alan-onii-sama was Berisario’s last bastion of kindness. The brother Chris-onii-sama trusts implicitly couldn’t be just a kind, gentle boy.


“Irene is on your side, so he won’t cause trouble for Berisario. If he did, it would involve his own family.”


“But there are always people who will try to stir up trouble.”


“Indeed. Many envy Berisario’s recent successes.”


“That’s why it would be reassuring if Dia’s engagement were settled beforehand.”


Back to that topic. As usual, my brothers’ conversations sound too mature for their ages—fifteen and twelve! One big reason I can’t see my classmates as romantic interests is this.


“But… it’s still too early.”


“Brother, you know it won’t be easy to find a match for Dia in the current empire. If we wait until she’s fifteen with no prospects, it’ll be embarrassing for her.”


Ouch! After worrying about Lady Bridget, this hits close to home.


“That can be managed.”


“No, it can’t. If the Fairy Princess remains unattached at fifteen, we’ll be flooded with proposals from foreign countries. Even how we decline them could cause rumors of Dia being a picky, selfish princess. There are plenty of nobles who see her as an obstacle and would spread such rumors. They’re already scared of her.”


Ouch! Ouch, ouch!! Alan-onii-sama, I know you’re trying to convince father and Chris-onii-sama, but can you be a bit more gentle with your words? Am I really feared? And picky? No one has shown any interest! Oh, that hurts even more.


“If you marry and have children, Dia might feel uncomfortable in the castle. Then what?”


“She’d go to Ruri…”


“No, that’s not acceptable. She should at least marry nearby so I can visit easily.”


“Dear…”


“Somewhere close. How about Carlyle Marquessate?”


“Yes, it’s next door and we’re familiar with Douglas.”


“Stop it!”


Why is this even being discussed?

Even if there’s no one suitable, using power to force a match isn’t right.

Chris-onii-sama and father just want to keep me nearby for their own sake. What about my feelings? What about Douglas’s feelings?


“Forcing me on Douglas is unacceptable. That wouldn’t lead to happiness. Am I just a puppet for you, father and brother?”


“No, we want you to be happy.”


“Sorry, Dia. I spoke rashly.”


“You two need to let go of Dia a bit!”


With my arms crossed, I turned away in a huff. Even mother, who usually stays calm, got angry. Father and Chris-onii-sama were profusely apologizing.


“But, he wouldn’t mind…”


“What did you say, Chris-onii-sama?”


“Nothing.”


“Dia’s feelings come first. Supporting her happiness with someone she loves is our duty as her family. Dia, if these two try anything foolish, we’ll go on a journey. There are many wonderful countries on the eastern continent.”


“That sounds wonderful, mother. If we visit once, we can use teleportation magic to travel. I’d love to see many places.”


Exactly. Marriage should be when I want it. First, I want to fall in love. I’ve always thought of it as someone else’s concern, but I’ll start taking boys seriously. Maybe I’ll find someone I like.


“Don’t do this to me. If both of you leave, what will I do?”


“Then don’t trouble Dia. August, think about it. Would you prefer a future where you don’t know if Dia is safe or a future where she visits with her family and grandchildren?”


“Grandchildren!!”


What a powerful word.

Grandchildren are at least eight years away at the earliest.

I’m only ten, and we’re talking about grandchildren?


“In ten


 years, we might pass the territory to Chris and visit our grandchildren. They’ll be Dia’s children. They’ll be adorable whether they’re boys or girls.”


“Wonderful. You’re right. Dia must have a happy marriage.”


Father is too easily swayed.

He’s excellent as a lord, respected even by Duke Powell, known as the sharpest in the royal palace.

But when it comes to family…


“I can’t believe father switched sides so easily. Alan, just because you think you’ll be engaged to Patty, you want to settle Dia’s match?”


“Brother, have you seen Dia and Patty waving to each other?”


“Yes.”


“It’s heartwarming, right?”


“Indeed… it’s cute. It’s comforting.”


“Having both as sister and fiancée is the best. They’ll stay friends, visit, and wave like that even after marriage.”


“Monica and Suzanna are also friends. They’ll visit after marriage too.”


What are you talking about?

Alan-onii-sama, your thoughts sound like an old man’s.

Chris-onii-sama, why does that comfort you?


“Dia’s happiness and smile can’t be ensured by us, unfortunately. You know that.”


“But she’s only ten…”


“Chris, think about it.”


Even father, now fixated on grandchildren, was trying to convince Chris-onii-sama.

I felt completely sidelined.


“It won’t be easy to find Dia’s match even if we start now. This isn’t just an empire issue anymore. Even with a fiancé, she’ll stay in Berisario until eighteen.”


“Indeed… I don’t want her to end up alone.”


Why am I being talked about like this?

Isn’t it harsh to worry about a ten-year-old ending up alone?

I haven’t had any romantic interests yet, but still!


“Dia, let’s discuss the situation seriously.”


Chris-onii-sama’s serious expression was intimidating.


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Author Notes:

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