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

The meeting had just ended, and Andy told me to explain things, so I stayed behind in the palace while my family left. If there had been other nobles present, I would have complained about them interfering in Berisario's internal affairs and left. But besides Andy, only Gil and Elton were here. These guys are always so meticulous. I don't think of Duke Powell and his aides as extraordinary, next-emperor material, but I do believe Andy will make a good emperor. He's competent, can be ruthless when necessary, yet fundamentally kind.

We were ushered into one of the Crown Prince’s smaller private rooms, not his office. I suppose this is supposed to show familiarity or trust rather than being a mere guest. But honestly, walking all the way here when we could have just talked in any available room nearby is tiresome.

"Has Berisario decided on Camille as Dia’s partner?" Andy asked.

"No, we haven't," I replied.

"…"

What's with this atmosphere? Is this the end of the conversation? Give me back the time it took to walk here.

"But didn't Camille say he proposed?" Elton asked, eager to continue.

We've known each other long enough that he quickly bounced back from my earlier bluntness.

"Apparently, he proposed directly to Dia. But there hasn't been any formal proposal from Luftanen to Berisario."

"And what did Dia say?"

"Ask her yourself. I don't know such personal details."

"I didn't know Berisario and Camille had become so close," Elton remarked.

"Didn’t Erda inform you?"

Why should I enlighten Elton? He's no longer part of the Bliss family but a central noble as a baron. And I have no reason to share information with the Crown Prince’s aides.

"Did your sister know?" Gil inquired.

"Like I said, I don't know. Since the end of last year when the Luftanen party was in Berisario, I've been here working with you. I’d like to know myself."

Damn that Camille. Even Mother has taken his side. Letting Alan go to the Knight Order’s training was a mistake. If he had stayed in Berisario...

"Chris, seriously, does Dia intend to choose him?" Andy pressed.

"I’m serious when I say I don’t know. It's up to Dia to choose."

"If she chooses Camille, it means the Fairy Princess will leave the Empire," Andy said.

"Yes."

"She will also be separated from Berisario."

Distance is irrelevant with teleportation magic. That's why our family, led by Mother and Dia, are all learning teleportation magic. Dia thinks she's teaching us, but it's really her spirit beasts instructing ours. She’s adorable, trying so hard to make us understand how to slice through space, though it’s impossible for normal humans.

"Even so, as her brother, I wish for Dia’s happiness above all," I said.

Camille already visits Berisario a few times a month for Fairy Company business. He could build a new residence there if needed. Not for Camille’s sake, but for Dia’s. If she were to move to Luftanen, I’d ensure a small contingent of Berisario people accompanied her for protection.

"Are you serious?" Andy asked.

"Who in the Empire is better than Camille? If there is someone, let me know."

"Chris, that's too harsh," Gil said.

"It's fine, Gil. I want to hear Chris’s honest thoughts."

Honest thoughts? You're the next emperor, and I’m the next marquess. Berisario maintains the capability to secede if necessary. As long as staying in the Empire benefits Berisario, we’ll obey and respect the royal family. But if central power starts another petty power struggle or corruption, we’ll secede with other marquesses. We won’t save them a second time.

"What about Douglas? Henry?" Andy suggested.

"Those fools who can’t even gather all the elemental spirits are out of the question."

"Well, that’s true," Gil conceded.

"They only see Dia as a somewhat quirky but cute friend. They don’t understand her uniqueness, her danger, or her talent. They can't protect her."

"And Camille can?"

"Apparently, yes."

"I see."

Andy crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling, a slight smile playing on his lips. Has something been decided between him and Camille during those talks? I don’t know if they’ve reached some agreement.

I'd prefer Dia to marry within the Empire. I expected her to end up engaged to someone like Douglas. The location of his territory is advantageous. The Carlisle family is competent but not ambitious, continuing traditional management. If Dia moved there, she would essentially control the territory, regardless of her intentions.

But the Carlisle marquess is too conservative, and most Empire nobles have become cautious with the emergence of the spirit kings. The country’s unity and the successful territorial management have made them wary of introducing a wild card like the Fairy Princess into their homes.

"Those guys are good people, but they’re pampered and can only think like children. They weren’t even present at the banquet where the poison incident occurred," I pointed out.

"Maybe they were kept away because it was dangerous for the heirs?" Elton suggested.

"Dangerous? The Second Prince's birthday tea party? Are you implying they knew a murder would occur?" I asked.

"Perhaps the capture of the Emperor and the General…" Gil began.

"Exactly," Andy confirmed.

"If they had ambition or foresight, they would have had their heirs attend. It was the presence of the next generation that allowed the transitions in Norland and Corquette to proceed smoothly. Derrick, despite being the third son of the Goodfellow dukedom, is favored by all duke and marquess families, securing a better position than his elder brother."

Those who stood by the children that day would be favored by the Crown Prince. Andy would prioritize those who supported the youth, ensuring a stable future. That day mattered more than they realized.

"But they were only six and seven years old," Gil protested.

"Did you forget, Gil? The girls were present. Monica, Suzanna, Patricia, Irene, and Dia. Dia and Patty were six."

"That's right."

It’s been five years. Douglas, Henry, and Jude are still just Dia's friends. They haven't made any progress romantically. I doubt Dia even sees them as potential partners, maybe just as Alan’s friends.

"One more thing. This is crucial. Camille has an edge no one in the Empire can match," I continued.

"An edge?" Andy leaned in.

"He’s personally very close to the spirit kings. In the Empire, only Alan and I share that connection."

"That's true."

Andy reclined, gazing at the ceiling.

"Descendant of the sage king favored by the spirit kings a century ago. Particularly, Moana seems to be quite fond of him," Elton noted, slumping in realization.

That’s right. Camille meets all the criteria perfectly. There’s no room for argument. But it’s infuriating. My sister being taken by a sharp-eyed foreigner is unacceptable. There has to be someone better!

"Do you understand now?" I asked.

"Yes, I understand your perspective," Andy replied.

So, that’s what he wanted to know—not Dia’s situation or Camille’s plans, but how Berisario and I perceive it. He’s always looking ahead.

"I’ll head back to Berisario now. I need to see Dia off and give her final instructions," I said.

"Give her my regards," Andy responded, his tone unchanged.

I expected him to object to Dia marrying outside the Empire, but he seems indifferent. Maybe he sees Dia as a threat. I don’t like it.

"Oh, one more thing."

As I turned to leave, Elton and Gil tensed up. I smiled at them before looking down at Andy, who looked slightly irritated.

"When do you plan to announce your fiancée?" I asked.

"What brought this on? I just announced the candidates. Give me time to think."

"Think? About what? Don’t tell me you’re waiting to develop romantic feelings for one of them as Dia suggested."

Andy frowned, scrutinizing my face. He looks more exhausted than usual, not just because of today’s events. His relentless workload leaves no room for personal matters.

"You're still undecided. Monica has feelings for you."

"What?"

"Choosing between Norland and Orlandi should be simple. Suzanna will stay with Berisario."

"What!"

"Chris, that's not your decision to make!"

Unlike his aides, Andy remained calm. After studying my face, he slumped back into his chair.

"Are you in love with Suzanna?"

"That’s beside the point. I’ve always intended to choose Suzanna."

"Since when?!"

"Three or four years ago. Dia often surprises me with her unpredictable ideas, but she always steers things in the right direction. She’s an incredibly smart and capable sister."

"That’s just coincidence or instinct."

"Six months from now would be an ideal time for the decision. Now, I’m really leaving."

"What if I choose Suzanna?"

As I walked away, Andy’s voice called me back.

"I don’t mind. But it will leave unresolved issues for all four of you."

"All four? Does Suzanna like you?"

"Who knows? But she knows Monica loves you."

"Oh, I see."

Andy didn’t deny the implication. He too would be left with unresolved feelings.

As the future emperor, he should make his own decisions. But he’s caught between Dia’s romantic ideals and my pragmatic advice, likely choosing Monica in the end. He’s too soft.

But that’s why Berisario supports him. As long as he remains who he is.

"Oh, one last thing."

"Again?"

Pausing with my hand on the door, I heard the genuine irritation in Andy’s voice. His aides seemed too drained to react.

"You should tell Norland and Berisario to reconcile with Marquis Johannes’s family. The rumors are growing, and some nobles are trying to exploit this. Gaining their gratitude and demonstrating that Norland and Berisario follow the Crown Prince’s words is beneficial."

"I appreciate the advice."

"You're welcome."

I don't care about the Johannes family, but Dia worries about Carla. I’ll resolve this before Dia returns to Berisario.

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