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:**

Volume 4 has started.

The release date for Volume 2 of the book has been decided. Pre-orders are now open. For more details, please check the activity report.

Feel free to skip the promotional text, but do take a look at the beautiful cover illustration! This time, Suou and Kohaku are featured.

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After completing my work safely in Luftanen, I returned to my peaceful daily life. Meanwhile...  

Camille, who had come to the empire with me for a report, along with the diplomats, seemed busy meeting with the Crown Prince and attending meetings for alliances. Camille also had deep conversations with my brothers, especially Alan. The two of them shook hands with mischievous smiles on their faces... I wonder what that was about.

Aside from that, there were various changes around me. First and foremost, we reconciled with the Johannes Marquis family. This is important! Very important!  

The Crown Prince wanted to bring the Johannes faction into the fold, and there were movements to do so by leveraging the current situation with the Berisario faction. He suggested we reconcile, saying it was about time. As expected of the Crown Prince—a capable man you can depend on. Now, I can be friends with Carla like before!  

However, according to my mother, Lady Clarissa didn't truly apologize; it seems like she is only pretending to reconcile on the surface. It looks like the Norland Marquess family and the Johannes Marquis family will remain distant. Officially, we will greet them properly in public, but any personal association is off the table.

Apparently, Marquis Johannes desperately apologized.  

People in high society started distancing themselves from them, and even some left the Gafuuha faction. For the Johannes Marquis territory, whose main industry is tourism, this was a severe blow. It seems they barely received any reservations this summer.  

Well, it's no surprise—there aren't many nobles brave enough to visit the territory of someone who turned Norland and Berisario into enemies.

There seem to be other problems as well. When my friends gathered to celebrate, Carla’s expression remained dark. Her parents were in a dispute and had separated.

“My mother and brother moved into a townhouse in the imperial capital, making me feel like a nuisance. But I don’t want to return to the mansion on the territory.”

Lady Clarissa, once the daughter of a border marquess, apparently never liked my mother. There was a time when she even aimed for my father. Their social status was well-matched, after all.  

However, Father chose Mother. Moreover, Berisario was given special treatment among the nobles. Mother is now considered the most noble lady in the empire, and her children are called the Fairy Princess and the Prodigy. Even Alan-niisama has become a prominent figure in the Imperial Guard, making him a topic of much conversation.  

I can understand why she would feel jealous—"Why her, of all people?"

But she did have one way to make a big comeback.  

If her child became the Crown Princess, the influence of the Johannes Marquis family would increase. Eventually, she would be the mother of the Empress, and surely she would be the center of attention and admiration.  

However, Marquis Johannes shattered that dream. No wonder she's angry.  

Due to the marquis's overprotectiveness of his daughter, Lady Clarissa never thought well of Carla, and their relationship had always been awkward. But since Carla admired the Crown Prince, she had been enthusiastic about this plan, and just when mother and daughter finally started getting along and preparing for the tea party... it was canceled at the last minute.

“Do I have to go back to the territory? I hate being controlled and restrained by Father.”

Since the succession had passed, it wasn’t her father but her brother who had become the head of the family, right? Her brother was not as lenient as her father. Angered by his sister's attitude, he declared that maintaining the relationship with Berisario was more important for Norland and the Empire's future, and thus, decided to keep a moderate distance from the Johannes Marquis family.  

As a result, Carla can no longer seek refuge in Norland. The implication is that they should solve their own family's problems themselves.  

Besides, if she were friendly with a man who insulted the Crown Prince, her daughter wouldn't be chosen as the Crown Princess.

Because of this, a new rift seemed to have formed between Carla and Monica, something that hadn't been there before. It's as if they were both uncomfortable, maintaining a distance from each other. The same was true for Suzanna.  

Since she was also a candidate for Crown Princess and frequently visited the royal palace, she found it hard to talk to Carla, understanding her feelings.

As the years go by, with people getting into relationships or becoming engaged and their environments changing, even the relationships among the eight friends who were once close may change.

Irene’s engagement to Elton has been decided, and both Suzanna and Monica are set to marry either Chris-niisama or the Crown Prince.  

Ethel is determined to continue her efforts in the Imperial Guard, and Nelly has decided to remain by my side as my attendant for life.  

Except for the younger group—myself, Patty, and Carla—everyone seems to be steadily determining their futures.

Wait a minute... Am I forgetting someone?  

Erda! Erda!  

Erda has completely immersed herself in her writing and seems to be having more fun spending time with Britan and her two countess friends.  

Currently, they’re all focused on producing textbooks, with Irene joining in to help.

Erda, in particular, has become engrossed not only in writing textbooks but also in writing novels, which she seems to have a real talent for. It’s become quite entertaining.  

I admit I might have been at fault for drawing illustrations for it.  

But I wanted to see how a manga-style illustration would be received, so I passed it off as something I asked a young lady acquaintance to draw.

And then Britan and her friends were delighted, and since one of them was an enthusiastic person with a knack for action, they printed it as a book and sold it among their friends.  

Of course, they properly paid Erda. In fact, all the money beyond the actual expenses went directly to Erda.  

Being young ladies, they’re not at all short on money.  

Every time they see Erda, they practically worship her, begging for more chapters.

I have no doubt that, at this rate, Erda will declare herself a female writer.  

Currently, she’s using a pen name, so her true identity is unknown, but if she reaches adulthood without a betrothed, what will the Bliss family do? Will Elton support her?  

I don’t want to think that I’ll have to step in.

Despite these personal problems arising around me, I was rather leisurely focused on textbook production, and summer passed with autumn approaching in full.  

Camille… visited quite often.  

But, it's not like there was anything in particular; we just talked. Mostly about work. Nothing more...  

But one day, shortly before the Crown Prince's birthday, Chris-niisama came to my room with a serious expression.

“At Andy’s birthday tea party, we’re going to announce the betrothal.”

Not only I but also Nelly, Rex, and Brad, who were present, all turned to Chris-niisama in surprise.  

He, looking quite composed, crossed his legs and sat in a chair, seemingly observing my reaction.  

Even though Cavill and Rai were standing behind him with expressionless faces, making them already quite intimidating, his face was gentler since it was me he was facing today. But during work, I bet it’s combined with an even colder expression.  

He’s sixteen now, looking more mature and somehow even more impressive.

“Isn’t it a bit early to decide?”  

“Is it? It’s better than dragging it out, don’t you think?”  

“Uh… is that so? So…?”  

“The Crown Prince’s fiancée will be Monica. I will marry Suzanna.”

A reasonable decision... I suppose.  

Monica loves the Crown Prince, and Suzanna wasn’t particularly leaning either way.  

Given her background as the daughter of the Norland Marquess and granddaughter of the late Lord Bartholomew, her backing is strong, and she should function well as an Empress.

“Tomorrow, my parents and I will visit Marquis Orlandi’s house to greet them. After that, Suzanna will come to our place for a formal introduction.”  

“Wow. Things are moving along quickly.”

It seemed almost as if it had been decided much earlier.

“Considering the preparations for the engagement, we’re actually cutting it quite close. Monica has a year’s grace, but Suzanna is already fourteen.”  

“She’s still fourteen. The coming-of-age ceremony is after she turns fifteen, so there’s the whole of next year.”  

“Dia, there’s a lot to learn when marrying into high nobility, you know? Especially since we’re from a border marquess family. There’s much to understand about ports and trade, relations with neighboring countries, the history and people of Berisario, managing the Fairy Company, and the Spring of the Spirit Kings.”  

“Okay, okay. Just hearing it gives me a headache.”

To become Empress, you have to learn so much more...  

It’s tough... Wait, why am I thinking about this as if it doesn’t concern me?  

If I were to marry Camille, would I have to learn the history and customs of Luftanen?  

But there's always Wiki-kun…  

Wait, why am I thinking about Camille?

“So, that’s how it is. I trust you’ll help out.”

“Ah…”

No, let’s not.  

Is there any point in asking if he likes Suzanna now?  

Surely, the whole country is already moving to welcome the Crown Princess.

“Should I start calling her 'Onee-sama' (Big Sister)?”  

“What?!”

What?! You’re the one surprised now!  

Why the bashful face?

“You should ask Suzanna that.”  

“Got it. Though I feel she’ll ask me to stop.”  

“She’ll probably have a tough time adjusting to a new place, so help her out, okay?”  

“Of course! I’ll support her with all I have!”  

“Fufu, I’m counting on you.”

As Chris-niisama left in high spirits, I stuck my tongue out at his back.  

What’s with the 'help her out' part?  

Trying to subtly emphasize his closeness to Suzanna, huh?  

Well, I’m her friend too, so I can be just as close!

But I felt relieved.  

Chris-niisama will surely take good care of Suzanna.

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**Author Notes:**

Thank you for reading. Your typo reports are helpful.

If you found it even slightly interesting, I’d be happy if you could rate it below.

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