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

Carla, meanwhile, found herself embroiled in yet another issue, just when the Johannes Marquisate and the Berisario family had finally, at least superficially, reconciled.

“Carla, do you think you could secretly visit Grandmother? If it’s just you, you might be able to live with her in the townhouse in the Imperial Capital.”

Monica had probably meant to say it casually, but because of the nature of the topic, everyone immediately turned their attention to her.

"But wouldn't it be a burden?"

Carla didn’t seem to be in high spirits today either. Recently, she often wore a gloomy expression when she was alone, and even now, her shoulders drooped as she sighed.

“It’s fine. Grandmother said that she feels sorry for her grandchildren.”

“Did something happen?”

“Aunt Clarisa got angry that Father wasn’t taking her side and said, ‘During Grandfather’s time, Norland was a match for Berisario, but now it has lost all influence. Maybe the current lord lacks the necessary capability?’ That comment made all the nobles in the castle furious.”

“Yikes!”

No matter how angry you are, even among siblings, or perhaps especially because they are siblings, there are some things you just shouldn’t say.  

It’s true that Cody-sama, with his slender figure, might not seem as imposing as Bartholomew-sama, a seasoned warrior just by his appearance.  

But Cody-sama’s magical power is stronger, and he can even manipulate spatial magic.  

He’s well-regarded by adventurers and has established a solid foothold among the high-ranking nobles.  

It’s only been a year since the change of leadership; there’s no way he could achieve the same feats as his predecessor already.

“Father got so angry that he used spatial magic to banish Aunt Clarisa, telling her never to return to Norland.”

Oh wow.  

Did she find herself back at her own estate in a blink?  

Clarisa-sama must have been in a complete panic!

“That actually happened?! My mother has been in a bad mood lately. Hamilton came back to the territory, leaving her behind in the capital.”

“Hamilton… that’s your younger brother, right? I heard Clarisa-sama doted on him.”

“Yes, but he’s eight now. Apparently, one of his friends told him it was weird to be so attached to his mother.”

Ah, that’s a typical issue for a boy.  

It’s around the age when they start feeling awkward about clinging to their parents.

“Hamilton has become quite fond of Jude, and Jude apparently told him that he should be in the territory learning how to be a lord.”

“My brother said that? Even though he’s been told not to get involved with the Johannes Marquisate.”

“Well, Monica, you’re still involved with me, aren’t you? To Hamilton, Jude seems like a reliable, cool older brother. It looks like he’s been consulting him.”

I’m glad to see Monica and Carla talking like they used to.  

They were such close cousins, and it’s a shame that adults caused tension between them.

“But if your brother is back in the territory, do you really need to go to Bartholomew-sama’s place?”

“How are things going with the Johannes Marquisate?”

When asked by Erda and Monica, Carla looked down for a moment, thought it over, and nodded with a faint, ambiguous smile.

“We finally reconciled with the Marquess of Berisario, and this summer, we’ll be busy as it becomes a summer retreat. Father is caught up in preparations. The local nobles have been asking what’s going on, so he has to explain everything, and I haven’t seen him much lately. Thanks to that, I’m spending peaceful days with my brother.”

Hmm. But it seems they still haven’t fully made up.  

I wonder if things will be okay.

“Enough about our parents. I need to find a fiancé soon. I don’t want to stay in the territory forever. Dia, you’re already decided, right? Patty, let’s work hard together.”

“Uh… I…”

Patty, who had been chatting with Suzanna, was caught off guard and turned around with a surprised look.  

It seemed she hadn’t expected Carla not to know.

“What? You’ve already decided?!”

“Uh… well… I guess so?”

“You have, haven’t you?!”

“What’s with that bracelet, then?”

Patty blushed and turned to face Carla, her hands on her reddened cheeks.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you properly. I thought you already knew. I… I’m with Alan-sama…”

“Whaaaaaaaat?!”

It wasn’t Carla who shouted, but Ethel.

“I didn’t know! Oh, wow. Congratulations!!”

“Thank you.”

“Is that… so?”

Carla muttered quietly, looking bewildered.

“Wait, Carla, were you also interested in Alan?!”

“What?!”

Patty, flustered by Carla’s reaction, blurted out something outrageous.  

Please stop. Don’t complicate our relationships any further.

“That’s not it.”

Well, that’s a relief.

“But Dia and Patty are going to be like sisters, right? I’m a little jealous of that… and it seems like everyone else has already found their match.”

“I’m coming of age next year, but I’m still single!”  

Erda stood up, raising her hand energetically.

“Me too! No marriage prospects at all!”

Ethel followed, raising her hand as well.

“You both have things you want to do, right? You’re not even interested in getting engaged, are you?”

“Well, if there’s someone who understands me, then sure, but otherwise, no thanks.”

Erda slumped back into her chair, resting her chin in her hands, her eyes narrowing.

“It’s hard to find someone who will let you do as you please, isn’t it?”

“To me, all the men around are rivals, really.”

That’s understandable.  

Especially if you marry the heir of a high-ranking noble family, managing the household would be the wife’s role. Attending faction tea parties and balls is a form of diplomacy.  

It’s impossible to balance that with working in the Royal Guard.  

Erda also wants to retreat and write her books, so it’s unrealistic.

“I have nothing going on.”

“Come on, don’t tell me you’re still hung up on the Crown Prince?”

Erda’s words made the atmosphere freeze.  

Did she have a skill that could stop time?

“Erda!”

She was such a quiet child when she was young; when did she develop this kind of personality?

“You know, I once had someone I liked too. He never noticed me, though.”

“Huh?! Who?”

“Is it someone I know?”

And time began to move again.  

Girls love love stories. Even Carla, who had been feeling down, seemed intrigued.

“Dia, have you set up a barrier?”

“Of course!”

“What kind of phrase is that? Anyway, it’s fine. I’ve always liked Rex.”

Huh?  

Huh?!

“Whaaaaaaaat?!”

Wow. I really am clueless.  

I didn’t notice at all.  

So that’s why she was so attached to the Fairy Company.  

She was even willing to give up her noble status.

Good thing today’s gathering was just for the girls. The attendants have gotten used to things by now, so Rex isn’t here.  

If he were, I might have been staring at him without realizing it.

“Rex, you mean Dia’s butler?”

“He was made a baron, right?”

Patty and Suzanna, being familiar with the inner workings of Berisario, of course, knew.  

Soon enough, they might know even more than I do.

“But Rex said he’d follow Dia when she gets married. I can’t do that. Plus, Rex and Nelly have been getting really close lately.”

“Excuse me, what?”

Well, both of them did go to Luftanen, and they were often left behind together during the day. They both talked about sticking with me for life and seemed to be in some sort of cooperative arrangement.

“Seriously?”

“They’re not dating yet, but at least there’s no room for me anymore. So I decided to find my own path.”

“You’re strong, Erda.”

“Carla, you’re doing your best too. Be confident. If you ever need advice, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you.”

It’s fine if they’re creating their little world, but Carla should be careful about consulting with Erda.  

She’s seriously charging ahead on her own path lately.  

She’s earning quite a bit with her novels, has money she can use freely without her parents knowing, and is even planning to rent an apartment in the capital to use as her workspace.  

Since I’m partly responsible for drawing her into that path, I support her because I feel a sense of duty.

“By the way, Dia, have you gotten in touch with Crystal yet? I’d like to ask for the next illustration soon.”

Crystal is my pen name. I told everyone she’s a girl working at our castle.

“I got in touch, but she seems busy.”

“Well, it can’t be helped if she can’t make a living from illustrations alone.”

“Maybe we should look for someone else?”

“There aren’t many who can draw those delicate lines. She has a lot of fans among the readers.”

Thank you. I’m so happy.  

There are people in this world who say they like my drawings.  

But I’m so busy; it’s hard to find time.  

I’m drawing in secret from my butler, after all.

Where do I draw them, you ask?  

…In Ruri

’s residence.

The Spirit King isn’t interested in such things and keeps quiet.  

And there, no one will ever find me.

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Author Notes:  

Thank you always for your feedback and typo reports.  

Receiving responses is truly encouraging!  

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