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

After the school term ended and my birthday had passed, I thought to myself, "At twelve, I'm already an adult!" But I was the only one who felt that way. I was visiting Ruri's residence at the time. To my family, I was still just a child. It seemed like even my brothers had forgotten I retained memories of my past life; they treated me as a child, too. To a parent, a child is always a child, no matter how old they get. 

Chris-oniisama was about to turn seventeen, so perhaps it made sense for him to see a twelve-year-old as a child. Alan-oniisama was only two years older than me, but it was frustrating how there was still a height difference of more than twenty centimeters between us. No wonder they saw me as a child.

The Spirit Kings, on the other hand, treated me like an adult. I hadn't come to draw illustrations this time, so everyone was gathered around a large, round table in the spacious living room. On the table was a small paper bag, and the Spirit Kings were staring at it, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

I often dropped by Ruri's residence to play, and it wasn't unusual for the other Spirit Kings to be there too—almost as if they naturally gathered together. So I was used to this situation, but today, the atmosphere felt a bit different. Ruri seemed irritated, Kohaku looked deep in thought, Suou was teasing Ruri as usual, and Hisui appeared exasperated by their behavior. I started to think maybe I should just quietly take the bag from the table and leave.

"I'm not trying to use Ruri for convenience, you know? But if someone from the Berisario family delivers this, it becomes an official gift. And if any of my family members go, it wouldn't look good. Me going there myself would be even worse, right?"

The bag on the table contained a return gift for the hair accessory Camille had given me recently. I had intended to give him a new chocolate chip gelato and a freezer as a return gift, but Mother had put a stop to that.

"A freezer as a thank-you gift for such a lovely present? And it’s second-hand?"

"The freezer is valuable, and it’s designed specifically for Dia’s use. It's too good for him."

"You don't need to send anything in return for a birthday gift. It's also a thank-you for what happened before, so just leave it."

Father and Chris-oniisama insisted it was more than enough and that Camille should be grateful. 

"Both of you, be quiet for a moment."

At Mother's cold words and gaze, they fell silent.

"Camille is a nice boy, but didn't you say he mostly has men around him? Who would help him choose such a lovely hair accessory?"

It was only because he had been in danger before that there were no women around him, but now there are probably maids like usual. But a woman knowledgeable about expensive jewelry...

"Maybe he consulted Lady Tatiana."

"That's right. So, Crown Prince-sama must be aware of this gift too. And you think it’s okay for the Fairy Princess to give a freezer in return? That won’t do, will it?"

Is it really not okay?!

"Even if it's not a return gift, we must send something in return for receiving such a lovely present, right?"

That night, in a panic, I rushed to Wikikun to look up when Camille's birthday was. When I told my friends about it, they were appalled that I hadn't already known the birthday of someone I liked.

"Dia… that’s really disappointing."

"You like Camille, right? As it stands, a freezer would be your first birthday present to him."

Thinking it was quite a practical return gift, I decided to ask for opinions when Suzanna and Patty, my future sisters-in-law, came over to play. They both reacted the same way as Mother. So, it seems that’s not okay.

"Think of it like a romance novel—what heroine would give her boyfriend a freezer as a present? Doesn't that make it obvious something is wrong with you?"

Even Erda gave me a dumbfounded look and made that comment, which annoyed me. I decided that I should give him a present that everyone would agree with. But that’s been really challenging.

My taste isn’t exactly reliable, so I consulted with Mother, chose a designer, talked with them, searched for a good gemstone since there weren’t any suitable ones available, and it took two months to complete. Once it was done, delivering it was another challenge.

Friends give each other gifts, right? When Camille came to the empire and casually handed me a birthday gift, saying, “This is a birthday present,” it was a perfect personal gesture. But if I went to Luftanen without any reason and handed it over myself, people would gossip like crazy, saying the Fairy Princess traveled to a foreign country to give a gift to a man.

Sending a messenger from Berisario would also be a problem, depending on how they responded. Father was worried because if they treated it as if Berisario had sent a messenger specifically for Camille's birthday, there was a risk they’d assume it was proof of our engagement. With both the Crown Prince and Camille's entourage eager for it, the men in my family were on high alert. They kept saying there’s no other option, but when it came down to it, the “it’s too soon” excuse came out.

"I hope you deliver this before I head to Luftanen."

"Oh, maybe I can ask Chris-oniisama to deliver it?"

"The gift is too special. Why did you make something so special? Delivering something like that under the approval of the Marquis family, and having me deliver it, would still cause a huge commotion about it being an engagement gift."

"I made one for everyone in the family, too. I gave one to you, Chris-oniisama!"

"But giving something that only the Berisario family owns to just Camille carries a significant meaning."

I even thought about sending it with the Fairy Company shipments, but if it got lost, that would be a disaster. It's valuable, after all. So, feeling a bit guilty, I had no choice but to ask for the Spirit King Express Service. I requested Ruri to send it via Moana to Camille. I never expected Ruri to look so displeased about it.

"Well... maybe we should think of another way…"

'I never said no.'

What?! Even though you look so grumpy?

'Dia, do you like Camille?'

"Huh?"

'Have you decided on Camille?'

"What?!"

Why is this coming up now, of all times? And with all the Spirit Kings gathered and watching me?!

'That means you will eventually go to Luftanen. Does that mean we won't be able to meet anymore?'

'That's right. The empire is finally moving in a good direction. Are you really going to another country?'

"What are you talking about?!"

Even Kohaku? I found myself standing up, slamming my hands on the table.

"You are the ones backing me, remember? No matter where I go, nothing will change! If the Spirit King of Luftanen tries to stop you from meeting me, I'll fight him off. The four of you are my special Spirit Kings. You're like family to me, and I treasure you!"

When I declared that, standing tall with my hands on my hips, Ruri's face, which had been staring at me, brightened instantly. Kohaku, beside him, also seemed relieved.

'See? I told you Dia isn’t that cold-hearted. These guys have been sulking, thinking Dia would leave for Luftanen.'

Even if I go, it wouldn’t be until I’m eighteen. Besides, nothing specific has been decided yet. I haven't seen Camille in months. I even wonder if he truly likes me or if it was all in my head sometimes. Still, that hairpin is there. It reassures me that our feelings are mutual, so I don’t get too gloomy.

'Will you come back to Berisario after getting married?'

"Of course! We have teleportation magic, so I can return anytime, right?"

'I see. Should we make your room here bigger then? For Camille, too...'

"Stop it!"

Why would you suggest something so terrifying? The workshop is off-limits to humans. If anyone sees it, they’ll be cursed.

"No one is allowed in there but me. I need time alone too. Please, leave it as it is."

'If that’s what Dia wants, of course.'

"Yes, that’s best! But… I do have some things I want to store, so maybe make it just a little bigger?"

'How about adding a sofa and table? That way, you can take breaks and drink tea with us while drawing.'

Ruri isn’t interested in what I draw, but he does praise me for being good at it. Chatting while working could be a nice change of pace.

"Yes, breaks are important too. Please, go ahead."

'I would like to drop by sometimes as well.'

'Me too.'

I wonder what it would look like with the Spirit Kings having tea behind me while I paint. But since they seem to have cheered up, it should be fine.

"Oh, and if I eventually get married and have children, could you play with them while I’m drawing?"

'Really?! Wonderful!'

I knew it. Kohaku-sensei would be happy about that.

'That doesn't sound bad.'

'I agree. We should also take the opportunity to get to know the next generation. It’s important to have interactions with the children of the royal family too. Humans tend to forget things if there’s too much time in between.'

'Yes, I’ll discuss it with Andi.'

By

 "a little time," they probably mean a hundred years. For them, me turning eighteen and getting married is practically just around the corner.

'So, what about this?'

Hisui, who hadn't been part of the conversation until now, seemed curious about the contents of the gift. She casually picked up the paper bag and peeked inside.

'Is this jewelry?'

"It's a bangle. Just like mine, it has storage space."

When I showed her the bracelet on my wrist, Hisui’s eyes gleamed with interest.

'Is it matching?'

"The design is completely different. That one has a black diamond, and it’s a simple design that wouldn't look out of place with his traditional clothes."

'I want to see!'

It’s really simple, though. It’s just platinum with a gold line and a single gem. It's not exactly something worth looking at.

'But is it really okay for the Fairy Princess's gift to be just a piece of jewelry?'

'You do have a point.'

Are Suou and Hisui even listening to me? It's a bangle with storage space using spatial and teleportation magic! Chris-oniisama even called it a national treasure!

'Camille has become well-known as your potential fiancé, right?'

"...Yeah. We were together at official events, after all."

'Then, isn’t there a risk he could be targeted?'

I had suspected it, but it seems that's the case. Especially with the three countries across the strait—Bejaia, Starke, and Pendelus—there's a real danger.

'Then I shall bless it. Surely it will protect Camille.'

"Huh? With Ruri's blessing? Isn't that problematic with the Spirit King of Luftanen?"

'Why should I hold back when it's for my Dia?'

Well… that makes sense, I guess.

'Understood. I'll take care of it. Moana can deliver it to Camille.'

Receiving the paper bag from Hisui, Ruri smiled warmly.