The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 148
The tea party turned peaceful after that.
At first, most people seemed tense when facing me, but as I moved between the seats of the three nations and chatted with the spirit kings, they seemed to realize I wasn’t so scary after all. As long as I'm not treated unjustly or my loved ones aren't harmed, I'm a peace-loving person at heart. I believe that prosperity through trade and tourism is far better than conflicts.
Camille had to return to Luftanen immediately due to the work he needed to finish for the official birthday event in two days. What a life, having to be busy with work at fourteen.
Since I didn’t need to attend the evening gathering as usual, I returned to Berisario with Alan. Father, who had been stationed at Glasspool to monitor Bejaia and Starke, also returned to the castle, so it was a family dinner with everyone except Chris, who was attending the evening gathering.
When we were younger, it was common for us to have meals without our parents, but now, even during the social season, my parents are often at the estate. This shows how they've aged and settled down, carefully choosing which gatherings to attend, and securing a position where their absence is no longer an issue.
Once Alan turns eighteen next year, it’ll be his turn to leave, taking Chris’s place. Chris visits the castle often, but Alan will likely be away more frequently once he starts guarding the crown prince. The thought of not being able to see him as often feels too sudden.
It seems unfair that he has to leave at such a young age. I know most young nobles gather in the capital, and staying in the estate like me is quite rare. Meeting friends used to involve visiting each other's estates, but now it’s all about gathering at townhouses in the capital.
"Father, it seems that Bejaia and Starke believed Berisario might raise arms to declare independence due to a rift with the royal family," Alan remarked.
Oh no, talk about ruining a good meal with such topics. Can’t we discuss this later in private? I've already given my all today, overworked myself even. Can’t we keep dinner light and cheerful?
"It appears so," Father replied.
"Did you spread false information?" Alan inquired.
"Not at all. But if people hear that Dia chose a duke of Luftanen instead of a royal, they might speculate that the crown prince finds Berisario inconvenient, or that the royal family's influence is waning," Father explained.
"So it's my fault?" I questioned.
It makes sense that hearing I didn’t choose a royal might lead others to assume either the crown prince is sidelining Berisario or that we’re distancing ourselves from the royal family.
"I made it clear that Dia isn’t interested in marrying any heir to the throne, no matter the nation. But people are reluctant to believe that," Father continued.
"Many probably think it's every noble girl's dream to marry a prince," I added.
Well, technically an imperial prince, in our case. I've never seen the crown prince surrounded by admirers, though. What about Lord Eldred? Was he popular with the ladies? I never paid much attention.
"He does get attention. It's just that no girl wants to approach when the Fairy Princess is around," Alan remarked with a teasing grin.
Why would being near me require courage?
"The crown prince is even more popular. When he's with my brother, girls surround him to the point where his aides have to clear a path," Alan explained.
"That sounds like such a hassle for the aides," I mused. "But now that his engagement is settled, things must have calmed down, right?"
"Not quite. There are still girls trying to tempt him, seeing this as their last chance now that Suzanna and Monica aren't attending the gathering," Alan replied.
As if they could easily break off engagements with the daughters of the Marquess of Norland and the Marquis of Orlandi!
"If the crown prince or Chris were to betray my friends, I wouldn't forgive them," I declared.
"I wouldn’t know what to do with that," Alan chuckled. "But was it really just a misunderstanding on Bejaia’s and Starke’s part?"
"No, not quite," Father interjected. "They were being overly persistent about sending spies into Berisario for intelligence gathering, so we might have… given them a little something to misinterpret."
"You did trick them!" I exclaimed.
"Given their actions today, Lilburn and Duchamp must have a clearer understanding of what kind of nations lie across the strait now. Reports are likely already being sent to each country, making it easier to frame any future conflicts as Bejaia and Starke’s fault," Father elaborated.
"Are you saying there might actually be a war?" I asked in disbelief.
"No such intention on our side," Father reassured. "But Starke is falling apart. If they act recklessly, we might need to crush them thoroughly, especially with Nicodemus infiltrating their court."
So they just wanted a valid reason for such actions. Nicodemus seems to infiltrate, corrupt, and spread negativity wherever he goes—like a virus.
"That Gaio fellow… How dare he insult Dia and Suzanna," Mother said with a serene smile that sent a chill down my spine.
She really embodies elegance, even during dinner. It’s no wonder she’s asked to assist with empress education. But gracefully cutting her meat while smiling like that is terrifying.
"Calling himself a hero… What does he plan to do if there's no more war?" Alan pondered aloud, continuing his hearty meal.
Despite his slender build, Chris ate a lot, but Alan's appetite is on another level. Growing boys sure do eat a lot—it's astounding.
"Alan, what do you think makes a hero?" Father suddenly asked, catching us both off guard.
"Someone who achieves great things in war?" Alan replied.
"But Grandfather is called a hero despite not fighting in any wars," I added.
"True, but he did achieve great things," Alan conceded.
"Exactly. Achievements matter. But many heroes are intentionally created," Father explained.
"Created…?"
"If the common folk hear that the number of spirits is dwindling due to Nicodemus, but don’t feel the effects in their daily lives, they’ll likely prefer to stick with the status quo under the king’s rule rather than start an internal conflict. And since the effects of the Pendelus battle were mainly felt along the borders, there wasn’t much of a direct impact within their nation," Father elaborated.
"Yet, there were still significant losses among soldiers, and farmers must have been conscripted too," Alan pointed out.
"Which is precisely why they’d be even more reluctant to fight further, don’t you think?" Father replied.
"Yes, that makes sense," Alan nodded seriously, holding a piece of bread as if contemplating something profound.
"So, during the civil war, when the previous duke died and a twenty-nine-year-old duke took over and fought against the royal family, Gaio became the frontman for their cause," Father continued.
Ah, so he became a symbol.
"A young duke and a charismatic hero leading the charge—it must have captivated the masses," Alan remarked.
"Exactly. Heroes can be made. The narrative of a new leader and a dashing hero leading the way quickly becomes the talk of the nation. Many likely volunteered to join them," Father added.
"And if this hero were to marry the Fairy Princess, it would boost Bejaia's spirits," Mother remarked with a cold, quiet fury.
So that’s why Bejaia is so intent on arranging a match with me. They see it as a way to increase the number of spirits, strengthen their ties with the spirit kings, and achieve multiple goals at once.
"But what becomes of a hero who earns the wrath of Berisario and is despised by the Fairy Princess?" Mother asked with a thin smile.
"That depends on the future king. How much does the young duke value Gaio, and how close are they?" Father responded.
"Heroes often become liabilities after the war is over," Mother observed.
"Looks like the attempt to use him for diplomacy was a complete failure," Father concluded.
As my parents continued their conversation, I was pondering something else.
If heroes can be created, then what about generals? Lady Eufenia desired accomplishments in a spouse, and the Marquis of Bantock likely sought to expand his faction’s power by leveraging the general’s influence.
I glanced at Alan, who seemed to pick up on my thoughts, narrowing one eye in displeasure.
"What are you thinking of now?" he asked.
"I was just wondering if there's a similar situation in the empire," I replied.
"It doesn’t matter at this point. Nothing will change," Alan stated, exasperated.
True, but if that general was being used as leverage against his family, it might explain his reluctance to stand up to them. Alan’s right; nothing will change, but power plays like these are frightening. I want no part of them.
"In any case, it’s fortunate that Dia got close to Camille," Father noted.
"Indeed. You must properly greet the king of Luftanen," Mother added with a sudden shift in focus.
"Wha—what?! Why so suddenly?!" I exclaimed.