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: 

   I'm changing Douglas's setting. He's the heir of the Carlisle Marquisate. It was mentioned that there were three ducal houses, and Gene was added, making it four, but the number of ducal houses had increased at some point.

   I added descriptions of Douglas and Deril's appearances, which were missing in the previous chapter.

   The flow of the story remains unchanged.

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After lunch, there's a dance party.

Corquette, famous for its ale, produces various renowned brands in each town, making it the top producer and consumer in the country.

Though it's called a dance party, it's not like an evening ball. It's a loose, local-flavored party where everyone dances to light, cheerful music while enjoying ale. I love this relaxed atmosphere.

Both the townscape and the famous ale remind me of similar rural towns in Europe from my previous life.

However, those who prefer the formal ways of the central region tend to look down on this, calling it a rustic gathering rather than a dance party.

It's because of the rich local color that various specialties are born, making travel enjoyable.

In a multi-ethnic country, you shouldn't mock the ways of other ethnic groups.

But recently, the spotlight has been on the border marquises, so they're facing some backlash.

"I'm nervous being around so many unfamiliar people."

"But the food was very delicious."

This time, Iris and Cheryl, who are to become my attendants from Berisario, accompanied me. They need to gain experience.

I was told not to add "sama" when addressing them since they are my attendants.

It's hard to get used to a relationship where only I am addressed without honorifics.

They were eating at the same table as the other attendants.

The food served was the same, but the topics of conversation were probably quite different. The children were likely engaging in a peaceful exchange, trying to remember each other's faces and make friends, while the adults were gathering information. Collecting useful information for their masters is also part of their job. Some might even drunkenly spill grievances, but if they do, it'll spread among the nobles in no time.

It seems they were asked a lot of questions.

People are curious about stories like the dragon and the spirit beast fighting evenly or Suou patting my head affectionately. My legend as a mysterious creature (UMA) keeps growing, so they probably wanted to gather some information to take back.

They didn't really fight, and my brother Alan was also patted on the head in the same way, but that didn't become a rumor. People only hear what they want to hear.

What do they want? To make Suou a lolicon? To have me engage in a monster battle?

"Diadora-sama, may I have a moment?"

I was startled by the sudden voice and turned around. Only the imperial family is allowed to address me directly. Others subtly move into my line of sight, hoping I'll notice them.

This is troublesome. As someone who preferred a non-confrontational approach in my previous life, I want to pretend nothing happened.

If it were a hesitant exchange like last time with Patricia-sama, it could have been a chance to become friends.

But if I ignore it, I'll be failing as a noble. In this world where status is significant, if a lower-ranking person is disrespectful to you in public, you need to address it, or your family will be laughed at.

Not just that. It could cause our attendants and workers, sometimes even the territory's citizens, to be looked down upon.

The person who spoke was a beautiful girl with wavy red hair. Three other girls around the same age were standing with her. They had no spirits, so they were probably from the central region.

She seemed very tense, with a stiff expression, but I didn't feel any hostility. It didn't seem like bullying.

But these girls are probably just over ten years old. In this world, where people mature early, they are tall and have well-developed figures, already looking quite adult. Compared to boys of the same age, girls mature faster during this period. There are four of them.

We, on the other hand, are six and seven-year-old girls, so there's a big difference in physique. It's like middle schoolers versus lower elementary school kids. Cheryl, who is petite, is clinging to my arm in fear. Doesn't this look like older girls bullying younger ones from an outsider's perspective?

"Diadora-sama."

Iris softly handed me a feathered fan, a weapon and shield for noble ladies.

Well done.

Yes, this is the time for the villainess Diadora-sama to shine!

"Um... who might you be?"

Touching my chin with the closed fan, I tilted my head with a troubled expression.

This is good, right? A resolute demeanor doesn't suit my face type. I'm more of a wild child who needs protecting. I'm a villainess with a dark side, not a coward!

"Oh my, you don't know Bridget-sama?!"

Of course not. It's our first meeting.

And you, with the green hair, your voice is too loud. You're drawing attention. You're putting yourselves in a bad position. I'm getting worried for you.

"I am Bridget Lydia von Chandler, the third daughter of Marquis Chandler."

"A marquis?!"

I widened my eyes and dramatically opened the fan to cover my mouth.

Opening and closing a fan with one hand is quite difficult. I should have practiced.

"Oh, since you spoke to me first, I thought you might be a royal I didn't know."

"What are you talking about?"

"Aren't you a marquess' daughter?"

Do they not know? These girls are in trouble.

"Oh, perhaps you don't know that my father was raised to the rank equivalent to a duke?"

"Huh?"

"He was given a rank second only to the royal family."

"What are you saying? That's impossible."

"Did you know about this?"

"Then you don't know he became a minister?"

"What?! What's going on?"

"I don't know. Is she lying?"

Yes, yes. There are always kids like this in every middle or high school class.

They are only interested in trendy sweets, their favorite bands, and cool boys.

"Lying? Are you calling me a liar? You, of a lower rank, addressed me first and then called me by name without permission, and now you're calling me a liar? I see how the daughters of Marquis Chandler think of me."

I sighed and looked down sadly.

I saw Douglas-sama trying to come over from the corner of my eye and signaled him with a frown to stay put.

Men should not interfere in women's quarrels. Especially not a handsome young man.

'Did these people do something?'

'Are you sad? Are you okay?'

'Should we defeat them?'

'Are they our enemies?'

The spirits, unable to bear just watching, intervened between me and Bridget-sama. Cheryl and Iris's spirits also came forward, not to be outdone.

Well, spirits speaking out is unavoidable. It's their job to protect.

"I'm fine. There's no problem, so please be quiet."

Douglas-sama spoke to a nearby boy, who then looked around and ran off.

Oh, maybe he went to get his parents or Chris-nii-sama.

"I... I just wanted to invite you to a tea party!"

Oh no, how do I resolve this?

If you want to invite someone to a tea party, you should do some research first.

"I decline."

"Wha... what did you say?!"

"Rather, it's surprising you'd think I'd accept in this situation."

"Wait... you're not going to tell Chris-sama, are you?"

"Huh? Why would I? You just spoke to me."

"But Prince Andrew..."

Now they turned their backs to me and started talking among themselves.

So, they're after Chris-nii-sama and Prince Andrew.

"Diadora, what's all this commotion?"

The voice from the side made me half relieved, half anxious.

Because my mother's voice was colder than ice. I feel some people might not come out of this well.

With her golden hair tied up and a dress that accentuates her great figure, my mother stands out. Just standing there, her beauty draws eyes.

The four who had been talking suddenly went pale and fell silent.

"Iris, can you explain the situation?"

"Yes, Nadia-sama."

I admire how she asked Iris instead of me.

Because if it were me, I'd try to protect them or handle it myself.

But as she listened, my mother's smile grew more elegant, which was terrifying.

"Oh my, you're Cathy-sama's daughter."

"...Do you know my mother?"

"Yes, very well. But more importantly, I have a question. Why is someone from the Chandler family here?"

"Huh?"

"Who invited you?"

The four of them turned pale and started to panic. 

Did they come without an invitation?!

And they had the nerve to talk to me like that?!

"Why are you here?!"

A frantic Cindy-sama ran up, her face pale.

She's the daughter of the Marquis of Corquette, seventeen years old this year.

Usually a quiet and gentle lady, she now looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"I... I used my sister's invitation."

"I told Rebecca it was a mistake and to refuse it! I told her to throw it away!"

"I didn't know..."

Using your sister's invitation, and coming with four people, is audacious. You've got guts.

The power of love is terrifying. The boldness of these predatory girls is astonishing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know and invited my friends, so I hurried to decline after asking my mother. Rebecca knew it was a mistake and told me."

What's this situation?

Does our family have some history with the Chandler family?

What kind of dispute is there between a marquis and a border marquis? Our territories aren't close.

"Calm down. I know about that, so it's okay."

My mother placed her hand gently on Cindy-sama's shoulder, smiling, and Cindy-sama breathed a sigh of relief before bowing deeply.

"I'm truly sorry."

"It's something from long ago with Cathy-sama. I don't intend to make a fuss about it now. But calling my daughter a liar is another matter."

She produced a fan with delicate black lace on a pink background. Silently opening it, she partly hid her red lips with a seductive air.

Few can carry off

 such a fan. It's glamorous, bewitching, yet refined. I'll never be able to mimic that even as I age.

"How will the Chandler family address their daughters who disrespect my daughter without even an invitation? And I also need to speak with the hosts who allowed such uninvited guests near my precious daughter. What of the security?"

Oh dear. Mama is seriously angry.

The Corquette family rushed over in a panic.

It's a shame, just when they were about to meet the Spirit King tomorrow.

"Nadia, I understand your concern for Diadora, but let's not ruin this party because of these girls. Let's discuss this in another room."

My father appeared, smoothly embracing my mother's shoulder and speaking gently. As expected.

Despite the serious situation, the four girls looked at him with entranced gazes, which only made my mother angrier.

I don't need to be here anymore, right?

"Indeed. Everyone is looking forward to meeting Hisui-sama tomorrow."

"Chris, Douglas-kun, we will step away. Take care of Diadora."

"Leave it to me."

"Huh? Oh, yes."

Since it was Douglas-sama's attendant who went to call them, my father expertly included Douglas, the son of the Carlyle Marquis with whom we have a close relationship.

In Norland, adults and children were clearly separated, and girls stuck with girls, so no one approached me.

But this time, with attendants, both adults and children wanted to talk to me or befriend my attendants if they couldn't get to me. I think they plan to use the heir of the marquisate as a guard.

"Douglas is fine. Stay away from Diadora."

"Chris, you need to stop being so overprotective."

"Hmph. Diadora, would you like to rest on the balcony?"

"Yes, brother."

Before I finished responding, a hand was smoothly offered for escort from the side.

"Douglas..."

"You're being childish, Chris."

Douglas-sama seemed amused by the annoyed low voice, and as I sighed and took his hand, he effortlessly led me past my brother and onto the balcony.

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Author Notes: 

   Thank you for your continued comments, ratings, and typo reports.

   Despite saying I might shorten the story, it hasn’t happened (◎_◎;)

   Considering the natural breaks, this length seems easier for me to write.

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