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

Since we left the celebration less than an hour after it started, there were still many people remaining in the grand hall.

It was a joyful day for the people of the central region, so it was considered polite for the marquesses and provincial nobles to leave early.

I received a light load from Mia, and, pretending to be a maid carrying her master’s belongings, I slipped into my parents' carriage.

By now, the sun had set, and with only the light spilling from the castle windows and street lamps, it was the time of day when a carriage could easily disappear into the darkness if it strayed from the path.

Even the main building was divided into several wings, making it so vast that even those who worked there daily couldn’t keep track of everything. In addition to this, there were buildings where the princes lived, guesthouses, greenhouses, barracks, and other structures scattered around the grounds, each surrounded by gardens. There were plenty of places out of sight.

The spirit carriage stopped at an old mansion surrounded by dense trees.

What was this building made for? Its elegant, white-themed design seemed tailored for women.

Dukes, marquesses, and high-ranking nobles were gathering there one after another. With such a formidable group, it felt like a coup could succeed if they tried. Most of them were from outside Kohaku’s jurisdiction, so they all brought multiple spirits, making the room filled with spirits.

I wished the young ladies could wait somewhere safe. The discussion we were about to have wasn’t pleasant.

However, Patorishia-sama, Suzanna-sama, and Monika-sama were participating. Carla-sama’s father, Marquess Johannes, worried for his daughter, attended alone. Earl Regan, feeling out of place as the only earl, was caught by Marquess Corquette and ended up attending, sitting quietly in a corner.

“What is the meaning of this?” 

Prince Eldred, who came at my invitation, changed his expression upon seeing the people seated along the walls of the room.

At seven years old, he had a robust build inherited from his general father, making him more physically imposing than other boys his age. His red hair and golden-brown eyes were shared with his brother, Prince Andrew, but while Andrew had a gentle demeanor, Eldred had a determined look, with intense eyes.

“Why is my brother here too?” 

Crown Prince Andrew, who had arrived earlier, sat in a single chair with his legs crossed, flanked by two attendants. As the crown prince, it was natural, but his attitude was domineering, as if the gathered nobles were there for him. He was clearly projecting that image.

Prince Eldred, on the other hand, was alone. He didn’t have any trusted attendants to bring to this meeting. He was cautious due to the tea party incident and chose to sit slightly apart when offered a chair. It was a completely foreign environment for a seven-year-old.

“The people here are the guardians of the young ladies you spoke with earlier, Your Highness,” I said.

“...I see.”

There were a few extra attendees. Douglas-sama was present, along with Marquess Carlyle, and seeing Berisario and Norland together, Marquess Corquette also came. Despite the ongoing celebration, the head magician and vice magician also showed up, momentarily pausing in shock at the sight of the room's occupants.

“Didn’t you say you had sent invitations to all the marquesses and higher, Your Highness? These people didn’t receive them.”

“I...confirmed. It seems there was a mistake on our part.”

“Oh my.”

If this were a friend's birthday party, it might be laughed off, but missing the birthday tea party of a nation's prince could lead to Prince Eldred being perceived as neglecting the provinces. Given the need to foster good relations due to the Spirit King, failing to invite all the marquesses was unacceptable. No one would be satisfied with “a mistake was made.”

“Do you remember that I mentioned having a matter to discuss?” I continued.

Despite my manner of speaking, I was dressed as a maid. In fact, I was the only one in disguise. The attention and scrutiny were focused on me, so there was a barrier set up to detect anyone approaching, allowing the other young ladies to remain in their regular attire. But if we had a barrier, was my disguise necessary? This seems like someone’s whim.

“Yes, I brought the list.”

“Thank you.”

“Let me explain. Dia, you sit down,” Chris onii-sama interjected.

Maybe he thought I was attracting too much attention.

“Dia hasn’t been in public much, so she has few friends.”

Chris onii-sama? What are you saying as soon as you take over?

“So she planned a girls-only dinner party to make friends.”

“I see, that’s tough.”

Don’t look so sympathetic. You’re not in a position to feel sorry for me.

“At that time, four young ladies asked for the dinner party to be on a specific date, which turned out to be the same day as Your Highness’s tea party. But seven days ago, all four canceled together.”

“Who are they?!”

“Marquess Bantock’s daughter, Cherry-sama, Marquess Cannadine’s daughter, Kimberly-sama, Earl Cabot’s daughter, Sarah-sama, and Earl Conning’s daughter, Ruby-sama.”

“Cherry? My cousin Cherry?”

“Yes. Our family sent invitations at the beginning of July. By then, those girls likely knew they wouldn’t receive invitations from Your Highness. How did they know?”

“Because they knew their parents would do so.”

While Chris onii-sama spoke, the guardians observed the prince silently. Provincial nobles rarely had the chance to interact with the princes, and they aimed to understand both the crown prince and the second prince's characters.

“Those four are attending Your Highness’s tea party, correct?”

“...Yes.”

“Eldred, why did you decide to hold a birthday celebration despite the self-imposed restraint?” 

Crown Prince Andrew’s expression was stern. He had grown significantly taller this year and exuded a crown prince’s aura. However, due to my distrust, he seemed dark to me. The emperor needs to be shrewd, but this felt unsettling.

“The tea party is three days from now, so it’s no longer the restraint period.”

“Weren’t you told by His Majesty to refrain this year?”

“My grandfa… Marquess Bantock said it was fine.”

“So you followed Marquess Bantock’s words over His Majesty’s, resulting in a tea party with only his faction?”

“...”

The list Prince Eldred had brought at my request was crumpled from his tight grip.

“I investigated the origins of Your Highness’s attendants and aides,” Chris onii-sama resumed.

“The attendants are primarily from the central Bantock faction. Many aides and stewards were introduced by Earl Dalimore, but they’re also central figures. Interestingly, someone from Duke Rampling’s side is included. Few have spirits, and none have spirit beasts.”

“But they’ve been by my side since I was born.”

“That’s because Marquess Bantock surrounded you with his people to draw you into his faction from the start.”

The crown prince no longer hid his frustration with his brother. Pampered by their grandfather and family, Eldred had grown up with inflated pride and little awareness of his surroundings.

At seven, it’s natural for children to rely on their parents and play. But he’s royalty, part of the highest authority in the country.

“My grandfather? What about you, brother? Your attendants…”

“Let me introduce Elton. He’s the second son of Earl Bliss, whose territory is next to Berisario Marquessate. His earth and water spirits have protected me many times.”

“Protected you?”

“I dismissed my grandfather’s appointed attendants when I was five. They were useless, and the faction centered around Marquess Bantock was indulging in luxury and neglecting the spirits. If they were left unchecked, the central region would have turned into a desert. Berisario saved us. Then, I started having ‘accidents.’”

This is his grandson, the first prince. Even if his son became a hero and gained power, this is too much.

“This is Gil, the third son of Earl Huxham. When I consulted someone about wanting attendants with spirits for protection, they introduced him. He has two elemental spirit beasts and all elemental spirits.”

All elemental spirits. Aside from my family and the Magic Ministry, this might be the first I’ve seen at court. They’re common in the provinces, though.

Wait a minute.

“Prince Andrew, this is the first I’m hearing about assassination attempts.”

“Because I hadn’t mentioned it before.”

The crown prince smiled as usual, and I raised an eyebrow.

“So you intended to drag me into this without informing me?”

“Chris has been warning me, so I wasn’t seriously considering proposing.”

The room’s atmosphere shifted, with murmurs spreading.

“I just wanted to see how you would react and if you’d ally with us.”

“Do you think this explanation satisfies Ruri?”

“I don’t.”

“Me neither.”

“Explain how things got to this point.”

My brothers and father weren’t satisfied either. Don’t approach them with serious faces and corner the crown prince and his attendants.

“Eldred’s surroundings are filled with Marquess Bantock’s faction. If Diadora got close to Eldred, they’d try to use her. I couldn’t allow that, so I wanted to see her reaction.”

“Let’s leave it at that for now.”

“Are you two close?” 

Prince Eldred asked with a sullen face, but look around. My irritated family, curious friends, and politically calculating uncles are all here.

“Does this look like we’re close?”

“Not at all.”

Oh no. This looks like we’re

 close.

“So, what will you do, Eldred-sama?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Are you going to remain under the influence of Marquess Bantock’s central elitist faction, which attempted to assassinate the crown prince?”

Chris onii-sama’s question made Prince Eldred ponder, glancing at the crown prince and then at me. Don’t look at me.

“If my brother’s words are true, I’ll purge my attendants and aides. But I can’t do it immediately.”

“You shouldn’t. You might get assassinated too.”

“Ugh…”

Hearing that his life was in danger, the prince, who had been confidently surrounded by adults, showed a hint of anxiety for the first time.

“In that case, it’s time for you to return to your room, Your Highness.”

“Why?”

“Because you shook off your attendants to come here. Staying long is dangerous, and they will scrutinize your behavior until the tea party.”

Father, feeling sorry for a seven-year-old worrying about his life, approached the prince, knelt, and spoke gently.

“Complain that you weren’t invited. Get angry about who made the list. It might be good to blame us for embarrassing you. Prioritize your safety.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m their last pawn. They won’t kill me easily.”

“You recently acquired spirits, so say you want to learn how to nurture them. It would be safer to have the vice magician around.”

“Me? Oh, okay.”

Suddenly addressed, the vice magician, who had been silent, hurriedly responded.

“Um…”

Clasping her hands in front of her chest, Patorishia-sama stood up.

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Author Notes: 

   Thank you always for your feedback, evaluations, and reports of typos and errors.

   Writing novels has taught me a lot. The internet is amazing (my personal impression as an older person).

   The story may have many holes, but I hope you enjoy it a little.

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