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

Interlude: Camille's Perspective

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Author Notes:

  In line with this story, I have revised "Isekai Reincarnation Promises" and "Deals with Lies and Bluffing."

  I reflect on the inconsistencies in the personalities of ten-year-old Diadora and Camille in the second chapter.

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As expected of the marquess family, second only to the royal family, the building and interior were extravagant, and the security was impressive. Two young men who guided us remained in the room, standing by after offering us the sofa. They weren't just ordinary merchants; their refined movements left no openings.

Although invited, I didn't sit on the chair and instead stood by, waiting. As the door opened, I knelt and bowed my head.

"Have I kept you waiting? Please, have a seat."

The voice sounded young, and when I looked up, I immediately recognized him as Chris, the eldest son of Marquess Berisario, who resembled Diadora. If Diadora were a boy, she would look like this. However, his eyes were a deep green, giving him a colder appearance. An older butler-like man stood next to him, and there were people outside the door as well. It was hard to tell who were merchants and who were guards. In case of an emergency, I wondered if I could teleport with Conning in time.

Conning said to leave the negotiations to him, so I decided to do just that. Although I hold the title of duke, I only started living like a noble after moving to the royal palace. I hadn't even attended tea parties, let alone night parties. I trained in combat but didn't learn noble etiquette or negotiations. My presence here was a mistake.

When the discussion about a new food began, it was decided to call Diadora. I had heard rumors that she was involved in the trade business, possibly in charge of food. Diadora, who entered the room gracefully, looked every bit the refined and beautiful noble lady. It had been four years, so it was natural, but she seemed like a completely different person.

"It's been four years. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

She remembered me. Was it because I was mistaken for a girl back then?

The Diadora sitting before me had a powerful presence. Beautiful people have a striking presence. Both siblings possessed all-attribute spirit beasts, and Diadora's spirits were particularly strong. However, Chris's intense gaze made it difficult to look at Diadora. Why was he glaring at me?

Diadora watched Conning prepare the chocolate with sparkling eyes, looking genuinely pleased. Yet, as soon as she took the cup and stirred the chocolate with a spoon, her expression turned troubled.

"The dark color might be concerning, but it tastes sweet and delicious."

South Island was focusing on cacao cultivation to promote chocolate sales, and I was fully supporting this effort. This deal was crucial for us. If the chocolate sales, spread by North and South Island, increased, my brother's wedding would undoubtedly be a grand event.

However, Diadora placed the cup down after just one sip. I understood the urge to drink water. Growing up with little opportunity to eat sweets, I found this sweetness overwhelming. Yet, all the women who had tasted it before were delighted.

"Didn't you like it?"

When Diadora raised her head at my words, she smiled faintly as our eyes met.

"Is this already being sold elsewhere?"

"In Luftanen, it's become popular over the past few years. It hasn't been introduced anywhere in the Empire yet."

"Then, I'll leave it to my brother, Chris."

"Hmm. You don't seem very interested. But it would be problematic if others sold it first."

Conning, you said you'd handle the negotiations. Say something. Isn't selling the merchant's job?

"I don't want this chocolate; I want to buy the raw materials."

"Pardon?"

"I mean, I want to buy cacao beans."

A chill ran down my spine as I understood what she said. How did she know? How much did she know? Just as we gathered information by visiting the Empire multiple times using teleportation magic, the Empire likely conducted intelligence activities too. But the volume of information in Berisario, where people from various countries come and go, differs from Luftanen, where foreigners are rare due to the island's isolation and the distinctive black hair and eyes of its people. Even if some Luftanen people worked for the Empire, would they conduct intelligence activities in an agricultural island like South Island?

It's fine to know about chocolate. But knowing that chocolate is made from cacao is uncommon knowledge even in Luftanen. How did a girl younger than me know this?

I had heard that Berisario's eldest son was a prodigy. The second son was said to be a sword master and a member of the Royal Guard, possessing sword spirits. And then there's Diadora, the Fairy Princess. They're an extraordinary family.

Conning's face grew paler, and he began to sweat. Facing two superhuman figures was undoubtedly intimidating. Did the old man order Conning to do something unnecessary?

Just settle the business and let me talk about Moana. Wait, can I safely discuss our Spirit King's potential trespassing here? Who among them has accurate information about the Spirit King? Ideally, I'd like to speak with the siblings alone. Asking to talk to the Fairy Princess alone might get me killed by her brother.

"Camille here is the grandson of Viscount Branton, the head of the Coraline Trading Company. He wishes to consult with you, Miss Diadora, about spirit beasts."

"Me?"

"..."

Why mention spirit beasts? Why specifically Diadora?! Look at her brother's face—he's treating me as an enemy.

"Oh, Viscount Branton's grandson. I heard his son doesn't have children yet, so he adopted you despite your young age. Possessing all-attribute spirit beasts, as expected from the so-called land of spirits."

"..."

Damn. When faced with clear hostility, my gaze naturally sharpens. The spirits might react too. But causing a scene here would lead to international trouble.

"Thank you."

Stop it. Don't thank him for a sarcastic comment.

"He has all-attribute spirit beasts, so he's spreading knowledge about raising spirits on North Island. Hearing that you occasionally lecture about spirits in other territories, he'd like to speak with you for a short time."

Oh, this guy just said the worst possible thing.

"So, a foreign viscount's grandson wants to talk {alone}(・) with my sister, the Fairy Princess."

As expected of Berisario's eldest son. Despite our age difference not being significant, he exudes authority. Conning is panicking. I should have brought Salomon or Keith. Even Yohem would be better.

Now that it’s come to this, I have to make this work. Four years ago, I was introduced as the trading company's grandson, so I expected some trouble. But what does the timing of mentioning the viscount’s title mean? Is there no meaning? Conning is competent, right? The viscount relies heavily on him. I was careless. I just wanted to quickly confirm the Spirit King's matter.

"No, Conning seems to have misunderstood. I never intended to have a private conversation with the marquess's daughter. If you have time, I'd like to discuss the Spirit King with someone."

"That's right. You don't have any questions about spirits now, do you?"

Another problem. Now it's the Fairy Princess.

"Isn't it convenient for a merchant to use spatial magic?"

"Huh?"

Can she tell what kind of magic a spirit beast can use just by looking? This girl is definitely not human.

"Many prominent nobles in the country also want to ask me directly about spirits. But there's no end to it. I'm still a ten-year-old child, so my father and the Crown Prince issued a directive to go through the Spirit Department. Should I prioritize your request over theirs?"

"I know I'm asking the impossible. Just five minutes would suffice. If you listen to me, you'll understand why I made this request."

"Please go through the Spirit Department."

This isn't going to work. I’ve definitely approached this wrong.

"Even if the Spirit Department approves, a private conversation is out of the question. At least Alan and I will be present. Asking for a personal meeting with my sister, the Fairy Princess, is presumptuous. Swear that you'll speak the truth and nothing but the truth."

"That is... what..."

"Don't you understand?"

"My apologies!"

Suddenly, Conning shouted and knelt on the floor.

"I apologize for my presumptuous behavior and request. Please forgive me."

"...Conning."

What's wrong with him?

"I will ensure the delivery of the cacao beans in three days. Please accept them."

Conning continued to apologize while kneeling. We left, conceding to all of Berisario's terms for both chocolate and cacao.

During the ride back in the spirit vehicle, Conning kept his head down and remained silent until we entered the town.

"I apologize."

"Delivering cacao in three days?"

"Is that impossible?"

Neither Coraline Trading Company nor Conning has the authority over chocolate or cacao. They aren't given such power.

"What did the viscount order you to do?"

"Well, um..."

"Conning, do you want me to teleport you to an unreturnable place and leave you there?"

"If West Island falls to Nicodemus, the next war will be with East Island."

"We're working to prevent that."

"If it happens, the Crown Prince will be held responsible. The Crown Prince might die in battle..."

A little killing intent, and this man screams.

"That means Camille-sama will be the next king..."

"You deliberately angered Berisario's eldest son! You never intended to mobilize the Spirit King."

"Please forgive me. The viscount..."

"Do you realize this could have escal

ated into an international incident?"

"I'm sorry!"

These people are hopeless. They don't care about the country.

"This is treason."

Time is precious. I teleported directly from the spirit vehicle to our base, leaving Conning behind. Keith, Yohem, and Bob were waiting, so I took them to the North Island mansion and gathered everyone to explain the viscount and Conning's actions.

"Considering the conflict with West Island, finding a resolution is tricky."

That's why I should've brought Salomon, who repeatedly mentioned he should have been taken along. If he'd approached Diadora, Chris would have snapped before we even discussed chocolate.

"I want to hand the viscount’s position to his son and punish only the old man. Who else is involved?"

"It's difficult to say, but..."

"Count Rintonen's family?"

"Count Harle supports the Crown Prince. My father and brother are only interested in managing the territory. Other nobles disliked the old viscount, and he probably acted out of desperation."

"We're short on time. Gather everyone tomorrow. I'll fetch the old men. Some seem to think I'm a docile prince. It's time to correct that."

"The one who used all-attribute spirit beasts to punch the Third Prince can't be called docile."

"The story is heavily distorted."

To sever ties with Coraline Trading Company, we decided to establish a new company. Yohem, along with Edgar and Rune, would lead this effort. I teleported to the palace with Salomon to inform my brother and the prime minister of the situation, agreeing to proceed discreetly until the matter was resolved.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading as always.

  Your typo reports are greatly appreciated.

  If you enjoyed this, please consider rating it below.

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