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:

  This is the final installment.

  In line with this, I've revised chapters 59 to 62.

  Significant changes were made, particularly to chapter 61 "Friends Are Popular" and chapter 62 "Cocoa Duty."

  When you have time, compare these with Camille's perspective.

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The next afternoon, I visited the Coraline Trading Company. The Marquess greeted me with a smug smile.

"I knew you would return, Camille-sama. I was confident that someone as wise as you would come back. Rest assured, I've already sent word to the Fairy Princess that I have a personal matter to discuss apart from business."

"Are you an idiot? If you want to commit suicide, do it alone."

"W-What did you say?!"

"Conning, you come too."

Seeing my spirit beasts manifest in their small forms, the Marquess and Conning turned pale.

"You two are coming with me."

The spirit beasts seized their arms, and we teleported. We arrived at the North Island assembly hall, where the key nobles were seated in a tiered arrangement around the central area cleared for teleportation. The sudden teleportation threw the Marquess and Conning off balance, making them stumble and look around in confusion.

"What is the meaning of this... ugh..."

As the Marquess tried to shout, the earth spirit used its gravity magic to force him into a kneeling position, immobilizing him in a bow.

"This man has sent a messenger requesting a personal consultation with the Fairy Princess."

"What?!"

"A mere Marquess causing such trouble is unacceptable."

Three men approached me. One of them was Salomon, smiling with his eyes curved in a bow as he spoke softly to the Marquess, who was pinned to the ground.

"The Fairy Princess is second only to the royal family and backed by the Spirit King. This isn't like intimidating common merchants. If she dislikes you, you could lose your head."

"Don't be absurd! I went as Camille-sama's representative!"

"Marquess, have you forgotten I am of the rank of Marquis? When did Camille-dono appoint you as his representative?"

"Camille-sama is supposed to be my grandson—"

"That was four years ago. Do you realize how much time has passed since then?"

The other speaker was the Marquess of Harle. Of all the nobles here, he knew the most about my life these past four years. Often visiting the palace with Keith, he dined with my brother and me. As a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince, he detested anyone using me to undermine my brother.

"Camille-dono is recognized in the East Island as the only brother of the Crown Prince, trusted enough to assist in his work. He even captured the Third Prince himself. Your attitude towards a duke is an act of disrespect."

"Conning."

Conning flinched when I called his name among the nobles.

"Repeat what you told me yesterday. This man instructed you to obstruct my discussion about the Spirit King, didn't he?"

"Uh..."

"Conning! You wretch!"

"You won't gain anything by showing loyalty to that old man. The best you can hope for is imprisonment. Normally, you'd be executed."

"As a commoner, you might be executed here and now. If you don't want that, you know whose side to take."

Salomon's threat followed my words, showing he didn't want me to say such things in this setting.

"West Island has allied with Bejaia. If war breaks out with East Island, the Crown Prince might be killed. Even if he survives, there might be calls for accountability."

"So they planned to use me as a puppet after killing my brother?"

"That's what they said."

"Did they think I wouldn't die in battle?"

Salomon's question made Conning pale even more as he nervously glanced around before finally speaking in resignation.

"They hoped Moana-sama would protect you. They thought the Imperial Spirit Kings might help too."

"They angered the Fairy Princess and the Berisario family and expected protection from the Spirit Kings? That's an absurd plan."

"A Marquess charged with treason."

"Just when North Island finally had a Spirit King blessing and a peaceful blessed prince."

As the nobles murmured, I approached Conning with a smile.

"Why are you backing away?"

"N-No reason..."

Though taller and broader than me, he kept retreating until he was against the wall.

"Conning, are there others involved?"

"Uh..."

"Speak. If you cooperate, I'll spare your life."

"I-I..."

My spirit beasts surrounded him.

"Delk-sama and his associates brought the plan to the Marquess!"

Delk, the heir of the Marquess of Rintonen and my cousin, had already been under house arrest four years ago and hadn't learned his lesson.

"Delk... really? Is this true?"

The Marquess of Rintonen and his second son, Helt, confronted Delk with bulging veins. Both had been instrumental in assisting my trade with South Island. Because of this fool, the entire family risked punishment.

"I... I thought of North Island..."

"That's nonsense! War won't benefit North Island!"

"If Camille became king, we'd be royal relatives—"

"Camille-dono is a Duke. You're just one of many sons of a Marquess! Addressing him by name is outrageous!"

"I... I'm sorry."

"You are disinherited. From today, you're a commoner."

"Wait, father!"

I sighed, watching the crying Delk and the Marquess. What foolish dreams led them to this? Any rational person would see how absurd their plan was.

"Elliot, take them away."

The last man to approach, Elliot, shook his head, shrugging in exasperation.

"With so many killed by the Nicodemus Sect in West Island, this is shameful."

Elliot, the son of the Chancellor and heir to a Marquess of East Island, had saved my brother from multiple assassination attempts. Over the past four years, whenever someone suggested I should be the Crown Prince, I personally quashed the idea, earning the trust of my brother's aides and advisors. My brother, concerned for my safety, had sent Elliot to North Island, but given the ongoing threat of assassination, I'd prefer he stayed close to my brother.

"Take them into custody."

At Elliot's command, guards and soldiers led the Marquess and Delk away. Treason involved more than just North Island.

"Elliot, how should we handle the Marquess and the Marquess' households?"

"You're suggesting we avoid destroying the Branton Marquess and the Rintonen Marquess households?"

"We're also here to decide who will be dispatched to West Island. The Marquess and his troops will be sent from North Island."

"I see. That's fair. Their punishment can be lightened based on their service."

"Marquess, will you go?"

"Yes. I will eradicate the Nicodemus Sect."

The Marquess and Helt prepared to return to their territory to make arrangements. The other nobles, relieved they didn't have to send their own troops, relaxed visibly.

"The Marquess household's punishment is on hold until negotiations with Berisario are concluded."

"That's lenient. But that's what makes you commendable."

"I'm not taking you to the Empire, Salomon."

"What?!"

"Salomon, quiet down."

"Who will you take then?!"

"Conning and—"

"Wait!"

"Fairy Company needs him and Ria. We might not get into the castle without them."

"That's true..."

"And I'll take Keith as a teleportation mage."

"It's always Keith! It's unfair he gets all the exciting missions!"

"We have to transport the cocoa."

"Why cocoa?"

As I dealt with Salomon's complaints, Elliot and Yohem interrogated Conning about other conspirators. Delk's accomplices were unfamiliar names. Did they think I'd aim for the throne with people I didn't know? It was depressing.

All that remained was for Keith and me to retrieve the cocoa from South Island, request reinforcements, deliver the cocoa in place of the Marquess, discuss the Spirit Kings, and return safely.

"Camille-dono, please return safely. We don't want to see the Crown Prince looking dead inside, working without rest or expression, like after Zol-dono's death. It would be worse if you were lost."

"The Crown Prince does care deeply for his brother."

"You're his only trustworthy family."

Those who knew our interactions in the palace understood I would never betray my brother. They also knew his mental state would suffer if anything happened to me.

"Chris seems to dislike me."

"He's a prodigy."

"I don't know him well, but he might be like my brother."

Observant and intimidating.

"But my brother has faced more trials. Berisario has been peaceful; they've never had to worry about assassination."

"That's nothing to brag about."

"That won't happen again!"

Salomon was exasperated, and Elliot clutched his chest in distress.

"How is the Fairy Princess? Cute?"

"She's so cute she doesn't seem human."

"Calm analysis."

"Not your type?"

Curious looks surrounded me. You'd have to meet her to understand.

"I felt like I'd be killed if I showed weakness."

"A lady, right?"

"Her magic is strong."

"Got it."

That kind of danger can be managed. She felt fundamentally different from normal humans but seemed highly reliable if she became an ally.

"Smile, Camille-sama. You look menacing otherwise. A smile works best with women."

Smiling... It's important, but difficult.

"A shady smile like Salomon's won't do. Speak softly, like a noble."

"

Not a sleazy tone like Yohem."

"Next is resolving things with Berisario before heading to West Island."

"Are you going too?!"

While other islands progress well, West Island can't be neglected. We need to expel Nicodemus and capture the First Queen's family.

I genuinely thought that, prepared to face battle.

"Don't just hide! Work!"

Just as I believed the elegant Deirdre had transformed, she shouted, and history changed. Soldiers meant to fight Nicodemus instead went to rebuild West Island. No one expected this.

I returned to the palace to meet the reclusive Spirit Kings with my brother. We decided to model our approach on the Empire's, appointing representatives for each island to work with the Spirit Kings, with the royal family supporting them.

"Impressive, Fairy Princess."

"We must formally thank the Empire."

"Who?"

"We'll consult diplomats, but you know many people now."

Including dukes, marquises, and the head of the Royal Guard.

"You might be the best candidate."

Me...?

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Author Notes:

  The next installment will return to Deirdre's perspective.

  Thank you for reading.

  Your typo reports are very helpful.

  If you enjoyed this, please rate it below.

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