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

As soon as Rex went to fetch him, Elton burst into the room with a look of sheer panic. For some reason, my brothers came along too.

When it's just the girls, the attendants and maids accompanying them can sit at a separate table, enjoying their tea without issue. We usually talk with the help of a barrier created by spirits to keep our conversations private. The attendants, who know each other well, exchange information about new teas and dresses suitable for their ladies. However, if a single man joins the group, the atmosphere changes drastically.

Immediately, the ladies accompanying my friends stood at the ready behind them. Unlike the boys, girls need this formality to protect their reputations. Any unfounded rumors could ruin their prospects for marriage. Even though it's just my brothers, we still need to maintain appearances. As long as we adhere to these formalities, we have a fair amount of freedom.

“Hey, it’s been a while. Oh, that looks delicious.”

My friends have visited our castle multiple times, so my brothers are comfortable mingling with them. Alan-oniisama blends in effortlessly, something he wouldn’t do with other girls. These seven friends see him as just another person, treating him naturally without trying to impress him. That’s why he enjoys their company.

But it’s not just that. They’re some of the finest young ladies in our kingdom, all beautiful and charming. Alan-oniisama must enjoy spending time with them. Maybe one day he’ll fall in love with one of them? I’d fully support that and would love to witness their blossoming romance!

I adore both beautiful couples and bishounen pairings. Watching my parents together on the sofa always makes me smile. Alan-oniisama tells me to stop looking like a suspicious person, but what’s wrong with admiring beauty? It’s soothing and refreshing.

Wait, I need to focus. This isn’t the time for daydreaming. While Alan-oniisama chatted with my friends, I joined Irene, Suzanna, Elton, and Chris-oniisama at the table the attendants had used earlier. Irene’s maid looked worried, knowing her feelings.

“Is it true that the engagement has been decided?” Elton asked.

“…Yes,” Irene replied.

“I thought your parents were supportive of us.”

Elton rested his elbows on the table, pressing his forehead into his hands. Usually calm, he seemed distressed.

“My brother accepted the proposal from Marquis Moulding, who promised to invest in our business if we got engaged,” Irene explained.

“So, your brother traded you for an investment,” Suzanna said bluntly.

“Yes. He’s only interested in cows and thinks it’s natural for a daughter to marry for the family’s sake.”

“I’ll go strangle him,” Suzanna declared, standing up.

“Suzanna, calm down. Remember, you’re a candidate for the Crown Princess,” I said, pushing her back into her seat.

“Oh, right,” she conceded, sitting down.

Suzanna, with her serene, elegant demeanor and voluptuous figure, had a strong and straightforward personality despite her bashfulness. It’s an irresistible combination.

“Elton, isn’t Marquis Moulding part of Duke Powell’s faction? Didn’t the Duke mention anything to you?” Chris-oniisama asked.

“No, if anything, he seemed to support my relationship with Irene.”

“Oh?”

“He doesn’t know,” Suzanna and Chris-oniisama said simultaneously, exchanging knowing looks.

“You two have wicked expressions,” Elton said, almost laughing.

“If it involves the Regan family, it’s Irene who suffers,” he added, concerned.

“You’re pretty composed, Elton. Your opponent is a Marquis’s heir,” Chris-oniisama warned.

“It’s not composure. I’m worried because her family’s position is weaker.”

“Thank you, Elton-sama,” Irene said, tears in her eyes.

Seeing Irene cry was rare, even after the shock of the poisoning incident. Now, she was visibly distressed. I couldn’t forgive Bart for this.

“But I really can’t marry Bernie-sama,” Irene said, shuddering at the thought.

“Elton, this is a serious issue. Irene’s engagement to Bernie would be disastrous,” Chris-oniisama said.

Suzanna grabbed Irene’s hand reassuringly. “Irene was worried that Elton-sama might abandon her if things got tough.”

“Suzanna!” Irene protested.

“No way. I’ve been committed to you for the past four years…” Elton started but was interrupted by Chris-oniisama smacking his hand away from Irene.

“Don’t touch her. She’s technically Bernie’s fiancée right now. We don’t want any rumors.”

Irene’s maid looked relieved. Even mutual affection can’t break these societal rules.

“Damn it. I’ll see His Highness immediately and have the paperwork annulled,” Elton declared.

“No, go through Duke Powell first. Mention that Chris and I are involved,” Chris-oniisama advised.

“Tell him I’m curious about the state of the Duke’s faction,” Suzanna added with a mischievous smile.

“That’s intense,” Elton remarked.

“It’s not like I’m barging in just yet,” Suzanna replied.

“No, I’ll handle it. If you two get involved, the fallout could be immense,” Elton said, surprisingly composed given the circumstances.

“Irene’s the one at risk, not Bart,” Chris-oniisama added.

“True, but a duke’s faction should back Irene,” Suzanna suggested.

“His mother, Nadia-sama, can use spatial magic,” I noted.

Suzanna and Irene brightened at the thought.

“If she brings back the Countess from her trip, we can resolve this quickly,” Suzanna said.

“Right. I’ll leave it to you, Elton. Check the engagement contract with His Highness. Something seems off about the timing,” Chris-oniisama concluded.

“I will. We need to protect Irene from any further harm,” Elton agreed.

“What about me?” I asked, eager to help.

“Stay put,” Chris-oniisama said.

“Huh?”

“If you get involved, it’ll turn into a big deal.”

“Aw, come on!”

“Sorry. We’ll call you if things escalate,” Elton reassured me.

Well, that’s that. The main event always comes last, right?

Participating in primary school classes can be refreshing and fun for a day or two, but it gets exhausting when it’s every day. Sitting through lessons on things I already know is tiring, and keeping up with the kids’ energy levels is even more draining. How are they so full of energy?

All my friends seem out of place among kids their age. Can they blend in with others when necessary? Class time is manageable since we just need to appear attentive, but break times are tough. As everyone gets used to me, they start talking to me more. It’s fine to chat freely in the classroom without worrying about social status, but as soon as I respond to one person, a swarm gathers around me. Every break time, they ask all sorts of questions, or sometimes, they start talking about their interests.

Are they being told by their parents to befriend me? Despite my refusals, they keep inviting me to tea parties and handing me letters. Patty and Carla face similar situations, so maybe it’s just how things are.

During that tea party, while I was listening to Irene’s concerns, Alan-oniisama was hearing out Carla. Or rather, he overheard her conversation with Monica. He’s always subtly gathering information.

Apparently, Carla had been looking forward to the tea party. It’s natural for young ladies to dream about meeting a prince. Given that His Highness is quite charming, she was naturally disappointed and troubled when told to decline, feeling bad for me as well.

I’ll make sure she’s excluded from the candidate list after this weekend’s tea party. Carla is too earnest to defy her parents. Maybe we don’t need to choose from my friends. There must be a suitable young lady closer in age to His Highness.

“Diadora, do you have any free time during lunch or after classes?” Patty asked, breaking my thoughts.

“Is this about Prince Eldred?”

“Yes. It doesn’t have to be a formal tea party, just a brief chat in the salon.”

“That’ll draw attention,” I cautioned.

“I know, but…”

“I’ll have Alan-oniisama join us.”

“Please. I can’t manage it alone anymore. I need you and Alan to step in,” Patty pleaded.

If Patty, his childhood friend, couldn’t handle it, what chance did I have? 

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading. Your feedback on typos is greatly appreciated.

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