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:

  A typhoon is approaching. I'm heading out for some shopping now. Take care, everyone.

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On holidays, the staff at the dormitory are busier than on weekdays. Kids visiting friends’ dorms and those returning home to their parents for the first time in a week fill the dining hall from early morning, just like on weekdays. At the same time, preparations for various tea parties happening at the dorm are underway. Today, many children have scheduled multiple tea parties, so the rooms are occupied. This means a lot of sweets, snacks, and drinks need to be prepared.

I also woke up at the same time as on weekdays, had breakfast in the dining hall, and now my maids are polishing me up. Even though I asked to be dressed modestly like I am for classes since Carla is the main guest, Dana and Nelly refuse to cut corners. Dana wasn't even supposed to come to the dorm, yet here she is, taking care of me as usual.

"You never know who might see you. That person might fall for you and become your future husband."

"That could happen."

"Even if that doesn't happen, the young lady known as the Fairy Princess is always the center of attention. Mind your words and movements. Don't let your guard down."

If I stay still and keep quiet, I am cute. I'm aware of that. But when I speak properly and move gracefully like a proper lady, people say I'm scary. What should I do about that?

"Don't just take care of your friends, think about yourself too. You're unique, my lady."

I wonder if the maids and butlers are worried they need to do something about me now before it's too late. Don't worry. I'm still only ten years old.

"If you don't catch a good man early, you'll miss out."

"You can't tell if they're good until they become adults."

"My grandmother said a good man can be raised."

Seriously? The Count Edkins family is impressive.

"But Mia, you caught a good man without raising him."

"I'll do my best too!"

Nelly is quite motivated. After attending the academy for about three years, you start to understand what the students in the upper and lower grades are like, and you might find someone attractive. With her older sister Mia being noticed by a duke, Irene having a boyfriend like Elton, and Suzanna being a candidate for the crown princess, she might feel a bit pressured.

"Erda is still single too, right?"

"Diadora, you're really oblivious."

"Huh? Is there someone?"

"...No, but she seems to enjoy her work."

"Do you mean the Fairy Company? She only helps out occasionally when she visits. There's no talk of her working for us full-time."

"I see... I wonder what she'll do."

"Nelly, you're hiding something!"

"Both of you, there's no time for chatting."

I'm really curious now. If she wants to work, I’d support her. But without a goal to eventually become independent, it’s tough for a count's daughter to work. Right now, she's only helping with office work and accounting. Is it okay for a count's daughter to be a clerk?

"Lady Diadora!"

As I was relaxing after getting dressed, Iris burst into the room.

"A messenger from the house of Marquess Johannes is here."

A messenger? I have a bad feeling about this.

I hurried to the entrance and went down the stairs. Standing at the edge of the entrance hall, not in the way, was a man in his mid-twenties dressed in a butler’s uniform. He had blonde hair and was reasonably good-looking. But I’ve never met him before, so he shouldn’t be Carla’s butler.

"Are you the messenger?"

"Yes. I regret to inform you that the young lady fell ill late last night and, unfortunately, won't be able to attend today."

...Cancelling at the last minute. Officially, this tea party isn't billed as part of the crown princess selection process. Today was supposed to be a mere introduction, with future meetings arranged later, so there wouldn’t have been any issues. Why cancel now?

I did consider this possibility, though. Carla is the eldest daughter, so the Marquess Johannes is still young. I now understand a bit about the difficulties of being an elementary school teacher. With Irene’s case and now this, the parents are more of a problem than the children.

"Diadora."

I turned around at the sound of a voice behind me to see both my brothers descending the stairs.

"Who is this man?"

"Now that you mention it, who are you?"

"Oh, I apologize. I am Lloyd, a butler in the house of Marquess Johannes."

"Have we met before?"

"No, this is our first meeting."

Of course. Carla is always surrounded by maids, not butlers.

"...Do you have any proof that you are a messenger from the house of Marquess Johannes?"

"Uh, no..."

"So you're a stranger, showing up without any letter or proof, to inform Diadora that Carla won't attend the tea party with the crown prince?"

Chris onii-sama said this while descending the stairs, his face gentle but his smile carrying a hint of menace. The atmosphere in the hall turned tense instantly, making it hard for other students to approach.

"Maybe the Marquess Johannes has already apologized to the prince directly."

Alan onii-sama stopped on the step above Chris, his gaze fixed on the butler from Marquess Johannes’s house. His tone and expression remained calm, but his hand was glowing. The sword spirit was ready.

"That could be possible."

"N-no..."

Think before changing your expression. Why send such an uncertain butler? They could have sent a student I know or the head butler from Marquess Johannes’s house.

"Either way, it’s clear that the house of Marquess Johannes doesn't hold the prince or Diadora in high regard. We'll contact them later. You may leave."

"E-excuse me."

The butler bowed deeply and turned to leave just as Elton entered the hall.

"...?"

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, he quickly surveyed the room and noticed the butler trying to leave unnoticed. My brothers, who had descended the stairs, approached him.

"Did you come to announce his arrival?"

"Yes. The prince will be here shortly."

"Carla won't be attending due to illness."

"....."

Without a word, Elton's gaze turned to the butler from the house of Marquess Johannes.

"Is Carla often unwell?"

"Who knows? Maybe the unfamiliar school life has affected her health."

Please stop. Don’t start a rumor about Carla being sickly. It will reduce her prospects for marriage.

"If the prince is coming, we need to prepare. People are eager to welcome him."

I need to pull myself together. As the hostess, it's my duty to welcome guests. Since I invited them, it’s my responsibility.

"Elton, stop standing there like a guardian. Chris onii-sama, please help with the welcoming. Alan onii-sama, over here!"

I ushered my brothers to the front. Lining up students in their navy uniforms on either side looked impressive. The flowers were beautifully arranged, and the furniture was polished. Standing beside my brothers, with a ladylike smile, I watched the butler from the house of Marquess Johannes disappear. He drew the short straw. Poor guy.

"His Highness Crown Prince Andrew has arrived."

In sync with Elton's announcement, I greeted him with a curtsy. Even though he usually drops by Berisario casually, at times like this, we must show utmost respect and hospitality.

"Ah, so this is what the inside of Berisario's dorm looks like. I’ve always wanted to see it."

I need to maintain decorum! But when I glanced up, there was the crown prince, looking relaxed and curiously glancing around the entrance hall.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone."

Like the others, Crown Prince Andrew wore a white shirt, a vest with embroidery, and a school uniform jacket. With his height and good build, he looked good in anything. He brought only his aide, Gil. Since Elton is part of this dorm and everyone knows the prince and Chris onii-sama are good friends, the prince is quite popular in Berisario. His handsome smile, sweet voice, and words of thanks had the surrounding students in awe. The pleasant atmosphere, especially after the earlier tension, significantly boosted the prince's impression.

In contrast, the house of Marquess Johannes and Carla's image took a hit. Seeing a butler casually announce Carla's absence to the waiting three siblings of the marquess, the students wouldn't have a favorable impression.

"It seems the Marquess Johannes's response was inappropriate."

But in the familiar room with the indoor fountain, the crown prince laughed amusedly when he heard about Carla’s last-minute cancellation.

"I thought a daughter from a family uninterested in politics might be suitable, but we can't have an emperor's consort's parents making mistakes at official events."

The spirits had materialized in small forms around the table, ensuring our conversation stayed private while they played. The only ones at the table were the prince, his two aides, my two brothers, and me, making it just like any other day.

"Did you predict this outcome?"

"Not exactly... What’s your impression of Marquess Johannes?"

"Successful in tourism."

"The revenue from tourism in their territory is indeed impressive, but a marquess's duties aren't limited to that."

"They focus on improving security for tourism by strengthening the gendarmerie but don’t maintain a proper military."

Elton’s words reminded me of the original role of a marquess’s house during the founding of the country. Marquesses were to contain independent border lords if they rebelled and assist them in

 times of war. Hence, marquesses' lands either border the border lords' lands or are key locations defending the capital. Currently, the Carlyle Marquessate, sandwiched between Corquette and Berisario, is friendly with us. Douglas is childhood friends with my brothers, and the friendship between the house of Marquess Orlandi and the Corquette Marquessate is well-known. They should maintain a military and be prepared for emergencies.

"Count Myler will be made a marquess and given a military. The Johannes house is no longer needed."

Count Myler's family includes Ethel and Henry. Despite not having a military, Count Myler managed to unite sea ruffians to defeat pirates. Impressive.

"Diadora, do you know the group called the (Gafuuha)?"

Chris onii-sama asked, and I tilted my head, pressing a finger to my cheek.

"How could you not know? You’re oddly knowledgeable about peculiar things and clueless about common ones. I can't understand Berisario's education policy."

"She seems to be knowledgeable only about things she's interested in."

"So, you weren't interested."

I want to get along with my friends, but I don't feel like investigating their parents. I only know what I've looked up on Wiki-kun or remember from my past life. I should be fairly knowledgeable about the country's history and economy, given my home tutoring.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading. Your typo reports are much appreciated.

  If you found it enjoyable, please rate it below.

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