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

The salon was a grand, two-story atrium, reminiscent of a high-end hotel lobby. The floor was an intricate pattern of marble, high ceilings adorned with expensive-looking chandeliers, and several sofa sets were lavishly arranged by the windows. At first glance, it resembled a luxurious furniture showroom, given its vastness—about the size of the gymnasium at my middle school.

Contrary to my expectation that everyone except the absent Carla would gather, only Monica and Suzanna were in the room when I arrived.

"I'm sorry for the impromptu meeting. But considering the dispute involving the royal family, marquises, and earls, I thought it unfair to involve the children of counts," Monica explained, her back straight, sitting tensely on the edge of the chair, her brows furrowed in concern.

"Ethel's family is about to become a marquis, so we suggested she stay out of this. And... Irene and Erda are related to the Berisario family," Suzanna added, her tone unusually hesitant.

We were here to discuss Carla's sudden no-show yesterday, right? I thought I had conveyed that there were no hard feelings during lunch, so why the somber atmosphere?

"Since Suzanna and I are candidates for the Crown Princess, and so is Carla, we wanted to keep this conversation confidential. If the others were involved, they might be asked questions by their families, putting them in a difficult position," Monica continued.

"Right, ignorance can be a valid excuse," I agreed.

Despite neither the Crown Prince nor I ever confirming anything explicitly, it had become an open secret among the high nobility that I was a candidate for Crown Princess. It surprised me how much Norland and Corquette desired to have someone from their factions become the future empress. Or maybe it was strange that my family wasn't as interested.

"Then perhaps I should leave too," Patty suggested, standing up.

"Oh, but you're going to be engaged to Eldred, aren't you? You should stay," Suzanna said, smiling.

"Besides, I'd love to hear about the conversation between the brothers yesterday," Monica added.

"Ugh," Patty groaned, sinking into the sofa, clearly overwhelmed by the misunderstanding.

"They're just childhood friends," I clarified, lowering my voice even though there were only four of us in the room. Monica and Suzanna's eyes widened in surprise, their aides also visibly startled, pausing in their tea preparations.

"Really?" 

"No way!" 

"They're just childhood friends," I reiterated.

Patty sighed heavily, her hands resting on the seat cushion. She probably hadn't realized how widespread the misconception was.

"Truly?" 

"Yes. I was just as surprised when Diadora pointed it out," Patty confirmed.

"So, it's not that the Second Prince has done something to betray Patty again?" Suzanna's impression of Eldred was quite negative, understandably so given his past behavior.

"No, it's really just a misunderstanding."

"Actually, Patty is..." 

"Diadora!" Patty's sharp glare stopped me.

Oh well, I guess I'll leave it up to her to reveal her feelings.

"Ah." 

"Oh dear."

Monica and Suzanna seemed to catch on, their eyes sparkling with realization.

"First, let's talk about Carla. Patty, I'm sure you can handle this. The Duke of Goodfellow will likely stay neutral," Suzanna suggested, and we all nodded in agreement.

With the tea prepared, our aides used magic to ensure our conversation remained private.

"Yesterday, the talk was all about the Spirit King, so I'm sure no one will ask about this," Patty said.

"Besides, Patty overheard the Crown Prince stating that Carla was no longer a candidate," Suzanna added, with a knowing look.

Both Monica and Suzanna seemed to understand the delicate situation between being friends and rivals, especially since they were both candidates themselves.

"Is Carla really unwell?" I asked.

Monica hesitated before responding, as if weighing her words carefully.

"No... She was planning to attend until the morning of the tea party. But when the Marquis found out, he went to the dormitory to stop her," Monica explained.

So, while the Marquis and Carla were having their confrontation, that new secretary was at our dorm? That must have been a shock for the other children.

"During the previous tea party, we discussed how if the Marquis objected, Carla should have declined the invitation when it was first sent, right?" I recalled.

"Yes, but the Marquis thought it was just an ordinary tea party between friends. Carla didn't show him the separate letter from you, Diadora, inviting the Crown Prince," Monica continued.

"Why not?"

"Carla knew her father would likely refuse if he knew it involved the Crown Prince. She wanted to meet and talk with him, having admired him from afar. We often talked about how wonderful the Crown Prince is," Monica admitted.

Wow, I hadn't realized that. I knew Monica admired the Crown Prince due to her concerns about her height, but I hadn't noticed Carla's feelings.

"But at the last tea party, I explained that this was just an introductory meeting and that Erda and Mia would be present. I even mentioned it would be awkward to decline at that point," I said.

"Carla didn't want to withdraw from being a candidate for Crown Princess. This led to an argument with the Marquis. She locked herself in her room and hasn't spoken to him properly since," Monica revealed.

Ah, I see. So she chose to barricade herself in her room as a form of protest. Usually, a doting father might have given in, but not this time.

She's just a ten-year-old girl. That was probably her way of asserting herself.

"Um," Patty interjected timidly, raising her hand.

"The Marchioness was supportive, right? Why didn't she side with Carla?"

"My aunt... she's very gentle but not very involved in parenting. With her eldest son being only three years old, she's quite preoccupied with him," Monica explained.

So, despite being generally uninvolved, she was too preoccupied with her son to help Carla. That makes sense.

"Well, at least I understand what happened now. We have no ill feelings towards Norland. My mother only refused the Marchioness's invitation because she wanted to speak with me directly about the letter from the Marquis. My father hadn't yet been informed about our meeting with the Spirit King. He might have been angry initially, but I'm sure he's already explained everything to the Marquis of Norland," I reassured them.

"That would be a relief."

"The news of the Spirit King's potential relocation caused quite a stir in Corquette too."

Of course, it did.

"With the teleportation arrays, relocating shouldn't be an issue. I have no intention of moving them. The interactions between the Spirit Kings and the Marquises have been ongoing for years. They wouldn't abandon them so easily," I asserted.

"Do you really think so..."

"Monica, does Suou strike you as someone cold? Suzanna, do you find Hisui to be unkind? She's known to wander around to check on children, right?" I asked.

"Yes, Suou-sama is truly wonderful."

"And Hisui-sama is very kind. She has visited our lands before."

Hisui is quite mobile. I wonder if seeing her casually floating around the ranch would shock the locals. The Empire's Spirit Kings are quite free-spirited.

"The Berisario family desires the Empire's peace and prosperity. There’s no issue. So, don't worry," I assured them.

"You're right. I was nervous about meeting you, Diadora."

"I'm glad. I was worried things would become awkward," Suzanna said, finally smiling.

Seeing Monica and Suzanna return to their usual cheerful selves was a relief. Patty also seemed to relax, placing a hand over her chest and sighing softly. We've been dealing with the adults' complications for too long. What would they do if our friendships were broken?

"Monica, could you tell Carla to attend classes? We know she's not really sick, and the longer she stays away, the harder it will be for her to come back. If she feels bad, she can apologize, and that will be enough. If she's uncomfortable meeting me in class, she can come to our dorm in the morning. We'll talk and then go to class together. But I can't go to the Marquis of Johannes' dorm myself," I explained.

"Yes, I understand. The Berisario family's position is at stake. Even though you have every right to be angry, thank you for worrying about Carla. As her cousin, I appreciate it," Monica said gratefully.

"But it's already decided that Carla will no longer be a candidate for Crown Princess. The Crown Prince will ascend to the throne soon after graduation. He can't have the Crown Princess's family causing problems like this," I stated.

"Yes, you're right... The Crown Prince must have already informed the Marquis," Monica nodded, understanding the implications.

The world of high-ranking nobility is small. Childhood crushes often turn into lifelong partnerships, but when unrequited, it means constantly seeing the person you love with someone else.

For a ten-year-old girl's innocent admiration to be thwarted by her father's objections is heartbreaking. Even if support doesn't guarantee being chosen, she deserved the chance to meet him. I'm sorry, Carla. I wish you had talked to me sooner.

"But now, let's change the subject. This part stays between us, okay? Absolutely no one else," I warned, looking at each of them to ensure their agreement.

"I want your opinions on something. How do you see Chris as a potential marriage partner?" I asked.

"........" 

"Come on, someone react," I urged, watching their expressions shift.

"Diadora, does this mean..." 

"Ah! Could it be that Patty likes Chris..."

"No, she doesn't!"

Patty's vehement denial was almost

 comical. It's good that it's not true, as it would complicate things further.

"Just hypothetically. Would either of you consider Chris as a marriage prospect?" I clarified.

"Of course, he's an ideal candidate," Suzanna answered after exchanging a glance with Monica.

"I agree. Chris would be a well-regarded match," Monica nodded.

The men of the Berisario family are typically slender but tall, and Chris is no exception. Monica's concerns about her height are unfounded, but it's still a sensitive issue for her.

"If neither of you objects to Chris, would you join the tea party two days from now, Suzanna?" I asked.

"Two days from now? Isn't that for the Crown Prince and Monica?" Suzanna questioned.

"Yes, but I have a proposal to make," I hinted.

"Is it what I think it is..."

"Just keep it a secret for now. No talking to anyone," I insisted.

This world has its ways, and while I don't intend to change everything, Monica and Suzanna are dear friends who deserve the best. They are exceptional young ladies, and I won't have them dismissed lightly.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading. Your reports of typos are very helpful.

  If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider rating it below.

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