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

The tea party where the crown princess candidates, the crown prince, and my brother Chris would meet was held in the Belisario dormitory right after morning classes ended. Today's guests are all outstanding individuals, so they have fewer mandatory classes, leaving them with plenty of free time even on weekdays. Senior students use this time for internships at their future workplaces, while junior students use it to make friends. Essentially, it's a time to build connections regardless of factions or status. 

And today, it's being used to find future partners. How splendid. Perhaps this will be the beginning of a new romance.

I was worried about Carla, but since Patty was with her, I returned to the dormitory right after morning classes ended. Most students were having lunch in the school cafeteria, so there were no other students in the dormitory. The preparations to welcome the guests were being made by my brother and our butlers, and Nellie, who was enthusiastic about becoming my primary attendant in place of Mia.

"Nellie, you're doing so much that you seem more like a maid than an attendant."

"Miss Jema is a bodyguard and butler, so I will be an attendant and maid!"

"That doesn't make any sense."

Lately, Nellie's way of speaking has become formal, just like the butlers. It's convenient that she frequently visits the classroom and participates in pick-ups and drop-offs instead of the butlers who can't move outside the dormitory. However, I intended for her to join my circle of friends, but she's drawn a clear line and treats everyone with impeccable manners, even more so than Mia.

"How are things in the classroom?"

"Well, Irene and Suzanna are close, so I often spend time with Erda. She wants to help with the Fairy Company, and I want to be an attendant and maid. We cooperate."

I need to consult with Mia about this. Mia and Nellie are beautiful sisters with a gentle aura. They're also the daughters of an earl who became famous for tomato ketchup, responsible and kind-hearted. It's no wonder Mia caught Paolo's eye, and Nellie would surely have many good marriage proposals too.

"I'm not interested at all. We used to have to do everything ourselves and worry about the territory because we had no money, but lately, we're told to leave everything to the maids. Besides, my brother built a new large mansion and moved, so even when I go home, it doesn't feel like my house, and I can't relax."

"Your brother built the new mansion and hired more staff to make up for all the hardships you went through. You got a big room, didn't you? Normally, you'd be happy about that."

"But my brother has a wife now, so I'd just be in the way if I stayed. Also, I want to work. Being in Belisario is more fun with all the different things happening, and I want to repay the debt from when we were poor. I’ll follow you even after you get married."

What determination.

"I'll find my marriage partner wherever you marry."

I feel like she could actually do it.

"We've been under Belisario's care for generations as the same people. There's nothing strange about me serving you!"

"Well, okay then. But you've started using formal speech and calling me 'Miss.'"

"Because I'm an attendant and maid."

Mia, what are we going to do about your sister?

"If that's the case, I'd also like you to consider me."

Now Rex is saying something too.

"I'm doing work for the Fairy Company instead of being a butler because it's part of my job to assist you. Learning the company's work will be useful if you start a new business wherever you marry. I'll be accompanying you when you get married!"

"Wasn't it because the salary was good?"

"That's that, and this is this."

He's just coming along because it seems interesting.

"Luther, aren't you going to stop Rex?"

"Stop him? Why?"

Luther looked puzzled when Alan asked him.

"If a butler finds an excellent master, it's natural to want to serve them for life."

"Exactly."

The butler brothers nodded at each other as if it were obvious. Luther's face is decently handsome but fits the role of a villain, to be honest, he looks suspicious. Rex looks like an ordinary guy, and they don’t look alike at all.

"I'd feel more at ease with Rex around. He'd report everything to me diligently."

Alan's comment made Chris frown deeply.

"Talking about Dia getting married is still too soon. Don't jinx it."

My brothers' unwavering stance is impressive.

"Nellie and Rex, you're planning to come with me to Luftanen, aren't you?"

"Of course."

"Sigh, fine. But are the preparations to welcome our guests done?"

"All that's left is for you to change, Miss."

"No, I'm not changing."

Today's main stars are Monica and Suzanna. I'm wearing a simple dress in the same color scheme as the school uniform. The fabric has subtle embroidery in similar tones, visible only in certain lighting. Still, the difference in texture between having embroidery and not is significant. High-quality attire really does mean investing in such details. Honestly, children don't need such expensive clothes since they outgrow them quickly. But wearing casual clothes in a gathering of nobles at school would tarnish Belisario's reputation, so I'm behaving well. I'm so good.

I planned to leave my hair down without any hair ornaments, but Nellie insisted on doing something, so I reluctantly let her braid a small section on the left side. Amidst this bustle, the first to arrive was the crown prince, accompanied by Elton, Gil, and two attendants.

Although no other students were around, since it was an official tea party, I intended to greet them with a proper curtsy, but the crown prince waved his hand dismissively.

"Since it's just Belisario, there's no need for formality. Now, explain what this is about."

He looked around as if to ask who he should be addressing. When he approached with a disgruntled expression, I hid behind Alan.

"Well, impatient gentlemen are not popular, you know. I'll explain once everyone is here."

"Stop talking like that."

"How else should I speak when we have guests?"

How would it look if I spoke casually when crown princess candidates are coming? Endure the goosebumps.

"The attendants can have lunch prepared in the dining room."

"No, we'd prefer to stay."

Gil, always serious, seemed worried about leaving the crown prince alone. But we weren't going to change our stance, so I simply glanced at the crown prince.

"Gil. Don't worry."

"Why can't I stay?"

"Gil-sama? I'd rather like to know why you'd even ask such a question."

Today, I have a fan chosen by my mother. Perfect.

"Why do you insist on staying when His Highness says it's okay? Surely you don't think Belisario would harm His Highness, right?"

I stepped close to Gil and lightly tapped his arm with the fan. Realizing the potential issue, he stood straight, holding his breath.

"Dia, that's enough. It looks like Monica and the others are here."

Chris’s intervention saved Gil. Smiling sweetly, I moved to greet my friends.

As soon as Monica and Suzanna appeared, the atmosphere brightened. Monica wore a simple yet stylish bluebell-colored dress with slits on the sides adorned with lace, in line with this year's fashion. Suzanna's dress was navy with white lace patterns, complemented by a lace hairpiece. Even though they must wear uniform jackets, the gold of Monica's hair and the silver of Suzanna's hair against the navy blue made them look glamorous.

"Thank you for having us."

After greeting me at the entrance, they curtsied to the crown prince. This time, he didn't stop them.

"Since there are no other students, please act as if you're visiting the palace. No need for formal language."

"That's true. Formal language from Chris gives me chills."

Laughter eased the atmosphere as we led them to the room we were using today, a smaller guest room. A smaller room creates a sense of intimacy and makes it easier to have deep conversations. The ladies' attendants and guards, puzzled about being asked to wait elsewhere, moved to the dining room upon realizing the crown prince was alone.

"Alan and I will leave soon, so you'll have lunch once it's just the four of you."

The men sat to the left, the women to the right. Let the tea party cum matchmaking begin.

"I invited Suzanna on short notice because I wanted all of you to hear my proposal."

Come on, the four of you look way too wary. Have I ever done anything to make you uncomfortable? ...I haven't, right?

"Starting today, the two of you will be not only crown princess candidates but also candidates for the spouse of the heir to Belisario."

They likely expected this. Still, hearing it from me made Monica and Suzanna visibly relax with relief.

A thirteen-year-old girl's expectations from her family and tribe are heavy. Being labeled as the one who wasn't chosen would damage both her and her family's reputation.

"Pay attention here. It's not that the one chosen becomes the crown princess and the other marries the heir to Belisario."

"Marry."

"Alan, no interruptions. It's not about the unchosen one becoming Chris's wife. Our family and people wouldn't accept that."

The four of them, especially the crown prince and Chris, looked down, feeling guilty. They had been discussing this themselves, after all.

"Listen, Monica and Suzanna are both exceptional young ladies with outstanding family backgrounds, education, personalities, and looks. That's why they became crown princess candidates, and Chris thought there was no better match for the heir to Belisario. Right?"

"What? Chris suggested this? Not Dia?"

Suzanna, momentarily surprised, quickly covered her mouth

 with a fan.

"Yes, Andy and I discussed it first. Dia took it further, but the proposal stands. Are you both okay with it? You could find partners easily elsewhere."

Monica and Suzanna exchanged glances, then shook their heads simultaneously.

"If anything, we should be grateful. The thought of the family's disappointment and the reaction of other nobles if we weren't chosen was terrifying. But being linked with Belisario leaves no room for complaints."

"Right. But is it really okay? Chris is popular among girls. If you're just being considerate..."

"Hey, you two, remember what I just said."

I clapped my hands to get their attention.

"This isn't about your positions. This is beneficial for Belisario too. You can proudly report that Belisario proposed the marriage to the heir. And by the way, have people been saying things to you? What are Norland and Corquette doing? I'll have to complain when I see them next."

If the border counts get too power-hungry, they can't be left unchecked. We don't need another Bantock.

"And one more proposal."

As I smiled, the four tensed up again. Really, how rude.

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Author Notes:

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