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

With Alan pulling me along, I waved to the four people who watched us with warm smiles and we left the room. As the door closed behind us with a bang, I glanced sideways at Alan, and saw him looking at me sideways as well.

"Dia, what was that talk earlier about?"  

"Well, I was thinking, even though you're the second son and destined to become a baron in the powerful Berisario family, it was bold of you to aim for such a high-class lady..."  

"...Let's talk over there."

No denial, huh. Wow, is he serious?  

Could it be that both my brothers have suddenly found love?

We headed to the dining room, informed the waiting attendants that the conversation was over, and they hurriedly left. As the butler brought in our meal, we sat at the furthest table.

It was impressive. Alan chose a seat facing the wall so his lips couldn't be read, and had the spirit beasts guard him closely.  

And Nellie, unfazed, brought the food with her usual grace. She's amazing.

"First, I need to make sure I'm not misunderstanding."  

"...Right."  

"The day after I heard you weren't involved with Prince Eldred, you invited me for lunch, so I wondered..."  

"You're sharp about others."

"...Do you like Patty?"  

"...Seems like you’re not misunderstanding."

Wow!  

My usually cool and composed brother Alan, having a crush on Patty?! And he's quick to act.

"But she won't notice at this rate."  

"I don't intend to let her know yet. She's a duke's daughter."  

"Despite knowing that, you still aim for Patty. Why?"  

"Because she's cute."

Is that so.  

I watched my brother eat a sandwich topped with white fish meunière, looking calm after blushing earlier.  

While I had a meal of salmon and spinach quiche, tomato cream clam chowder, and salad, my brother also had the meunière, sausages, and bread.  

Love-struck and losing appetite?  

No, Alan isn't one for such girlish thoughts.

"You mentioned choosing a redhead before."  

"Brother can’t choose, so I should. But considering our relationship with the central region, choosing a redhead is strategic, right?"  

"Indeed. Since you’ll serve in the Royal Guard at the palace."

Yet, aiming for a duke's daughter as a second son seems quite challenging. Or maybe not? Given the current context, it might not be a bad move for the duke’s family.

"But there's a problem."  

"Many problems, actually."  

"Patty likes someone else, right?"

Oh, that's true.  

She seemed that way at Amber's place.

"Do you know who?"  

"I don't, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell."  

"Right. And don't tell Patty about me."  

"I won't. But is it okay to decide at twelve? Patty still has five years until she comes of age. A lot can change in that time."

Even Chris, who was once mistaken for a girl, is now a tall, handsome man with a husky voice.  

Who knows what might happen in five years?

"Would you dislike your crush if they grew taller or aged? You’ll spend more time together after marriage, and appearances change."  

"I wouldn't care... You're right."  

"Personalities can change after marriage too. If you wait until adulthood to get engaged, it might be too late."

In this world, unlike my past life where short relationships and multiple partners before marriage were common, people here tend to be more cautious, often not seeing peers as potential partners.  

If I wait until I'm ready to consider marriage, everyone might already be taken.  

But dating teenagers or much older people isn’t appealing either.  

Older people would die sooner, and I want to grow old and enjoy life together, like my grandparents.

"So, Patty is someone you can love despite changes?"  

"She’ll be as charming as Mother, even when older."  

"She’ll definitely become more attractive."  

"Right?"

Alan smiled, nibbling on my quiche.  

Unrequited love can be hard.

"So the issue is... Are the Crown Prince and Paolo still silent about your skills?"  

"They haven't seen it directly."  

"Even so, many saw it when I first went to the palace. The Chancellor was there too."  

"They might think my sword just glowed like the guards' swords."

What are they so relaxed about?  

Even without weapons, fire and wind sword spirits can turn into swords.  

If only Berisario knows this secret use, it's bad news for the central region.

"Even if told, not everyone can do it. Berisario doesn’t have anyone who can yet."  

"That’s a selling point. Make a name for yourself, and Duke Goodfellow might approve. Do only spirit beasts wield this power?"  

"Yes. And without enough magic, it can't be sustained for long."

Since the destruction of the Spirit Forest about ten years ago, few in the central region have spirit beasts.  

I wonder how the Royal Guard compares to our knights.  

They must be lagging.

"Anyway, you should talk to Paolo. After the academy, I'd like to visit the Royal Guard. We need to see if anyone there can learn."  

"Hmm. Teaching them sounds troublesome. I thought guarding the Crown Prince was an elite, small team job. Leading a unit is a hassle."

Originally, joining the Royal Guard was to gather information for Berisario.

"Then give up on Patty."  

"No, I won't."

Haha.  

He really likes her.

"Alright. I'll talk to Paolo. With Mia marrying in, it’s like having family connections."  

"Wait, isn't Berisario too powerful? Marrying into the Rampling and Goodfellow dukedoms, plus Chris marrying into a marquess family?"  

"Remember, we're considered higher than dukes."  

"True. And you need to woo Patty first."  

"How do I do that?"  

"No idea."

The biggest weakness of our trio is romantic relationships.

After lunch, I changed in my room.  

Nellie never sits still, like a fish that dies if it stops.  

It’s getting dark early, signaling the snowy season.  

As I stretched to stay fit, Erda entered.

"Did the meeting go well?"  

"I left midway, so I don't know."

Erda watched from a chair as I stretched, then hurriedly stood when Nellie brought tea.

"I can do it."  

"Just sit and relax."  

"How was it on your end? How’s Carla?"  

"She seems the same but said we should have separate lunches to socialize more and find good partners."

Douglas said it’s hard to approach when we’re always together.  

It’s good not to stick with the same group daily.

"She still finds it hard to face Monika and Suzanna."  

"...I see."

I probably can’t do anything to help.  

Just listen to complaints and hope for good matches?  

I need to pray for my own match too.

"I'm heading back to the castle, my lady."

Rex peeked in as I finished stretching.

"The year-end schedule is set, right? I want to discuss plans with Duke Powell."  

"Regarding the trip to Luftanen?"  

"Yes. I’d rather skip the wedding to prepare the Fairy Company shop."  

"Can you skip it?"

Surely?  

A duke’s presence is better than a ten-year-old’s.  

I’ll greet the Spirit King before the wedding, so it should be fine.  

It’s better not to overshadow the bride.

"They’d prefer I didn't attend. I can teleport to places I've been. If I appear in the capital, they’ll have to invite me to the palace."  

"Doesn’t the same apply to Kamiru? She’s invited to palace events."

It’s different when the Fairy Princess appears unexpectedly compared to Kamiru.  

The impact and potential damage vary.

"Kamiru is more sensible than you."  

"Rex, Nellie, adjust your schedules. Especially Nellie, talk to your family. It’d be bad if they didn’t know when Father contacted them."  

"Understood."  

"Wow, I get to go too! I'll do my best!"  

"Are you both going with Dia to Luftanen?!"

Erda looked surprised, clenching her fists.

"Yes, I’ll accompany her as a maid and attendant."  

"I was always going."  

"What?!"

She looked at me, pleading, but it’s non-negotiable.  

It’s not a vacation.

"This time, it’s unavoidable. But I still want to work for the Fairy Company. Dia, you said we’d discuss it when I came of age if I still felt this way. I haven’t changed my mind."  

"Are you serious?"  

"Of course."  

"What do you want to do?"  

"I’ve been helping already."  

"Helping as a child is different from working full-time and living at Berisario. You can't be just a clerk as a count’s daughter."

Many nobles want to work at the Fairy Company.  

For lower-ranked nobles, it’s crucial.  

Hiring a count’s daughter requires a strong reason.

"Because it’s you..."  

"Do you have a specific product to develop or sell? Without a clear goal, Count Bliss won't approve. Your pay will be lower than your maid’s if you only do clerical work. Can you accept that?"

She hadn't considered that, and looked down, lips tight.

"Then... let me be an attendant..."  

"Erda, do you just want to live in Berisario?"

Our attendants are mostly for training during academy years.  

But back at the castle, Brad, Gemma, Cynthia,

 and Dana are there.  

Even Rex is exclusive.  

It’s rare for a girl to have so many dedicated attendants.

"You’ve spent every winter social season at the castle, feeling like family. You can’t be a maid, attendant, or Fairy Company employee. And you won't meet good partners through the company."  

"I’d even become a commoner."

She’s mentioned that before.  

Does she dislike staying at Bliss Count’s house?  

If so, Elton would’ve intervened.

"Erda, consider your post-graduation plans carefully."  

"...Huh?"

Erda was surprised by Rex’s words.

"When the lady marries, Nellie and I will go with her."  

"What?!"  

"Alan will live in the capital. You’ll know fewer people. Can you still work for the company then?"  

"Following Dia..."

She seemed unaware of Nellie’s intentions.  

Looking shocked, Erda left the room to think alone.

------------------------

Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading.

  Your typo reports are helpful.

  If you enjoyed the story, please rate it using the link below.

------------------------