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

// Mother and Daughter --

After the tea party, my brother Chris went to the palace with the Crown Prince.

Although Mother had informed me about the plan to marry a lady who wasn’t chosen as the Crown Princess to Berisario, it was crucial for my brother and the Crown Prince to speak directly with Father. Ideally, they should have gotten Father’s approval before telling Monica and Suzanna.

This whole situation is my fault.

My brothers planned to speak to our parents after the academy season ended, and then inform Monica and Suzanna after getting permission. But I rushed things. I need to apologize to Father as well.

However, we needed to progress while we were still at the academy, or meeting would become difficult. Especially with Chris visiting the Crown Princess candidates, it needed a valid reason. Even with the Crown Prince joining the four of us, it was still challenging. The Crown Prince has official duties and a packed schedule, and Chris also has work at the palace after the academy ends.

That’s why we had to do it now. While we're still at the academy, the dorms are close by and communication is easier. I wanted to move forward before the new year, before the Crown Prince and Chris started their palace duties exempt from classes.

After dining with the others in the dining hall, I returned to my room, took a bath, and as I was about to lie in bed with a book, Gemma came to my room.

"Lady Nadia requests your presence. Please return to the castle."

Another trip to the castle tonight?  

What could have happened?  

Did the discussion with Father not go well?  

Or am I about to be scolded for acting on my own?  

It’s inappropriate for me to meddle in the next head's marriage discussions.  

Could it be that I behaved improperly towards the Crown Prince?  

It’s even more inappropriate for me to meddle in the Crown Prince's marriage matters.

I hurriedly changed into my uniform and used the transfer circle to go to the castle.

If Alan isn’t coming with me, I’m definitely getting scolded.

Ugh, maybe I was too selfish.

Resolving to face the consequences if I overstepped, I headed to the living room where Mother was waiting.

I knocked and slowly opened the door, trying to gauge Mother’s mood, but I couldn't see her from there.

"What are you doing?"  

"Nothing, really."  

"It’s late. You shouldn’t be playing around."

I’m not playing!  

Gemma doesn’t understand the delicate heart of a young girl.  

If you act too assertively, men will find you intimidating!

Oof, that’s a self-inflicted blow.

"Dia? What’s wrong?"  

"Eek?! N-nothing at all!"

As I hastily opened the door, the spirit beasts pushed me forward, nearly making me stumble into the room.

It was the room where our family always spends time together. The seating arrangement and the spirit beasts’ positions were mostly fixed.

But today, since it was just the two of us, Mother sat in the middle of a sofa that could comfortably seat three people.

"Sorry for calling you at such a late hour. After the Crown Prince and Chris spoke with your father, they met with the Marquess of Norland and the Marquis of Orlandi at the palace. That’s why it got late."

Whoa. They’ve already spoken with Monica and Suzanna’s guardians. That was quick!

"Stop standing there and come sit. Would you like something to drink?"  

"No, thank you. What did you want to talk about?"

I carefully sat down in the middle of the sofa across from Mother, ensuring my dress didn’t wrinkle.

Naturally, I could sit by myself without help.

Though my feet still dangled from the dining room chairs.

"There’s considerable pressure on Monica and Suzanna from their territories, creating an atmosphere where they’re competing for the Crown Princess title. I told them you were worried about your friends and distressed by this. The Crown Prince stated that deciding the Crown Princess and the future Lady of Berisario at the same time helps avoid favoring one region over the other."

Berisario has indebted two regions once again.

But this should ease Monica and Suzanna's minds. Good.

"Dia?"  

"Yes?"  

"If I hadn’t said anything, were you planning to complain to the Marquess of Norland and Marquess of Corquette?"

Yes. I intended to speak up during the New Year.

Some nobles tell these young girls, just thirteen and twelve, to win at any cost for their region’s honor and power.

Given the empire’s history of military conquests, older generations take great pride in their heritage and won’t tolerate being looked down upon.

Hearing them repeatedly say "win" is quite the burden.

One would think they’d do something to protect their daughters and granddaughters.

Especially Suzanna, being the daughter of the Marquis of Orlandi, shouldn’t be subjected to haughty comments from Corquette nobles, even if they share the same ethnicity.

"Dia, I told them you were worried about your friends. I didn’t tell them to control their nobles or that you were angry because your friends were struggling."  

"…Yes."  

"Do you understand the difference?"  

"Not angry, but distressed…"  

"You’re very bright and articulate. But you’re still a cute ten-year-old girl. If a child, no matter how right, tries to wield reason to move adults as they wish, how do you think it would be perceived?"  

"…"

They’d think I’m a cheeky brat.

An annoying kid who gets arrogant because of the Spirit King’s backing, acting high and mighty with the great nobles.

"The Marquess and the Marquis are wise and respectable. They’ll understand without everything spelled out and investigate if needed. Don’t you think they wouldn’t ignore a girl distressed for her friends?"

Mother spoke kindly, smiling warmly.

"Strong men are weaker to sadness than anger. They feel compelled to help. Especially if it’s their fault… guilt is a hard emotion to ignore."

So true.  

This highlights my lack of social skills.

I was socially awkward in my previous life, mostly talking with friends online.

At ten, more people accept me as I am, and I’ve gotten complacent.

I used to think, before getting close to Chris, that no matter how smart, kids are still kids. Their experiences are different from adults.

Adults see me the same way. No, I must seem even cheekier as a girl.

"Dia, I see you’re upset, but stop rubbing your forehead on the table."  

"I seem to struggle talking to men."  

"Yes. Don’t corner men. Even if you defeat them with reason, it won’t work. Just ask for what you want. Say thank you with a smile if they help."  

"Is that enough?"  

"Sometimes creating debts is bad, but you’ll know when it is."  

"Mother, was Chris angry? The Crown Prince too. I said so many cheeky things."  

"Chris seemed sad, wondering if he’s unreliable as a brother."  

"Ugh…"

I need to apologize.

I don’t want to make my beloved brother sad.

"See? Guilt is a tricky emotion."  

"Huh?"  

"Chris isn’t angry or sad. He knows your personality. So does the Crown Prince. He said it was good they saw your interaction with Chris, realizing he shows a different side to family and recognizing the Crown Prince’s friendly and broad-minded nature."

I was saved by them.

Their good impression of the two ladies made the Crown Prince feel good.

Phew.

"But this is the last time. Don’t get too close to the Crown Prince. He has potential fiancées, so keep a proper distance."  

"Yes."

I really don’t understand the dynamics between boys and girls.

In my previous life, I had no interactions with men outside work. Now, I mostly talk to adults, and boys my age seem scared, keeping their distance.

And the Crown Prince and Douglas don’t treat me as a girl.

Meaning I lack feminine charm.

"It’s tough. Getting close to boys makes girls dislike me, and boys seem scared."  

"Dia, do you look at yourself in the mirror?"  

"Every day."  

"You’re a fairy princess, an adorable and smart noble lady second only to the royal family. Imagine how much courage it takes for boys to talk to someone like that."  

"Courage?"  

"Men are shyer and more sensitive than women."

What?! Boys in class talk to me normally.

In class, status doesn’t matter, and some speak roughly.

Bold kids are cheeky… oh, that’s an adult’s view. Kids are like that.

"What did the rough kids say?"  

"They offered to help make magic tools but criticized me for being slow or needing help."  

"But they offered to help, right? Your class has only high-ranking nobles, right? Some may have never spoken to someone of higher rank. Talking to a cute, high-ranking lady takes great courage. Offering help takes even more. They fear rejection."

Right. Speaking up and being rejected is embarrassing.

But they offered to help.

Oh no, I’m terrible. I should have handled it better, not embarrassing them.

"During class, you must handle your tasks yourself. Rejecting is natural. But did you thank them for offering? Smiling and saying thank you would make it easier for them to approach next time."

Mother, though younger in years, is amazing.

She’s popular with both men and women in high society.

She’s the epitome of a fine lady.

"A smile, right. I’ll thank them properly next time. Being among same-aged kids is so different from my usual life, I’m unsure how to act."  

"Even capable Dia has weaknesses. I’m glad we had this mother-daughter talk

. You kids solve everything yourselves."  

"Please advise me. When I get close to boys, it’s like being friends."  

"Because you’re strong. A bit of vulnerability can be cute. But those exploiting it should be dealt with harshly. Strong but cute is Berisario’s way."

Add “scary” to that, Mother.

Back at the castle, I immediately went to Chris’s room.

Apologizing should be done the same day.

Or I won’t sleep well.

Rex informed Chris of my visit, so he should be awake.

Knowing me, Chris would expect me to come today.

"Brother, sorry for coming so late."  

"I figured you’d come, so it’s fine."

I expected some anger or a sly smile saying he knew I’d come, but he welcomed me warmly, looking pleased.

"Talking to Mother until now?"  

"We got carried away."

It’s a pity there are no photos in this world.

A picture of Chris in his nightgown and robe would sell for a high price to the ladies.

"Would you like some hot milk?"  

Chris anticipated my visit, so Luther was still around.

Maybe they were discussing work.

"No, I came to apologize and will leave soon. Sorry for overstepping today."

Oh no.

I stiffened my arms at my sides and bowed deeply.

"…"

Should I raise my head?

Chris said nothing, making me uncertain.

Maybe he’s angry.

I heard rustling clothes and approaching footsteps. Looking down, I saw his shoes.

"Dia."  

"Yes?"

Raising my face slightly at his call, he poked my forehead.

"No need to apologize. Thanks to you, we gained a new perspective on this issue."  

"Issue…"  

"Choosing a suitable woman for our family seemed logical to me."  

"Logical…"  

"Your suggestions made it easier to talk with them."

No good.

Even if it’s right for a noble, speaking such thoughts is bad. Consider how the women feel.

"I see. Changing your mind is hard. Monica and Suzanna must work hard. If they make you fall for them, everyone will be happy. The one who falls in love loses!"  

"Hmm."

With my hands on my hips, I wrinkled my nose.

Chris looked mischievous.

"So, making one of them fall for me will make you feel better. If they love me, they’ll be happy to marry."  

"…Do you know how to make someone fall for you?"  

"No."  

"Thought so."  

"Do you?"  

"No, but I have Mother’s support! She can help with queen training. Studying together will improve my social skills!"  

"How is making someone fall for you related to queen training?"  

"Doesn’t matter! I won’t lose to you, Brother!"  

"…Why are we competing?"  

"If they fall for you but get ignored, it’s not my fault!"

I realized after leaving the hallway.

I came to apologize, so what was that?!