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

For a while after that day, Kamiru seemed incredibly busy. Even though we stayed in the same building, the castle was so vast that we rarely saw each other except during dinner or when we had business meetings with the trading company. It was clear from his packed schedule that he was overwhelmed with work.

It was strange for a duke to show up in a foreign country almost empty-handed, without even deciding on a base for the trading company or having more than just a former hideout and a warehouse. Ideally, he should have contacted Berisario, had someone like Saromon come first to secure accommodations, and then used teleportation to arrive. I said this out loud.

"I'm sorry. I thought I could just teleport home every night."

Kamiru explained that they usually worked this way, using teleportation magic to bring necessary personnel to complete tasks swiftly and then returning home at night. Hence, they intended to only complete the entry procedures before heading back home every night. This made Kamiru quite flexible, but it also meant he ended up with even more work this time, which he seemed to regret.

A treaty regarding teleportation magic was established. Anyone teleporting into the empire from abroad could only do so at designated locations in border towns where entry procedures were conducted. Teleporting anywhere else would result in being forcibly transported to the dungeons beneath the royal palace. In Luftanen, they would be transported to a small island with a prison.

The domestic handling of teleportation magic in Luftanen was unknown, but in the empire, it was forbidden to teleport directly into the royal palace. Teleportation arrays would remain unchanged, maintaining convenience.

Handling this issue wasn't something humans could do alone, so both nations had to ask the spirit kings for assistance. Kamiru had to return to the royal palace, explain the situation to the crown prince, meet the spirit kings through Moana, and negotiate their cooperation. The time he had hoped to spend leisurely was now completely occupied, especially for Saromon.

Saromon, in particular, handled the detailed arrangements with the deputy secretary sent from the royal palace, proving to be as capable as rumored. Even Kurisu-oniisama and our father praised him.

I only accompanied them when asking Amber for help with the final decisions. The spirit kings had anticipated such a request, as they had implemented similar measures against teleportation magic back when humans and spirits coexisted harmoniously. The teleportation arrays were also created by the spirit kings at that time.

The treaty about teleportation magic should have been initiated earlier, but the recent incident served as a good catalyst. Although we decided not to inform the royal palace about the illegal entry, thus incurring another favor from Berisario, it was a minor increase compared to pulling out the reclusive spirit king.

One reason Berisario deemed it acceptable to overlook the recent incident was the testimony of the captured remnants of the Nicodemus Sect. They had seen Saromon head straight for a stall after leaving a building, and when they attempted to abduct him, Kamiru emerged, foiling their plans. This corroborated Kamiru's testimony. Moreover, these remnants, though Pendelusians, lacked the diamond-shaped mark on their hands. They had started to doubt the teachings of Nicodemus after witnessing the peaceful coexistence with spirits in Berisario. 

These dissenting Pendelusians were gradually increasing. If word spread that the mark could be removed, more might defect. The remnants had planned to return home via Luftanen and sought to capture Saromon. Regardless of their reasons, their methods were criminal.

Their interrogation was ongoing at the royal palace, so their future remained uncertain. However, integrating those whose marks had vanished could ultimately weaken the Nicodemus Sect. The higher-ups in Pendelus must be worried as the spirit kings in Bejaia have also begun to move. Starke, still lacking a spirit king, seemed anxious and requested to attend the coming-of-age ceremony. We declined due to a recent poisoning incident linked to Nicodemus infiltrating the empire through Starke. Berisario also didn't want them near me. 

As the new year approached, Alan-oniisama and I invited friends to the castle for dance practice. We had been practicing before, but I preferred J-POP and singing karaoke over classic ballroom dance music.

Initially, mastering dance by adulthood should have sufficed. Typically, a debutante's ball would feature the couple's first dance at the ceremony's evening event. However, due to the absence of the crown prince's betrothed, this year's ball would be held during the day, with the announcement of betrothals, forcing me to participate.

I really didn't need this added pressure. The crown prince and Kurisu-oniisama likely didn't want the ladies pursuing them at a night event, preferring a simple meal instead.

"Alan-oniisama, you seem relaxed. You'll need to dance as well."

"I can dance just fine, whether I like it or not."

Seriously, my brothers are annoyingly flawless.

"So Kamiru has to dance too."

"Yes, Kurisu told me to make sure I practiced."

"And you're just going along with it?"

"He scolded me for riding in the same carriage as you."

I doubt Kurisu-oniisama was that upset over something so trivial. It's more likely because of the attempted illegal entry. Kamiru brought it on himself.

"But everyone here today is from powerful noble families. It won't hurt to make connections."

Today, Pati, Eruda, Eseru, and Henry, along with Douglas and Jude, joined us. Monica and Suzanna were busy with their bridal training, Irene was preparing to move her residence to the capital, and Carla couldn't be invited due to her strained relations with the Marquis of Johannes.

"Dancing is the only way to practice. Shall we have someone dance with Kamiru?"

"Please don't. I'd feel terrible if I stepped on their feet."

You'll never improve if you're always worried about that.

"Dia, why don't you start by dancing with him to see how he does?"

"Are you suggesting it's okay for my feet to get stepped on?"

"You're more likely to step on his feet. Besides..."

Alan glanced at our friends chatting on the chairs by the room's walls.

"I didn't expect them to come during this busy season."

"Who are you referring to?"

It made sense that Myler's siblings, soon to be promoted to marquis, would visit to escape their hectic household preparations.

"Kurisu said having you around would help deter other men. But he warned me not to get too close."

"Why are you listening to him?"

"He helped secure the building contract for the trading company's branch."

The building originally intended for the Fairy Company's main store was conveniently located near the port and the castle. However, since my father restricted me from frequently leaving the castle, we decided to construct a new building within the castle grounds. It was simply convenient for us to hand over the unused building. It was a prime property, but it would have been wasted otherwise.

"Why is it okay for Kamiru to be near me?"

"Because he's afraid of you, I guess?"

"I'm not afraid."

"Perhaps it's something you don't need to understand yet, Dia."

"What is it?"

"You don't get it either?"

"Alan-oniisama, it's rude to call a neighboring duke 'you'."

Having advised Kamiru not to force a smile to avoid looking suspicious, he should appear more like a gallant young man, even if somewhat unsociable. With his tanned skin, cool eyes, and black hair, he's a different type of handsome than we're used to in the empire. My friends and the women in the castle all agree he's a charming duke. I doubt anyone would mind dancing with him.

"He's never been close to a girl before."

I've never been this close to a boy either. My dance instructors are always adults, so their stomachs are at my eye level. With Kamiru still growing, his neck is right in front of me. His face is so close.

"Wait, is there that much of a height difference?"

"I'm almost as tall as Alan."

Given all the strict rules about not touching unmarried women or revealing anything above the ankle, why is it okay to get so close during a dance? Apart from my brothers, I've never been this close to a boy in my previous life either.

"Why is your waist so small? Where does the food you eat go?"

"Why do boys grow so tall? What's happening with your bones?"

This room, where we usually practice dancing, is also used for small standing parties and faces the courtyard. It's spacious enough for four pairs to dance without bumping into each other. But today, with everyone watching us, I'm even more nervous.

"Kurisu thinks having me around will keep others at bay, but it might just provoke them."

"Provoke?"

"Some might think it's better than letting a stranger from another country have you."

Who would think that? About whom?

"Only a very demanding noble family would consider taking in a picky fairy princess as a bride."

Kamiru fits the criteria, but declaring him as my choice would override his will and at least prevent me from being left on the shelf... No, that won't do.

"There are plenty of families who would see it as a power grab."

"That's not what I want. I want to fall in love. I want to be thrilled by a real boy, not a two-dimensional one."

"Two-dimensional?"

"Honestly, don't you understand a girl's heart?"

Something brushed against my foot. Looking down, I saw our spirit beasts, who had materialized and wrapped around our feet.

'He's too close.'

'You're too close.'

'They're playing without us.'

'They haven't played with us lately!'

Since arriving in the empire, Kamiru has been so busy he's neglected his spirits. Seeing us enjoying ourselves without them, his spirit beasts wrapped around our feet, and

 mine followed suit.

"Move aside; you'll trip us."

"Get out of the way, you pests."

'No fair!'

'You're the pests.'

'No, you are.'

"Whoa!"

"Ouch!!"

Trying to avoid the spirit beasts, I stepped on my dress's hem, and Kamiru lost his balance as his spirit beasts pushed him. We both fell spectacularly. It wasn't one of those romantic falls where one lands on top of the other. We fell side by side. I landed softly on Ifree, so I was fine, and Kamiru was cushioned by his tightly packed spirit beasts.

"Dia, are you alright?"

Kamiru quickly stood up, offering his hand, while our friends rushed over.

"You lot, line up right now!"

But I stood there, hands on my hips, glaring at the spirit beasts.

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