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

"All of you, line up right there!"

Standing with my hands on my hips, I scolded the spirit beasts who were huddled together.

"You knew there wasn't any danger, right? So why did you interfere? Someone could have gotten hurt."

Their ears and tails drooped as they looked at me with guilty eyes. Don't make me feel like the bad guy here.

"Kamiru, you shouldn't spoil them here. What if they acted like this during a ceremony at the palace?"

"Uh... they’ll behave then."

"Really?"

I raised an eyebrow and glared at him, causing Kamiru to back away, holding his hands up defensively. He always tries to escape.

"Alright, listen up! During dance practice, you either stay in the corner or remain in your spirit forms. If you interrupt again, no manifesting for a while!"

The spirit beasts quickly turned into glowing orbs and perched on my and Kamiru’s shoulders. Even if they can't manifest, they still want to be close, which makes me happy. Maybe I was too harsh, but I need to be strict.

"Pfft."

Kamiru suddenly burst out laughing.

"Ahahaha!"

What's going on? Why is he laughing so hard?

"Sorry... I just remembered... when we first met and you... gah!"

"That did happen, didn't it?"

But is it really that funny? Maybe he's just letting out stress.

"If we ignore the fall at the end, you two did well dancing," said Patty kindly.

"Patty, you're so nice."

Patty, with her striking red hair styled in a half-updo and a white hair ornament, looked as attractive as ever in her pale pink lace dress. I bet Kamiru finds her slender figure intimidating.

"But you were nervous, weren't you?"

"Of course, everyone was watching."

"More people will be watching during the actual event."

Ethel gave me a look of exasperation. I thought she wasn't good at dancing either, but I was wrong.

"I actually enjoy dancing. It's way more fun than studying, and I’m good at moving around."

"I see. So, it's like exercise for you."

I stretch and run in the training grounds, but for many noble girls, dancing is one of the few opportunities to exercise. Dancing requires keeping your back straight and good posture, which is quite tiring.

"It's not just dancing. I've been practicing with a sword since I was little. Look."

Ethel showed us her hand, which had hardened calluses like my brothers'. Her fingers were thick with calluses about to burst. I always thought she was spirited and close to my personality, but I never imagined she was training with a sword.

"Ethel... I had no idea."

Patty and Erda were also speechless. Her hands were practically a scandal among noble ladies, whose traditions demand perfect hands.

"I plan to join the Royal Guard. Alan, we'll be colleagues."

"Hey."

"Henry, stay out of this. Father has already given his permission. If Monica or Suzanna becomes Empress, I want to be by their side to protect them. There's talk of forming an all-female unit in the Royal Guard. I plan to take the entrance exam."

Her stance, with her hand on her hip and a smile in her lavender dress, showed she hated acting the part of a demure lady.

"It's tough. Men have longer arms and more strength. You need to be vigilant for others' safety."

"I know. But I received a fire sword spirit. I’ll master the three elements and get a wind sword spirit. Then, I can match any man."

"Just acquiring spirits isn’t enough. You have to train them, fight with them. Can you do it by fifteen?"

"I will."

Alan's pointed question made Ethel glare in determination. She had three years until she turned fifteen and could take the entrance exam for the Royal Guard’s special unit. If she succeeded, she’d serve until the emperor’s fiancée turned eighteen and became the Empress, just in time for the emperor’s marriage. Her timeframe to become proficient was tight.

"Alright, then do your best."

"Are you against it, Alan? I thought you'd support me. What about you, Dia? You won't tell me to quit, right?"

"I won't. It's your life, Ethel. You should pursue what you believe in. Just know it will be tough."

Even if she succeeded, her life as a knight would be demanding, with little personal time, always vigilant for her charge's safety. I doubted a noble girl could handle it, but Marquis Myler had given his permission.

"Marquis Myler probably sees having a daughter as the Empress's guard beneficial, closer to the royal family without jealousy from other nobles."

"That makes sense. That's why he approved. Ethel, come observe the guards with us next spring. You'll see how to use sword spirits properly."

"Alan, stop it. A marquis’s daughter joining the guards is absurd!"

Henry's frustration was understandable, but it was too late to stop her now.

"No point stopping her unless she’s convinced."

"But still."

Douglas, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

"Consider what you'll do when you can’t fight anymore. What happens if you get injured or grow too old? Who will marry you then? You can't live with Henry’s family."

"I’ve heard all that repeatedly."

Jude opposed, while Douglas seemed pragmatic. Boys often didn’t understand the personal determination behind such decisions. I believed it was her choice, though it would be tough.

"Men in the guards can marry, so why can’t Ethel stay single while serving? It’s unfair."

"Exactly! As expected of Dia!"

"It’ll be tough to find a match."

"True."

"When you’re done, help my company. I’ll start one wherever I marry."

"So, you do plan to marry."

"Of course. What do you mean?"

Ethel wanted to join the guards, and Erda wanted to work in a company. It seemed unusual, but I had simpler dreams of a normal romance and marriage.

"Kamiru, if you’re not used to girls, practice dancing with me. I can handle a few missteps. Or do you dislike calloused hands?"

"No, not at all. I’d appreciate it."

Kamiru and Ethel compared their calloused hands as they moved to the center of the room. The former prince didn’t seem surprised by Ethel’s story, unlike the other boys.

"Patty, will you dance with me?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, I’d be happy to."

Alan took Patty’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Everyone seemed shocked by his boldness. I guess he’s the type to act decisively once he has feelings for someone.

"Dia, you’re still practicing, right?"

"Yes."

"Then dance with me. I won’t hold back if you step on my feet."

"I’d feel bad regardless."

Douglas stepped in as my partner as the music started.

"I thought Alan would ask you first."

"We wouldn’t have invited everyone if it was just for sibling practice."

"True. Does he like Patty?"

"Just dancing. Isn’t it premature?"

"Not really."

Seriously? I knew dance order mattered, but not during practice.

"Many boys were thrilled Patty wasn’t engaged to Prince Eldored. Jude probably wanted to ask her today."

"Will Norland accept a redhead as the heir’s wife?"

"Oh, right. Marquess Norland’s people wouldn’t like that."

Patty and Ethel’s red hair was a strong genetic trait, an issue for the Norland’s mixed heritage population. They valued their pure bloodlines too much. 

"Chris’s fiancée will be from Norland or Orlandi, so Alan’s marriage to a redhead is fine for relations with the central empire."

Douglas’s red hair meant he didn’t care about his wife’s hair color. Myler needed the imperial connection more than purity concerns.

"Kamiru... he’s the prince, right? Since when were you two close?"

"We’re not that close. We only really talked after he started staying here."

"Berisario securing a strong link with Luftanen is strategic."

Why the serious face, Douglas? Does he distrust Luftanen?

"Are your parents arranging your marriage, Dia?"

"No way! They said it’s my choice."

"Really? So you’d..."

I stepped on his foot, and Liva quickly healed him, both of us flustered.

"I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt."

"Sorry! I always step on people when I talk and dance."

Douglas’s soft lead confused me sometimes. He didn’t want to push me around, but it made me uncertain.

"That’s normal. You’re used to adults leading strongly. How will you manage when you grow and gain weight?"

"What?"

"Dia, you’re slender."

No talking about a lady’s weight, especially when she exercises daily for health and beauty.

"You’re going to Luftanen next spring with Kamiru?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Douglas seems worried about Kamiru. Is it because Berisario's ties with Luftanen suggest independence from the empire during a precarious time?

Douglas, always thinking ahead.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading. I appreciate your typo reports. If you enjoyed this, please rate it below.

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