The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 99
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Author Notes:
When work gets busy, I feel like writing more.
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Huh? Where did my family go?
"Your family is over there."
Camille pointed with his chin, and when I looked, I saw my parents chatting with the people from the Marquess of Norland's family and the Marquis of Orlandi's family. Well, since they're marrying one of their daughters, they must have a lot to talk about. But this is Chris-oniisama's big moment. He's the center of attention. Aren't they going to watch?
Alan-oniisama was much closer to me than our parents. But he was facing away, talking with the Goodfellow family. He's probably asking Patty for a dance.
"Alan is aiming for that girl, huh?"
"Camille, mind your words."
Listening to Camille and Keith's conversation behind me, I sighed softly. Alan-oniisama is too straightforward. When this song ends, the next one will be for the debutantes only, and after that, anyone can dance. For the younger ones, this is a rare chance to dance, as balls are usually evening events and won't happen again until they come of age. If you dance with someone who isn't family, people will think you're very close. They might even think you're a couple with an arranged engagement.
"Will Patty be okay?"
I hope she likes Alan-oniisama. If not, I hope she can properly refuse him.
"She doesn't seem to dislike it."
"Really?"
"She looks happy."
She seemed troubled, but maybe she's just blushing. Her cheeks look red... I can't tell with the lighting.
"I doubt Camille understands a woman's heart."
"Sorry about that."
"No young lady would be unhappy to be asked by a son of Berisario."
Salomon and Keith had joined us before I realized it. We've talked enough already. Go mingle with others. But indeed, the Goodfellow couple seemed to welcome Alan-oniisama. Even the second son is fine?
Wait, does that mean Alan-oniisama and Patty are already a couple? Seriously? My friends are all getting paired off so quickly!
"Dia... your face."
"Hmm?"
"Don't gape like that."
"Ugh... That's what the fan is for. No one else can see."
Geez. Don't look down at me like that, all of you growing so tall. Give me back the cute, girly-looking Camille from back then.
"Dia, do you object to Alan and Patricia getting engaged?"
"Of course not. Patty is my best friend. I'd be happy if she dated Alan-oniisama. So, about the Spirit Kings?"
"Were you really listening? Is it true that six Spirit Kings from neighboring countries gathered?"
"Why would I lie?"
"Then why are the people of the Empire so calm? Do they understand what it means? Spirit Kings who haven't shown themselves to their own people for hundreds of years gathered here."
To the people of the Empire, the Spirit Kings have become very familiar in recent years. It's now customary to thank the Spirit Kings for everything. For abundant harvests. For the healthy growth of children. Even for sunny days, they thank the Spirit Kings.
Since the spirits increased, the Empire has been prosperous. Despite continuous good harvests, increased exports across the strait have prevented a surplus. A better life is a clear benefit for people. They thank the Spirit Kings.
And the people have gotten used to the presence of the Spirit Kings and the Fairy Princess. The initial "What are spirit beasts?!" turned into the appearance of Spirit Kings, spirit cars running through the streets, and more people walking around with spirits. Such a country is unique to the Empire. So, Spirit Kings gathering here seems just another event.
"Think about how other countries will react, seeing Spirit Kings appear in the Empire, bypassing them."
"I didn't ask them to come. By the way, the Spirit Kings of Luftanen were very polite. I thought they'd all be as free-spirited as Moana."
"They're cheerful but peaceful and gentle."
"Seems so. Compared to that, Bejaia... They're quite pushy and assertive."
"That's their national character. They state their claims first. They're a warrior nation. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been incited by Nicodemus to attack our country, or ended up in a civil war."
Negotiating must be tough for people with strong personalities.
"Were you invited to their country?"
"What? How did you know?"
"Considering your magic power and strength, it's obvious."
The real reason might be that I'm a reincarnated person with memories of my previous life, but I guess my magic is also strong. Since being blessed, I've felt my magic capacity grow. With the support of the Spirit Kings, it increased again, and as I kept using magic, it expanded even more. I haven't told anyone, but my range magic is now ridiculously wide. I could cast gravity magic on everyone in this grand hall and make them kneel. I could crush them.
"Soon, various countries will start pestering you."
"Ugh..."
The music ended, and the hall became lively. People moved around, either finishing their dance or preparing for the next one. Alan-oniisama was leading Patty to the center of the dance floor.
"If you don't have a partner, shall we dance?"
"Huh?"
"One dance and your duty is done."
"...Do I have to dance?"
"Not necessarily. But standing here alone might attract men who want to dance with the Fairy Princess."
"That's not happening."
But standing here alone feels miserable. As a ten-year-old girl, I should be sticking close to my parents. But they probably think I'll dance with Alan-oniisama. More importantly, how can we ignore Camille, a guest from another country? He hardly knows any girls here and doesn't know who's available. You should arrange your dance partners beforehand.
"Sorry if I step on your toes."
Leaving Camille's offered hand hanging would be rude. This is diplomacy with a neighboring country. Camille knows my dancing skills from yesterday and is probably prepared to have his feet stepped on a few times.
"Oh? This song..."
It's the one we practiced yesterday.
"I requested it from Andy, just in case we had to dance."
"You've gotten close to the prince."
"He reminds me a bit of my second brother, who passed away. He looks unapproachable but has a big heart."
"Yes, he's a wonderful person. He'll make a great emperor."
"Yet, you don't want to be empress?"
Focused on dancing, I was looking at Camille's shoulder and didn't notice him watching me. You're supposed to look at your partner while dancing, right? But it's so close. It's like we're hugging. Beautiful people are for admiring from a distance...
"It's not that I dislike him. I don't want to marry royalty."
"Andy told me your conditions."
"What kind of conversations do you two have?"
"Ouch."
"Sorry."
If we're talking while dancing, let's keep it simple.
"Why don't you want to marry a successor to the throne?"
"Do you need to know?"
"Of course. Who you choose affects global politics."
"Huh?!"
Global politics?! That's exaggerated.
"The one who commanded the Azelia Empire's Spirit Kings, dragged Luftanen's Spirit Kings out of bed to end a war, and caused a civil war by influencing Bejaia's Spirit King shouldn't be surprised."
What?! All I did was tell them to work!
"You complained about Spirit Kings ignoring the spirits' suffering."
"Not complaining. Just asking."
"No, you provoked them more than I did."
"Oh."
I almost stumbled, but Camille smoothly lifted and placed me back down, making it look like part of the dance. His Luftanen-style jacket and my dress spread out like flowers. It would look beautiful from a drone's view.
"Talking while dancing is impossible."
"I've been saying that since yesterday."
"Let's go to the terrace."
Camille quickly stopped dancing and led me out. Is this okay? It's in the middle of the song, but does this count as dancing?
Opening the curtain, the bright afternoon sun dazzled us. The outside felt like a different world from the hall. And cold! Despite the sunshine, snow covered the garden. Camille, like Luftanen and Berisario, suggested going outside without realizing.
"Oh, it's cold."
"You think?"
"Hey, now."
"We're both idiots for not realizing sooner."
"Let's set up a barrier."
"Ifree, it's cold!"
'You fools.'
'Idiots.'
Ugh, even the spirit beasts are calling us idiots!
"Camille, what's wrong?"
"Dia-sama, are you resting here?"
See? Suddenly going to the terrace made Keith, Cheryl, and Iris rush over. Their breaths are white from the cold.
"Enjoy the ball without worrying about us. Look, Gemma is here, so it's fine."
Though Gemma is a viscount's daughter, she's old enough to attend any ball. Let's put her to work.
"We're just talking. Getting stepped on is fine, but she trips."
"Discussing global politics while dancing is absurd."
"Be aware that your actions affect not just the Empire but the world."
Come on! I haven't done anything. The overly proactive Spirit Kings of the Empire are to blame. Who would have expected a Spirit King Summit at Aaron's Falls?
"If you two speak too loudly, the sound will reach the hall. Please create a soundproof barrier."
Now even Nick has arrived. Probably brought by Gemma. These siblings work too hard for Berisario. They're still single because of it. Especially Gemma, which might be problematic.
"Let's sit over there. Everyone, set up the barrier and soundproofing."
The spirit beasts happily followed my instructions. They must have been bored having to stay calm in spirit form in the hall. Even
Camille and Keith's spirits followed my orders.
"So, what were we talking about?"
"Why you can't marry a successor to the throne. Marrying Andy would settle things the easiest. But now other fiancée candidates were announced. Spirit Kings who invited you will inform their people. Now, you'll have to convince the royal families of other countries."
"Why? I choose who I marry. Who cares what other royals think?"
"Don't add to Andy's troubles."
Why is Camille worried about the Empire's crown prince?
"I can't live just for someone else. If I became empress, I wouldn't see my family often. My children would be heirs, unable to visit Berisario freely. I can't stand living for the country and the emperor, putting personal matters aside. I'd last three days."
"You value Berisario over the Empire."
"Maybe. It's my birthplace and home. But other territories and the capital? Let their lords handle them. But I'd act for the Empire over other countries. Do you know the story of the girl who raised spirit beasts in Starke?"
"Moana told me."
I picked up the teacup Gemma brought. It's warm. Why is Camille asking about this? I don't think it affects Luftanen much. He watched me warm my hands with the cup.
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Author Notes:
Thank you for reading.
Your typo reports are always helpful.
If you find this story interesting, please rate it below.
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