4. The popular duke and his brother\n \nFrom then on, my actions were swift.\n \nI barged into the place where my brother was training me and joined in the sword practice, told the head chef to change my diet to one rich in calcium and protein, and introduced a large number of women's romance novels to the library to read.\n\nAs the target of a girl's game, I had to be strong. In order to do that, I had to learn swordsmanship.\n \nIt is also important to build up your body to become strong. And the target of the game must be tall. Diet is an important factor for both.\n\nThe other thing I needed was knowledge. What makes a girl nervous and excited? I remembered the game, but I didn't know what kind of men the main character, who was the player's alter ego, liked.\n\nWhat kind of men are popular in this world? What kind of men are girls attracted to? To find out, romance novels were the perfect material.\n\nI also had my clothes tailored and worn by men. First things first.\n \nAt first, I tried to borrow my older brother's clothes, but he was a bit chubby, and had an enchanting glutinous marshmallow body, so the size didn't fit. I put on a man's dress and looked at myself in the mirror.\n\nYeah, not bad.\n\nMy face was salty and a little more handsome than a normal man. But if it's too light, you can add more.\n \nI don't know much about makeup in this world yet, but judging from my mother and her friends, it seems that the culture of makeup is quite developed.\n \nAs long as you can do makeup, you can fake it as much as you like.\n\nSince many of my targets had long hair, I cut off my hair to differentiate myself. I used clippers to trim the sides of my two-block hair. By the way, my parents cried.\n \nAt first my parents laughed at the idea that it was a childish thing to do, but they seemed to have realized that I was serious at this point.\n\nBy the way, my birth family, the Dukes of Burton, are called "the dukes of popularity" by other nobles.\n \nAs a high-ranking noble family, we have a huge fortune, a certain amount of political skills, fertile land and the ability to manage it, but the most important thing inherited by the head of our family is "popularity."\n\nOriginally, our family was founded by the king's younger brother, who surrendered himself to his vassals to prevent a succession dispute, and that brother was a very popular person. Perhaps because of this bloodline, the patriarch of the Burton family has always been well-liked, regardless of the differences. Or, to put it another way, only those who are well-liked can inherit this family.\n\nThose with a good heart become friends of the Dukes of Burton, and those with a bad heart mysteriously become friends as well. It is said that if anyone avenges the Burton family, all the nobles, good or bad, will turn against them. It is said that if anyone tries to harm the Bartons, all nobles, good or bad, will turn against them.\n \nWell, it is a story that raises eyebrows. I myself didn't believe the story, only half of it.\n\nHowever, I came to understand the existence of this "popularity" with my own body.\n\nOne day, my father showed up at my sword practice and complained about my strange behavior.\n \nI was first impressed by the way he spoke. He did not scold me unilaterally, nor did he push me to do the right thing, but only gently warned me about the potential disadvantages of my actions.\n\nIt would cause trouble for the second prince to whom I was engaged. That I might be hurt by the false rumors. That it might affect my future, possibly even the future of my family.\n\nHe then asked me why I had acted the way I had.\n\nI understood. This is why I am the "Duke of Popularity."\n \nIn this world where the matriarch's will is absolute, and in this aristocratic society where daughters can be treated as tools of political maneuvering, how many fathers can reasonably respond to a daughter who suddenly starts dressing up as a man?\n\nIf I had had a reason to convince my father, it might have made for a nice anecdote when I rose in the world, but the trouble was, I didn't have one.\n \nI couldn't give some ridiculous explanation like, "It's to capture the main character 10 years later. In this world." The main character hasn't even awakened to the power of a saint yet.\n\n"Because I thought I should. It's what I need to do."\n\nWhen I said this, my father lowered his eyebrows in annoyance. I had no choice. I tried to be as truthful as possible, but this would be no different from just being selfish.\n\n"Father?"\n\nQuickly, my brother stepped up beside me. Behind him, the sword instructor was pacing uncomfortably.\n\nHe has clear blond hair and blue eyes as clear as the sky. Both of them are exactly like my father. It seems that his popularity and this color are proof that he is the head of the Burton family. My hair and eyes are similar in color, but they are duller than my brother's and father's.\n \nMy brother's white, glutinous, daifuku-like face does not resemble my father's, though.\n\n"I ask you to do the same. Please let Lizzie do as she pleases.\n\nMy brother bowed his head next to me.\n \nMy eyes widened at the sight of him.\n\nMy brother is indeed kind. He cares for me very much and is very affectionate towards me. My memories of my seven years as Elizabeth Barton prove it.\n\nStill, no matter how cute I am, there is no need for me to bow my head here and now.\n\nIt is normal for you and your father to have a taste for me (?), or to just watch me in silence.\n\nAnd yet, I was shocked to see my brother bowing next to me. I don't know why. I can't really explain it, but it struck me inexplicably.\n \nThen I understood.\n \nThis is what "popularity" is all about.\n\n"Lizzie is working very hard. She takes her sword practice more seriously than I do, and she never misses a chance to practice etiquette and dance. She reads a lot and studies a lot."\n\nOh, that's what it must be like.\n \nI was very happy to hear my brother say this.\n \nI'm so happy that you are on my side.\n \nI'm sure it's like this.\n \nHe is the kind of person who will give someone the words they want, when they want them.\n \nHe is someone who can take action to help someone without hesitation.\n\nThis, and the accumulation of this, is what makes a person popular.\n\nIf my brother was in trouble, I would surely run to him. Even if I had to push myself a little, I would want to help him.\n \nBecause that's what he did for me. And because I was inexplicably happy about it.\n\nOnce you know what it is, it is a trivial thing. However, it is not something that can be easily imitated, which is probably why the Burton family has prospered so much.\nEven if you know the secret, it's not something you can copy.\n \nIt's not something that can be imitated.\n\n"I'm sure Lizzie really needs it. So, father, please."\n\nI bowed my head along with my brother.\n \nThe well-liked duke, who was looking down at us, lowered his eyebrows again and then smiled.\n\n\n\n***\n\n\n\n\n