The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Eldest Daughter Walks the Path of Flowers Episode 98

Marcel reached his hand toward the sack.

“Your Excellency, then I’ll dispose of this. I’ll have all of these completely burned to ashes!”

At that moment, Eve Russel’s long leg swiftly blocked his hand.

“…No.”

“Pardon?”

“Being swayed by sheep is foolish, but sometimes one must look back and care for even the foolish sheep. Isn’t that a virtue of a leader?”

Eve Russel lifted the heavy sack and placed it down on the desk with a thud.

“The 3rd Prince seems to want to broadly expand his exchanges with the southern nobles, so how can I, as his subject, just sit still?”

Eve Russel bared his teeth and grinned wickedly.

The 3rd Prince of the Cardia Empire, Olivier Arpend’s current stay in Luare caused great ripples in southern noble society, which had been stagnant like a calm lake, as if a stone had been thrown into it.

Unlike before, the 3rd Prince stayed in Luare for quite a long time.

During that time, large and small banquets were held daily at the lord’s estate, and the 3rd Prince appeared at every banquet, meeting with the southern nobles.

The rough southern nobles were rapidly captivated by the cold but graceful 3rd Prince.

Not only his royal elegance and smooth social skills, but also his otherworldly beauty played a large part.

His hair, shining like pure silver, seemed like a mark bestowed by God to announce that he was a very special being, even when not wearing a crown.

His sharp facial lines, straight high nose bridge, and rose-red lips that never faded through all four seasons made those before him take deep breaths to hide their enchanted feelings.

However, even those who had composed themselves and cleared their throats could only blush and sigh once they made eye contact with him.

The pupils contained in his deep eyes were like amethysts set in a beautiful bezel carved with an artisan’s utmost devotion.

The moment they faced that unrealistic beauty, people once again realized that the imperial bloodline was chosen by God and pledged their loyalty to the imperial family and empire.

Meanwhile, some high-ranking southern nobles looked at Olivier and said:

“Your Highness looks exactly like the late former Empress.”

Those who said this were mostly quite elderly, and they were people who had been active in high society during what could be called the peak of the current Emperor’s reign.

The former Empress they spoke of was none other than Charcin Pelletier.

Olivier’s beautiful appearance was an exact replica of Charcin, who was once called the most precious jewel of the Empire.

Those nobles, who were spending the twilight of their lives, looked at Olivier and recalled their golden age.

“In those days, the heroic tales of the former Emperor and Crown Prince echoed even to the South.”

“Every knight fought without sparing their lives to elevate their family’s name.”

“There were so many heroes’ names, more numerous than the stars!”

“When Cardia’s flag was seen, people across the entire continent would tremble!”

The old stories told by those intoxicated with expensive champagne were embellished to an excessive degree.

However, Olivier deliberately did not point out this fact.

Instead, he spoke in an elegant voice:

“After that glorious war, the North was able to achieve brilliant development. However, in that process, the South was somewhat neglected. Even though the support of the southern people certainly played a part in achieving that war’s glorious victory.”

Olivier continued speaking while looking at the audience with his jewel-like violet eyes.

“Although that Black Forest separates North and South, the loyalty of the southern nobles has been the foundation that has built this Empire’s prosperity for hundreds of years. The imperial family and northern nobles will never forget this fact.”

On the last day the 3rd Prince stayed in Luare, a small-scale banquet was held, inviting only high-ranking southern nobles.

After the dinner ended, the noble men led by Lord Russel moved to the men’s lounge to continue their conversation.

However, Olivier did not join that group.

“I shall take my leave now.”

The nobles regretfully tried to detain him.

“Your Highness, the night is long.”

Olivier dismissed them with a light glance and rose from his seat.

He looked at Eve Russel, who was sitting beside him, and spoke in a gentle tone.

“Lord Russel, I am grateful for your hospitality thus far.”

A very faint smile appeared on Olivier’s lips.

“And I look forward to working with you in the future.”

The nobles were startled by the smile that appeared on Olivier’s face, which had always been cold like a glass statue.

While they were momentarily speechless, Olivier quickly left the banquet hall.

During his stay in Luare, luncheons, dinners, banquets, and subsequent meetings with drinks and gambling continued endlessly.

Olivier participated quite enthusiastically in all these schedules, making sure to leave a strong impression on the southern nobles.

‘To move those set in their ways, I must go this far.’

The 500 years of separation from the North had made the southern nobles distant from central power.

It would have been natural for them to band together as they grew distant from central power.

The southern nobles had formed strong connections over a long time, strengthening their bonds through strategic marriages between families.

Thanks to this, wars had not occurred among the southern lords for a very long time.

The southern lords, who had powerful defensive barriers in the Monster Forest and monster-infested seas, had no need to fear wars with other countries.

The southern lords built beautiful estates instead of castles prepared for war, and focused on acquiring mana crystals by forming extermination corps instead of keeping private soldiers.

They seemed satisfied with the peaceful times.

However, the southern nobles had another face as well.

The wealthy southern nobles took pride in frequently visiting the North using gates.

No matter how peaceful and prosperous the South was, the center of the Empire was the North.

The southern nobles customarily admired the North and secretly desired incorporation into central power.

Even commoners listed traveling to the North as their lifelong wish.

Olivier had thrown a stone into the lake to awaken their competitive spirit, which had become complacent.

Whether this would end as small ripples or lead to other changes would depend on Lord Russel’s hands.

“Your Highness.”

Joel, who had been waiting in front of the banquet hall, approached him and spoke in a worried tone.

“You don’t look well. Shall we return to your quarters now?”

Olivier shook his head.

“My pale complexion is intentional, so don’t worry about it.”

“Pardon…?”

“I’ve just managed to give that troublesome crow something to do and get rid of him, so now I must do what I need to do.”

Joel couldn’t understand what that meant.

Olivier asked the bewildered Joel:

“Where is she? Has she already returned?”

Joel’s eyebrows shot up like mountains.

The ‘she’ Olivier was referring to was naturally Radis.

Since coming to the lord’s estate, Olivier had been looking for Radis constantly, at all hours.

Thanks to this, Joel’s main job at the lord’s estate had become asking the maids about Radis’s whereabouts.

“…She was in the banquet hall on the first floor just a moment ago.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Olivier’s face showed such clear relief that it would have been difficult to fake even if asked to.

Joel still couldn’t believe his master’s change.

He felt like he would rather stroke his chest in relief, thinking ‘I knew it,’ if Olivier suddenly turned cold-eyed and said ‘This is all part of the plan.’

Then, as if hearing his inner thoughts, Olivier’s steps toward the stairs stopped.

He turned his gaze to the side with a look that had instantly turned cold, as if detecting killing intent.

Joel also looked where Olivier was looking.

What Olivier was glaring at was a large decorative suit of armor made larger than actual size.

‘What’s the matter?’

The tense Joel stuck close behind Olivier and whispered:

“Your Highness, is there some problem…?”

Then Joel saw Olivier looking at his reflection in the shiny armor.

Olivier, who had been scanning his appearance up and down with a cold gaze, retied his disheveled cravat.

“…!”

As the shocked Joel watched, Olivier, having returned to perfect appearance without a single flaw, began walking again.

‘Your Highness…?’

Once again, the image of Yael making a heart with her fingers flashed through Joel’s mind.

During Olivier’s stay at the lord’s estate, Radis was among those who became busy as well.

Since both Olivier and Lord Russel were not people who usually kept women close, Radis, who was close to both of them, inevitably stood out.

For that reason, Radis was unintentionally becoming a celebrity in the southern social circles.

When she was in the banquet hall, Radis had to break out in a cold sweat because of the fervent gazes that followed her around.

They were all high-ranking nobles who wouldn’t have even glanced at her before.

“Lady Tilrod.”

When someone called her, Radis would send an awkward smile in their direction while glancing sideways to check the guest list in her pocket first.

“Mrs. Port, Mrs. Enz. Are you having a pleasant time?”

The elegant middle-aged Mrs. Port sent a gentle smile toward Radis.

“Of course. Thanks to you, it’s been a very enjoyable gathering after such a long time.”

“Lady Tilrod, you know as well, don’t you? The 3rd Prince is staying in the South, and the southern social circles are all abuzz.”

“To be precise, it’s the nobles of the southwestern region. The nobles of the southeastern region are now desperately trying to establish connections with the Russel Estate somehow, but well. It won’t be easy since the distance is so far.”

“Hehehe, no matter how hard those country folk try…”

As they continued their conversation while standing, people holding wine glasses approached with bright smiles.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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