The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 196
Chapter 196
Translator: Yonnee
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Throughout his stay in Loire, there had been an endless series of luncheons, dinners, and receptions, followed by drinking and gambling.
Olivier had enthusiastically participated in all these events, leaving a lasting impression on the southern nobility.
‘To move those steeped in tradition, I suppose I had to do this much.’
Five centuries of separation from the North had distanced the southern nobility from central power.
It was only natural that they would unite when they felt estranged from central power.
The southern nobility had formed strong bonds through strategic marriages among their families over the years.
Thanks to this, there had been no wars among the southern lords for a very long time.
With the formidable defense of Monsterwood and the turbulent sea inhabited by beasts, the southern lords had no reason to fear wars with other countries.
The lords of the South built beautiful mansions instead of war-proof fortresses. And instead of raising soldiers at ready, they formed subjugation squads and concentrated on the acquisition of magic stones.
They seemed content with the peaceful status quo.
However, there was another side to the southern nobility.
Wealthy southern nobles took pride in frequently visiting the North through Gates.
No matter how peaceful and prosperous the South might be, the heart of the empire was in the North.
Southern nobles had traditionally admired the North and secretly yearned for inclusion in the central power.
Even commoners often dreamt of traveling to the North at least once in their lifetime.
Olivier had thrown a stone into the lake to awaken their latent ambition.
Whether it would end as a minor ripple or lead to more significant changes depended on Marquis Russell.
“Your Highness.”
Joel, who had been waiting in front of the banquet hall, approached him with a concerned tone.
“Your complexion doesn’t look well. Shall we return to the residence now?”
Olivier shook his head.
“My pale complexion is intentional; don’t worry about it.”
“Uh…?”
“Now, I have some work to attend to, finally.”
After shooing away that meddling crow.
Joel couldn’t fathom the meaning behind Olivier’s words. His face contorted in confusion.
Olivier asked Joel, who appeared bewildered,
“Where is she? Has she already left?”
Joel’s eyebrows shot up like mountains.
Obviously, the ‘she’ that Olivier mentioned always referred to Radis.
Since arriving at the marquis’s estate, Olivier had constantly sought out Radis.
As a result, finding Radis had become one of Joel’s main tasks among the maids.
“…She was in the first-floor banquet hall until a moment ago.”
“Good.”
Despite Olivier appearing aloof, his face betrayed a sense of relief that was hard to hide, even if he tried to conceal it.
Joel still couldn’t believe his liege’s transformation. He almost wished that Olivier would turn cold and say, ‘This is all part of the plan,’ so he could sigh in relief and move on.
At that moment, as if he had heard something from within, Olivier’s steps toward the stairs came to a halt.
His gaze turned cold in an instant as they shifted sideways.
Joel also looked in the direction Olivier was gazing.
What Olivier was staring at was a large ornamental armor made larger than it actually was.
‘What’s going on?’
With a tense expression, Joel approached Olivier from behind and whispered,
“Your Highness, is there some problem…?”
At that moment, Olivier, who had been examining his own appearance with a cold stare, adjusted his cravat, which had become disheveled.
“…..!”
In astonishment, Joel watched as Olivier, who had returned to a flawless appearance without a single wrinkle, resumed walking.
‘Your Highness…?’
In Joel’s mind, the image of Yael, who used to make heart shapes with his fingers, resurfaced.
* * *
During Olivier’s stay at the marquisate, Radis had also become quite busy.
Since both Olivier and Marquis Russell were not typically close to women, Radis naturally stood out. For this reason, Radis unintentionally became a prominent figure in the South’s high society.
When she was in the banquet hall, Radis had to endure intense gazes that followed her wherever she went.
These high-ranking nobles who wouldn’t have given her a second glance before were now all fixated on her.
“Lady Tilrod.”
When someone called her, Radis would turn towards them, offering a faint smile and discreetly checking the invitation list in her pocket.
“Madam Port, Madam Enz. Are you enjoying your time?”
The elegant middle-aged Madam Port sent Radis a gentle smile.
“Yes, thanks to you. It has been a delightful gathering after a long time.”
“Lady Tilrod, do you know that His Highness the Third Prince’s stay in the South is causing quite a stir in the southern social circles?”
“More accurately, it’s the nobles of the southwest. The nobles in the southeast are making efforts to be next in line for an audience with the Marquis, but, well, the distance is quite far, so it won’t be an easy task.”
“Hohoho, the folks from the countryside trying to compete…”
As they continued their conversation in this manner, people with glasses in hand approached, smiling brightly.
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