The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Translator: Yonnee
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To welcome the Water God, Asel, Olivier wore a ceremonial suit so white it nearly blinded onlookers, with a blue cape bearing the imperial family’s coat of arms.
He proceeded to the central altar where thousands of candles illuminated the surroundings.
The sacred light slid over Olivier’s hair, creating a halo-like glow.
He looked so unbelievably beautiful that even the seemingly ordinary refraction of light made him appear like a divine being.
Upon reaching the altar, the high priest signaled the beginning of the offering.
Olivier received a branch of the sacred tree from the high priest and then dropped it into the enormous fire pit at the center of the altar.
The branch of the sacred tree burned, and a fragrant smoke filled the air.
Olivier recited his prayer with a pious voice.
“O, Heavenly God, before this sacred fire, your servant thirsts for your blessing to quench this arid land. Open the doors of heaven to us.”
A calf wrapped in white silk was moved before him.
Olivier, with a sharp dagger in hand, approached the offering.
The blade’s white edge pierced the calf’s throat.
The medicated animal, unable to scream in its sleep, met its end in silence.
The red, fragrant blood flowed abundantly into the basin.
“Please accept the offering brought forth by the ruler of this land and be pleased with pure blood. By this pure blood, make the rivers flow and the earth fertile.”
The basin, filled with the offered calf’s blood, was carried to a canal in front of the temple by the priests.
The silk-clad calf was transferred to the pyre and used as an offering.
After the offering from the member of the imperial family followed a purification ceremony, the prayer of praise, a dialogue in the form of questions and answers between the high priest and the representative of the imperial family, where they recited the scriptures.
Olivier executed all these rituals flawlessly, and when the priests began to sing the hymn of praise, he descended from the altar.
“Your Highness the Third Prince.”
The high priest, who had descended with Olivier from the altar, called him and stood him upright.
The high priest’s hair was pure white, and even his eyebrows were white as snow.
However, wrinkles were hard to find on his plump face, and his skin was as pink as a baby’s.
The high priest smiled and spoke.
“It appears that Prince Charles is not in good health today as well.”
Olivier first bowed slightly towards the high priest as a sign of respect and then nodded as he answered.
“His Highness the First Prince is known to be quite sensitive. As he is the future of the empire, his health is of paramount importance.”
“Yes, indeed. I find it painful to see His Highness the First Prince standing before the altar and suffering. Perhaps the gods also prefer to see Your Highness the Third Prince standing before the altar.”
The high priest gazed at Olivier with button-like eyes that sparkled. Olivier let out a small sigh.
“High Priest, please consider the proprieties…”
“Ohoho, human emotions are narrow by nature. Even without a ceremony, please come to the temple often.”
The high priest laughed warmly and disappeared.
Olivier tilted his head slightly and continued walking.
At that moment, Charles, who had been hiding behind one of the temple’s pillars, called out to him.
“Olivier…!”
With his eyes lowered, Olivier walked toward where the first prince was standing.
“Greetings to Your Highness the First Prince.”
Charles’ face was filled with an anxious expression. His attire was so dazzling that it would be considered immodest in a temple.
Charles, speaking with a trembling voice, said,
“Aww, hey, why do you keep calling me that way?”
Still with his eyes lowered, Olivier said,
“Greetings to you, Elder Brother.”
“Good, good. I returned late though, you must have gotten worried.”
Despite saying that, Charles looked visibly satisfied. He couldn’t even stop smiling.
He had an elongated face with a narrow chin, thin lips, and lifeless light brown eyes.
His appearance closely resembled the characteristics of the Lebeloia Duchy’s kin.
Charles continued to speak with an insecure voice.
“You know that I’m not exactly a devout worshiper, right?”
Originally, it was Charles’ responsibility to oversee the offering to the Water God, Asel, not Olivier. It was Charles who was the first in line for the throne.
But Charles found the rituals at the temple complicated, and he was required to show reverence, something that he was not quite inclined to do.
Olivier raised his gaze slightly and examined Charles’ attire.
He had just arrived from the South, passing through a warp gate.
Given the uncertainty of whether he would arrive on time, Charles hadn’t even bothered to put on the proper attire for the temple’s ceremony, let alone prepared to do the offering.
Olivier’s composed lips, contrary to his inner thoughts, spoke like this.
“Brother, you need not feel guilty for causing me anxiety. Many people from far away are coming to attend the ceremony, which has made the journey to the temple complicated and delayed your arrival.”
“Yes, yes— but really. You should’ve changed your clothes. Horrible, truly, that blood.”
Olivier’s pristine white attire was stained with the blood of the offering, making it appear as though red flowers had blossomed upon it.
Olivier nodded with his eyes still lowered. As he changed into a clean outfit, Charles waited outside, his leg bouncing up and down with impatience.
He scratched his nails together, and his large eyes darted nervously in every direction.
When Olivier emerged in a clean attire, Charles rushed towards him.
“Her Majesty the Empress won’t be angry, will she?”
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