The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 201

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Chapter 201

Translator: Yonnee

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The decision to delegate the role of officiating the offering to Olivier seemed to make Charles quite anxious.

But with a calm tone, Olivier reassured him.

“Your Highness, the Empress deeply favors you. Even if she were to express anger, it would not last long.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

Charles scratched his cheek.

“I also have moments that I’m disappointed in myself, you know. How I wish I could recite prayers as fluently as you. But standing in front of that eccentric High Priest just makes my tongue as frozen as a block of ice. Besides, that old man always subtly alters the questions and answers during the dialogue… There’s no doubt he harbors some resentment toward me…”

Olivier replied in a soft tone.

“Your Highness, haven’t I told you before? The sun may not know the ways of the field, but its presence alone makes the crops grow. Similarly, ascending to the throne is a grace to the Empire by your mere presence.”

His words brought a faint smile to Charles’ face.

Charles cleared his throat.

“R-Right, I suppose so. But my little brother, at times like this, I can’t help but be aware of my inadequacies. It makes me uneasy.”

“To alleviate your unease, Your Highness, remember that there are countless loyal subjects who exist to ease your burdens. Shadows do not befit the sun. Please cast off your worries.”

And, with a slight curl of his lips, Olivier added politely.

“Brother.”

Finally, the moment he heard this, a genuine smile replaced all the worry on Charles’ face.

He patted Olivier’s shoulder.

“True, true. But after such a long journey as well, you must be quite tired from officiating the offering. I’ve arranged a modest banquet for us. Will you be able to attend?”

“Brother, being by your side is the greatest respite for me.”

Charles chuckled.

“Olivier! You and Mother are the only people I truly love in this world.”

Upon hearing this, what appeared on Olivier’s lips was a smile so radiant, yet as sharp as a knife.

“I feel the same way. If it weren’t for you and Her Majesty, how could I go on living?”

At that moment, a foul smell wafted in from somewhere.

Charles pinched his nose in disgust.

“What’s that smell?”

Olivier looked towards the window where the smoke seemed to be coming from.

Outside the grand temple, commoners were slaughtering and burning the calf they had brought with them.

Gray smoke billowed into the air, and those engaged in the ritual danced oddly, singing a song and performing peculiar dances to honor the Water God Asel.

As he watched this eerie scene, indisputable fear that couldn’t be concealed filled Charles’ eyes.

Olivier, observing Charles, opened his lips to speak.

“Your Highness, once you ascend to the throne, you won’t have to witness scenes like this. I will take care of these troublesome and dirty matters for you.”

Upon hearing Olivier’s words, Charles’s thin jaw trembled.

He was deeply moved by his radiant younger half-brother who considered himself a loyal subject to himself.

Charles was able to steady his shaky legs thanks to Olivier’s persuasive speech.

He sent a smile filled with trust towards Olivier.

“Olivier, sometimes I feel like you understand me better than the mother who gave birth to me.”

Olivier stopped in his tracks upon hearing this.

He gazed at the sacred fire blazing in the center of the temple and spoke with conviction.

“Brother, I can make an oath before this sacred flame. I will never betray you—that is my pledge.”

Charles shuddered as if Olivier had lashed his back with a whip.

“Olivier…”

Seeing Charles, whose eyes had reddened as if he were about to shed tears, Olivier’s lips twisted upward.

Truly, he had no need to betray Charles.

Such efforts were not necessary for his dim-witted half-brother.

* * *

Charles, the sole heir of the current Emperor and Empress, was born with the imperial crown on his head.

While Olivier grew up like a weed in an abandoned palace, Charles was raised amidst silk, fur, and expensive perfumes.

He would use the imperial seal that could only be wielded by the legitimate heir to the throne, and he would be adorned with garments and accessories that were second only to the splendor of the emperor and empress themselves.

Further, the nobles of the Iziad faction showered him with bribes to curry favor with him.

At the young age of twelve, Charles already had many lovers. Nowadays, he had a total of five stunning lovers.

Just as the nobles did with the emperor’s mistresses, so too did they enthusiastically bribe the crown prince’s lovers.

The lovers, now tasting the sweet nectar of power, were already vying for the position of Empress.

After all, Charles’s ascension to the throne was a foregone conclusion.

Luckily, he had no siblings showing any intent to contest his rightful place.

“Gabriel, that guy. He seems to be causing trouble again.”

Charles said while drinking a glass of hard liquor to cleanse the grease from his tongue, coming from the grand feast prepared for him.

“I heard that House Ciere is selling their property at Baler Avenue to gather funds for a building’s construction. They seem to be quite adamant about it.”

“Is that so?”

“But for them to sell off their land! It’s not like they’re a fallen noble household or anything. This is a matter of honor!”