The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 203

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Chapter 203

Translator: Yonnee

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There were three candidates for Prince Charles’s consort.

First, there was Rollise Lebeloia, the esteemed daughter of the Lebeloia Duchy, who was related to the Empress. Next was Elizabeth Ruthwell from the Ruthwell family, who were centrists. Lastly, there was Clara Coban, from the Coban family, affiliated with the Velius faction.

Olivier pondered,

‘The Empress may believe that she is very intelligent, but she is no different from Charles, given that she has yet to make such an important decision.’

The selection of a consort, almost like a future empress, for the first prince was a very crucial matter.

If the empress were to choose Rollise Lebeloia, it could strengthen her ties with the Lebeloia Duchy. Alternatively, choosing Elizabeth Ruthwell might allow for a more moderate stance. On the other hand, selecting Clara Coban could extend an olive branch to the Velius faction.

However, Adrianne had continued to delay this decision for a very long time.

Olivier poured himself a glass of strong liquor.

Seeing this, Charles’s eyes widened.

“What’s going on, Olivier?”

After downing the drink in one gulp, Olivier wiped his lips.

“Your Highness, since you’re hesitating so much, allow me to go first.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The matter of marriage.”

Charles’s mouth hung open.

“You, Olivier? You’re saying you’ll get married?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it! You’ve rejected so many beautiful noblewomen until now. Where did you find a match? Which family’s noble lady is she?”

“The lady of the House Tilrod.”

“ Til…rod…?”

The sound of Charles overturning his thoughts seemed to echo in Olivier’s ears.

Charles, with wide eyes, asked,

“Does such a family exist in the capital? To which faction does her family belong?”

Olivier kindly answered,

“It’s a small knightly household from the southern region, Your Highness.”

“Right, if I don’t know about it, it must be a really small household. But to say you’ll marry the lady from that family?”

“It’s someone very pure and warm. It’s as if she radiates spring itself.”

“Pure, warm, and like the spring…”

Charles’s face, as if the alcohol had completely sobered him up, showed a profound surprise.

“Olivier, is that really enough? You know that you probably can’t expect any support from your wife’s family at this rate, right?”

Due to the consumed liquor, Olivier’s face had an unusual flush. It made his stiff expression appear somewhat more human.

With a reddened face, Olivier said,

“Your Highness, do you know that everyone in the world, except for you, considers me a potential rival to the imperial throne?”

At his words, all color drained from Charles’s face.

“W-What…! You’re not actually going to, are you?!”

Olivier answered calmly.

“Of course, that’s not the truth. But if I marry a woman from a higher noble house, they will undoubtedly gossip that I am aspiring to take the position of the crown prince.”

In an chillingly gentle voice, Olivier continued,

“My marriage will be a weapon to root out distrust. I plan to marry a woman from an insignificant family, establish a modest estate in Dvirath instead of the capital, and start a family there. I will continue to be by Your Highness’s side, supporting you until the day when you no longer need me. And when that day comes…”

“Ahh, Olivier!”

Charles’s eyes widened significantly.

“What are you talking about? How could I ever not need you!”

“Your Highness, please listen to me. If that day ever comes, I will wrap up my duties and leave the capital without any lingering attachments.”

“My brother!”

Charles abruptly stood up and walked over to Olivier, embracing him.

“No matter how cold the imperial family may be, such a day will never come! There’s no one else like you who gives so much for me. How could I ever not need you!”

Although he was already expecting an exaggerated reaction, Olivier couldn’t have imagined that Charles would go as far as to embrace him. Annoyed, he let out a silent, albeit frustrated sigh.

Charles spoke with a trembling voice,

“Look at King Luntier. Despite declaring retirement, he is still handling the affairs of the court. Can’t you continue to assist me by my side, just like him?”

Trapped in Charles’s chubby arms, Olivier replied.

“Of course, if Your Highness desires it.”

“Good. Leaving the capital, you say! This place is your home! How could you choose banishment to spend the latter part of your life in some remote place?”

Charles loosened his embrace and shook his head.

He gave Olivier a friendly tap on the shoulder and returned to his seat to fill his own cup with more liquor.

“Let’s talk about something more pleasant than these ghastly tales. Don’t worry about marriage to that spring-like lady. I’ll inform Her Majesty the Empress… No, I’ll tell His Majesty the Emperor.”

“His Majesty?”

Charles grumbled in dissatisfaction.

“My mother will surely drag on with various calculations and waste time. And the faction members would most likely turn their brains as hard as they can to think of all the angles to it.”

Scratching his cheek discontentedly, Charles added,

“What kind of change would the Empress be able to achieve anyway.”

Upon hearing this, Olivier felt a mixture of resentment and joy.

The resentment stemmed from Charles carelessly uttering such words in front of Olivier, the son of the previous empress who was deposed and met a miserable death.

However, Olivier himself was the one who had made Charles so helplessly irredeemable like this anyway.

His plan was progressing excellently, and Olivier joyfully accepted this fact.

Olivier concealed his smirk and poured another glass of liquor for himself, hiding the poison.

“If the topic of my marriage arises, Empress Your Highness will also put an end to her long deliberation.”

“Whether it’s Roll, Zozoth, or Clara, I don’t care. I’ll follow Mother’s decision. But your marriage, and with a spring-like lady to boot! I’m really looking forward to it, haha!”

The glass with the poison was lightly raised in a toast of celebration.