The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 216
Chapter 216
Translator: Yonnee
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He had wanted to avoid exposing Radis to the emperor at all costs.
It was because of an ominous premonition that he had felt.
The same foreboding feeling that had prevented him from bringing Radis to the capital in the past.
Yet, they had inevitably crossed paths. It seemed the Fates had a deep grudge against him.
Daniel gestured to Radis to stay put and then approached the emperor.
He placed his right hand over his heart and said,
“Glory to the highest.”
Claude Arpend grumbled at his greeting.
“Dispense with the formalities. It shouldn’t be this hard to see the face of my own knight.”
After saying that, the emperor abruptly placed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
He felt the shoulder, as if gauging its thinness, then let out a scoff.
“So emaciated.”
“……”
“Daniel, there’s no need for shame. I’ve been thinking lately that I’ve been too harsh. I’ll have to consider other ways for your sake.”
The emperor, having scanned Daniel’s body, glanced briefly at Radis and asked.
“Who is this child? Seems like I haven’t seen her before.”
Daniel replied in a serious tone.
“She is not someone deserving of Your Majesty’s attention.”
However, such words seemed to only pique the emperor’s curiosity further.
The emperor flicked his ring-laden hand towards Radis, a gesture beckoning her to come closer.
Radis looked at Daniel, uncertain of what to do.
With no other recourse, Daniel sighed briefly and nodded.
“Radis, come and greet His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.”
At the mention of the emperor, Radis’s eyes widened.
She walked towards the emperor as respectfully as she could and bowed her head.
“I am honored to meet Your Imperial Majesty.”
From above her, a resonant voice asked.
“What is your name?”
Slowly lifting her head, Radis replied.
“I am Radis Tilrod.”
The emperor, standing amidst the knights, was so tall that he did not seem diminished by their presence, and his stature was particularly imposing.
His skin appeared as soft as well-tended leather, and his brown beard, stretching from beneath his ears, rounded his cheeks and chin.
Radis tried to find Olivier’s features in the emperor’s swollen eyelids and puffy facial features.
However, there seemed to be not a single resemblance between Emperor Claude and Olivier.
At that moment, the emperor burst into a loud laugh.
“Such impudence!”
Radis quickly averted her gaze.
Daniel’s voice, tense with nervousness, was heard.
“She’s from the South and utterly unfamiliar with the imperial court’s etiquette. Please forgive her ignorance.”
The emperor waved his ringed hand dismissively.
“It’s alright. I’m not angry. Radis Tilrod, lift your head and look at me.”
Radis reluctantly raised her head again, trying her best not to look directly into the emperor’s eyes.
The emperor’s voice dropped a tone as he spoke.
“You were trying to see if I resemble someone you know. Well, how about it? Do you see any resemblance to my third son?”
Radis couldn’t help but widen her eyes, startled at how accurately the emperor had guessed her thoughts.
The emperor slapped his thigh with his plump palm, laughing heartily.
“What an amusing child, truly entertaining!”
He then turned to Daniel and asked.
“So, how did the young lady from the small southern estate of Tilrod come to be here? Daniel, tell me.”
Daniel exhaled a thin sigh before speaking.
“…She is my apprentice.”
The emperor nodded without surprise, as if he had expected as much.
“I see. So that’s how things are.”
He placed a gentle hand on Radis’s shoulder, smiling warmly.
“Lady Tilrod, are you aware that Daniel is a knight I hold in special regard?”
Radis replied cautiously.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I regret to disappoint you, but I am not well-versed in the affairs of the imperial court. However, I am aware that my Master is a distinguished knight.”
“Haha, a distinguished knight indeed. Sir Sheldon is indeed a fine knight.”
The emperor’s gaze lingered on the knight’s uniform that Radis was wearing—of the Black Lion Order.
“So, having received instruction from such a fine knight, you seem to have become one yourself.”
“I was knighted recently, Your Majesty.”
“Bahahaha! Such a lovely knight! I’m curious if your skills are as dazzling as your appearance.”
Radis’s eyes widened slightly at the emperor’s words.
She looked at Daniel with a flustered face, who by now seemed resigned to the situation.
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