The Eldest Princess Walked the Way of Flowers

The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 17

The Eldest Princess Walking Down the Way of Flowers - Chapter 17

Translator: Yonnee

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Chapter 17's

Then, Marquis Russell raised both of his hands.

“Alright, let's get to the point first. Radis, come to the Marquisate of Russell.”

After saying this, he seemed to be expecting his reaction.

However, Radis facial expression remains the same—kosong.

“Marquisate? Why?"

“I've done a little digging about you. Most people don't even know that you're part of the Tilrod family, let alone you exist. And some people in the know will say this, that you are 'not at all treated well.' Some people even say that you do not seem to be the biological child of the couple.”

As she said that she did not look like a real child, Radis' eyes trembled slightly.

But he still had an expressionless face.

"…so?"

“In addition, you recently resigned yourself to your situation and even dealt with the acceptance of the eldest son to the academy for him. This Household is nothing but a nail bed for you, that is why this should be an opportunity for you. ”

"Why?"

“You don't want to?”

"Don't ask me if I like it or not before telling me why you're saying this."

Radis loosened his arms and propped up his chin with one hand as he faced Marquis Russell.

It was like he was talking about someone else.

“Seeing how my parents are so restless, you are definitely talking about money — is probably a huge amount of money. But why are you trying to take me to your Marquisate, Marquis?”

Yves Russell was shocked.

Hugely.

Girls around this age are not like this.

They don't even get out of their rooms before getting dressed and dressing up. And even though they are in their own home, they will never try to walk in front of men.

And none of them would bring a man into the backyard for a conversation.

But most importantly, Radis' attitude surprised him.

She was the daughter of a simple family who had no title, but she did not seem to be intimidated at all in front of a Marquis—a Marquis who possessed more than half of the southern region of the empire.

He realized that his hopes had misled him.

Yves Russell thought that taking Radis was an easy thing.

According to the investigation conducted on her, she was a girl who was not treated well in her own home, so what she expected was that she would cry when an opportunity like this came to her, she said, then he would nod shyly while looking at her. Either that, or he would follow her while trembling in fear.

But now, Radis is very cold.

“So to repeat, you gave me a chance, Marquis Russell, and I have to look forward to it?”

But Yves Russell just hummed and looked at her, staring straight at her face.

"The more I look at you, the more I don't understand."

His voice was low and smooth, and when Radis heard it up close, his ears were ringing.

Somehow resisting the urge to shrug, Radis asked.

“So, about me and my family?”

“Let me add one more thing. Third Prince likes you.”

“……?”

“Do you remember him? Olivier Arpend.”

“Olivier..”

Radis' eyes widened slightly.

He remembered the initials engraved on the handkerchief.

OA

Seeing his reaction, Marquis Russell nodded and continued speaking.

“Yes, he was the one who helped you when you fell. Of course, that's what's expected of a respectable man, but it's different.”

Yves Russell's lips twisted slightly as he grinned.

“Do you think there are only one or two young women who have fallen in front of the Third Prince so far? I've seen dozens of them do that. Of course, the Third Prince treated them well like real men, but it was a little different with you. How do I say it. Maybe he likes you.”.

Hearing his words, Radis had to struggle to manage his reaction.

'OA…. That's Olivier Arpend.'

Olivier's.

It was a name that was very suitable for him.

With silvery hair and amethyst-like eyes that glow under the moonlight…

When he saw Radis' slightly flushed cheeks, Yves Russell's smile widened even more.

"Do you not want to meet the Third Prince anymore?"

Radis noticed the sly smile on Yves Russell's lips.

Indeed, there was a difference like heaven and earth compared to Olivier's smile.

And that difference was enough for Radis to come to his senses.

“You're gonna let me see him again? Maybe... Is that your goal?”

"That's right."

“Did you tell me to believe all that? You will spend a lot of money and bring me to your Marquisate just to do that? ”

“Not...just that!”

“Do you know what kind of person the Third Prince is? There are rumors that she is just a moving porcelain doll or a piece of marble that breathes— maybe even a glass doll that needs to be rotated with a key on its back. No, no, wait, why are you nodding? It was not because of his appearance, it was because he felt no emotions at all. And most importantly, he was not interested in women! Even after the celebration of his maturity!”

Radis' mouth opened slightly.

It was not because he was surprised by the rumors surrounding Olivier, but because he was surprised by how excited the Marquis was when it came to this matter.

Unlike the cold first impression on anyone on him, Marquis Russell seemed to be the type of person who would be hysterical.

With one hand closing his mouth, Yves Russell whispered in a very slow voice.

"There's even a rumor that she likes men."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear it."

“Do whatever pleases you. So far, I think it is, and I even started thinking twice about unbuttoning my shirt in front of him. But then I saw that scene with you. I've been by the Third Prince's side for a while now, but I've never seen him smile. And it was really fascinating at that.”

Radis looked at Marquis Russell.

“Do you... happenstance... like men?”

"It's the first time we've met today, but can I hit you?"

“No... But what does that have to do with the Third Prince's smile? Prince Olivier only... He's just being nice. That'sthat's all. Nothing is more than that.”

Olivier's.

Even a name that sounded so sweet was difficult for Radis to pronounce out loud.

Marquis Russell straightened his posture and folded his hands over his body.

“It's up to me to judge. Besides, I told you everything. If the Third Prince shows kindness to you at least once, then he will be very happy to see you again. And all those who worry about him liking men will be relieved. That alone is enough to take you away from this place. Of course."

"I don't understand how nobles think."

“Do not try to understand. Just choose — will you follow me willingly or do you want to be dragged by my hand?”

"What if I reject both?"

Marquis Russell's lips curved into a ferocious smile.

"Will your family leave you alone?"

Radis frowned slightly at his words.

He's correct.

Margaret did not want to miss an opportunity like this.

If Marquis Russell had already said that he would give money in return for taking Radis, Margaret herself would have sent Radis to the Marquis even if it meant tying him up.

'I want to leave this house, right, but I don't want to be sold to such a freak.'

Radis sighed while leaning against the fence.

“What's..”

Marquis Russell muttered.

“Why are you sighing?”

Suddenly, he grabbed Radis' shoulder.

Surprised by the unexpected contact, Radis looked at him.

And the Marquis spoke in a sharp tone.

“It's not in your luck to stay here. Throw out all hope. You must leave them before they leave you.”

“……!”

"Hold the bull by its horns while you still can."

“Is this such an opportunity? For sale?"

“What's wrong with selling? If it's not fair to be sold by someone else, then you're selling yourself!”

“……!”

Marquis Russell spoke quickly in a cold voice.

“Let's sign the contract. I think you already know what this means. I'll pay you 100 million rupees a year. You are sixteen years old now.and the minimum contract period is two years. Until you turn 18 and have your ceremony of maturity, the Marquisate of Russell will take over you.

Radis's eyes widened.

"What did you just say?"

“Should we write it?”

"No no! Don't write. Wait, but why? Why did you become like this? You can still take me without signing this contract, right?”

“I could have taken you away by force, but that's not what I wanted to do. I'm in need of your voluntary cooperation. And for that, money is not a problem.”

As if Radis' reaction was satisfactory to him, Marquis Russell eased his impatience and waited for him to answer casually again.

Radis's eyes were shaking.

100 million rupiahs.

And in two years, it will be 200 million rupees…!

That money will be enough to buy a cherry garden, and more.

It was too much money even to be angry about the fact that he was being sold.

'Farm cherries!'

Radis' shoulder shook slightly, only slightly, but then he straightened up again.

'With that money, I can build a cherry garden in as many residential areas as I want!'

In an instant, his gloomy future was enveloped with the bright expectations of cherries.

Radis looked at his employer—no, at Marquis Russell and asked.

"Are you ... serious?"

"Of course."

Suddenly, there seemed to be a halo shining above Marquis Russell's head.

The effect of the magic words '100 million rupees' was huge.

Radis, who could not even hold a single copper coin all his life, had to struggle not to kneel in front of the Marquis.

Marquis Russell looked at the quiet Radis and spoke.

“I don't make meaningless propositions. Don't make me repeat myself. I need you."

Radis looked at the black-clothed man in front of him, confused as to what to do.

In the end, he was still on sale, but the terms were so good that there was no better contract to enter.

For him to leave the Tilrod household, as a minor, Radis must find a guardian for himself, along with a place to live.

If those two requirements could be met, he was even willing to become a bodyguard, no, a servant during the conquest.

But he did not believe that he was given such favorable conditions.

'This is really ridiculous, but in his own way.. isn't this a good opportunity?'

Sinking for a moment while biting her lower lip, Radis finally opened her mouth to speak.

"alright. Come... sign that contract.”

And it was only then that Marquis Russell gave a satisfying smile.