The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne

The southern region was the most prosperous, blessed with stable, warm weather that allowed farmers to enjoy bountiful harvests.

Livestock were healthy and well-fed, resulting in high-quality meat.

As a result, the Duke of Malvain’s family—the region’s ruler—was the wealthiest among the three Dukes.

They collected substantial taxes, and with a thriving economy, their profits were immense.

***

In the Duke of Malvain’s mansion...

In the south-central region stood a grand mansion, proud and imposing.

The mansion was vast, and the building showcased unique, magnificent medieval architecture.

The floors were marble, while the walls were crafted from fine, high-quality materials.

In the spacious courtyard, two statues faced each other—a man gripping a sword and a woman drawing a bowstring, arrow poised to fly.

They seemed locked in a fierce battle.

These statues represented the founder of the Malvain family—Isak Malvain—and his wife, Thalia Loren.

Their story began with bitter enmity but eventually turned to love—a tale so legendary it became the subject of fairy tales and an annual festival.

At that moment, inside a spacious study, a man sat reading a document.

He held a straight posture, his face handsome but expressionless. His hazel eyes held a cynical glint, exuding coldness and arrogance.

His blond hair contrasted sharply with the black robe embroidered with gold, which gave him an air of authority.

He was Jason Malvain, the Queen’s older brother and the current head of the Malvain family.

”This quarter’s economic growth is solid and steady. If the next two quarters follow suit, the Malvain family will have more than enough capital to face next summer,” he murmured, nodding in satisfaction.

Summer was always a challenge for the heads of noble families across the Great Velmora Empire.

When summer arrived, drought swept the land, sending prices soaring.

To prevent disaster, subsidies had to be given to farmers and ranchers, allowing them to produce rice, corn, and fresh meat without drastic price hikes.

Otherwise, the people would suffer, and famine in the south was a real threat.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

Moments later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with brown hair, breathless from haste.

Jason frowned, casting him a displeased look.

”Didn’t I tell you to knock before entering? Why ignore such a simple rule, Fenric?” He asked coldly.

Fenric was his advisor and right-hand man.

Once his father’s trusted confidant, Fenric had become Jason’s direct subordinate after he took leadership.

Because of his skill and loyalty, Jason had deliberately kept him in that role.

Realizing his mistake, Fenric bowed quickly. ”Forgive me, Lord Jason, but I came without knocking for a reason.”

He straightened and met Jason’s gaze seriously. ”I just received bad news from the Blue Moon Trading House.”

”Bad news? What happened?” Jason’s expression hardened, and his heart began to race.

The Blue Moon Trading House was the Malvain family’s main business partner.

Every year, they bought the southern region’s livestock and agricultural products at prices slightly above the market rate.

Thanks to this partnership, the profits were substantial.

In addition, the Blue Moon Trading House produced many essentials for the southern region, such as shampoo, soap, and other goods.

Simply put, both the southern region and the Malvain family depended heavily on the Blue Moon Trading House.

”Lord Jason, the representative from Silver Dragon Bank informed me that the deadline for the Malvain family’s debt repayment is in three days. If we fail to pay, they will confiscate some of the territories pledged as collateral,” Fenric said, his voice trembling.

”What?” Jason shouted in shock, rising to his feet. ”Wasn’t the debt due in five months? How can it be only three days?”

Borrowing to boost the economy was common practice.

A year ago, Jason had borrowed five billion Sharn from Silver Dragon Bank—a bank owned by the Blue Moon Trading House.

The loan helped support farmers and ranchers and ensured merchants had enough capital to expand, creating more jobs for the people.

Of course, every loan required collateral.

At that time, Jason had pledged three cities in the southeastern part of the southern region as collateral.

The three cities were large, with a combined value well above the loan amount.

Jason had deliberately used them as collateral, confident the Malvain family could repay the debt—after all, the due date was still five months away.

So how could it suddenly be reduced to just three days?

”I don’t know, Lord Jason,” Fenric admitted, shaking his head. ”I received a notification directly from the southern branch head of Silver Dragon Bank, but it didn’t explain the reason.”

Jason’s face darkened. Something felt wrong—such an unexpected change couldn’t have happened without cause.

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then commanded, ”Contact the head of the southern branch of Silver Dragon Bank. I want to see him immediately.”

Fenric bowed, clasping his hands respectfully.

”As you command, my lord,” he replied.

...

”Welcome, Prince Nolan. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

In front of the capital’s luxury hotel lobby, Orlan greeted Nolan with both hands respectfully raised.

”You’re welcome, Marquis Orlan,” Nolan replied politely with a smile. ”Of course I kept my promise. After all, your support is vital to my sister.”

Orlan chuckled softly at the jest, showing no sign of offense.

”Shall we be going now?”

”Of course,” Nolan said without hesitation.

Just then, a hotel receptionist approached and stopped beside Nolan, bowing respectfully.

”Sorry to interrupt, Prince Nolan, Marquis Orlan,” he said politely.

Nolan raised an eyebrow in surprise, turning toward him.

”Is there something you need?”

Orlan looked equally curious.

The receptionist pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Nolan.

”There’s a letter for you from a guest,” he explained.

”Oh?” Nolan took the letter with mild surprise and examined it.

The envelope was milky white, embossed with a silver dragon emblem at its center.

”Thank you,” Nolan said with a meaningful smile.

”You’re welcome, Prince.”

The receptionist bowed again and stepped away.

Orlan gave Nolan a curious glance. ”Would you like to read it now, Prince Nolan?”

”No need,” Nolan said casually, slipping the letter into his pocket. ”Let’s go.”

Orlan said nothing, and soon the two left the hotel lobby toward the luxurious horse-drawn carriage waiting outside.