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

Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and during that time, Elina and Leonard worked together seamlessly.

The town of Black Horn had delivered food for two consecutive days to prepare for the winter, now only twelve days away.

Unsurprisingly, the arrival of the supply-laden carriages was met with gratitude from the citizens of Virella.

At last, they no longer had to fear hunger or shortages.

In addition to the food deliveries, Leonard immediately set to work on a road connecting Black Horn and Virella.

Since Elina had given him a week, Leonard hired mid- and high-level mages to help accelerate the work.

The people of Virella also participated in the project. As a result, young people who had previously been unemployed now had work, even if only temporarily.

At the very least, they earned money to buy their own necessities.

”The report is here, Your Highness,” Rick said, handing a stack of documents to Elina.

”Thank you.” Elina smiled as she accepted them.

Rick nodded slightly and stepped back.

Elina read through the report, feeling satisfied.

Everything went according to plan. The process was impressively fast. Leonard really is reliable, she muttered admiringly.

Perhaps because of her status as a princess, Leonard had not dared to slack off on such a large project.

But she didn’t mind. The faster it went, the better.

She continued carefully reviewing document after document.

Previously, she had found this kind of work rather difficult.

Although she had studied administrative subjects at the imperial palace, actually fulfilling her duties as a leader and solving the people’s problems proved far more difficult.

Thankfully, she had grown accustomed to it, and this kind of work had become part of her daily routine.

Just as she was absorbed in her tasks, she heard footsteps outside.

Knock!

”Your Highness, you have a guest.”

Elina flinched slightly and glanced at Rick, who immediately understood her look.

He walked to the door and opened it. A maid stood there, then stepped inside cautiously.

”Who is it?” Elina asked. ”Orwin? Kael? Or perhaps an envoy from Black Horn?”

The maid shook her head, bowing slightly. ”The visitor is from the imperial palace, Your Highness. He says he has come to serve as your subordinate.”

Elina furrowed her brow at this.

From the imperial palace... and he wants to become my subordinate? She muttered in confusion.

Still, she knew overthinking it would do no good. She stood and asked, ”Where is he?”

”In the living room.”

”Very well. Prepare tea and snacks. I will receive him,” she ordered.

The maid nodded and hurried to follow her instructions.

Elina turned to Rick. ”Guard the mansion and let no one in for now. I don’t know who this person from the imperial palace is—it could be important.”

”As you command, Your Highness.” Rick placed his left palm over his chest and gave a slight bow.

Without another word, Elina quickly left her workspace.

***

In the living room, a man in his early forties sat on the sofa.

He was tall and well-built, exuding a strong sense of determination. White armor covered his body, leaving only his head exposed.

Tap! Tap!

Footsteps sounded to his left. He turned and saw Elina approaching.

With a polite smile, he stood and greeted her, ”Good afternoon, Your Highness. I hope I’m not intruding.”

Elina froze for a moment, staring at him in disbelief.

”General Luvistar?”

Before her sat Luvistar, one of the Empire’s two Great Generals.

Despite his relatively young age, he was exceptionally powerful and had earned countless military honors.

He was also the same general who had accompanied Elina and Nolan on their mission to defeat the sea monster in the eastern region.

Yet now, Luvistar—who should have been in the palace—was here, and the sight left her astonished.

Composing herself, Elina stepped forward and smiled.

”Good afternoon, General Luvistar. Welcome. Did you have a safe journey?” she asked softly as she sat down on the sofa opposite him.

”Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My journey was uneventful and safe,” Luvistar replied.

Elina nodded, keeping her smile. After exchanging a few polite words, she finally asked the question that had been on her mind.

”So... Were you looking for me?”

She had already learned his purpose from the maid, but hearing it directly from Luvistar was necessary.

Understanding immediately, Luvistar rose and knelt, prostrating himself on one knee.

”Your Highness, I have come to become your subordinate. I understand you have the right to build your own army, correct? I wish to be the first,” he declared sincerely.

Elina was silent for a moment. Then she took a deep breath and said, ”Are you sure? As far as I know, generals are forbidden from openly supporting any candidate for the throne, and breaking this rule could lead to their immediate dismissal by the Emperor.”

While generals were free to favor a candidate privately, strict rules forbade them from openly taking sides.

Take Luke Lionheart, Evalyn’s father, for example. He was one of the Empire’s two great generals.

Since the Lionheart family had declared support for her, Luke naturally did as well—but only as the head of the family, not in his capacity as a general of the Empire.

”I understand, Your Highness,” Luvistar said casually, standing and giving a small smile. ”I’ve requested permission from His Majesty the Emperor, and he has granted it. Even so, my position as a general has been revoked. I am now a freelancer without a post.”

He chuckled softly, as if amused by the situation.

As one of the Empire’s two great generals, his position had once guaranteed him a secure life until retirement.

Even in death, he would surely be honored with a place in the heroes’ cemetery for his service to the Empire.

And yet here he was, willingly letting that prestigious position slip away.

Of course, he had no regrets. This was a choice he had made deliberately.

”You gave up your position?” Elina was momentarily speechless.

A great general held immense power—a leader who could determine the outcome of entire battles.

And yet Luvistar had relinquished it all just to serve under her.

For the first time, Elina felt her rational mind struggling to comprehend such a decision.

Still, her confusion didn’t last long. Since Luvistar had dared to place his bet on her, she wouldn’t let him down.

”Very well, I’ll accept you as my subordinate!”