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

In the Eastern Continent, particularly within the Eastern Empire of Izanagi, an ancient legend was well known.

It spoke of the birth of twin girls, called in the Eastern tongue ”Hikari no Futago.”

The story dated back roughly two thousand years—long before the rise of the Demon Emperor Zerathos. According to the legend, one day the world would be consumed by terrible chaos.

Humans and other races would clash in endless war, leaving destruction across the continent.

At first, people believed that the Demon Emperor Zerathos’ appearance was the chaos foretold by the legend.

But they were mistaken. The true chaos was yet to come, far in the future, and no one knew when it would arrive.

A few years before this chaos, the Sun God—worshipped by the people of the Eastern Izanagi Empire—would send two chosen girls to aid the world amid the turmoil.

These girls would be born into the imperial family, as the Taira clan was the most devoted to the Sun God.

For two thousand years, no twin girls had been born in the imperial line. Until, about thirty-five years ago, the prophecy was finally fulfilled.

They were Kaede Taira and Yuki Taira. Kaede was the woman sitting directly in front of him, while her twin sister, Yuki, had vanished without a trace or explanation.

The reason for her disappearance remained unknown. According to Kaede, Yuki had married a man whose identity was a mystery.

Though her exact whereabouts were unclear, Kaede was certain her sister was somewhere on the central continent—between the Great Velmora Empire and the Holy Valtanir Empire.

”So, your sister ran away because she didn’t want to become the new ruler in place of your father?” Nolan asked, rubbing his chin.

”Yes. She didn’t want to be the heir and chose to run away. Honestly… she’s so selfish,” Kaede whispered irritably.

She had already asked her father about it, but strangely, he always told her not to look for Yuki.

That only frustrated her more, and she couldn’t stand it any longer. So, she finally decided to search for her sister herself.

”I see…” Nolan nodded slightly. ”But… the legend of Hikari no Futago is real, huh? I thought my mother was making it up.”

”Eh? Auntie told you about it?” Evalyn asked, surprised.

”Yes. My mother mentioned it. She said it was an extremely well-known legend in the Eastern Empire of Izanagi. At first, I thought it was just a fairy tale. But… who would have thought? The fairy tale turned out to be real,” Nolan replied, looking at Kaede with awe.

Feeling his gaze, Kaede lowered her head shyly. Then, gathering herself, she asked curiously, ”You said your mother is from the Eastern Empire of Izanagi, right? Can you… tell me her name?”

Realizing she might have overstepped, she quickly added, ”I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to pry or be rude. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I’m not forcing you.”

Nolan chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair.

”It’s fine. After all, it’s not a secret that needs hiding,” Nolan said gently. ”How should I put it… My mother is indeed from the Eastern Empire of Izanagi, but I only know a little about her. Her name was Kiryuu Yuki. That’s all I know.”

His mother had been an ordinary person. Strangely, Nolan had never met his maternal grandfather.

He had asked about it once, but his mother had only said that she was an only child with no living relatives, including her parents.

Since then, Nolan had never asked again.

”Kiryuu Yuki?” Kaede’s breath caught slightly at the name Yuki, but she quickly composed herself.

’That’s impossible… it must just be a coincidence,’ she whispered, shaking her head.

After all, Yuki was a common name, and his mother’s family name was Kiryuu, not Taira.

”Umm… I’m sleepy,” Evalyn said, stretching. She stood and added, ”I’ll go back to my room first. That’s fine, right?”

Nolan glanced at her and nodded. ”It’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll take care of Her Highness the Princess.”

Evalyn smiled happily but quickly warned, ”Don’t you dare, understand? If I find out you—”

Before she could finish, Nolan pinched her lips and pushed her gently away.

”Go on, you’re bothering me.”

”You bastard…” Evalyn gritted her teeth, ready to strike, but restrained herself.

Kaede was here, and she had to behave.

With a small snort, Evalyn turned and walked out of the room.

”You two seem close. Could you… be a couple?” Kaede teased.

Nolan rolled his eyes. ”She’s just my childhood friend—nothing more.”

He could never see Evalyn romantically; to him, she was already like a sister.

”So that’s how it is…”

Kaede smiled, as if to say, ”I understand.”

...

”Have you heard about it?”

”Heard what?”

”It’s about the start of the second round of negotiations between our empire and the kingdoms beyond. If I’m not mistaken, they’ll discuss the compensation the empire must pay for what happened at the party that night.”

”Oh? Why didn’t I know about that?”

”Isn’t it obvious? This matter is highly confidential. I wouldn’t have known myself if my friend hadn’t told me.”

The two maids chatted casually while cleaning the walls and photos along one of the mansion’s corridors.

By chance, Elina was passing by with Eira perched on her head. Their words caught her attention, and she instinctively drew nearer.

”What were you two just talking about?”

The maids turned, surprised, and quickly bowed their heads.

”Good morning, Your Highness,” they said respectfully.

One of them lifted her head and added, ”We were just discussing a major event that will soon take place in the city of Holivar, Your Highness.”

Elina’s eyes widened. ”Holivar? What exactly is happening?”

”Your Highness, Emperor Ragan will hold a meeting there with the five kings of the neighboring kingdoms. According to the information I received, they will discuss the compensation the empire must pay for the incident at the banquet that night,” the maid explained with utmost respect.

Elina furrowed her brow. She knew her father planned to oppose the five kingdoms’ demands, but she hadn’t expected it to happen today.

”Thank you for the information,” she said softly.

The maids bowed and stepped aside.

Elina walked on, her thoughts lingering on what she had just heard.

”If the negotiations fail… could it really lead to war?”

She knew her father well—a man who had earned the title Lion of the East.

He earned the nickname from his successful conquests along the eastern coast of the central continent, a feat that made him feared by nearly everyone.

Her father would never back down until he got what he wanted. Even if war was the only path, Elina was certain he would not hesitate to take it.

”Huh…” Elina exhaled deeply, gently stroking Eira. ”I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Eira tilted her head. ”Hmmm?”