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

”What did he mean by that, Nolan?”

After leaving Mikazura’s room, Evalyn approached Nolan and whispered, her voice filled with curiosity.

Nolan remained calm as he replied, ”Nothing in particular. Maybe he was just saying the prophecy was wrong. It’s possible the twins mentioned in it are a boy and a girl, not two girls as everyone believes.”

Even so, Nolan couldn’t deny that he suspected those words carried a deeper meaning.

A thought crossed his mind, but he didn’t dare dwell on it. If that were true, it would certainly be both intriguing and surprising.

Evalyn studied his expression and realized he was hiding something from her.

However, she had no intention of pressing him. Sooner or later, he would tell her.

***

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Nolan and Evalyn stayed at the South Palace and were treated generously by Prime Minister Mikazura.

They enjoyed their stay, as there was plenty to do—relaxing, taking walks, visiting the sauna, and more.

Prime Minister Mikazura was also very attentive. Whenever they went into the city, he sent servants to accompany them.

As a result, Nolan and Evalyn could enjoy themselves without worrying about getting lost.

Nevertheless, something felt strange. Given Nolan’s status as a prince, he should have been invited by the emperor or at least granted an audience with Kaede.

In reality, however, neither of those things happened. This made Nolan wonder if Mikazura was hiding something from him.

As the old saying goes, ”No matter how hard you try to hide a corpse, the smell will eventually give it away.”

In the end, the emperor learned of Nolan and Evalyn’s whereabouts and summoned them to the Main Palace.

***

”So, we’re going to the Eastern Emperor’s palace?” Nolan asked casually, folding his arms across his chest.

Prime Minister Mikazura nodded helplessly.

”Yes, His Majesty wishes to see you. I apologize, Your Highness.” He gave a slight bow.

Nolan waved his left hand dismissively. ”It’s fine, I don’t mind. But there’s something that’s been bothering me since yesterday. Why did you hide our arrival from the emperor and empress? Was there something that forced you to do so?”

Prime Minister Mikazura fell silent for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.

”It’s a complicated matter. I made a promise to someone, and I couldn’t break it. But now that everything has come to light, I’m not sure I can keep it anymore,” he replied weakly.

Nolan and Evalyn didn’t understand what he meant. They exchanged glances, confusion written on their faces.

”Anyway, I’ll accompany you to see them. Please don’t worry,” Mikazura assured them earnestly.

Nolan and Evalyn said nothing. According to proper etiquette, they should have paid their respects to the emperor before spending their time leisurely in the capital.

Therefore, Nolan didn’t mind meeting the Eastern Emperor.

”All right. We’ll leave it to you,” Nolan said with a small nod.

...

The Main Palace was enormous. Standing at the center of the imperial palace complex, it stood out with its exquisite architecture.

Two massive golden dragon statues flanked the entrance. Anyone who gazed upon them would feel a natural sense of awe and reverence.

The interior was equally spacious. The palace was divided into several halls, including the throne room, the administration chamber, and other important rooms.

The throne room was, of course, the largest. It was where the emperor presided over meetings with his ministers.

Two thrones stood at the front—the main throne for the emperor and a second throne for the empress.

Eight golden pillars stood majestically, adorned with ancient carvings of remarkable beauty. A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the foot of the thrones.

At this moment, two figures—the emperor and empress—sat upon them.

The emperor bore a dignified appearance, though age had left its mark on his face.

Faint wrinkles lined his forehead, cheeks, and chin, yet his sharp, sword-like purple eyes remained undimmed by time.

His black hair, streaked with gray, fell neatly behind him. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was clad in a magnificent golden robe.

Meanwhile, the empress beside him possessed extraordinary beauty.

Though faint wrinkles touched her features, they were barely noticeable. Her long black hair flowed gracefully down her back.

Her golden eyes shone brilliantly, captivating anyone who met her gaze.

Standing beside the emperor was a woman in her thirties. She looked elegant, beautiful, and captivating.

She wore a long golden dress that brushed the floor, adorned with a crown and delicate ornaments.

Her black hair was tied neatly into a bun, and her violet eyes shimmered like sapphires.

She was Kaede Taira, the princess of the Eastern Empire of Izanagi.

Turning to her father and mother, she asked hesitantly, ”Actually, who are we waiting for, Father, Mother?”

Earlier, her father had summoned her to the palace and told her to dress modestly.

Frankly, she didn’t understand the reason for the summons. Still, she suspected that a special guest was coming.

Unfortunately, she had no idea what kind of guest could make her parents so excited.

The Empress, Ayamori Taira, looked at her with a gentle smile.

”He is a special guest from the Great Velmora Empire. His name is Nolan Lorian, the sixth prince,” she replied softly.

”The sixth prince of the Great Velmora Empire?” Kaede’s eyes widened in surprise. ”How could a prince arrive so suddenly? I mean, if someone from another empire were coming, shouldn’t I have been informed beforehand?”

Remembering the Great Velmora Empire, Kaede felt a flicker of annoyance.

It wasn’t directed at the empire itself, but at the fact that her father had ordered her to return home just as she had set foot there.

”We didn’t know about his arrival either. The prime minister invited him and didn’t inform us,” Ayamori explained with a helpless smile.

”Prime Minister Mikazura?” Kaede was shocked once again. ”How could he do that? Isn’t he afraid Father will punish him?”

She glanced at the emperor, Ryuuten Taira, seated beside her mother.

”He does have the authority to do so, and I am not angry,” the emperor replied calmly. ”But this time, he has gone too far. How dare he bring the sixth prince to this palace without informing me? Just wait—I will punish him.”

Ayamori quickly tried to calm him. ”My dear, please don’t let your emotions take over. I know Mikazura was wrong, but he must have had his reasons.”

At her words, Ryuuten’s anger gradually subsided, though it did not disappear entirely.

Kaede watched everything in silence. Her curiosity about the Sixth Prince of the Great Velmora Empire grew stronger.

Just then, the voice of the throne guard rang out across the hall.

”Prime Minister Mikazura is entering the throne room!”