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

”Well then, Evalyn and I will be leaving now. See you next month,” Nolan said with a smile.

Evalyn smiled too, then hugged Elina and Rafine before saying goodbye. ”Thank you for taking care of me while I was here. Come visit me in the capital, and I’ll repay you.”

Elina and Rafine exchanged glances and smiled.

”You’re welcome. Be careful, both of you. Have a safe trip,” Elina said.

A twinge of sadness washed over her at having to part with her brother again.

After all, he had only just returned from the eastern region, and now he was leaving for the capital once more.

Even if it was just for a month, the separation still weighed heavily on her.

After a few more parting words, Nolan and Evalyn climbed into the waiting horse-drawn carriage.

The coachman pulled on the reins, and the carriage slowly moved out of the mansion’s courtyard.

Rafine stared blankly after Nolan’s departure. Then, a gentle pat landed on her right shoulder.

”Why do you look so dazed? Are you sad to see my brother go?” Elina teased.

Rafine snapped out of her reverie and quickly shook her head.

”Sad? How could I be?” she muttered, looking away. ”I just didn’t expect Nolan to leave again. That’s all.”

Her excuse sounded far too contrived, which made Elina want to tease her even more. But she knew Rafine was thin-skinned.

If she teased her now, the woman would definitely get angry.

”Okay, I understand,” Elina said, tossing her hair. ”Let’s go back inside. There’s still a lot of work to do.”

Rafine nodded faintly and, taking a deep breath, stepped into the mansion.

***

”Why are you spacing out? Are you thinking about something?”

Evalyn’s curious voice came from beside him. Nolan, lost in thought, slowly came to his senses and shook his head.

”It’s nothing. I’m just a little sleepy,” he replied vaguely.

”Sleepy?” Evalyn looked slightly surprised. ”What time did you go to bed last night?”

Nolan rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and answered hesitantly, ”I’m not sure… but probably after midnight?”

Evalyn rolled her eyes. ”You’re so careless. We’re leaving today, yet you stayed up late. Alright, I’ll be kind today and lend you my thighs as a pillow.”

She patted her smooth, white thighs with a faint smile.

Nolan blinked in surprise. He glanced at her soft, beautiful thighs, then looked at Evalyn doubtfully.

”Are you sure? You’re not tricking me, are you?”

Several scenarios ran through his mind, including Evalyn hitting him if he laid his head on her thighs.

The corner of Evalyn’s mouth twitched at his question. She pulled Nolan’s head onto her thighs and said irritably, ”I’m too lazy to play games with you. Now, go to sleep. Stretch your legs out to the side.”

Nolan could only obey. Fortunately, the horse-drawn carriage was spacious enough for ten people, so he could stretch his legs comfortably.

Evalyn stroked Nolan’s black hair with care and affection.

”Go to sleep. I’ll wake you when we reach the first stop,” she whispered softly.

Nolan nodded weakly and closed his eyes. He wasn’t really sleepy—but strangely, lying on Evalyn’s lap and feeling her touch made his eyelids grow heavy.

Without realizing it, he drifted off instantly.

***

Many people think that being born into a wealthy family is a stroke of luck.

In a way, they’re not entirely wrong. Those born into affluence have everything—food, clothing, luxury goods, and more.

Few realize, however, that being born into a wealthy family—especially a conglomerate one—isn’t as easy as it seems.

There are immense responsibilities to bear, especially endless family obligations.

Business rivalries, hired assassins, and other dangers are all part of the daily life of someone carrying these burdens.

”Hah… I’m so tired. Why does Mom always force me to do things I don’t like? Doesn’t she know I’m uncomfortable? Adults are so annoying!”

In the middle of a snow-covered yard, a handsome boy complained as he kicked at the snow around him.

He scooped up handfuls of snow, formed them into balls, and threw them forward again and again, as if trying to release all the frustration he’d been holding in.

Suddenly, a sweet voice came from behind him.

”Hey, you look really upset. Is something wrong?”

The boy was startled. He turned around and saw a little girl, about five years old, standing roughly five meters away.

She looked beautiful and delicate, like a finely carved doll.

Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her round brown eyes sparkled. She wore a light blue winter coat and matching hat.

The boy frowned and asked coldly, ”Who are you?”

Instead of answering, the girl stepped closer, smiling.

”You still haven’t answered me. Why do you look upset? Is something wrong?”

Startled by her approach, the boy instinctively took a step back.

Strangely, the little girl kept moving forward. Every step he took, she followed, leaving the boy with no choice but to give up.

”It’s none of your business,” he replied coldly, turning his face away.

”Eh… why are you being so rude? Don’t you like me?”

The little girl’s cheeks puffed up in displeasure.

The boy furrowed his brow, unable to understand her reasoning. Just because he didn’t want to answer her question, she assumed he hated her.

”Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t like you, but I don’t want to talk about that,” he clarified.

”Really?” The girl’s eyes lit up immediately, as if her earlier pout had never existed.

The boy was at a loss. He really didn’t understand this little girl.

”Go away. I don’t want to be alone,” he said, turning back to throw more snowballs.

But the little girl ignored him. She walked alongside him, mimicking his every action.

This clearly surprised him. He turned to her, irritation in his voice. ”What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to leave?”

”Hehehe…” The little girl giggled. ”Seeing you do that made me want to try it too.”

The boy was speechless. He stared at her smiling face and found himself smiling back without realizing it.

”Whatever you say,” he muttered.

The two of them threw snowballs at each other until they finally grew bored.

Perhaps feeling a bit closer now, the boy asked her name again.

”What’s your name?”

The girl turned to him, a gentle smile on her lips.

”My name is Seira. What about you?”

She held out her small hand toward him.

The boy hesitated for a moment but eventually took it.

”My name is Nolan… Nolan Frey. Nice to meet you, Seira.”