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

In the VIP room, Seira and Aldrian sat across from each other, sipping the wine that had been served and exchanging a few words.

”What do you think of this place? Do you like it?” Aldrian asked hopefully.

”It’s nice,” Seira replied calmly. ”At least, you have good taste.”

She was being honest. The restaurant was indeed beautiful and comfortable. The air felt cool but not chilly, putting anyone there at ease without feeling cold.

Her compliment made Aldrian smile. He pretended to remain composed, sitting up straight as he sipped his wine.

”Thank you for the compliment. My mother recommended this restaurant, so it wasn’t entirely my choice,” he said humbly.

He had never been on a date before. How could he possibly know which places were suitable?

Fortunately, his mother understood his shortcomings and offered advice—one piece of which led him here.

Seira glanced at his slightly arrogant expression with a dismissive look but said nothing, continuing to drink.

Soon after, the servers arrived with their orders. Once everything was neatly arranged, Seira looked over the food with curiosity.

There was roasted pork, honey-glazed chicken thighs, perfectly cooked lamb chops, and more.

All of it looked hearty and incredibly delicious.

”Let’s eat,” Aldrian said casually, trying to appear elegant.

But the drool at the corner of his mouth betrayed him—he was starving.

Seira rolled her eyes and started eating. To ease the awkwardness, they began talking, exchanging words over various topics.

Actually, calling it a conversation was a stretch. Aldrian brought up every topic, and Seira responded only minimally.

Eventually, he ran out of things to say, and the atmosphere sank into an awkward silence.

”Um… Seira, there’s something I want to ask. Do you—”

Before he could finish, Seira set down her cutlery and stood.

”Sorry, my stomach hurts a little. I need to use the restroom first.”

With that, she walked out, leaving Aldrian frozen, a gloomy expression settling on his face.

”Hahaha! See—in the end, you won’t win her heart, Aldrian. Give up. Everything you’ve done so far has been wasted. Value your time,” a voice in his head taunted.

Aldrian clenched his fists, gritting his teeth in anger.

”No, you’re wrong! Seira loves me! I’m sure of it!”

The voice fell silent. Aldrian was stubborn, yes, but his own nature had started to feel repulsive.

”And why doesn’t she love me?” he shouted, his voice seething with hatred and rage. ”Tonight will be my victory. She’ll be mine!”

He took out the vial and, without hesitation, poured it into Seira’s wine glass.

A twisted sense of satisfaction welled up inside him.

Actually, he had his doubts, but the voice’s taunts only deepened them, leaving him shaken.

What if the voice had been right?

What if everything was just a hallucination?

Despite his confidence, the fear of reality still lingered, forcing him to commit this terrible act.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him. Aldrian hurried back to his seat and resumed eating.

Shortly after, Seira returned and sat down. Just as she was about to take a sip of her drink, her movement froze.

Aldrian panicked, silently thinking, ”She didn’t notice, did she?”

But his fear was unfounded. Seira took a sip, then continued her meal as if nothing had happened.

Aldrian let out a long sigh and forced a wide smile.

”Why are you smiling?” Seira asked, suspicious.

”Ahem! It’s nothing. I’m just happy to see you enjoying your dinner,” he replied, trying to appear calm.

Seira stared at him for a few seconds, then looked away and chewed her food.

To avoid further suspicion, Aldrian began asking various questions, all of which Seira answered briefly.

…

”Alina, I need to use the restroom first,” Nolan said as he slowly stood.

Alina bit into a piece of lamb, chewed, and swallowed.

”Alright,” she nodded.

Nolan left the private room and headed for the restroom.

He washed his face and adjusted his hair, pretending to freshen up. Once done, he didn’t return to Alina’s seat but walked toward his sister and Aldrian instead.

”Your Highness Nolan?” a voice called, tinged with surprise.

Nolan turned and noticed the Grandmaster approaching from his left.

”Why are you here? No—well, it’s good to see you,” the grandmaster said, bowing slightly.

Nolan smiled. ”I was having dinner with Princess Alina. Fancy running into you here.”

He cast a quick glance toward the room where Aldrian and his sister sat, then asked hesitantly, ”What are you doing here? Is Prince Aldrian here too?”

The Grandmaster straightened and furrowed his brow. Aldrian had asked him not to tell Nolan about his dinner with Seira.

Although Nolan was Seira’s younger brother, Aldrian didn’t welcome his interference. But if the Grandmaster lied, it would be obvious.

After a moment’s thought, the he decided to be honest.

”Yes, Prince Aldrian is in this restaurant. He’s having dinner with someone,” he replied, leaving the details vague.

”Oh?” Nolan’s eyebrows shot up. ”Could it be with my sister?”

The Grandmaster hesitated, silent for a moment as if weighing whether to confirm.

Seeing his pause, Nolan smiled calmly. ”Don’t worry, I understand. Maybe Prince Aldrian doesn’t want me to know. Well, it doesn’t matter—that’s his business, and I have every right to interfere.”

He shrugged indifferently.

The Grandmaster let out a quiet sigh of relief and whispered, ”Thank you.”

Fortunately, Nolan didn’t press further. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how to explain it.

Suddenly, the Grandmaster noticed Nolan’s strange expression. Without thinking, he asked, ”What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Nolan didn’t answer immediately. He glanced around cautiously, then stepped closer.

”I don’t know if I should say this or not, but…”

He swallowed hard and lowered his head, then whispered into the man’s ear, ”I think I saw some mysterious people outside the restaurant. They were wearing black coats and hats. Their behavior seemed very suspicious.”

The Grandmaster’s expression turned serious.

”Why are you telling me this?” he asked, feigning ignorance.

Nolan turned his face away and folded his arms casually. ”It seems this has something to do with Prince Aldrian. I mean… maybe someone is after him.”

The Grandmaster’s heart raced. He quickly composed himself and asked in a heavy voice, ”How certain are you that they’re after the prince?”

Nolan rubbed his chin and held up five fingers.

”Fifty percent. But I can’t guarantee it. I’m sure you understand the situation better than I do.”

He turned, slipped his right hand into his pocket, and waved his left hand dismissively.

”That’s all. If you don’t want to believe it, that’s your choice.”

Nolan walked back to his spot, quietly counting in his head.

’One… two… three… four…’

On the count of five, the Grandmaster’s voice called from behind him.

”Wait! Can you come with me to where they are?”

Nolan stopped and smiled faintly.

’You’re caught, old man…’