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

”Mother, your son is way more talented, okay? Forget about being an Archmage—I’ve already reached the highest level in this world.”

Nolan was about to say it, but quickly held back. He knew now wasn’t the right time.

Aside from potentially inviting disaster, he was also certain his mother wouldn’t believe him.

”By the way, what are you going there for?” Isabella asked.

Nolan explained his purpose.

Isabella listened carefully, then nodded in understanding.

”I see. Sharon really is amazing,” she praised. ”I’m sure she’ll win that contest, just like Evalyn won her battle against Nathan Asbourne.”

”Oh? You’ve already heard the results?” Nolan was surprised.

”Of course.” Isabella nodded casually. ”Do you think I’m just some woman cooped up at home?”

”Well…” Nolan chuckled softly. ”It’s not like that. Don’t get me wrong. You’re the heir apparent to the Izanagi Eastern Empire, my dear mother. How could I possibly think that?”

Hearing his teasing, Isabella felt a little embarrassed, but she didn’t argue.

What Nolan said wasn’t entirely wrong.

A week ago, Isabella had just returned to her hometown and met her twin sister, Kaede.

The two of them had an argument—or more accurately, Kaede bombarded her with a barrage of questions.

Isabella felt overwhelmed for a moment, but she wasn’t angry. It was only natural that Kaede still harbored resentment, especially after what had happened between them.

While she was there, her father had repeatedly urged her to accept the throne, but she still hadn’t agreed and was still considering it.

But it was already certain that she would remain the official heir to the empire.

”It’s time.”

Nolan glanced at the clock and slowly stood up.

”Are you leaving already?” Isabella asked softly, though her tone sounded slightly sad.

”Yes, Mother. I still have a lot to prepare for my departure,” Nolan replied calmly. ”I’m sorry I can’t stay with you any longer.”

Isabella let out a long sigh and waved her hand.

”Go on. Don’t worry about me.”

Nolan smiled. He didn’t leave right away. Instead, he stepped closer and kissed her forehead.

”I’m leaving now, Mother.”

Without waiting for her reply, he turned around, slipped his right hand into his pocket, and walked away.

Isabella watched his back slowly disappear, then touched her forehead, which still felt warm.

”You naughty boy…” she muttered with a faint smile.

…

A few days passed quickly. Before he knew it, the time for Nolan’s departure had finally arrived.

Nolan was packing his clothes when he heard footsteps behind him.

”Guess who I am?”

His vision suddenly went dark.

Nolan froze. He felt a soft, warm touch on his back that was hard to describe.

”Hmmm… I know you…” Nolan rubbed his chin and guessed, ”Sister Seira, right?”

”Oh!” Seira was startled, then lowered her hands and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Her ample chest pressed firmly against Nolan’s back, sending shivers down his spine.

”How did you know? I changed my voice just now, you know?” she asked curiously.

Nolan suppressed the turmoil inside him. He wanted to break free from Seira’s embrace, but her hold was too strong.

Having no other choice, he let her hold him and replied casually, ”No matter how much you try to change it, I can still tell.”

”Heh…” Seira grinned. ”So that’s how it is.”

She released him and walked in front of him.

”Then if one day I turn into someone else, will you still be able to recognize me?”

That sudden question caught Nolan off guard.

He looked into her hopeful golden eyes, then turned his face away.

”Even if you turned into a deer, I’d still recognize you.”

”Pfft! What kind of answer is that? That’s so weird,” Seira chuckled.

She then glanced at the clothes on the floor and asked, ”Why are you packing your clothes? Are you moving?”

Nolan shook his head.

”No, I’m going to Falling Star Academy.”

”Going to Falling Star Academy?” Seira was surprised. ”What are you planning to do?”

Nolan hesitated for a moment. His father hadn’t explicitly forbidden him from discussing the matter with anyone.

But he knew Seira—the woman who was always glued to him like a shadow. If he told her where he was going, she would definitely insist on coming along.

”Ahem…” Nolan cleared his throat and replied calmly, ”There’s some administrative business at the academy. Father asked me to handle it since he can’t go himself.”

”Really?” Seira looked skeptical.

”It’s true.” Nolan raised his right hand. ”I swear by the Goddess of Life that I’m not lying to you!”

To hell with that oath. He was sure the Goddess of Life wouldn’t care that he was using her name like this.

Seira reached into her pocket and then handed him a silver-colored letter.

”Then what’s this?”

Nolan glanced at the letter and took it. When he opened it and read the contents, his face turned pale.

”W-Where did you get this invitation?” he asked fearfully.

Seira gave a faint smirk. She folded her arms behind her back, then looked at him meaningfully.

”Father gave it to me earlier. He was worried about you going alone, so he asked me to accompany you,” she explained casually, though her voice carried a hidden meaning.

”So…” Seira stepped closer. The distance between them closed as her chest pressed against Nolan’s stomach. ”Why did you hide this from me? Especially since you even swore an oath in the name of the Goddess of Life. Don’t tell me…”

A cold, dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.

”You didn’t want me to come with you?”

The atmosphere instantly grew silent and tense.

Nolan’s heart was pounding. That gaze felt like a knife piercing his chest.

However, he quickly regained his composure. He patted her shoulder and replied, ”What do you mean? I’m just following Father’s orders, okay?”

”What do you mean?” Seira raised her eyebrows.

Nolan sighed helplessly and explained, ”Earlier, Father said I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, including you.”

”Really?” Seira seemed doubtful.

”Of course.” Nolan nodded reassuringly. ”So don’t blame me. I don’t know why he suddenly changed his mind and told you instead. It’s his fault, not mine. I was just following his orders.”

Nolan’s indifferent, shameless attitude looked so natural that there wasn’t a single flaw in it.

Seira fell silent for a moment, weighing his words.

Nolan remained calm. He was confident Seira would believe him, despite having lied to her earlier.

”All right, I believe you.” Seira gave a faint smile.

Nolan simply nodded. But suddenly, Seira hugged him and pressed her face against his chest.

”But you lied to me earlier. What’s the right punishment for a naughty little brother who likes to lie? Can you give me an idea?”

Nolan: ”…”

...

”Hmmm…”

Seira walked out of the palace with a light, relaxed stride.

Behind her, Nolan followed with a frustrated, helpless expression.

He rubbed his face and noticed red smudges on his palms.

”Seira really took advantage of me,” he grumbled.

He pulled out a mirror and saw his handsome face covered in red lipstick marks, especially on his cheeks and forehead.

Nolan quickly cast a water spell and washed his face with it.

Fortunately, there was no one around except him and Seira, so he wasn’t worried about being caught using magic.

”Welcome, Your Highness the Prince and Your Highness the Princess. Your horse-drawn carriage is ready,” the coachman greeted.

They both nodded and stepped inside.

But suddenly…

”Wait a moment, Nolan, Your Highness the Princess.”

They both startled. When they turned toward the voice, they saw a beautiful woman running toward them.

Nolan’s eyes widened in surprise.

”Rafine?”