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

”You said it’s impossible?” Elina was surprised. ”Why? Could it be that you still don’t trust my offer?”

She felt she had explained herself clearly and shown her sincerity.

So why was the Saint still refusing?

Saint Lumiel smiled and waved her hand.

”Don’t get me wrong. I don’t dislike your offer. As I said earlier, I have the ability to see who is good and who is evil. You’re a good person, so I can trust you,” she said reassuringly. ”It’s just that right now...”

Her expression turned complicated. ”The Church of the Goddess of Light has been suppressed by the imperial family. They watch every step we take and put all kinds of restrictions on us. Even worship has become difficult. The Imperial Family threatens anyone who comes to church, treating them like criminals. Now you understand my predicament, don’t you?”

Elina fell silent after hearing her explanation. Ever since Saint Helena Avail’s death, the Church of the Goddess of Light had been ruthlessly suppressed, especially after Saint Lumiel firmly opposed the war.

That was the information Elina had gathered during her stay in Halveran City.

”Is there really no other way, Saint?” Elina asked, hoping Saint Lumiel would change her mind.

Saint Lumiel gave a bitter smile.

”I’m sorry, but there really is no other way,” she replied quietly.

Elina let out a long sigh.

”But...” Saint Lumiel raised her head and looked into Elina’s eyes. ”I can guarantee that the Church of the Goddess of Light will not interfere in the war that is bound to break out. We have never condoned people killing one another. So, you don’t need to worry about us lending them our support.”

The weight on Elina’s heart slowly lifted. Even if that was all the Church of the Goddess of Light could do, it was more than enough.

If war were to break out, the Great Velmora Empire would fight back.

The Singularity of Light was no threat. She had the Singularity of Chaos backing her.

”I understand,” Elina said with a deep breath. ”Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Saint Lumiel. I hope we can work together again in the future.”

She held out her hand, and Saint Lumiel shook it.

”Of course,” Saint Lumiel replied with a smile.

”In that case...”

Just as Elina was about to stand, someone suddenly knocked on the door behind her.

”Saint, there are guests who wish to see you.”

Saint Lumiel’s brows furrowed slightly.

”Guests? Who are they?”

”They are Crown Prince Erald Elenvair and the Third Prince of the Great Velmora Empire, Adalen Lorian.”

Upon hearing those two names, Saint Lumiel and Elina exchanged glances.

”Your Highness, your brother…”

Before Saint Lumiel could finish, Elina nodded and cut her off. ”I saw him earlier in the square. Don’t worry, I didn’t come with him. I came here on my father’s orders, and no one knows about this.”

Saint Lumiel let out a sigh of relief. Adalen’s appearance had made her wonder for a moment if Elina was involved. Fortunately, she wasn’t.

”In that case, I’ll go meet them first. Wait here for now, Your Highness. Don’t let them see you.”

But Elina shook her head. ”Wait, Saint. Can I come with you?”

Saint Lumiel looked surprised. ”Are you sure?”

Elina nodded. ”I have a feeling Adalen is here for something important. I need to find out what it is and report it to my father.”

She remembered that their father had forbidden Adalen from going to the Holy Empire of Valtanir. His presence in Halveran City could only mean one thing—he had disobeyed that order.

His reason for coming to the Church of the Goddess of Light at this hour had to be connected to whatever he was planning in Halveran City.

Saint Lumiel considered her request before deciding to let Elina come along.

”All right. But dressed like that, they’ll recognize you immediately. Why don’t you change your clothes?”

Elina didn’t object. Soon after, one of the nuns brought her a nun’s habit, and she changed into it.

Once she was finished, she stepped out of the changing room and left with Saint Lumiel.

***

In the waiting room, Adalen and Erald chatted casually.

”Erald, have you seen the new Saint yet?” Adalen asked curiously.

”Yes.” Erald nodded. ”But she was wearing a veil. I don’t know what she really looks like.”

”Heh...” Adalen smirked. ”If she saw me, do you think she’d be captivated?”

Erald burst out laughing. ”Man, you’re way too confident. Then again, you’re a handsome guy, so maybe.

The two laughed and joked for a while. Then they heard footsteps outside.

They looked up to see Saint Lumiel walking toward them with a nun in a black veil beside her.

”Welcome, Your Highness Erald and Your Highness Adalen,” Saint Lumiel greeted politely.

Adalen and Erald immediately stood up. Adalen smiled and replied, ”Thank you for the warm welcome, Saint. I hope our arrival hasn’t disturbed you.”

Saint Lumiel waved her hand. ”It’s fine. Just relax.”

However, with her face hidden behind the veil, Adalen couldn’t tell what expression she was wearing.

”Please, have a seat. There’s no need to feel awkward,” Saint Lumiel said as she slowly sat down on the sofa across from them.

Disguised as a nun, Elina went to prepare tea for everyone.

Once it was ready, she returned and set the cups on the table.

Adalen suddenly found himself looking at the nun. Maybe it was just his imagination, but she felt strangely familiar.

He just couldn’t remember where he’d seen her before.

Elina naturally noticed his gaze. The black veil she wore didn’t block her vision, so she could see everything clearly.

Ignoring Adalen’s intense stare, she quietly took her place behind Saint Lumiel.

”So, what brings two guests of your stature to this slum?” Saint Lumiel asked with a faint smile.

Erald laughed. Taking a sip of his tea, he teased, ”A slum? You’re exaggerating, Saint Lumiel. After all, this is your home. How can you call it a slum?”

Saint Lumiel simply chuckled without replying.

”All right, tell me—what brings you here?” she asked bluntly.

Erald gave a faint smile. ”My cousin and I came on my father’s orders. We’d like to propose a partnership, Saint Lumiel.”

Saint Lumiel remained calm, as though she had expected this all along.

”What kind of partnership?”

”Why are you still playing dumb?” Erald sneered. ”It’s about the war, of course.”

He extended his right hand toward her. ”Saint Lumiel, please lend us your strength and support the imperial family in our campaign against the Great Velmora Empire. Together, we can surely win this war!”