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

”No! Don’t go!”

Seira’s eyes snapped open, and she shot upright.

Cold sweat soaked her dress, and her face was deathly pale.

She looked around and realized she was in a large, unfamiliar bedroom.

”You’re awake. Did you have a nightmare?”

A gentle voice came from beside her.

Turning her head, she saw Isabella standing by the bed, holding a tray with a glass of warm milk, a few chocolate cookies, and a towel soaked in warm water.

”Mother Isabella?” she called weakly. ”How long was I unconscious?”

Isabella set the tray on the nightstand before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

”About two hours.”

She gently placed a hand on Seira’s forehead and sighed in relief when she felt that the fever had started to subside.

”Why did I faint?”

”According to the court physician, you were suffering from mental exhaustion, which caused your physical condition to deteriorate. Getting caught in the rain only made it worse,” Isabella replied gently as she handed her a glass of warm milk.

”Drink this first.”

Seira accepted it and took a few slow sips. As the warm milk slid down her throat, the tension in her body gradually eased.

”Are you feeling any better now?”

Seira nodded weakly.

”Thank you, Mother. And... I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

Isabella let out a soft chuckle and gently patted Seira’s head.

”Why are you thanking me? I’m your mother too. Of course I’ll take care of you when you’re sick.”

Seira felt a warmth spread through her heart. But at the same time, an overwhelming sadness welled up inside her.

Clarisse had never treated her as kindly as Isabella did. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but wonder... Was she really Clarisse’s daughter?

If she was, then why had Clarisse hated her ever since she was a child?

Meanwhile, Isabella wasn’t even related to her by blood, yet she cared for her as if she were her own daughter.

”Don’t think too much about it. Get some rest first. I’ll make dinner for you. You can have the chocolate cookies on the nightstand.”

Isabella had prepared the warm towel just in case Seira’s fever returned.

Fortunately, she was already feeling much better. Even so, Isabella left the towel and a basin of warm water on the nightstand before leaving the room.

Once Isabella left, Seira was alone.

She looked around the dim room, her face a mixture of emotions.

The steady patter of rain outside, broken only by the occasional rumble of thunder, echoed the turmoil in her heart.

***

”Mother, is Sister Seira okay?”

Elina walked over to Isabella, who was busy preparing dinner for Seira.

Rafine and Eliza followed close behind, their faces filled with concern.

Isabella smiled at them.

”Seira is fine. Don’t worry.”

Her answer immediately put the three of them at ease. A moment later, however, Elina spoke again, curiosity written across her face.

”Mother, what exactly happened to Sister Seira? I heard some of the servants say she’s fainted like this twice before. They also said she often has nightmares whenever she sleeps. Do you know what’s really going on with her?”

Rafine and Eliza were just as curious. Both of them quietly watched Isabella, waiting for her answer.

Isabella’s expression remained calm. But if one looked closely, a trace of sadness flickered across her violet eyes.

She gave a faint smile and shook her head.

”I don’t know. Maybe she’s just exhausted.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Elina watched her leave, suspicion lingering in her eyes.

”Rafine, did you notice that?”

She turned to Rafine.

Rafine gave a slight nod.

”Yes, I did. Concubine Isabella seems to be hiding something. She doesn’t want to tell us about it.”

Elina fell silent, her gaze lingering on the direction Isabella had disappeared.

…

Two months passed by in the blink of an eye. During that time, the Great Velmora Empire remained as peaceful as ever.

The situation along the border, which was usually tense and unstable, improved significantly.

The Holy Empire of Valtanir had withdrawn most of its troops.

Even so, Freya did not leave her post at the border. She remained on guard until she was absolutely certain the enemy had withdrawn all of its forces.

Meanwhile, neither Roswell nor the Malvain family made a move. Both remained silent and took no action.

This was in stark contrast to what many people had expected.

After all, what had happened to them was a humiliation too great to simply forget.

Most people believed this peace wouldn’t last. The tension was still there, hidden beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to break out.

...

Virella had become a peaceful and prosperous town.

The booming timber industry had greatly improved everyone’s lives, and no one had to struggle just to get by anymore.

The people loved Elina and Rafine dearly. Thanks to the two of them, the once-dead town of Virella had finally come back to life.

Barons from nearby territories began trying to curry favor with them.

One of them was Gareth Redwyre, the head of the Redwyre family and the ruler of the city of Torosvia.

When Elina first took office, she sent letters to the landowners of various cities surrounding Virella, offering to establish partnerships. Gareth Redwyre was one of those who received her letter.

Unfortunately, he rejected the offer without a second thought. He didn’t even bother to respond, as if he had no intention of establishing any relationship with Elina or the town of Virella.

But now that Virella had recovered from its decline and become the most prosperous town on the edge of the eastern region, Gareth Redwyre repeatedly came to propose a partnership. Each time, Elina firmly turned him down.

”Did that man come by again today?” Rafine asked as she walked over and placed a stack of documents on Elina’s desk.

Elina nodded indifferently.

”Yes. This is the third time he’s come this month. It’s really annoying.”

She wasn’t the vengeful type. No friendship lasts forever without mutual benefit. The same went for enmity.

Even so, she still couldn’t forget Gareth Redwyre’s arrogant attitude when she had asked for his help.

Seeing her annoyed expression, Rafine chuckled softly.

She patted Elina on the shoulder and said, ”Don’t dwell on it too much. Before long, nobles from even farther cities will come seeking partnerships with you. They’re much more profitable because they come from wealthier cities. Partnering with them will give us even more opportunities to expand our business and make even greater profits.”

Elina nodded.

”You’re right.”

The two continued chatting for a while before the conversation eventually shifted to Nolan’s departure.

”By the way, have you heard anything about Nolan and Eira?”

Elina’s expression darkened as she slowly shook her head.

”No. I still haven’t been able to find them...”

She turned toward the window, her gaze fixed on the view outside.

”...as if they’ve vanished from this world.”