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

At night, the town of Virella seemed much livelier than before, ever since Elina took office.

Merchants sold their wares along the roads, while people—both married and single—strolled around and went shopping.

This healthy economic activity was largely thanks to Elina’s efforts, which had successfully raised the standard of living for the people of Virella.

Boom!

A sudden clap of thunder echoed through the sky. Everyone in town was startled and quickly hurried home.

The merchants also rushed to close their shops, and the once-busy town suddenly fell quiet.

Not long after, heavy rain began to pour down over the town.

Inside her mansion, Elina stood silently by the window, watching the heavy rain with an indifferent gaze.

”Get ready. They’ll be moving soon.”

Arnold’s calm voice echoed in her mind.

Elina took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.

”I’ve already ordered the mages and guards to tighten security around the mansion. Do you think they’re strong enough to withstand the attack?”

”Of course not,” Arnold replied with a small chuckle. ”Cedric Lorian has some pretty powerful subordinates. Most of them are from Roswell Kleith. If I remember correctly, they were once part of the factions that supported the princes who lost during your father’s battle for the throne.”

Elina was shocked to hear that.

”Are you serious?”

”Do you think I’d lie about something like that?”

Elina fell silent. Even so, it sounded so shocking that it was hard to believe.

”Then, does my father know about this?”

”It seems he does. Otherwise, why would he have removed Roswell from his position as prime minister?”

Elina pondered his words and felt that they made sense.

During the previous trial, Roswell had stepped down from his position because he wanted to save Cedric.

But was that really the case?

Elina didn’t think so. At the very least, the situation wasn’t that simple.

There were many factors behind it, and one of them was Ragan’s wariness toward Roswell.

”I understand. Like it or not, we have to carry out the plan. I just hope Cedric doesn’t see through it. I don’t want the plan to fail.”

”Don’t worry. I’m sure it won’t. Cedric is bound to suffer a crushing defeat at your hands.”

Arnold’s confident words made Elina smile without even realizing it.

”Thank you for your support…”

***

Boom!

The loud thunder outside terrified all the servants in the mansion.

But Velissa, alone in her room, stayed calm and didn’t seem scared at all.

She sat on her bed, quietly watching the rain outside the window.

Her earlier conversation with Elina was still fresh in her mind.

”So, I actually have a grandfather?” she muttered absentmindedly.

Her childhood memories were vague and unclear.

All she could remember was being kidnapped and eventually ending up in the village where her adoptive parents lived.

That was it. Everything else was just a blur, making it hard for her to remember.

”Huh…” Velissa let out a long sigh.

Aside from feeling anxious and worried, she also felt a little relieved. In this world, she had no one left. Her adoptive family had already passed away.

Only Elina and everyone at the mansion could be considered her family now.

And soon, she would finally meet her biological grandfather. At least she wouldn’t be alone anymore.

After regaining her spirits, Velissa stood up and left her room.

Five minutes later, she returned and went to sleep.

The room was silent. The only sound was the rain outside, growing heavier with every passing second.

Zrrk...!

A flash of blue lightning suddenly illuminated the entire room.

Startled, Velissa immediately opened her eyes and saw three figures in black cloaks standing beside her bed.

”Y-You guys…”

Boom!

A loud clap of thunder shook the entire room.

Velissa was about to say something, but one of the figures quickly covered her mouth with his palm.

”Mhmmm!”

Velissa struggled desperately, trying to break free, but her efforts were in vain.

”The target has been captured. Let’s head back!” one of the men said.

The others nodded.

But suddenly…

Whoosh!

Five knives shot toward them at incredible speed.

Two of the men managed to react in time, but the one covering Velissa’s mouth didn’t.

Two knives pierced the back of his head and passed straight through.

The man’s eyes widened as blood slowly trickled from the wounds.

Thud!

His body collapsed to the floor in a horrible state.

The sight made Velissa feel sick, and she almost threw up. But she was far too scared to care.

”W-Who dares to attack us!?” one of the cloaked men shouted.

”So, you really showed up, huh? Looks like this job wasn’t a waste after all.”

A playful voice came from in front of them.

A beautiful, petite woman stepped out of the void.

She wore a blue cloak and a conical hat that resembled a witch’s hat.

”A little girl?” the man exclaimed.

The woman froze at his words. Her lovely face flushed as she pointed at him and scolded, ”My name is Mira, and I’m an adult! How dare you call me a little kid!?”

The two men cautiously backed away.

One of them glanced at his partner and ordered, ”Code 004, get the target out of here. Hurry!”

Code 004 nodded, grabbed Velissa by the collar, and vanished from sight.

Mira was about to chase after him, but Code 004’s partner wasn’t about to let her get away that easily.

He drew his dagger and assumed a fighting stance.

”I’m the one you’re up against, little girl!”

***

Whoosh!

Code 004 darted through the mansion’s many rooms, carrying Velissa in his right hand.

”Let me go!”

Velissa struggled desperately, trying to break free from his grip on her collar, but she couldn’t.

Code 004 grew annoyed by her resistance. He spotted a nearby sack, stuffed her inside, tied it shut, and slung it over his right shoulder.

”Hehehe! If only you hadn’t fought back, I wouldn’t have had to do this to you.”

Whoosh!

He leaped through the window and vanished into the darkness.

…

”Have they made their move yet?”

Elina opened her eyes.

Rafine gave a slight nod.

”Yes. About three people have kidnapped Velissa, while the remaining seven are stationed outside the mansion.”

”That makes ten in total, right?” Elina chuckled softly. ”Cedric really went all out this time.”

She stood up and ordered, ”Deploy the Shadow Guards to deal with the people who kidnapped Velissa. Disrupt them as much as possible. Don’t let them take Velissa away easily.”

”I understand.”

Rafine nodded before turning and leaving.

”Arnold,” Elina called.

Whoosh!

Arnold suddenly materialized out of thin air.

He bowed his head respectfully.

”What are your orders?”

”Has the powerful figure Cedric brought with him appeared yet?”

”Not yet—”

Before he could finish, Arnold suddenly froze.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

”What a coincidence… that person has just arrived.”