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

”What do you mean? You don’t want to serve as Deputy General?”

Elina raised her eyebrows slightly.

Nolan nodded.

”I’ve thought it through carefully. Compared to Freya, I’m far less experienced. It would be better if she took the position. At the very least, she has broader knowledge than I do and can help you whenever you need her.”

”Hmmm…”

Elina pondered his words. To be honest, she did prefer Freya as Deputy General over Nolan.

It wasn’t that she underestimated him, but this war would be decisive. Whether they or the enemy forces would emerge victorious remained uncertain.

Even though the imperial forces were strong, the outcome could still be uncertain if the enemy brought a Celestial Mage into the battle.

And Freya possessed both the ability and sound strategic judgment.

In the end, Elina nodded in agreement.

”All right. I’ll ask Her Majesty to change the appointment.”

Nolan smiled slightly.

”Thank you.”

”No need to thank me. If anything, I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

Elina waved her hand.

”By the way, why did you suddenly change your mind? And don’t give me that excuse about Sister Freya being better than you at war strategy. I know you’re hiding something else, don’t you?”

Nolan chuckled.

”You really are very perceptive. Yeah, I do have a reason. But I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and turned his face away.

He couldn’t tell her that he had actually broken his oath. His original intention had been to let Elina act on her own while watching over her from behind the scenes.

However, his earlier request to become Deputy General clearly went against that intention.

So, he decided not to get involved and simply watch everything from behind the scenes.

”Huft… You’re really annoying.”

Elina massaged her throbbing temples. She really hated secrets. It felt like having food right in front of her but being unable to reach it.

Pushing her frustration aside, she asked again, ”So, what are you going to do now? Are you going back to the eastern region?”

Nolan stayed silent for a moment before shaking his head.

”No. There’s somewhere I want to go.”

The image of a beautiful silver-haired woman appeared in his mind.

His childhood friend, Evalyn.

…

”Young Lady, I’ve brought your meal. May I come in?”

A maid knocked on Evalyn’s door.

”Just leave it there. I’ll get it later.”

The maid let out a long sigh. She placed the tray in front of the door and said, ”I’ve left your meal outside. If you need anything, just call me.”

”Hmmm… Thank you.”

The maid shook her head before turning to leave.

Inside her room, Evalyn lay on her bed with a dazed expression. She stared at the dark ceiling and whispered, ”What’s really going on? Why have I been feeling so restless lately?”

She placed a hand over her chest. Her heart was beating faster than usual for some reason.

She didn’t understand what was happening to her. This restless and uneasy feeling had been bothering her for the past few weeks.

”Ugh…”

A wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

***

”Hey, ##, why are you leaving me!? Wait!”

Little Evalyn ran after a five-year-old boy.

The boy laughed and teased her, ”If you can, catch me! Or you’ll be left behind.”

He turned around, and his face was bathed in bright white light, except for his mouth.

He stuck his tongue out at Evalyn.

”Y-You! You stupid ##! If I catch you, I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Unable to hold back her anger, Evalyn chased after him. But the boy was too fast.

After running for a while, Evalyn couldn’t keep up and eventually collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Her pale face had turned red, and sweat covered her body.

The boy was startled and quickly ran back to her.

He reached out his hand.

”Are you okay?”

The exhausted Evalyn suddenly grinned. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the ground.

”Hahaha! Gotcha!”

Evalyn laughed heartily before starting to tickle him.

”Still want to mess with me? This is your punishment!”

”Hahaha! Let me go! I’m sorry… I’m sorry!”

The boy giggled as he squirmed beneath her.

But Evalyn kept tickling him without letting up. Once she was satisfied, she finally let him go.

”Remember this. Don’t mess with me again! Got it?”

The boy covered his face with his right arm.

”You’re such a mean girl. You’re really cruel! No one will want to marry you in the future!” the boy said angrily.

Evalyn smirked slightly and leaned closer to him.

”What do you mean by that? You’re my future husband. Don’t even think about running away from me.”

Her voice carried a hint of threat and determination, which only made the boy more annoyed.

”Who would want to marry a muscle-bound girl like you?”

Evalyn’s smile froze.

”What did you say? Say that again, and I’ll punch you in the face.”

Blue veins popped out on her forehead as she clenched her right fist.

”All right, all right. I was just kidding.”

The boy quickly raised both hands in surrender.

Evalyn nodded in satisfaction. She stepped back slightly before pressing her chubby face against the boy’s chest.

”Hey, ##, I really want to marry you someday. I’ll ask Uncle Ragan to arrange it for us, okay? I hope you won’t run away.”

The boy remained silent, not daring to answer.

”Why are you so quiet?” she protested, pinching his waist.

”Ouch!”

The boy groaned in pain and quickly pulled away from her.

”I get it! Don’t pinch me again.”

Evalyn seemed satisfied with his answer.

She looked deeply into the boy’s eyes, and only then did she notice that his face was still bathed in light.

”Why can’t I see your face?”

She gently brushed her hand across it.

”What do you mean? My face is really handsome, okay?”

”No, I’m serious.”

Evalyn’s eyes widened as her heart began to pound.

”Your face… I can’t see it. And your name…”

She tried to call out the boy’s name, but she couldn’t. It felt as though an invisible force had erased it from her memory.

She grabbed the boy by the collar and demanded, ”Tell me, what’s your name!? Hurry up!”

The boy was confused by her sudden panic.

He tried to break free from her grip, but he couldn’t. Evalyn was just too strong.

Realizing he had no choice, he finally gave in.

”My name is No—”

Beep!

Like a broken cassette, Evalyn’s surroundings suddenly turned gray and began to distort.

Evalyn panicked at the sight.

”W-What’s happening?”

She turned back toward the boy, but he had vanished.

”Where did he go?”

Before she could even process what was happening, an invisible force suddenly pushed her backward.

In an instant, everything went pitch-black, and not even a glimmer of light remained.