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

”Back?” Anna was dumbfounded. Her face turned pale as she stammered, ”Why all of a sudden? No, I mean—isn’t it too soon?”

Panic laced her voice, and sadness was clear in her eyes.

Nolan noticed and immediately tried to calm her. ”It’s not sudden. Didn’t I say I would leave once everything was settled? Now, you can handle the Castellan family’s affairs on your own, and the Red Obsidian Trading House matter is also resolved. You don’t have to worry about them troubling you anymore—I’ve already taken care of it. So, I have to go back.”

In truth, he should have returned today, but he delayed it just in case. After all, Anna’s position in the Castellan family was still not that strong.

Besides, the theory she had learned over the past seven days couldn’t necessarily be applied right away. That was why he had asked her to manage the Castellan family’s affairs earlier—and the results had turned out quite well.

Anna fell silent, lowering her head sadly. She knew this day would come sooner or later. Yet, to be honest, she wasn’t ready—she still wanted to be with Nolan.

All her life, she had never known happiness, and for the first time, someone had given her that feeling.

It was hard for her to accept being left behind by the one who made her happy.

But she knew it was impossible to keep Nolan by her side.

From their identities alone, they were like heaven and earth. There was no way Nolan could be with her.

Even if it were possible... Would Nolan really want to be with her—a pregnant woman carrying the child of a criminal?

The more she thought about it, the more Anna’s heart ached, until tears spilled down her cheeks.

As she wept in silence, a hand suddenly touched her face and gently wiped away the tears.

”Alright, don’t cry like that,” Nolan said softly. ”Now, you’re the leader of the Castellan family as well as its protector. If you’re weak, how will you be able to fulfill your duties? So come on, cheer up, okay? I know you can do it.”

Hearing those words of encouragement, Anna fell into a daze. But instead of calming down, her tears only flowed harder.

”Whoa...” Her sobs grew louder as she leaned forward and pressed her face against Nolan’s broad chest. ”Your Highness... Your Highness... thank you for saving me! Thank you for giving me a chance to rise! Thank you... thank you...”

Her hands clutched tightly at the front of Nolan’s robe, as if unwilling to let go.

Nolan didn’t try to speak further or offer more comfort. He simply half-embraced her, his hand rubbing her smooth back in silent reassurance.

After some time, Anna’s sobs quieted, but she still didn’t move.

When Nolan looked down, he saw that she had fallen asleep, her breathing steady.

He gave a helpless smile before lifting her into his arms. Carrying her in a princess hold, he left his chamber and made his way to Anna’s room.

Along the hallway, they passed the maids, whose eyes widened in barely concealed shock.

Even so, none of them dared to say anything. They only lowered their heads in silence.

Once he arrived, Nolan opened the door to Anna’s room and stepped inside.

Before the attempt on her life, he had already moved her chamber closer to the living room area.

He carefully laid Anna down on the bed, making sure not to disturb the child in her womb. After adjusting her position so she was safe and comfortable, he pulled up the blanket to cover half of her body.

”Don’t go...” Anna whispered faintly, her fingers weakly tugging at the sleeve of his robe.

Her brows knitted, as if caught in a nightmare, clinging to his sleeve as though it were her only light.

Moved by the sight, Nolan gently placed his palm on her forehead.

Whoosh!

A faint purple glow flowed from him, slowly spreading through Anna’s body.

After a while, the glow faded, and the creases on her forehead smoothed away.

Her grip on Nolan’s sleeve naturally loosened, and he quietly left her room.

”Your Highness,” a maid greeted respectfully.

Nolan gave a small nod and said flatly, ”I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, but I have to leave in the morning. Take care of Anna, and make sure the baby in her womb is well. Understood?”

”Leave it to me, Your Highness,” the maid replied at once.

”Good.” Nolan nodded in satisfaction, then reached into his pocket and pulled out ten thumb-sized potions tied together in a bundle.

He stared at the blue liquid inside the bottles for a moment before handing them to the maid.

”These are potions I prepared for Anna and the child she carries. Each morning, put just one drop into the milk or water she drinks. Remember—don’t forget. When they run out, write to the imperial palace, and I’ll send more.”

”By my calculation, these ten bottles should last six to eleven months. That will be enough.”

These potions were, of course, not poison but remedies to strengthen both the mother and child. Anna was now the leader of the Castellan family, and naturally, she would have many responsibilities ahead.

But in her pregnant state, fatigue would come easily, so Nolan had already prepared for that.

Moreover, the potions had no side effects, ensuring Anna could live comfortably without hardship.

The maid did not dare refuse and carefully accepted them.

”Leave it to me, Your Highness. I will do my best,” she said solemnly.

Nolan gave a faint smile before turning toward the living room.

As his figure slowly disappeared from sight, the maid let out a quiet sigh, tinged with envy.

To receive such care from Prince Nolan... Lady Anna is truly fortunate.

***

”Hugging her and carrying her around like a princess. I’m starting to wonder if what you said earlier was the truth—or just an excuse to avoid admitting it,” a sneering voice came from behind him.

Nolan’s steps halted. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Malverna.

Her beautiful face carried a faint trace of anger and dissatisfaction, though she tried to hide it.

A thin smile curved Nolan’s lips. ”Are you jealous?”

”Jealous?” Malverna froze, her face instantly flushed. She quickly put on her cold, indifferent mask. ”Are you delirious? Jealous? Me? Hah! Don’t flatter yourself.”

She snorted and looked away, but anyone observant would have noticed the redness at her earlobes, making her look unexpectedly cute.

Nolan only chuckled, then walked to the sofa and sat down.

Crossing one leg over the other, he said, ”You misunderstand. From the beginning, I’ve never had feelings for Anna. Everything I did was only to stabilize the Castellan family—for the sake of supporting my sister in the succession to the throne.”

A cold, indifferent glint flickered in his purple eyes.

”You...” Malverna faltered at his words. But this was the Nolan she knew—cruel and cold-blooded.