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

In Ragan’s office, Nolan, Sharon, Draco, and Cassiopeia stood facing him.

Ragan looked at them one by one. ”You all understand the task I’ve given you, right?”

”Understood, Your Majesty!”

”Understood, Father!”

They answered in unison, and Ragan nodded in satisfaction.

”I sent them a letter five days ago about your arrival. They should have received it by now, so you don’t need to worry about being detained or mistreated,” he explained calmly. ”By the way, do any of you have questions?”

Sharon stepped forward. ”Father, there’s something I want to ask.”

Ragan looked at his daughter gently. ”Go ahead.”

”In the upcoming negotiations, what benefits should they give us in exchange for our help? If there’s anything specific you want, please tell me.”

Her expression grew serious as she asked.

The aid they offered the Kingdom of Kaldorian was not without cost. There had to be a price, and her father had not yet told her or her brother what it was.

”Good question,” Ragan said with a soft chuckle. ”I haven’t told you yet, so that’s my fault. The benefit I want is 25% of their southeastern territory. According to our spies, it contains gold and precious stone mines of extraordinary value.”

”If we can get it, it will be extremely profitable for the Great Velmora Empire. Moreover, one of the precious stones in that mine is high-quality Netherium.”

”High-quality Netherium?” Sharon, Draco, Cassiopeia, and even Nolan froze at his words.

Netherium is one of the most valuable crystal stones. It is used to enhance magical weapons—bows, swords, spears, and more.

Any weapon infused with Netherium can increase its original power by up to 50%.

Mages use it for their staves, while swordsmen rely on it to forge magic swords far stronger than ordinary ones.

Its value is clear—not only for its usefulness but also for its rarity.

In the Great Velmora Empire, Netherium mines exist only in the western region, and even there the supply is extremely limited, controlled entirely by the Blue Moon Trading House.

The price is staggering: one hundred grams of Netherium is worth one hundred thousand Sharn, and since it takes a full kilogram to enhance a single magic weapon, fortifying one weapon costs a million Sharn.

”So...” Ragan smiled slightly. ”You can imagine just how valuable these negotiations will be, right?”

They exchanged serious glances and nodded slowly.

”Yes, we understand.”

”Good!” Ragan leaned back with a satisfied expression. ”Actually, there are a few more points I want you, Sharon and Nolan, to consider for the negotiations. One is the port on the southern side of the Kingdom of Kaldorian, and...”

Ragan began explaining in detail what he wanted. Most of his requests were significant and likely difficult for the Kingdom of Kaldorian to fulfill.

Still, Ragan was certain they would agree. The White Dragon had devastated their economy, leaving them desperate for help.

Otherwise, their people would face even greater starvation, and it wasn’t impossible that the kingdom could collapse.

After giving his instructions, Ragan dismissed them to prepare for departure.

”Nolan, stay here. There’s something I want to discuss with you,” Ragan said indifferently.

Nolan paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Sharon also felt curious, but she knew it would be rude to eavesdrop. She went outside with Cassiopeia and Draco, leaving father and son alone.

”What is it, Old Man?” Nolan asked lazily.

The corner of Ragan’s mouth twitched, and blue veins appeared on his right temple.

He quickly composed himself, resting his elbows on the desk and pressing his interlaced fingers under his nose.

”Kid, your second mother has asked me to return Eliza’s custody to her. What do you think?”

The sudden revelation caught Nolan off guard.

”Concubine Cassandra asked for it again? Do you know why?”

”Of course I know,” Ragan said, rolling his eyes. ”And I’m sure you understand it too, don’t you?”

His gaze lingered meaningfully, bringing a faint smile to Nolan’s lips.

”You’re very perceptive, Old Man.”

He settled into the chair across from him, crossing his legs casually.

”It’s obvious this request didn’t come from Concubine Cassandra herself, but from her brother—the prime minister, right?” he guessed with a small laugh.

He had already expected this. Eliza was not just a little girl without influence on her mother’s side.

Her grandfather was Gustav Montclair, the prime minister under the previous emperor.

On top of that, the Montclair family was one of the most powerful marquis families in the western region.

There was no way the prime minister would let Eliza slip from his control. That was why Nolan had pressured his father to give her custody to his mother.

”I have no say in this matter, Father,” Nolan said politely. ”You understand it far better than I do, so I won’t interfere.”

He trusted his father completely in such matters, confident that Ragan would take his side.

As expected, Ragan’s expression softened into a broad smile.

”You’re clever with words, kid. Don’t worry—I’ve given you my word, and I won’t break it. You can count on that.”

Nolan nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. ”Thank you, Father...”

***

Nolan and Sharon walked out of the palace with Draco and Cassiopeia.

They would ride in two horse-drawn carriages—one for Nolan and Sharon, the other for Cassiopeia and Draco.

”Your Highness the Prince and Your Highness the Princess,” Cassiopeia called politely, ”the journey ahead will be long, and many dangers await. I hope you’re prepared.”

Forest monsters, sea beasts, and severe weather lay ahead. Cassiopeia felt it was necessary to warn them to stay calm and avoid causing trouble for her or Draco.

”Relax, Cassiopeia. I’ll keep my brother safe and calm. You can count on me,” Sharon said, hugging Nolan’s right arm affectionately.

Nolan just rolled his eyes. It wasn’t certain who would end up protecting whom—he might be the one shielding Sharon instead.

”Great!” Cassiopeia smiled in relief. ”Then let’s go.”

Nolan and Sharon climbed into their horse-drawn carriage, while Draco and Cassiopeia took their own.

Soon after, both carriages set off and quickly disappeared from view.

What Nolan didn’t realize was that this departure would mark the beginning of tremendous upheaval in the Great Velmora Empire...