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

”Have you found the answer yet?” Yllia asked.

Nolan sat beside her, gazing at the lake stretching out before them.

”Yes. It was just as I expected—Seria is the Incarnation of the Goddess of Life,” he replied calmly.

Yllia smiled faintly and rested her head on Nolan’s shoulder.

”Yes, she really is the Incarnation of the Goddess of Life. I’m sorry... I knew from the beginning, but I didn’t tell you.”

Nolan glanced at her. She looked back at him with a guilty expression.

”There’s no need to apologize. What’s done is done.” He rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh.

Yllia giggled before playfully rubbing her cheek against his shoulder.

”I can tell you’re frustrated. How about I make it up to you?”

”Make it up to me?” Nolan raised an eyebrow.

Yllia lifted her head and gently patted her smooth, slender thighs.

”Come on. Rest your head here.”

Nolan looked at her inviting thighs for a moment.

Without another word, he rested his head on her lap.

Yllia gently massaged his temples, and Nolan closed his eyes, enjoying the soothing touch.

”By the way, once you’re done with everything, will you come back?” Yllia asked curiously.

Nolan let out a soft hum.

”Mhmm... My business here is finished. I have to go back.”

Yllia’s expression remained as calm as ever, but the sadness and disappointment in her eyes were impossible to hide.

Nolan instinctively sensed her emotions. He slowly opened his eyes and met her distant gaze.

”Why?” he teased. ”Are you sad that I’m leaving?”

Yllia took a deep breath before nodding honestly.

”Yes. I’m really sad. I wish you could stay a little longer.”

Nolan smiled. He reached up and gently caressed her smooth cheek.

”Don’t worry,” he said softly. ”I’ll come back whenever I have the time.”

Yllia simply nodded as the sadness in her eyes slowly faded.

”Come closer.”

Yllia blinked in confusion but did as he said.

When only a few inches separated them, Nolan gently pulled her closer and kissed her.

Yllia’s eyes widened in surprise. A moment later, she closed them and quietly melted into the kiss.

After a few minutes, Nolan pulled away. But Yllia wasn’t ready to let him go. She leaned in and kissed him again.

Her cheeks flushed bright red, and her eyes lingered on him with unmistakable longing.

Neither of them noticed the figure watching from afar, their gaze filled with jealousy, hatred... and anger.

***

”Hmm? Where’s Seria?”

Nolan looked around, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Luna, standing beside him, looked just as confused.

”Mom, where’s Grandma?” she asked.

The Elf Queen gave an awkward smile.

”Your grandmother has something she needs to take care of. She said she couldn’t come to see you off.”

Luna frowned. She clearly remembered her grandmother saying just yesterday that she’d stay with her until it was time for her and the Singularity of Chaos to leave.

So why had she suddenly changed her mind?

Nolan noticed the Elf Queen’s awkward smile and figured something was going on. Still, he was too lazy to ask, so he let it go.

”Well then, we’re off, Mom,” Luna said with a bright smile.

The Elf Queen gently ruffled her hair.

”Be careful. If you need anything, send me a message, okay?”

”Mhm! I will!”

The Elf Queen smiled warmly before turning to the Singularity of Chaos and giving him a slight bow.

”Please take good care of Luna, Singularity of Chaos.”

”Don’t worry.” Nolan smiled. ”I’ll take good care of her.”

After saying their goodbyes, Nolan and Luna left the elven forest behind.

***

”So, why didn’t you see them off?”

Yllia looked at Seria curiously.

Seria stood atop a tree trunk, her gaze fixed on Nolan and Luna as they disappeared into the distance.

Her expression was cold and unreadable, as though she were suppressing the anger raging inside her.

”Yllia,” she called out in a cold voice. ”Yesterday... what did you do with the Singularity of Chaos?”

Yllia froze for a moment. A suspicion crossed her mind, and a faint smile slowly formed on her lips.

”So that’s it...” she murmured, nodding slowly. ”You saw it, didn’t you?”

Seria stared at her with reddened eyes.

”You know I love him, don’t you?” she asked, her voice trembling. ”Then why did you do that?!”

Her voice rose, filled with anger and hurt.

Yllia fell silent, yet there wasn’t a trace of guilt on her face.

”Yes, I know. But, Seria... I’m sorry. I have feelings for him too.”

Those words made Seria grit her teeth. She wanted nothing more than to lash out at Yllia, but she forced herself to hold back.

Yllia was the only person who truly understood her. They had been friends for thousands of years.

However, she never expected the friend she trusted most to do something like this to her.

It hurt so much... so much that she could barely breathe.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She turned away and disappeared from sight.

Yllia wanted to go after her, but she held herself back. Seria needed time to calm down.

”I’m sorry, Seria,” she murmured, her fists clenched tightly. ”I love him too... I love him more than anything. So I won’t give up. I’ll make him fall in love with me, and maybe someday... we can serve him together.”

As the words left her lips, her face turned as red as an apple.

…

”Father, it’s me, Nolan. Can I come in?”

A voice came from outside the room.

Ragan, who had been working, paused. He looked up and replied, ”Come in.”

The door slowly opened, and Nolan stepped inside.

He closed the door behind him and walked over to Ragan.

”Why are you back?”

Ragan’s question made the corner of Nolan’s mouth twitch.

”Old Man, you’re really heartless. Do you hate seeing your own son that much?”

Nolan dropped into the chair across from him and let out an exasperated sigh.

Ragan chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

”I was just kidding. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Nolan smiled.

”I know. Anyway, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m here to return the token you gave me.”

He took a black token from his pocket and set it on the desk.

Ragan looked down at it, a puzzled look crossing his face. It was the Phantom Chain’s command token.

”Why are you giving it back?” he asked.

Nolan rolled his eyes at the obvious act. Phantom Chain was his father’s personal intelligence network.

There was no way Ragan didn’t already know what Nolan had been investigating through its agents.

”I’ve already found what I was looking for,” Nolan replied frankly.

Ragan nodded and said nothing more.

After putting the token away, he looked at Nolan again.

”Is that the only reason you came here?”

”Of course not.” Nolan chuckled. ”Father, do you remember that you still owe me a favor?”

”A favor?” Ragan raised an eyebrow.

”That’s right.” Nolan crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair. His relaxed, almost disrespectful posture made the corner of Ragan’s eye twitch.

”I took care of what you asked me to do before. You said you’d grant me one request in return. Do you remember?”

Ragan thought for a moment before giving a small nod.

”I remember. So, have you decided what you want?”

Nolan sat up a little straighter.

”Yeah. I have.” He met Ragan’s gaze. ”I want a permit to build roads connecting every city in the empire.”