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

Chapter 584: Conflict With Ryuusei

”My grandson’s presence at this ritual is not just to introduce him to you, but also to have his name added to the Taira clan’s family tree,” Ryuuten announced firmly.

A ripple of disbelief ran through the hall. Although they had long suspected it, hearing it confirmed aloud still stunned everyone.

Ryuuten could easily read their thoughts—but he didn’t care. He was their emperor, and his decisions were absolute.

”I disagree!”

The loud voice cut through the murmurs from below.

Ryuuten frowned, his gaze sharp as he fixed it on the speaker—his own son, Ryuusei.

”What do you mean?” he asked coldly.

Ryuusei straightened, his glare shifting toward Nolan, and spoke with restrained disapproval. ”Father, isn’t this too sudden? He is the son of a woman who never fulfilled her duties as a princess. Is it truly appropriate to record his name in the imperial family’s inscription?”

The ministers were stunned. None had expected Ryuusei to voice his objection so openly.

Yet, on reflection, his words held weight. Many were new to their positions and had never even seen Kaede’s twin sister, Yuki.

And now, her son had appeared—ready to have his name recorded among the imperial line.

It was none of their concern, yet a quiet unease stirred in the hearts of all present.

Ryuuten furrowed his brow just as he was about to speak, but Ryuusei cut him off.

”Father, I know you are the emperor. According to our beliefs, the emperor represents the sun god. Even so, you still owe a reasonable explanation. Only then will your subordinates’ faith remain intact.”

A thin, mocking smile curved his lips.

It had been a long time since he had had a chance to pressure his stubborn father.

He had hoped for years, yet the throne was never his. His heart ached—after all, he was the first prince.

The throne should have been his. But it wasn’t. His father insisted on keeping it for Yuki’s return and planned to hand it to her instead.

How could he possibly stay calm?

Now, he intended to use this moment to corner his father, to force him to finally hand over what should have been his.

”Enough, Ryuusei. You are truly embarrassing the imperial family in front of everyone.”

The voice was beautiful, yet icy, coming from the side of the stage.

Kaede appeared, graceful in a striking red kimono. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, a delicate hairpin dangling at the back.

Her gaze pierced Ryuusei as she stopped beside Nolan.

”Nolan Lorian is my nephew, my sister’s child. What right do you have to express disapproval?”

Her tone was calm, yet every word struck Ryuusei like a whip.

He ground his teeth, ready to snap back, but forced himself to swallow his anger.

Any outburst now would only make him look worse in the ministers’ eyes.

His original goal had been simple—to embarrass his father.

If the conflict escalated, he would be remembered as the one who disrupted the ritual.

With a dark scowl twisting his face, he turned and stormed out of the temple hall.

The ministers hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to block his path.

”Hah... that boy never changes,” Ayamori whispered with regret.

If only she had been more decisive back then, none of this might have happened.

The fortune teller had been right—Ryuusei’s birth into the empire would bring disaster.

But at the time, neither Ayamori nor Ryuuten had the heart to end the child’s life, and they chose to raise him.

As expected, Ryuusei had grown unlike any other child. Arrogant, obstinate, and selfish, he constantly caused trouble, forcing Ryuuten to intervene time and again.

Now, once again, he had caused a scene—publicly shaming his father and nephew before the statue of the Sun God—a spectacle that left Ayamori deeply disappointed.

Evalyn stood in silence, quietly observing the conflict in Ayamori’s expression.

’Grandmother Ayamori is so unfortunate,’ she whispered, her voice tinged with sadness.

She was deeply irritated by Ryuusei, the source of all the problems.

If it weren’t for his status, Evalyn would have acted without hesitation.

”I’m sorry, Nolan, that you had to witness something like that,” Ryuuten said, guilt heavy in his voice.

Nolan smiled and waved his right hand. ”It’s okay, grandfather. I understand the situation. Don’t worry.”

Even so, the incident made him reconsider Ryuusei.

’It seems I’ll have to act before he does something even worse,’ he muttered coldly.

In truth, he had no desire to involve himself in this matter at all.

After all, Ryuusei was a prince of the Eastern Izanagi Empire, and Nolan had no authority to punish him.

Only Ryuuten—the emperor and Ryuusei’s father—had the right to do so.

But what choice did he have? Ryuusei had gone too far.

He had already sent an assassin after him, and just moments ago, he humiliated him before the ministers.

Nolan didn’t know what Ryuusei might attempt next, but one thing was certain: that man would stop at nothing to get rid of him.

So instead of waiting to be destroyed, why not strike first?

”Father, you need to be firmer with him. If this continues, people will believe you’re too afraid to act. That could be disastrous for our family’s foundation,” Kaede said coldly.

Ryuuten nodded heavily. ”You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Realizing the situation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, Nolan cleared his throat and said, ”How about we start inscribing my name on the family monument?”

Ryuuten smiled. ”You’re right. Kaede, fetch the engraving tools from the warehouse and help your nephew write it.”

Kaede gave a small nod. But when her gaze met Nolan’s, she snorted coldly, as if she were still angry with him.

Nolan: ”...”

...

”Damn it!”

Bang!

Ryuusei slammed his fist onto the table, fury burning through him.

His face flushed red, his breathing ragged. The memory of what had just happened felt like gasoline on a blazing fire.

”Nolan Lorian... Because of you, I’ve been pushed aside,” he whispered, teeth clenched, hatred dripping from every word.

He had suspected the boy’s presence would interfere with his plans—and now it had come true.

His father lavished Nolan with more love and attention than he ever gave him. His mother did the same. Ryuusei felt like an outcast, unwanted by both of them.

Once he had calmed down, Ryuusei clenched his fists and muttered, ”This can’t continue. Otherwise, I’ll be the one cast aside from the imperial family.”

He saw Nolan as a threat equal to—or even greater than—Kaede.

After all, Nolan was a man and a direct descendant of that woman.

Ryuusei couldn’t ignore how much Ryuuten loved Yuki compared to himself and Kaede.

”But what can I do? I already sent an assassin, and they failed. What else is left?” he muttered, scratching his head.

Just then, a voice came from behind him.

”I have a way to fix that. Do you want to hear it?”