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

Chapter 867: Nolan’s Evil Plan (2)

”This is the perfect chance to beat Aldric and Cedric to a pulp. What do you think?”

Hearing that, Elina and Rafine gasped in surprise before exchanging confused glances.

”Beat Aldric and Cedric to a pulp? What do you mean?” Elina asked hesitantly.

Nolan gave a faint smile.

”Think of it this way. Duke Malvain and Duke Ashvale support Aldric and Cedric. If Father finds out they failed to protect their people from kidnappings and the slave trade, what do you think he’ll do?”

Elina’s face instantly turned pale.

”Is that... punishment?”

”Exactly.” Nolan nodded in satisfaction. He casually crossed one leg over the other and continued, ”Duke Malvain and Duke Ashvale will be severely punished by Father. I won’t deny that kidnapping and slave trading have harmed countless innocent people, and many of the victims are still suffering. But remember, when it comes to the throne, kindness is a luxury you can’t afford. Grab every opportunity, even if the people have to pay the price. Do you understand?”

Elina fell silent. The hesitation on her face made her inner conflict obvious.

Her mother had taught her since childhood to treat everyone in the empire with kindness and compassion.

Yet at the same time, her brother’s words struck a chord deep within her heart. If she wanted to become a ruler, she had to be ruthless... and cunning.

Nolan calmly watched her remain silent. Her reaction didn’t surprise him.

He knew Elina well. She had always possessed a gentle and kind heart.

In truth, that wasn’t a bad thing.

But to become a true ruler, being too kind and forgiving could easily become a weakness.

That was why Nolan wanted to temper her, helping her become more decisive and broad-minded. Only then would Elina be worthy of the throne.

After a few minutes, Elina gradually regained her composure. She looked Nolan straight in the eyes before giving him a firm nod.

”I understand. I’ll follow your plan.”

Nolan smiled in satisfaction.

”Glad to hear it. I’ve already worked out the plan. But before that...”

His gaze shifted to Novaria, who had remained silent the entire time.

Feeling his eyes on her, Novaria shivered and hurriedly waved both hands.

”I-I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of that. D-Don’t worry about me!”

Nolan chuckled and casually waved a hand.

”You’re overthinking it.”

Novaria let out a sigh of relief.

But less than five seconds later, Nolan’s next words struck her like a bolt of lightning.

”I don’t plan to silence you, but I am going to lock you in the basement, tie your hands, and stuff a cloth in your mouth. What do you think?”

Nolan waggled his eyebrows with a mischievous grin.

Novaria’s face instantly turned pale. Her heart pounded as fear gripped her.

”I-I...”

She wanted to beg him.

But would Nolan really listen?

She didn’t think so.

From the very beginning, they had never been close. If anything, their relationship could even be described as hostile.

In the past, Novaria had often mocked and insulted both Nolan and Elina, whether directly or indirectly.

So she knew Nolan’s threat wasn’t an empty one.

Before she knew it, tears filled her eyes. She was so scared that her whole body wouldn’t stop trembling.

Elina gave a small laugh and gently comforted her.

”Okay, Sister Novaria, don’t cry. Brother Nolan was just teasing you. Don’t take it seriously.”

Novaria sniffled and wiped her nose. Her eyes were still watery as she looked at Nolan.

”I-Is that... true?” she asked nervously.

Nolan couldn’t help but chuckle. He shook his head.

”I was just teasing. Don’t take it seriously. But...”

A cold glint flashed across his purple eyes.

”If you tell Aldric, Cedric, or anyone else about this, I won’t hesitate to do it. And it’ll be far crueler than what I just said. Understood?”

Novaria nodded repeatedly and raised two fingers on her right hand.

”I swear I won’t!”

Nolan’s expression returned to normal. He wasn’t worried that Novaria would betray him.

After all, she had nowhere else to go.

If she returned to the imperial palace, the queen would force her to marry Ethan of the Great Kingdom of Horland.

In reality, Nolan had already destroyed that kingdom, but he had no intention of telling her.

Besides, having Novaria stay at the mansion could be useful. Perhaps one day, he could even use her as a bargaining chip against Aldric.

Thinking about it, Nolan licked his lips as he imagined the look on that annoying man’s face when the time came.

Seeing that Novaria had finally calmed down, Elina turned to Nolan and asked curiously, ”So, what’s the plan to deal with them, Brother?”

Rafine straightened up in her seat. She was eager to hear Nolan’s next move.

Ever since the battle for the throne had begun, none of the candidates had made a truly decisive move.

Well... they had.

Aldric, Cedric, and Adalen had targeted Elina several times, but every attempt had ended in failure.

And now, it was finally Nolan’s turn to make his move. The thought alone was enough to excite Rafine.

Nolan uncrossed his legs and sat up straight.

The relaxed look on his face disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

”The plan is simple. First...”

He patiently explained every step so Elina and Rafine could fully understand it.

Fifteen minutes later, he finished speaking. Looking at each of them in turn, he asked, ”Do you understand?”

Elina and Rafine exchanged bewildered looks.

They hadn’t expected Nolan’s plan to be so simple, yet its impact would shake the Malvain and Ashvale families to their core.

Elina’s heart raced. She had put up with her siblings’ schemes for far too long.

Now, she finally had a chance to fight back.

”I understand, Brother. I’m sure this plan will work!”

Rafine nodded eagerly.

”I’m sure it will too! And if you need Duke Austin’s help, just let me know, Nolan. I’ll tell my father right away.”

Nolan was about to refuse, but then something came to mind, and a faint smile spread across his face.

”Rafine, the Austin family and the Malvain family have been feuding for a long time, haven’t they?”

Rafine didn’t understand why Nolan had suddenly brought it up, but she answered anyway.

”That’s right. According to my father, the feud has lasted for generations and continues to this day. Why do you ask?”

Nolan’s smile widened.

”Have you ever heard the saying, ’The more grass there is, the bigger the fire’?”

Rafine froze for a moment before a knowing smile appeared on her face.

”I understand. Don’t worry. We have plenty of evidence of the Malvain family’s crimes. It may not be enough to bring them down on its own, but it’s more than enough to ignite public outrage across the southern region—and even the other three regions.”

”Good.” Nolan nodded in satisfaction. ”I’m counting on you.”

He leaned back against the sofa, raised his teacup, and took a sip.

Novaria was the only one who had remained silent the entire time. Her already pale face turned even paler.

She had heard every part of Nolan’s plan. For the first time, the image of him that had been etched into her mind shattered completely.

The man she had always dismissed as useless trash turned out to be far more terrifying than she had ever imagined.

”Aldric...” she murmured, sadness and pity welling up inside her.

”You’re truly doomed this time. Your real enemy isn’t Elina... it’s that devil, Nolan.”