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

Chapter 891: Isabella’s Support

”Does what happened to Cedric have anything to do with either of you?”

Hearing the question, Rafine and Elina’s expressions stiffened.

Elina cleared her throat.

”What do you mean, Mother? We don’t understand.”

Isabella rolled her eyes.

”Don’t even try to hide it,” she said, taking a sip of her tea. ”Your father told me two days ago. He said the Cedric case was his doing. The same goes for the Malvain family scandal.”

Her expression turned serious.

”But I know my son very well. There’s no way he would have done something like that unless someone asked him to. So tell me, which one of you asked him to go after Cedric and the Malvain family?”

Silence fell over the surroundings. Elina and Rafine exchanged glances and lowered their heads.

”Well...”

Elina bit her lower lip before finally speaking. ”It’s a complicated story, Mother. It wasn’t us who asked him to do it. Brother was the one who wanted to.”

She then explained everything that had happened to Isabella.

It took fifteen minutes before Elina finally finished telling her story.

Isabella’s expression gradually changed as she listened.

”So you’re saying it all started because Novaria was kidnapped?”

”That’s right.” Elina gave a slight nod. ”It all started there. When Brother Nolan rescued her, he discovered that the kidnappers were connected to Jakes, Cedric’s biggest supporter in the battle for the throne. Then everything I just told you happened.”

Isabella fell silent. She hadn’t expected to hear such a story.

”All right, I understand.” She let out a soft sigh. ”But this is a huge problem. You’ve offended the prime minister and the Malvain family. And now your brother—that mischievous kid—has disappeared to an unknown place. The responsibility for everything now falls on the two of you. You have to be ready to face the consequences.”

Elina pursed her lips and nodded weakly.

Ever since her brother told her he was going far away and asked her not to look for him, she had suspected that he had no intention of taking responsibility for everything he’d done.

But Elina wasn’t angry. On the contrary, she actually felt grateful.

Cedric and Aldric had been targeting her for a long time, but every one of their attempts had failed.

Elina herself never had the chance to retaliate because she always acted cautiously.

So, what Nolan did could be considered his way of getting revenge on her behalf.

Seeing that Elina remained calm, Isabella felt relieved. She had been worried that Elina would feel overwhelmed.

After all, her opponents were Prime Minister Roswell and the Malvain family. Both stood at the pinnacle of power in the empire.

”Don’t be afraid to ask for my help,” Isabella assured her. ”I’ll help you however I can, even if I have to beg your grandfather.”

Ever since marrying Ragan, Isabella had never wanted to rely on her parents.

However, when it came to her daughter’s safety, she wouldn’t hesitate to set her pride aside and ask for their help.

At most, they’d just tell her to return home for a few days. Or, at worst, she’d have to ascend the throne as empress.

The second possibility was the one she wanted the least. Even so, for Elina’s sake, she was willing to do it.

Elina’s heart warmed at her mother’s words. But as much as possible, she didn’t want to involve her.

She lowered her head slightly and said softly, ”Thank you, Mother.”

...

The trial was about to begin. The people of the capital eagerly awaited the decision Ragan would make.

They filled the Imperial Palace square, hoping to witness the proceedings.

Unfortunately, security at the palace gates was extremely tight. Thousands of soldiers stood in formation, creating a barricade that prevented anyone from venturing any farther inside.

”Do you think Prince Cedric will be punished?” a bald man asked the woman beside him.

The woman shook her head.

”I’m not sure. Prince Cedric is His Majesty’s son. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?”

The bald man nodded.

”You’re right. But the day before Prince Cedric was arrested, His Majesty announced that he would treat everyone fairly, including princes and princesses. Then Prince Cedric was arrested the very next day. Whether it was a coincidence or not, that promise naturally binds His Majesty to act with fairness and resolve.”

Similar conversations could be heard throughout the square. Some people were convinced that Cedric would be punished, while others weren’t so sure.

Ever since news of the Malvain family scandal broke, the public had grown increasingly skeptical of the nobility, including the imperial family.

”Old Man, what do you think? Will Prince Cedric be punished?”

A girl of about fifteen turned to the short elderly man standing beside her.

The old man wore a gray cloak with a hood covering his head. He leaned on a weathered wooden staff for support.

Hearing the question, he looked up. His wrinkled face was clearly visible to the girl.

Both of his eyes were closed, as if he were blind.

”Prince Cedric... will be forgiven by His Majesty,” he replied in a hoarse voice.

”Oh?” The girl’s face lit up. ”So you think the same way I do!”

She crossed her arms and said confidently, ”I think so too. Prince Cedric is His Majesty’s son. How could His Majesty possibly punish him? At most, he’ll just have his allowance cut. That’s all.”

The old man smiled faintly.

”No, you’re mistaken.”

He turned his closed eyes toward the gates of the Imperial Palace in the distance.

”Prince Cedric will still be punished according to the law, but he won’t lose his status as a prince or the heir to the throne. And...”

He tilted his head toward the clear blue sky, his expression growing complicated.

”The protector of the Star of Destiny from the East is gone. Before long, this empire will descend into chaos. You’d be wise to save yourself before you’re caught up in it.”

He tapped the tip of his staff against the ground twice. Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

...

”Brother, you have to find a way to save Cedric!”

In a luxurious room, Cassandra could no longer hold back her tears.

She shouted at Roswell, who sat calmly across from her.

Roswell’s expression didn’t change as he took a sip of his coffee, as though her words meant nothing to him.

That only made Cassandra even angrier. She kept accusing and blaming him, but Roswell said nothing.

Finally, Roswell looked up at Cassandra’s tear-streaked face and said indifferently, ”Are you done with your outburst?”

Cassandra’s face turned pale. She opened her mouth to speak, but Roswell cut her off.

”All you can do is bark like a dog. What have you actually done to save your son?”