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

Chapter 903: The Girls Gather

Lightning flashed, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. The rain showed no signs of stopping.

If anything, it only grew heavier as fierce winds swept through the palace grounds.

A heavy sense of tension hung over the imperial palace.

Ever since the emperor made his decision during the trial, the servants and soldiers could feel the heavy atmosphere hanging over the palace.

What’s more, the rain that had been pouring nonstop since noon felt like an omen of the terrible disaster yet to come.

”Achoo!”

Elina suddenly sneezed.

Eliza, who had been playing with her, looked up in surprise.

”What’s wrong, Big Sister? Are you sick?”

Elina shook her head.

”I’m fine.”

She rubbed her nose.

”Maybe someone’s talking about me,” she said with a chuckle.

”Talking about you?”

Eliza tilted her head, making her already innocent face look even more adorable.

Elina simply smiled and said nothing.

”I brought three glasses of warm milk. Would you like some?”

Rafine walked in carrying a tray with three glasses of warm milk.

Eliza’s eyes lit up.

”I want one!”

Rafine giggled as she knelt down and placed the three glasses on the carpet.

”Be careful not to spill them.”

She then stood up and went to put the tray away.

When she returned and sat down beside Eliza, she asked, ”What are you two doing?”

”Hehehe! We’re playing Monopoly, Sister Rafine!” Eliza replied proudly.

”Monopoly?”

Three question marks practically appeared above Rafine’s head. She had never heard of such a game.

Seeing the confused look on her face, Elina explained how the game worked.

The moment Rafine understood, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

”Did Nolan create this? That guy really comes up with ideas no one else would ever think of.”

Her gaze remained fixed on the Monopoly board.

Elina chuckled softly.

”That sounds like him. Do you want to join us?”

”Mhmm! I do!”

Elina rearranged the Monopoly board, and the three of them began playing.

Laughter filled the room from time to time, giving it a warm and lively atmosphere.

From the hallway, Isabella watched the three of them with a gentle smile on her face.

”If only Nolan were here, everything would feel complete.”

She let out a soft sigh. She had already ordered her subordinates to search for Nolan. Soon, they would have an answer.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind swept in behind her.

Isabella turned and saw a man dressed in black ninja attire kneeling before her.

”Have you found him yet?”

The man lowered his head and shook it.

”Not yet, Your Majesty. We still haven’t been able to find Prince Nolan.”

Isabella frowned.

”Still haven’t found him? How is that possible?”

The man let out a long sigh before carefully explaining, ”I don’t understand it either. I’ve searched every corner of the empire. Even with the help of my comrades, I couldn’t find a single trace of him. His scent is completely undetectable, no matter how near or far.”

He possessed the ability to create clones, along with an extraordinarily keen sense of smell.

He could track a target from hundreds of kilometers away.

Strangely, he couldn’t find any trace of Nolan throughout the eastern, western, or southern regions.

Although there were still a few places he hadn’t searched, those areas were extremely dangerous and remote. In his opinion, it was impossible for Nolan to have gone there.

Isabella’s face turned pale.

”Where did that boy go? Could he have already left the empire?”

The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

According to Elina, Nolan had only left today.

The distance from the eastern territories to the nearest neighboring kingdom was immense.

He would have to pass through the southern territories, and even by horse-drawn carriage, the journey would take at least two weeks.

The only way to get there any faster was by sea.

But that only raised another question.

Why would Nolan leave the empire?

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind, yet every answer only gave rise to more questions.

Isabella’s head throbbed. She massaged her temples before saying irritably, ”Continue the search.

Even if you have to go beyond the empire’s borders, you must find him.”

The man didn’t dare argue. Without another word, he stood up and disappeared into the darkness.

”Sister Seira!”

Eliza’s cheerful voice snapped Isabella out of her thoughts.

She turned toward the living room and saw Seira had just arrived with Maya.

Since the rain was pouring heavily outside, Seira was carrying a pink umbrella.

Isabella walked over to greet her.

”Welcome, Seira.”

Seira stepped inside with a smile.

”Sorry to bother you, Mother Isabella. I hope my visit isn’t inconveniencing you or anyone else.”

Isabella chuckled softly.

She gently brushed a few damp strands of hair away from Seira’s face.

”Don’t worry. This place is usually very quiet. Elina and Rafine’s arrival has made it much livelier. Now that you’re here too, I’m even happier.”

Seira let out a quiet sigh of relief. Visiting a concubine’s residence—especially on a stormy night like this—could easily be considered impolite.

She had been worried Isabella might take offense, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

”Maya, please prepare a hot bath. Princess Seira got a little wet, and I don’t want her catching a cold.”

Seira was surprised. She was about to decline the offer, but Maya had already left.

Isabella smiled.

”I’ll be cooking tonight. You girls go play together for now.”

She then turned and headed to the kitchen.

”Sis, come sit down! We’re playing a really fun game!” Eliza said as she pulled Seira down to sit beside her.

Elina and Rafine were seated across from them.

”What kind of game is this?” Seira asked curiously.

Elina gave her the same explanation she had given Rafine earlier.

After hearing it, Seira couldn’t hide her surprise.

”Nolan really is one of a kind. I’ve never even imagined a game like this.”

”You’re the second person to say that, Sis.”

Elina giggled.

Rafine’s face immediately turned as red as a tomato when she heard that.

Elina pretended not to notice her embarrassment.

Before long, the four of them were playing together.

”By the way, you still haven’t told me, Elina. Where’s Nolan?”

Elina fell silent for a moment before answering, ”He’s gone.”

”Gone?” Seira asked in surprise. ”Where?”

”I don’t know.” Elina shook her head. ”He only said he was going somewhere far away and that there was no need to look for him.”

Seira’s heart began to pound.

For some reason, the moment she heard those words, a chill ran down her spine.

It felt as though she would never see Nolan again.

”Your Highness, the hot water is ready.”

Maya returned, carrying a towel.

Seira nodded and stood up.

”Thank—”

Just as she reached for the towel and was about to thank Maya, a sudden, excruciating pain shot through her head.

”Ugh...”

She clutched her temple and groaned in pain.

Elina and Rafine were startled. They immediately rushed over to support her.

”S-Sis? What’s wrong?”

”Your Highness!? Are you alright?”

But Seira didn’t respond. Her head throbbed violently, as if an invisible hand were crushing it with an unbearable grip.

Then the scene around her changed suddenly.

Darkness swallowed everything around her.

In the void, there was a tall man with purple eyes standing alone, looking at her with cold and emotionless eyes.

”You... lied to me.”

His voice was flat, devoid of even the slightest emotion.

”Why... did you break our promise?”

Bang!

Seira’s mind went blank.

In the next instant, she felt her consciousness being pulled away before everything faded into darkness.