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

Chapter 547: The Deepest Feelings in Rafine’s Heart

After the decision was made, Nolan and Evalyn would leave in three days. Coincidentally, the ship that would take them would depart on that very day.

Nolan led Evalyn to the room that had been prepared earlier.

"This is your room. Sleep here, and don’t bother me anymore."

After saying that, Nolan turned and left, leaving Evalyn feeling annoyed and angry.

"What a jerk..." she muttered resentfully.

***

"M-mmm," Nolan stretched his stiff body, wearing a lazy expression.

He hadn’t slept well last night, so his body felt weak.

"Evalyn, huh? That woman really hasn’t changed," he whispered with a faint smile.

He was used to Evalyn’s blunt personality. Still, sometimes she could be a bit annoying and over the top.

Even so, he still cared about her. After all, Evalyn was his childhood friend.

As Nolan strolled down the hallway, his gaze drifted to his left.

It was the mansion’s backyard garden. The flower beds there were carefully maintained by the servants.

However, it wasn’t that which caught his attention, but a figure he knew very well—Rafine.

"Rafine?" Nolan’s eyes widened slightly. "What’s wrong with her? Why is she alone on that swing?"

He rubbed his chin, trying to guess what she was thinking.

Suddenly, it dawned on him, and a smile spread across his lips.

"So that’s it. I get it," Nolan chuckled, shaking his head. "Women are hard to understand."

He called a servant to prepare two glasses of orange juice, then walked toward Rafine with his hands in his pockets.

***

"M-I’m so stupid for hoping for him," Rafine muttered irritably. "No, it’s not my fault. It’s that stinky man’s fault. What a spineless fool! I really hate him!"

"Hate? Who do you hate? Don’t tell me it’s me," came a playful voice from in front of her.

Rafine’s expression instantly stiffened. She slowly looked up and saw someone she least wanted to see right now.

"Nolan?" she blurted in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

She quickly stood up and took a step back in panic.

’He didn’t hear me, right?’ she thought, her face growing pale.

Nolan simply smiled without answering. He stepped behind Rafine and gently pressed her shoulders.

Rafine dropped back onto the swing she had been sitting on.

Gripping the swing ropes, Nolan spoke casually, "You still haven’t answered my question. Who upset you just now? Could it be... me?"

The sly glint in his eyes sent a shiver down Rafine’s spine. It felt as if he could see straight into her heart.

But she was no ordinary woman. She quickly regained her composure and let out a cold snort. "Don’t be so cocky, Nolan. That’s... really disgusting."

As the word "disgusting" left her lips, Rafine felt her chest tighten. She hadn’t meant to say it.

Yet, somehow, it slipped out before she could stop it.

She glanced behind her, quietly checking his reaction. Thankfully, Nolan only smiled, showing no anger, which eased her tension slightly.

"Disgusting, huh? Fine, I won’t bother you anymore."

With that, Nolan let go of the swing ropes and turned to leave.

Rafine panicked and hurriedly grabbed his robe sleeve.

"Wait... don’t go!"

Nolan’s steps halted, and a meaningful smile spread across his face. Still, he kept his composure and pretended to look uncertain.

"What’s going on? Didn’t you say you were disgusted with me? Why are you stopping me from leaving now?"

Rafine wanted to let go of his robe sleeve, but for some reason, something inside her warned that if she let go, Nolan would truly leave.

"I..." She opened and closed her mouth. She felt like she had so much to say, yet oddly, she didn’t know which words to choose.

After a few seconds of silence, she gathered her composure and apologized.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say those harsh words. I... I..." Her lips trembled slightly as tears suddenly slid down from the corners of her eyes.

Nolan was surprised, but he didn’t rush to comfort her. Instead, he remained silent and waited calmly.

"I don’t understand my feelings," Rafine said hoarsely as she wiped her tears. "Seeing you close to Evalyn makes my heart ache. I hate this feeling, and I don’t understand why."

She was the heir to the Austin family. Her IQ and EQ were far above those of other noble children.

Rafine naturally realized that the strange feeling she was experiencing was her love for Nolan.

However, she kept pretending to be ignorant, as if she didn’t realize it. Unfortunately, that only ended up hurting her.

Her tears grew harder to control, and she quickly covered her face with her right hand.

However, Nolan didn’t let her. He gently held her hand, surprising her.

"You..." Before she could finish her sentence, Nolan pressed his index finger against her lips.

"Shh... Don’t say anything, okay? If you want to cry, just cry."

He opened his arms and pulled Rafine into his embrace.

While gently stroking her head, he said, "I didn’t see anything. So go ahead and cry."

His words, along with his gentle touch, made Rafine unable to hold back her tears.

She wrapped her arms around Nolan’s waist and hugged him tightly while sobbing quietly.

Her face was pressed against Nolan’s stomach, which felt warm and carried a pleasant scent.

Nolan didn’t say anything, letting her cry until she calmed down.

After five minutes, Rafine’s sobs gradually faded until they stopped completely.

However, she did not release her hold on his waist, and Nolan did not object.

"Are you satisfied now?" Nolan asked playfully.

Rafine nodded slightly and whispered weakly, "But don’t let go of me yet. I don’t want you to see me like this."

Nolan simply smiled helplessly and shook his head.

A few minutes later, Rafine loosened her embrace and pulled her face away from Nolan’s stomach.

She turned her face aside and said in a slightly threatening tone, "Don’t tell anyone about this. If you do, I won’t forgive you."

"Too bad, I recorded everything."

Nolan suddenly took out the recording device from his pocket and waved it in front of her.

"You..." Rafine’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Delete it!"

She jumped up and lunged to snatch it from his hand.

Unfortunately for her, Nolan had already anticipated this and quickly dodged her.

"Trying to take it from me? Rafine Austin, you overestimate yourself... hehehe..." He grinned playfully. "If you want it, use all your strength."

After saying that, Nolan turned and ran into the mansion.

"You stinky man! I won’t let you get away!"

With her cheeks puffed in anger, she quickly took off after him.

"Nolan Lorian, stop right there!"

And so, their chase—loud enough to shake the entire mansion—began.

- - -

A/N: Free code to get 10 fPs:<ABDHYQBGWERND7LAA>