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

Chapter 803: The Straightforward Nolan

"Help me secure my spot as heir to the Ashvale Duke family. I’ll make it worth your while once everything’s done. What do you say?"

Allen’s eyes lit up with hope. He was certain Nolan would accept his request.

Aside from the profit, helping him regain his authority as heir would also bring many other benefits that couldn’t be measured in money alone.

So Nolan would surely agree without hesitation.

But then...

"Sorry, I’m turning it down."

Allen’s smile froze. His body trembled slightly as his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Y-Your Highness, what do you mean? You’re rejecting my offer?"

"That’s right." Nolan gave a slight nod.

"W-Why?" Allen could no longer hold back his frustration. His face flushed with anger. "Are you hesitating because you didn’t get a large enough share? Don’t worry—I can guarantee you a huge reward! Whatever you want, as long as it’s within my power, I’ll grant it! Please accept my offer!"

He bowed his head. That desperate gesture showed he was truly at his limit. Nolan was the only one who could help him.

"Do you think I can help you? Allen Ashvale, you’re truly naive," Nolan said calmly.

Allen jolted. He straightened up and stared at him in confusion.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

Nolan took a deep breath and spoke frankly. "Don’t you understand your position? Don’t you understand why your father entrusted authority and responsibility to Margaretta instead of you?"

Hearing that barrage of questions, Allen froze in place.

"If you still don’t get it, I’ll explain."

Nolan pointed at him, right at his forehead.

"It’s because you’re useless!"

Thud!

Allen felt as if something had struck his chest. But Nolan didn’t stop there.

"You’re not dutiful to your parents."

Thud!

"You can’t make proper use of your opportunities and your status as an heir!"

Thud!

"You waste your time on useless things, like hanging out with other young nobles, chasing women, and so on. You’re the kind of failure no one ever expected!"

Thud!

Allen’s chest tightened. His breathing turned erratic, and his body grew weak.

But Nolan showed no mercy. From the start, he had no grudge against Allen, aside from what happened at his father’s birthday party a year ago.

Even then, he had long since forgotten about the incident. To him, feuding with someone like Allen was nothing more than a waste of time and energy.

So the words he spoke were nothing but the unfiltered truth that had been hidden by Allen’s closest people.

"Don’t even dream of taking back your rights and position if you can’t change yourself. I won’t help a worthless piece of trash."

Without saying another word, Nolan turned and left, leaving Allen standing there in a daze.

...

"So, why did you call me, Old Man?"

Nolan sat casually with one leg crossed over the other.

Ragan, sitting across from him, felt irritated. The urge to slap that insolent brat rose in him, but since he needed his help, he held it back.

"I asked you to come to take care of something. It has to do with your third sister, Sharon."

Nolan stiffened. He quickly straightened up, his expression turning serious.

"My third sister? What happened to her? Is she in danger?"

His voice turned cold.

Ragan looked at him calmly, then gave a faint smile.

"Don’t be so tense. She’s not in danger. On the contrary, she’s fine."

That answer eased Nolan slightly. At least his sister was safe.

"A few days ago, I received an invitation from the Falling Star Academy. Read this."

Ragan opened his drawer, took out a golden scroll, and handed it to Nolan.

Nolan took it and opened it.

As he read, his eyes widened slightly.

"An invitation to attend a friendly match between the Falling Star Academy and the Tower of Silence?"

"That’s right." Ragan nodded and explained, "The relationship between the Falling Star Academy and the Great Velmora Empire is very good. Every ten years, there’s a friendly contest between the academy and the Tower of Silence. They invited me as well, but I couldn’t go because I had too much business to attend to."

Nolan was at a loss for words. He had just attended the contest between the Asbourne and Lionheart families, which was also held once every ten years.

And now, the same kind of invitation had appeared again. Nolan couldn’t help but wonder... Did people in this world really love the number ten?

Pushing the thought aside, he rolled the scroll back up and asked suspiciously, "Why are you showing this to me? Don’t tell me you want me to go in your place because you can’t attend."

"Bingo! Hahaha! You’re really smart, son! I’m sorry, I’ve been wrong all this time. I thought you were stupid and didn’t know anything."

Ragan burst out laughing.

Nolan: "..."

The corner of Nolan’s mouth twitched. Ragan’s face was so infuriating that he almost wanted to punch him.

But remembering that he was his father, Nolan forced himself to hold back.

"I refuse," he replied firmly.

Ragan’s laughter stopped instantly.

"You... refuse?"

"Yes, I refuse," Nolan repeated firmly. He crossed his legs and said, "I don’t have time for that, Old Man. You should just find someone else to take your place."

"No way! Only you can do it. Besides, you’re pretty close to Sharon, aren’t you? At least think about it," Ragan shot back.

Nolan flinched. He looked up and saw his father wearing a serious expression. But he knew better—beneath it was a sly grin, like a fox luring a lamb into its den.

"This damn old man..."

Nolan realized that refusing wasn’t an option. His father would surely stop at nothing to make sure he went along.

"Fine," Nolan said, sounding resigned. "I’ll accept it."

"Hahaha! Good! If—"

Before Ragan could finish, Nolan cut him off.

"But there’s a condition, Old Man. I want you to take a day off and go somewhere with Mother. Lately, she’s been really worried about you, but she’s too scared to bother you."

Even though Isabella always kept a calm expression, Nolan knew better than anyone that she was actually lonely. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to stay with her—it was just that he already had too much on his plate.

Elina couldn’t stay by her side either, since she had responsibilities as the ruler of Virella Town.

Eliza was there to keep her company, but she was still too young to understand adult matters.

So, only his father could be with her.

Ragan was surprised. He hadn’t expected Nolan to ask for something like that.

He paused for a moment, then got serious and gave a small nod.

"Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll take her out on a trip."

Nolan gave a faint smile.

"I’m counting on you."