[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce":3,"chapter-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-169":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},396805,661,"Chapter 169: Stunningly Cunning Tactics","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-169",169,"\u003Cp>Have they really left?Rafine wondered silently, overwhelmed by worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had ridden more than five kilometers in pursuit of Elina and Nolan’s party, yet still hadn’t found even the slightest trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anxiety gnawed at her as cold sweat trickled down her temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they truly had left, the Austin family would face severe punishment from His Majesty—not to mention the ridicule that would surely come from the other three Duke families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a member of House Austin, Rafine couldn’t allow that to happen. The consequences could be devastating—such as having their future requests to the palace denied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was drowning in fear and uncertainty, a soldier in the front row suddenly shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young lady, we see them!\" He pointed ahead. \"They haven’t left. They’re just setting up tents in the distance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rafine snapped out of her daze and quickly turned her gaze in the direction he indicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, she saw black dots scattered across the vast, open field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though faint and far away, she could tell—it was them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank goodness,\" Rafine murmured, pressing a hand to her chest. A long-lost smile finally returned to her lips as she whispered gratefully, \"The gods are still kind to me... and to the Austin family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, they spurred their horses forward, racing toward Elina and Nolan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think a representative of the Austin family will come to us, Brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina glanced at her brother curiously as she placed a slice of apple into her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan chewed slowly, swallowed, and gave a small nod. \"Of course, my sister. They’ll definitely come. Otherwise, they’ll face terrifying consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how high the status of a Duke’s family, they still had to submit and obey the Palace. That was a core principle everyone in the Great Velmora Empire understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the incident in the city of Ostravia wasn’t directly caused by the Austin family, to those who hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, it certainly looked that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the responsibility would fall on House Austin. And naturally, scorn would follow—from the nobles and especially from the other three Duke families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never assume the four Duke families were on good terms. In truth, long-standing conflicts had divided them for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conflict was simply so covert that the common people remained unaware of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had news of their blockade in Ostravia spread widely, the other three Duke families would have seized the opportunity to circulate damaging rumors—tarnishing House Austin’s reputation in the public eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such was the world of politics: no true friends, only interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina fell silent, digesting her brother’s words. Naturally, she trusted him deeply and believed every word he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her surprise, not even a minute had passed when Luvistar approached them with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prince Nolan, Princess Elina, we have a guest—Young Lady Rafine, heiress of House Austin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, Elina turned to her brother, her eyes filled with awe. But Nolan remained composed, even offering a faint smile, as if he had anticipated it all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" Nolan replied casually, rising to his feet. He brushed the dust from his robe and added, \"Let’s go see Rafine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope they’re not angry,\" Rafine muttered, wiping her cold hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft! What’s wrong with you, Lady Rafine? Why the pale face? Did you run a marathon to get here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A playful voice suddenly called out from the front, startling her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rafine looked up to see Nolan approaching with Elina and Luvistar. The annoying man wore a teasing expression, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her irritation was clear—but she didn’t dare let it show. At this moment, she was the one held accountable for their expulsion from Ostravia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no choice but to remain composed and humble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Rafine offered a gentle smile and replied with a polite tone, \"You misunderstand, Your Highness Nolan. I didn’t run a marathon—I simply rode here with a few soldiers to catch up with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused briefly, then bowed her head with grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I sincerely apologize for what happened at the city gate earlier. It was entirely the Austin family’s failure to receive you properly. I hope you’ll accept both my personal apology... and that of House Austin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina and Luvistar exchanged surprised glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the heiress of House Austin and future Duchess, Rafine was known for her pride and rarely ever bowed to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here she was—head lowered before them. It was a sight neither of them had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina’s heart began to soften. The lingering anger she had felt slowly faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew full well that the incident at the city gate was orchestrated by the Tharvis family—not the Austins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she held no grudge against Rafine or her household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina parted her lips to speak, but Nolan raised his left hand, quietly signaling her to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught off guard, she paused and closed her mouth without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t bow like that, Lady Rafine,\" Nolan said in a weary tone. \"There are many soldiers watching. It could spark unwanted gossip about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s all right,\" Rafine replied firmly. \"This was the Austin family’s failure, and as the heiress, I must take responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration. He knew Rafine wasn’t acting purely out of guilt—this was a calculated move to gain sympathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his previous world, this kind of tactic was common among politicians seeking public favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would cast themselves as the ones at fault, then display humility before others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might not work if the person doing it were someone ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if it came from someone like Rafine—renowned, influential, and of noble blood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result was predictable: sympathy and goodwill from anyone who witnessed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on top of that, Rafine possessed a breathtakingly beautiful face. The combination of beauty, status, and humility was a devastating weapon—especially against men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan glanced at the soldiers—and sure enough, their faces showed pity and surprise, as if they couldn’t bear to see her humbled like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s sharp,he murmured sincerely, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he had thought Rafine was just a beautiful woman fortunate enough to be born as the heiress of House Austin. But he had been completely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t just beautiful—she was intelligent, cunning, and full of potential. It was no wonder Duke Austin had chosen her as his successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Rafine had made a critical mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had her opponent been any other prince, he might have been easily swayed by her charm and humility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for her, she was dealing with him—a prince who believed that men and women were equals in every sense... hehehe.\u003C\u002Fp>",1120,"2026-05-30T06:57:16.338Z","2026-06-01T04:30:35.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","a97a45f6c89a7cbd1fb8b2ee3e4c8f9601aa3e207d145d25d40d3fcaf16f75cc","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-170","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-168",748,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-cover.jpg"]