[{"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-19":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},396655,661,"Chapter 19: The Emperor’s Orders","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-19",19,"\u003Cp>The next morning...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight gradually rose, casting its warm glow over the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slipped through the windowpane and landed directly on Nolan, who was still fast asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uhm...\" he groaned softly, rolling to the side and pulling the blanket over his face to shield himself from the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't fall back asleep. With a reluctant sigh, he opened his heavy eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huaaah~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lazy yawn escaped his lips as he slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Already morning?\" he mumbled. A glance at the clock told him it was only seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunlight felt hotter than usual. That's when he remembered—it was already summer. No wonder the heat felt stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still half-asleep, he got out of bed and shuffled toward the bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan stepped out of the bathroom looking refreshed—a stark contrast to how he was moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew! Morning showers really are the best,\" he muttered, clearly satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over to the table, where a full breakfast had already been neatly laid out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, the servants had prepared it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat down on the sofa, ready to eat, when something caught his eye—a letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A letter?\" He murmured, eyebrows lifting as curiosity began to take hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the letter and turned it over, examining it carefully. On the front, a few words immediately caught his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor's Orders?\" His eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor's Orders were official documents written personally by the Emperor—his own father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were used to issue commands directly to princes, high-ranking officials, or members of the Imperial family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contents were never trivial. Letters like these usually contained urgent and important orders, capable of triggering significant changes in the structure of governance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could this be about the succession?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought alone was enough to steady his expression. Of all the possibilities, this one seemed the most likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, just yesterday, his father had summoned the family to discuss the matter of succession and had promised to provide more details soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, this letter almost certainly held the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he broke the seal and began to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes passed. He folded the letter and couldn't help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected... the succession has officially begun.\" He let out a soft chuckle and leaned back on the sofa, folding one leg over the other in a relaxed posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter contained the official announcement of the commencement of the succession to the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with it, the Emperor had outlined a number of strict rules that must be followed throughout the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were prohibitions against direct killing, involving outside forces as allies, and several other regulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all the rules, the one that stood out most to him was the ban on direct killing. To Nolan, that rule was... interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it didn't mean the princes couldn't eliminate one another—it simply meant they couldn't do it openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the bonds he had formed with the other princes and princesses would soon be meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, whenever they met, they would no longer be siblings but rivals locked in a life-and-death struggle for the same goal: the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh...\" Nolan let out a long sigh, staring up at the ceiling with a melancholy gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Succession to the throne... how cruel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth be told, ever since he first understood the true nature of royal succession, he had known this day would come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with all his preparation, an uneasy feeling still gnawed at his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were siblings. Born of different mothers, yes—but bound by the same blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing those thoughts aside, he folded the letter, slid it back into its golden envelope, and set it on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then turned his attention to breakfast. But midway through his meal, the door to his room suddenly swung open with a loud bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother! Did you read Father's letter!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina burst in, her face a whirlwind of excitement, fear, and anticipation—all tangled together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a long breath, then cast a displeased glance at his sister and said in a flat tone,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Couldn't you have come in more quietly and gracefully? I was eating, and you startled me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm and unhurried, like that of an older brother gently scolding an overly eager younger sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina immediately realized her mistake and gave a sheepish smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem! Sorry, brother. I was just too excited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, she was calm and composed. Even when receiving good news, she kept her emotions in check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after reading the Emperor's official letter, her excitement had momentarily gotten the better of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining her composure, Elina walked over and sat next to Nolan with graceful poise—a stark contrast to her earlier entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, Nolan picked up a piece of fried shrimp from his plate and popped it into her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... your visit has something to do with the start of the succession?\" he asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina accepted the shrimp, chewed slowly, then swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm! Yes, that's why I came. You accepted it too, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan simply gave a slow nod as he continued eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what should we do next, Brother?\" Elina tilted her head, her eyes filled with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing for now. We'll observe how the other princes move before deciding on our next step,\" Nolan replied casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina frowned slightly but nodded in silent agreement. \"Alright. I'll follow your lead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" Nolan said with a nod of approval. \"By the way, have you had breakfast yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet,\" Elina replied with a small sigh. \"I was so excited, I completely forgot about the food on my table.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if expecting that response, Nolan picked up a piece of stir-fried beef and ate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then eat with me. After all, in a few hours, the official announcement of the succession will be made, and we're expected to gather in the palace square with Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, Elina nodded enthusiastically. \"Got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the two sat together, eating side by side while discussing everything they knew—and speculated—about the coming battle for the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>",1030,"2026-05-30T06:57:16.060Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.828Z",1,"novelbin.me","2041590a6758d58a4b4f1fef88e1d3264ebebc99667ba1f0a0f0007a89e5cd1b","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-20","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-18",748,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-cover.jpg"]