[{"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-225":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},396511,661,"Chapter 225: Conflict of Interest (2)","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-225",225,"\u003Cp>Nolan looked up and saw Aston with several soldiers from the Valmire family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were on horseback, some of them carrying weapons as if prepared for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marquis Valmire,\" Nolan greeted politely with a small nod. \"I apologize for my sudden arrival. Are you heading somewhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aston clasped his hands toward him. \"It’s alright, Your Highness. Yes, I’m going to the family factory to settle some important matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he tried to appear composed, Nolan noticed the anxiety and anger beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is something wrong there? Or...\" Nolan smiled faintly. \"Did the Castellan family make a move against your factory?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words startled Aston, and his gaze at Nolan turned into one of astonishment and admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you figure that out, Your Highness?\" he asked absentmindedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a hunch,\" Nolan replied casually with a shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aston fell silent, unsure whether to believe him or not. Since their last conversation, his view of Nolan had changed drastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, he believed Nolan to be just a foolish, worthless prince. Yet now, he saw him as a figure deserving of admiration and respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have imagined that beneath all the mocking titles Nolan carried lay a different, unforeseen side of him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Aston didn’t know how Nolan had formed a connection with the Blue Moon Trading House, the truth was that the Valmire family had received tremendous help and benefits from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for that, the Valmire family would already be in serious trouble. After all, the Castellan family had grown incredibly strong with the support of the Red Obsidian Trading House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take me with you. I want to see the condition of your factory as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan’s casual voice pulled Aston out of his thoughts. He looked at Nolan doubtfully before asking in a heavy tone, \"Are you certain, Your Highness? Reports say the Castellan family’s attack has left many of my employees and soldiers injured. Some have even died. I cannot guarantee they won’t strike again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan rolled his eyes and waved a hand dismissively. \"I appreciate the warning, but it’s fine. I’m a prince—they wouldn’t dare attack me unless they’re ready to face punishment from the imperial family. Besides, I can protect myself. So relax.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words eased Aston’s worries somewhat. In hindsight, Nolan’s reasoning did make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his status as a prince, even the Castellan family wouldn’t act recklessly—unless they were prepared to face dire consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, Your Highness. Then let us go,\" Aston said respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan gave a small nod, and at once they rode their horses toward the southeast, accompanied by dozens of soldiers guarding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a luxurious room, a man sat at ease, one leg folded lazily over the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was thin, with a faint mustache on his upper lip and slightly curly blue hair. His eyes were somewhat wide, framed by thin eyebrows that stretched neatly from end to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His teeth jutted out slightly, and a large mole marked the right side of his cheek. That man was Rovert Castellan, head of the Marquis Castellan family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to a gray-armored soldier standing before him, and he asked casually, \"Was the attack successful?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier bowed respectfully and replied, \"Everything went according to plan, my Lord. We destroyed the Valmire family’s weapons factory. Several employees were injured, and three soldiers died fighting us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert grinned faintly as his eyes lingered on his long, pink-colored fingernails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very good. You’ve done an excellent job,\" he said softly with a slow nod. \"Don’t worry—there will be rewards for all of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, my Lord!\" the soldier exclaimed joyfully, clasping his hands together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert gave a brief nod and waved his left hand dismissively. \"Go back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, the soldier quickly left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert yawned lazily and propped his legs on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anna, come in,\" he called casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a beautiful woman stepped in through the door. She wore a purple dress, and her long brown hair hung straight down her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Anna’s eyes fell on Rovert, a flicker of fear crossed them—but she quickly concealed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there anything I can help you with, Lord Rovert?\" She asked cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert smiled and patted the seat at his right side. The woman didn’t dare argue and slowly sat down beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear was plain on her face, and cold sweat trickled down her forehead and neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are you and your... baby?\" Rovert leaned close to her neck, inhaling her fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna felt goosebumps rise, but she forced herself to stay calm. \"The baby is... fine, my Lord. You have nothing to worry about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert nodded in satisfaction, his eyes dropping to her slightly swollen belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and gently rubbed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This child will be the future heir of the Castellan family,\" he said quietly. \"So take care of him. Don’t let him suffer even the slightest harm. Otherwise...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words trailed off, his eyes narrowing with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I—I understand, Lord Rovert. Leave it to me!\" Anna quickly reassured him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\" Rovert patted her head approvingly. \"After you give birth, you can return to your family. I’ll give you the wealth and home I promised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Lord Rovert! Thank you!\" The woman said, bowing her head, her expression a mix of joy and sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rovert gave a simple nod and waved his hand. Understanding, the woman rose quickly and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned, but Rovert paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes reddened slightly as he bit the tip of his index finger and whispered with passion,I’m burning with desire... I need someone to vent to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan and Aston rode for fifteen minutes before finally arriving at a large factory on a vast estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once grand and sophisticated, the building was now in ruins. The gates lay shattered, soldiers were badly wounded, and some had died with stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chaotic scene made Aston’s anger nearly uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Castellan family...he muttered furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never expected them to go this far—mobilizing dozens, no, hundreds of armed soldiers just to destroy his factory. Such an act was utterly intolerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Nolan, who had been watching in silence, was equally stunned. Narrowing his eyes, he whispered,So... a war between the two families is about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>",1054,"2026-05-30T06:57:16.338Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.828Z",1,"novelbin.me","f45cd34379c2a7c1af9fdeb39ada92056075ff391df9af10ef1b016a0628b130","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-226","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-224",748,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-cover.jpg"]