[{"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-23":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},396659,661,"Chapter 23: The Confrontation with Adalen","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>As soon as those words were spoken, the square fell silent once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's expressions—from the commoners to the heads of noble families—suddenly stiffened, filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Replaced by Princess Elina? How is that possible?\" One citizen exclaimed in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those around him remained silent, unable to respond. From the beginning, they had been suspicious, quietly wondering why Elina had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had even suspected she would take part in the battle for the throne herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of them had expected this—she was replacing Nolan in the competition!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something like this had never happened before. They truly didn't know how to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never imagined His Majesty would take such a step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated on the platform reserved for nobles, Marquis Valmire couldn't hide his surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Marquis Caltheron nodded with a complicated expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure His Majesty has his reasons. Our role is simply to accept that decision,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, you're right,\" Marquis Valmire replied with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ragan watched the crowd's reactions, entirely unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he had decided was the Emperor's will—and that will was absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter who disapproved, it meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, everyone. That is all I wish to say to you,\" he declared in a thunderous, indifferent voice. \"With this, I hereby decree—the succession to the throne officially begins!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single clap rang out from the Dukes' seats. Moments later, the heads of the noble families, followed by the commoners, began to applaud as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of applause echoed across the square, loud enough to be heard even a kilometer away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swissh... Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firecrackers burst in the sky, one after another, illuminating the air and adding to the festive atmosphere in the Imperial Palace square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The succession to the throne was a fierce contest among princes—a grand battle to claim the empire's highest seat of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the most spectacular event in the Great Velmora Empire, held only during times of transition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, the celebrations were always extravagant and spectacular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the excitement from the stage, Nolan's expression remained calm and composed, without the slightest change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battle for the throne, huh?He muttered softly, a faint smile playing on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that from this moment forward, he could no longer hide or pretend to be a lazy, good-for-nothing prince. If he did, Elina would be the one to suffer for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was now her main supporter—and every move he made would reflect on her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he didn't mind. As long as it meant he could live freely in the end, he was willing to put in the effort now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk. So this is your true self, Nolan? I didn't expect you to hide it so well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light, casual voice came from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Elina and Nolan turned their heads instinctively and saw Adalen standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a clear playfulness in Adalen's eyes, laced with a hint of disdain, and he didn't bother to conceal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina frowned, ready to respond, but Nolan gently held her back and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the matter, Third Brother? Surprised by my appearance?\" he asked with a slight smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a hint of arrogance in his expression, but thanks to his handsome features, that smile appeared charming rather than irritating—at least in the eyes of the women watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adalen smiled and casually stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I was quite surprised,\" he admitted bluntly. \"You've always looked messy, nothing like a proper prince. So seeing you like this is... quite the transformation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nolan didn't flinch at the provocation. He might have only been eighteen in body, but his soul was already forty-six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for someone like him, a shallow jab like that wasn't even worth reacting to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing a faint smile, Nolan crossed his arms over his chest and met Adalen's gaze with steady, unflinching eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the compliment, Third Brother,\" he said calmly. \"I admit I've been negligent. As a prince, I failed to set a proper example—that was my mistake. Is that enough for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When faced with ridicule, sometimes the best defense was simply to accept it with grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Adalen wasn't wrong. Nolan had always looked disheveled and acted in ways that were completely unfit for royalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was there to deny?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the moment Nolan acknowledged it without resistance, the smile on Adalen's lips seemed to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted—cold and cautious—as he studied Nolan from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's something off about that fool...Adalen murmured under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While their interactions had been limited, Adalen had crossed paths with Nolan more than once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Nolan had struck him as arrogant and immature, which was why Adalen never took him seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... why did he seem so different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp instinct warned him that something significant was about to unfold, but he had no idea what or when.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking the thought away, Adalen shifted his attention from Nolan to Elina, who stood quietly behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elina,\" he said flatly, \"I'll give you one piece of advice—drop out before it's too late. You have no real support, and in the end, you'll only bring misery upon yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the cold threat laced in his words, Elina remained composed. She didn't so much as flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fixing him with an icy gaze, she replied, \"You don't need to worry about me, Brother Adalen. You'd do better to look after yourself—and your own safety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adalen's brows furrowed slightly at her response. He let out a cold snort, then turned his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've warned you. If things go badly, don't say I didn't,\" he said indifferently before walking back to his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elina glared at his back, her expression a mix of anger and frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry.\" A hand gently patted her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, Elina turned her head. Standing beside her was her brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm your supporter,\" he said softly. \"I'll clear every obstacle in your path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her anger slowly dissolved, replaced by renewed determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm! I believe in you, Brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Elina didn't realize was that behind Nolan's warm gaze, a cold glint flickered—one filled with murderous intent, directed squarely at Adalen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adalen, oh Adalen...Nolan thought, his lips curling into a sly, chilling smile.You think just because your grandfather, the Singularity of Light, stands behind you, you can threaten my sister without consequence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just wait... I'll show you how vast the world truly is. And even that old man won't be able to save you.\u003C\u002Fp>",1084,"2026-05-30T06:57:16.060Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.828Z",1,"novelbin.me","934f737ef5d707f0931b6530fd9e5c358a36db553f8023b0c011f91e93b33ca4","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-24","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-22",748,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-cover.jpg"]