The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne
Chapter 40: The Changing Pattern of Competition for the Throne

Chapter 40: The Changing Pattern of Competition for the Throne

"Aldric!"

Ragan rushed toward him and dropped to his knees, quickly checking his condition.

In an instant, his expression darkened.

"This is bad," he muttered through clenched teeth.

Aldric’s spine was broken, and his arm was dislocated. The force of the blow should have been fatal.

Fortunately, Aldric’s body was very strong, so such injuries did not threaten his life.

Even so, Ragan refused to be careless. He turned to the two guards nearby and ordered, "Take Aldric to the medical room, and summon Dalas immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" they replied before carefully lifting Aldric’s heavy body.

As they carried him away, Ragan stood there, his expression filled with frustration.

If the attacker had been anyone else, he would have launched a full-scale pursuit and enforced the death penalty without hesitation.

But this was the Singularity of Chaos—a figure beyond his reach. Confronting him would only bring ruin to himself and the Empire.

Shaking his head, he walked back to the main stage and faced everyone present.

"I sincerely apologize for everything that has happened," he said calmly, clasping his hands. "This was the palace’s failure. If the capital’s defenses hadn’t weakened, the black dragon would never have appeared."

At his words, the Dukes also clasped their hands and responded in unison, "Please do not worry, Your Majesty. We understand."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," added Marquis Caltheron, mirroring their gesture.

One by one, the others followed, and none voiced any blame toward Ragan.

Well, it made sense. Who could stop a catastrophe-level monster?

Even the mighty Great Velmora Empire would have been reduced to rubble. After all, such a creature was capable of obliterating half a continent.

Ragan smiled again and declared, "Thank you, everyone. As planned, the succession to the throne will proceed."

His gaze swept over the Dukes and heads of noble families as he added, "Consider your choices carefully before making a decision."

With that, he turned and stepped down from the stage.

The Dukes and nobles understood what he meant, yet none of them spoke.

After what had just happened, the choices they had originally prepared were no longer valid.

Rather than pledging support right away, they decided to wait and see how the battle for the throne would unfold.

What began as a contest between Prince Aldric, Prince Cedric, and Prince Adalen... had now shifted.

There was a new contender they couldn’t ignore—Princess Elina.

Unconsciously, their eyes turned toward the slender, beautiful figure standing quietly in the center of the square.

Feeling their stares, Elina grew slightly uncomfortable.

Then, a lighthearted voice called out from behind her.

"Elina, Evalyn, Masha—are you all okay?"

The three girls turned toward the voice and saw Nolan strolling over casually, hands in his pockets and a faint smile on his lips.

"Brother!" Elina’s eyes lit up. She was about to run to him, but Evalyn got there first—and smacked him on the head.

"You idiot, Nolan! Where have you been? You never came back from the bathroom!" She scolded him sharply, even as tears gathered in her eyes.

The appearance of the Black Dragon and the Singularity of Chaos had left her deeply worried about Nolan’s safety.

She feared he might have been injured—or worse, killed—during the Black Dragon’s rampage.

"Ouch!" Nolan winced, rubbing the spot where Evalyn had hit him.

He was about to complain, but the sad and distressed look on Evalyn’s face made him hold his tongue.

Letting out a soft sigh, he reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her right eye.

"Sorry, my bad," Nolan said casually. "My stomach was killing me earlier, so I had to stay in the bathroom longer."

He glanced at Elina, Masha, and the people nearby, then looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression.

"Uh... where’s the Black Dragon? Why did it disappear?" he asked, clearly stunned.

Evalyn rolled her eyes and stepped slightly away from him.

"The Singularity of Chaos showed up and defeated it—just like that," she said, her tone suddenly more animated, as if she were the only one lucky enough to witness the incredible scene.

"Singularity of Chaos?" Nolan’s eyes widened. "You’re serious?"

"Of course," Evalyn sighed. "You’re probably the only person in the entire capital who missed it."

"Damn it!" Nolan cursed, his face scrunched in frustration. "That sucks! It must’ve been amazing!"

He gave a bitter smile, genuinely looking regretful.

Meanwhile, Elina stayed quiet, her face clouded with doubt and confusion.

Is it just my imagination? She murmured under her breath, uncertainty lacing her voice.

Something about Nolan’s presence... felt eerily similar to the aura of the Singularity of Chaos.

It sounded absurd—but her heart kept whispering otherwise.

It’s just a hallucination, she whispered, quickly dismissing the strange thought.

How could there possibly be any connection between her brother and the Singularity of Chaos? That was impossible.

Shaking off her reverie, Elina stepped forward and handed Masha to Nolan.

"Are you okay, Brother?"

Nolan took Masha gently and pinched the little girl’s cheek.

"Hehe..." Masha squirmed playfully in his arms.

"I’m fine," Nolan replied softly.

His eyes then met Elina’s, and he immediately sensed something was different.

"What’s wrong?" he asked quietly, stroking his sister’s head.

Elina was startled—she hadn’t expected Nolan to notice the feelings she’d been hiding so well.

Just as she was about to answer, Masha, still in Nolan’s arms, suddenly interrupted.

"Prince Nolan, did you know something surprising happened earlier?"

"Oh?" Nolan raised an eyebrow, looking at Masha’s excited face. "What happened?"

"Earlier..." Masha eagerly began recounting how the Singularity of Chaos had declared it would protect Elina.

Nolan was stunned. He turned to Elina with disbelief.

"Is that true?"

Elina gave a wry smile and nodded slowly. "Yes, that’s what happened."

Concern flashed in her eyes as she gripped Nolan’s hand and asked softly, "Do you think this is a good or bad move for me, brother?"

Although everyone saw the Singularity of Chaos’s protection as a blessing, Elina feared it would only bring hostility sooner—from Aldric, Cedric, Adalen, and the other two princes.

She also worried it might ruin the plans her brother had made.

But to her surprise, Nolan didn’t seem angry. Instead, he smiled.

"What are you thinking, silly girl?" He teased, flicking her forehead.

"Ouch!" Elina winced and shot him a glare.

Before she could reply, Nolan continued lightly, "The Singularity’s support is a good thing. With his protection, we—you, me, and Mother—don’t have to worry so much about threats that could strike at any moment."

He looked deeply into Elina’s eyes and added, "As for Aldric, Cedric, or Adalen... with me by your side, what is there to fear?"

Nolan smiled gently and brushed a soft hand over Elina’s forehead.

Elina was stunned by his words. Slowly, she realized her fears were unfounded.

Right... I have my brother with me. Why should I worry?

Her expression softened, a new determination shining in her eyes.

Watching this tender moment, Evalyn felt a pang of jealousy.

Hmph! He pampers his sister like crazy, but with me, he’s never been gentle, she grumbled.

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