The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 1041 Seira's Past and the Reason (1)

Twenty-seven years ago…

"Seira! W-What's wrong, honey?! Wake up!"

Clarisse sobbed uncontrollably as she cradled Seira's small, unconscious body.

The servants were panicking as well. They rushed to help Clarisse, who was covered in blood.

"No, let me go! My daughter… My daughter is hurt!" she cried, pushing away the servants trying to help her up.

"You're injured too, Concubine Clarisse! Please, you need to stay still!" one of the servants pleaded, her voice trembling.

"No! My daughter… You have to save Seira!" Clarisse screamed hysterically.

The servant gritted her teeth, at a loss for what to do.

Fortunately, another servant soon arrived with the court physician.

Without wasting any time, they carried Seira, whose small body was covered in wounds, along with Clarisse, who was also injured.

***

"How is Seira doing, Dalas?"

Ragan turned to the short, elderly man beside him, his expression grim.

Dalas slowly withdrew his hand from Seira's chest and let out a long sigh.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. Princess Seira's condition is critical. I'm afraid—"

"Afraid of what!?"

Ragan grabbed Dalas by the collar and shook him.

"Tell me the truth! How bad is her condition?!"

Seeing this, Isabella and Cassandra, who happened to be there, hurriedly pulled Ragan away.

"Your Majesty, please calm down! Don't let your anger get the better of you!"

"R-Right, Your Majesty! Please don't take it out on Dalas. This isn't his fault!"

Ragan gritted his teeth, struggling to contain his anger. However, their words managed to calm him down, if only a little.

Dalas coughed as he straightened his rumpled clothes. He took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Princess Seira's condition is very serious. I've treated her external wounds, but she has other injuries far more severe than they appear."

Ragan's body trembled at his words.

"W-What exactly happened to her?" he asked anxiously.

Dalas glanced at Seira, who lay unconscious on the bed, his expression troubled.

"I don't know what to call this condition, but… the soul inside her body is incomplete."

Those words struck Ragan like a bolt of lightning.

He stumbled backward several steps.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

Isabella and Cassandra hurried to catch him before he could fall.

Ragan stood there with a blank expression, as if all the strength had drained from his body.

"Her soul… is incomplete?" he muttered in a daze.

Seeing Ragan in such a desperate state, Isabella felt a pang of sorrow.

She turned to Dalas and gritted her teeth before asking in a strained voice, "Dalas, what exactly do you mean? Seira's soul is incomplete? What could have caused this?"

Dalas studied Seira for a moment before answering, "I'm sorry, I don't know either. But her soul must have been incomplete ever since she was born into this world."

Isabella and Cassandra's eyes widened in shock.

"T-Then how has she survived this long?"

"I don't understand it either. This condition is beyond my abilities."

Dalas shook his head.

The room fell silent, the atmosphere growing heavy and tense.

"It's a miracle she's survived this long. Unfortunately, even miracles have their limits. Her body can no longer sustain her incomplete soul. I'm afraid she only has a few days left to live."

Dalas tried to break the news as gently as possible, knowing how painful it would be for Ragan, Isabella, and Cassandra to hear.

Ragan lowered his head. The confidence and determination he usually carried himself with were gone, replaced by deep despair.

The daughter he loved and cherished more than anything had been born with an incomplete soul.

He couldn't accept it!

Gritting his teeth, Ragan raised his head and fixed Dalas with an icy stare.

"Tell me! Is there a way to save my daughter?!" he demanded.

Dalas was about to shake his head when something suddenly came to mind. His expression grew hesitant, and Ragan immediately noticed.

"Tell me! Don't hide anything from me, or I'll cut you to pieces!"

Ragan grabbed Dalas by the shoulders and shook him violently.

"Your Majesty!"

Isabella and Cassandra were startled and hurried to pull Ragan away.

Dalas felt his head spinning. He quickly grabbed the headboard to steady himself before he lost his balance.

After coughing a few times, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I know of a way, but I can't say for certain whether it'll work. In any case, the method is rather… absurd."

Isabella and Cassandra were stunned by his words. They exchanged uneasy glances.

However, Ragan seemed completely unaware of just how absurd the method was. He nodded firmly.

"I'll do it! Hurry up and tell me how!"

"There's a special ritual known as the Dance of the Sun God. It originated on the Eastern Continent and is famous throughout the world. According to the ancient records I've read, the dance allows the performer to establish a direct connection with the Sun God and make a request of him."

Dalas glanced at Seira, who lay unconscious on the bed.

"If we perform the ritual and successfully establish that connection, there might be a chance we can save Princess Seira."

The room fell silent.

Ragan's eyes widened, as if he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Ask the Sun God for help?

Ragan didn't even believe in the existence of gods. To him, the whole idea was nothing more than nonsense.

"Are you kidding me?" he growled angrily.

Seeing Ragan's reaction, Dalas hurriedly waved his hands in panic.

"Of course not, Your Majesty! I wouldn't dare joke about something like this! Everything I've told you is true."

He cleared his throat and forced himself to maintain a serious expression.

"Even if you believe the gods are nothing more than myths, this is the only option we have left. Otherwise…"

His voice trailed off, but Ragan, Cassandra, and Isabella all understood what he meant.

Ragan slumped in despair. The only way to save his daughter was to do something that went against all reason.

But he had no right to complain. As Dalas had said, this was his last chance. If he didn't take it, he might lose the only opportunity to save his daughter.

After gathering himself, Ragan nodded firmly.

"I'll do it! I'll head straight to the Eastern Continent and ask the Eastern Emperor to lend me one of his dancers. No matter what it takes, I'll make it happen!"

Seeing how determined Ragan was, Dalas nodded with satisfaction. Now this was the Ragan he knew.

"But Your Majesty, you must hurry. Princess Seira only has a few days left to live."

"I understand. I'll leave immediately."

Just as Ragan was about to turn away, Isabella stopped him.

"Wait a moment, Your Majesty!"

Ragan paused in surprise and turned to face her.

Isabella met his gaze and spoke firmly.

"I'll do it. I'll be the one to perform the dance!"