The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 624 Arrival at the Mansion

"We have finally arrived," Aldrian announced with palpable excitement as he hopped down from the carriage.

He cast an eager gaze toward the manor awaiting his arrival. The prospect of reuniting with Seira filled him with profound joy, and he knew his wish would be fulfilled within moments.

"Grand Master, hurry! Follow me inside!" Aldrian pressed, his tone urgent.

The Grand Master, only just alighting from the wagon, shook his head with a weary sigh. While Aldrian was undoubtedly a sharp and capable prince, he inexplicably lost all composure when it concerned Seira, appearing little better than a lovesick fool.

The sentries, taken aback by the sudden visit, bowed low, offering their respect.

"Greetings, Your Highness," they chimed in unison.

Aldrian gave a brisk, perfunctory nod. "Is Seira presently within?"

The guards straightened up at once. "Indeed, Your Highness. Shall we show you the way?"

In reality, granting entry to a guest without the mistress's prior authorization was an act of rank insolence. Yet, considering it was Prince Aldrian, none dared to protest or challenge his presence for fear of inviting catastrophe upon themselves later.

"Excellent. Lead the way without delay," Aldrian commanded with regal arrogance.

Unable to contest his order, the guards escorted him toward the entrance. Aldrian trailed behind, his face radiating undisguised anticipation.

As they reached the inner garden, the busy servants were jolted by his arrival and hurried to bow their heads. Aldrian acknowledged their presence with a generous, beaming smile.

Suddenly, he stopped, startled by the sight of a figure emerging from the mansion. The man standing there was statuesque and handsome, striking in appearance with rich, jet-black hair. A trace of languor touched his features, yet it served only to heighten a certain magnetic charm.

To Aldrian, however, the newcomer was an immediate threat, triggering a sudden, irrational spike in his pulse.

Just as the guard captain started to greet the man, Aldrian pushed past, rolling up his sleeves in a display of sudden hostility.

"Who are you? Why have you intruded upon my fiancée's estate?" he barked.

The guards stood paralyzed. They desperately wanted to intervene, but lacked the fortitude to do so. They could only hang their heads in profound embarrassment.

Nolan looked visibly surprised. He surveyed the prince, quickly deducing exactly who he was: Aldrian Lyren, the First Prince of the Eron Kingdom. It was quite a shock to see him show up so readily just to see his sister.

'Does his devotion truly run that deep?' he mused.

Shaking the thought, Nolan stepped forward to occupy the space directly in front of the prince. Towering at 1.95 meters, he stood well above Aldrian, who barely reached the man's chin.

In an instant, Aldrian's arrogance withered under such a commanding physical presence.

"I asked who you are," Aldrian repeated, his voice colder than before. Meanwhile, he scanned Nolan with a suspicious eye, fearful that he had just stumbled upon a romantic rival.

Nolan allowed a faint smile to play on his lips. "Me? I am Nolan Lorian. Does Your Highness not recognize me?"

Upon identifying the man, Aldrian froze. The pieces finally fell into place.

"Nolan Lorian? Wait… you are Seira’s younger brother?" he stammered, stunned.

Nolan gave a simple nod, crossing his arms. "Is something the matter? Does Your Highness consider me an adversary?"

Mortified, Aldrian turned bright red. "Of course not! I simply did not anticipate meeting you here with Seira. I ask that you forgive my misunderstanding." Simultaneously, he cursed his intelligence network. Their failure to report such a crucial detail had made him appear ridiculous, severely damaging his dignity in Nolan’s eyes.

Nolan chuckled, refraining from comment. He found the prince’s confusion genuinely baffling. Following the public revelation of his face during the recent succession event, he had assumed he was easily recognizable.

"Ahem!" Aldrian cleared his throat, forcing a friendly, albeit stiff, expression. "My apologies. I was unaware of your presence, Nolan Lorian. I trust you took no offense at my earlier outbursts." If word of this reached Seira, his reputation would be ruined, so he scrambled to soothe the man's ego.

Nolan felt only distaste. The prince’s behavior reminded him of a subservient doting lackey rather than a royal. While loyalty was commendable, such groveling was unbecoming of a future monarch. He had initially hoped to bridge the gap between his sister and the prince, but this displaying of weakness had soured him. He determined he would have to find a way to dissolve the engagement; this man was fundamentally beneath his sister.

To keep his strategy on track, however, Nolan masked his true thoughts with a lighthearted facade. "Not at all, Your Highness. But since my sister is waiting, why don't we step inside?"

Aldrian nodded eagerly, his eyes lighting up. "Of course!"

Without a word, Nolan pivoted toward the mansion. Aldrian trailed behind, barely containing his excitement. Only the Grand Master remained, watching with a furrowed brow. He felt a nagging sense that Nolan Lorian was concealing something, though he lacked the insight to know what.

***

Seira sat in her room, lost in the pages of a book. She often indulged in literature during her quiet hours. Nolan had once remarked that books acted as portals to the wider world; since then, reading had become the core of her intellectual growth.

"The prince who was cast aside, is it? Edward Layard writes with such profound brilliance. I feel as if I have inhabited the life of the prince himself," she whispered softly.

The works of Edward Layard possessed an intoxicating narrative quality that never failed to quicken her pulse. His command of perspective and elegantly structured prose created a depth of storytelling that felt almost supernatural.

As she remained completely engrossed in her reading, Nolan appeared in the doorway. Seira closed the book, greeting him with a gentle smile.

"Is something wrong?"

Nolan leaned into the doorway, casting a faint smile back at her. "Your fiancé has arrived. Would you like to receive him?"