The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 626 Going to the Royal Palace

Aldrian found himself utterly speechless. He hadn't anticipated such resolute defiance from Seira, a stance that effectively shut down any hope for negotiation.

Undeterred, he kept trying to sway her, yet the outcome remained unchanged.

At that precise moment, the Grand Master intervened, unable to refrain any longer.

"How about we head to the palace first, Princess? Once there, you can deliberate the matter with Their Majesties, the King and Queen."

The betrothal between Aldrian and Seira hadn't been a unilateral decision by Aldrian; it possessed the full endorsement of the royal family and had been formally ratified.

Consequently, Seira couldn't simply dissolve it, as doing so would jeopardize the honor and prestige of the royal lineage.

Aldrian's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. Since he couldn't convince Seira independently, he was certain his parents would succeed.

After all, should Seira persist in her obstinacy, it would be futile. Within the palace walls, his authority was second only to his father's. He possessed the power to coerce her, or in a worst-case scenario, force her confinement.

Seira was meant for him and him alone—no other could lay claim to her.

Seira did not offer an immediate retort. Brows furrowed, she seemed lost in deep contemplation.

How could she possibly be blind to the machinations of Aldrian and his elderly companion?

On the contrary, their intentions were crystal clear. Still, an outright refusal was not feasible.

Suddenly, Nolan brushed her left palm. Startled, Seira turned her focus toward him.

With a faint smile, Nolan whispered, "Simply agree. Do not fear—I am beside you."

His reassurance effectively swept away her lingering doubts and anxieties. Returning his smile, she gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"Very well."

Turning her attention back to Aldrian, she stated firmly, "I accept. However, I have several stipulations. My chambers must be adjacent to Nolan's, and furthermore..."

Seira enumerated her conditions, to which Aldrian offered no dissent. Nevertheless, the demand for her room to be beside Nolan's grated on him slightly.

Though aware they were siblings, the arrangement still sat ill with him.

"Understood. I shall fulfill every one of your requests," Aldrian promised with a veneer of affection.

Seira dipped her head in acknowledgment and remained silent. Only Nolan wore a faint, enigmatic smile.

The plan was unfolding perfectly, with only a few loose ends remaining.

...

The Lyren Royal Family was a formidable power, exerting total control over essentially all aspects of the kingdom.

Unlike the Great Velmora Empire, where governance of the cardinal regions was split among four dukes, the Lyren clan maintained centralized control over all territories.

Their royal system was absolute, stripping the nobles of any real authority over their titular lands.

They were effectively mere civil servants reliant on local taxes, susceptible to being replaced by the throne at any whim.

This explains why the Ancient Kingdom of Eron functioned with such rigid order; the nobles lacked the audacity to challenge the absolute dominion of the Lyren household.

Nevertheless, a system of such unchecked power frequently yields detrimental consequences, particularly for the fabric of society.

The royal family was immune to censure, creating a hierarchy that shielded the King, the princes, and their kin from all reproach.

Such conditions easily foster stagnation, suppressing innovation in technology, economics, and other vital sectors.

With so many vested interests tied up in the status quo, societal advancement was hindered.

Of course, the adverse impacts had yet to fully manifest, as the current monarch was widely viewed as a prudent wielder of his immense power.

Yet, none could predict if his successor would follow a similar path or descend into pure authoritarianism.

At that juncture, the carriage transporting Nolan and Seira pulled up to the royal palace.

The Ancient Eron Royal Palace was a massive structure. While lacking the imperial splendor of greater empires, its vastness and opulence remained impressive.

The courtyard was expansive, dominated by a towering four-meter statue at its center.

It depicted the founder of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron, Crimson Lyren.

The carriage traversed the yard, coming to a halt before the main hall.

Servants quickly assembled, and a staff member stepped forward to unlatch the carriage door.

"We welcome Princess Seira and Prince Nolan," the servants bowed respectfully.

Seira exited and offered a subtle nod.

"My thanks."

Nolan stepped out behind her, his eyes scanning the palace with avid curiosity.

This marked only the second time he had set foot within a non-imperially owned palace, the first being the Izanagi Imperial Palace on the eastern continent.

"Princess, Prince, Their Majesties await you in the throne room. Please follow me," the middle-aged man stated with refined courtesy.

Nolan cast a glance at him, noting his distinct appearance compared to the typical servants. He was undoubtedly the royal household's butler.

Seira nodded silently, her gaze unwavering, and she and Nolan followed in his wake.

The palace interior was as unique as it was grand. Statues of knights lined both sides of the hall at three-meter intervals.

Numerous paintings adorned the walls, each capturing men draped in regal attire.

These were surely portraits of past kings. After traversing a long gallery, they finally reached a three-meter-high doorway.

As the doors swung open, the throne room was revealed. At the far end, a man of striking appearance sat upon the throne.

His hair was a short, stony gray, and his blue eyes radiated a chilling, unsettling calm.

Clothed in white robes, his aura was so heavy it rendered the very air in the room taut with tension.

He was the sovereign of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron in this era, Gulvar Lyren.

Beside him sat a woman of breathtaking beauty. Her brown hair was pinned into a bun, and she cast a gentle, soothing aura meant to put visitors at ease.

Yet, it was clearly a facade. Even as she masked it, Nolan detected a fierce, predatory ambition in her eyes.

This was most likely the queen, Melody Lyren. Standing behind the monarchs were three individuals—two men and a woman.

One man was the prince and Seira's betrothed, Aldrian. Beside him stood a man who was also handsome but wore a frigid, vacant expression, as if his day had been filled with immense misfortune.

He bore a slight family resemblance to Aldrian, yet his hair, eyes, and posture were markedly different.

Finally, there was the woman. She was extraordinarily beautiful. Given her lack of resemblance to Melody, she was likely the daughter of one of Gulvar Lyren's concubines.

Nolan offered a faint smile, muttering to himself, 'Things are becoming considerably more intriguing…'