The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 629 A Sweet Tongue (2)

"Hmmph..."

Alina hummed a cheerful tune as she tended to a vibrant cluster of pink blossoms. The sight of them blooming so radiantly was enough to soothe any weary soul.

Footsteps echoed behind her, marked by a playful, ringing voice.

"Pardon the intrusion, Princess Alina, but what exactly are you occupied with?"

Surprised, Alina spun around to find Nolan strolling toward her.

"Prince Nolan!" Her eyes twinkled with excitement as she replied, "I am watering these flowers. Look—aren't they truly lovely?"

She gestured toward the flowerbeds with a hopeful expression.

Nolan cast a glance at the flora and offered a gentle smile.

"They are indeed exquisite. Are these blossoms of your doing?"

"Actually... they were my mother's," Alina shared, her smile tinged with a soft, bittersweet nostalgia. "She cherished these flowers deeply and nurtured them, hoping I would share her passion. She passed away long before they could reach this full bloom."

Her features darkened with a sudden wave of melancholy.

A flicker of surprise surged through Nolan. He knew she was a concubine's daughter, but he had never guessed she had lost her mother.

Without thinking, he reached out and gently smoothed her hair.

"You have put a lot of heart into caring for them. I am certain your mother watches over you with pride from the heavens."

Alina froze at the contact. A flush crept up her neck, and an unexpected warmth bloomed atop her head.

Even so, she made no effort to move away, merely lowering her head in a shy display.

"Thank you," she murmured quietly.

Nolan offered a enigmatic smile before withdrawing his hand.

"By the way, a thought has been bothering me for a while," he remarked casually as he walked past her. "I have kept an eye on this garden for three days now, yet you were nowhere to be found. Have you been exceptionally busy?"

Simultaneously, Nolan stooped to retrieve the watering can from the grass and began to water the flowers with meticulous care.

Alina stayed silent for a heartbeat before offering a smile. "You could say as much. Since Brother Aldrian was named the heir, my obligations to attend noble studies have multiplied. Mother Melody insists I must be prepared to tutor Brother Aldrian's future children."

Despite her brave smile, a distinct shadow of loneliness lingered in her light green eyes.

Nolan noted it immediately, yet he chose not to probe. Their connection simply lacked the depth for such inquiries.

"I see. That sounds exhausting. My own trials were somewhat similar, though our circumstances remain quite distinct."

"Oh? You have endured the same struggles, Prince Nolan?"

Nolan gave a slight nod, setting the watering can aside with a weary sigh.

"I am sure you have heard the rumors whispered about me. They call me a good-for-nothing prince, a dead weight on the imperial house. But is there any truth to it? I have always given my best effort, yet in the eyes of my siblings—and even my father—I remain worthless. Truthfully, being a member of the imperial bloodline is far less glorious than people dream."

He let out another long sigh, fixing his gaze toward the ground with a look of profound dejection.

Of course, the entire performance was a fabrication. If awards for acting existed in this world, he would have secured the grand prize without question.

But Nolan did not care. His sole ambition was to draw Alina into his confidence so his agenda could move forward.

As for the deception, the truth remained known only to him—and perhaps the gods.

His father and brothers would never uncover his schemes; he could rest easy.

If Ragan could hear his inner monologue, the man would surely swing a fist and roar, "Ungrateful wretch! How dare you use my name to propagate such lies!"

Unfortunately, the old man remained entirely unaware that Nolan was weaponizing his reputation to manipulate a young woman like Alina.

"Prince Nolan..." Alina shielded her mouth with her hand; her face was a mask of sorrow and empathy, as if she were confronting a mirror of her own suffering.

"I never imagined you carried such a heavy burden within the palace walls. Please forgive me for ever viewing you as a useless, incompetent prince."

She dipped her head, overcome by a pang of shame.

While Nolan maintained a facade of composure, his skin flushed a faint crimson. He had told many lies to stir others to his will.

Yet, at that moment, he felt a genuine sting of discomfort for deceiving a girl as innocent as Alina.

"It is of no consequence. I have grown accustomed to it. People are always far too quick to judge the surface rather than the heart."

A cynical smile touched his lips, only serving to deepen Alina's sympathy for his plight.

Before she could reconsider, she stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Nolan was momentarily stunned—he hadn't anticipated an impulsive hug from her.

He felt the slight tremor in her frame. She was clearly nervous, yet she had pushed past her hesitation to comfort him.

Honestly, he found the gesture slightly endearing. He certainly did not look down on her compassion, but knowing his own deceit made the guilt gnaw at him.

Just as he prepared to return the gesture, Alina pulled back abruptly.

"I—I apologize, Prince Nolan. Please do not misunderstand—it was merely an instinctive reaction," she stammered in haste.

Her face burned a vibrant shade of red, highlighting just how mortified she felt.

Nolan smiled and ruffled her hair gently.

"Think nothing of it. I am the one who owes you gratitude, Princess Alina. Excluding my mother and my sister, Seira, you are the first person to treat me with such sincerity. I am truly overwhelmed."

He wiped at an invisible tear, mimicking the posture of deep, earnest gratitude.

Alina's embarrassment gradually receded, replaced by a soft, unquantifiable joy.

"By the way, could I trouble you for a favor? I am still quite unfamiliar with this estate. Would you be willing to show me around?"

It just so happened that he had no pressing business to attend to. Cultivating a rapport with Alina was his priority, as it would allow him to map out the secrets of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron.

By doing so, the ultimate advantage would rest entirely in his grasp.

"Yes! Of course!" Alina agreed without a shred of hesitation.

Moments later, she began guiding Nolan through the royal expanse.

Neither noticed that they were being observed from the shadows.

One of the observers possessed striking, handsome features, while the other appeared remarkably average.

Yet, the man with the mundane face projected an aura far more formidable than his companion.

"What is your assessment, Alex?" Eldrin inquired with a casual tone.

The plain-faced man remained stone-cold. "Nolan Lorian is... peculiar. His Majesty labels him a threat, but I detect nothing. Is it possible that His Majesty has miscalculated?"

Eldrin fell into a contemplative silence, sharing the same doubt.

"Regardless, we must remain vigilant and monitor him frequently. It is evident that he intends to ingratiate himself with Princess Alina."

Alex's assessment earned a nod of agreement from Eldrin.

"You are right. Let us depart."

In a flash, the two figures vanished like a sudden, chilling breeze.