The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 630 Birthday Party Invitation

"A party? What are you talking about?"

Seira stared at Aldrian with furrowed brows.

Aldrian offered a smooth smile and moved closer to her.

"In two days, the palace will host a birthday gala for Alina. Nobles from across the entire kingdom are invited. I would like you to attend as my partner. What do you think?"

His true intention was to parade her as his fiancée before the entire court.

Once the nobles bore witness to their union, Seira would have no room to escape.

In the eyes of the public, she was his fiancée, a status that remained binding until the palace issued an official annulment.

Seira scoffed at his proposition. She saw right through his ploy.

He was clearly planning to exploit her by displaying her as a trophy to all the nobles in attendance.

However, Seira refrained from an immediate refusal. She suspected that this scheme involved more than just Aldrian—it had the fingerprints of Melody or perhaps even Gulvar all over it.

"Before I give an answer, tell me—what is on the agenda for this party?"

Aldrian stiffened visibly. He offered a strained, awkward smile. "There will be a dance for the guests, followed by gift-giving, a speech from my father, and similar proceedings. Does that sound acceptable?"

He appeared visibly anxious, uncertain whether she would consent.

If she rejected him, he had no backup plan to convince her or draw her into his orbit.

To his astonishment, Seira gave a brief nod.

"Very well, I will go. In two days, right?"

Aldrian was caught off guard; he hadn't anticipated her surrender.

"Wait... you are certain? I assumed you would turn me away."

Seira rolled her eyes. How could she pass up the chance to secure a dance with her younger brother?

"Yes, I’ll attend. Come to my room in two days to collect me."

She didn't care for Aldrian’s underlying motives, but she kept the true reason for her compliance hidden.

"Certainly! I will be waiting outside your room in two days!" Aldrian beamed at her with genuine delight.

...

"Your birthday? When is it?"

"In two days. Would you... care to attend?"

Alina watched Nolan with an expression flickering between hope and youthful shyness.

Nolan sipped his tea in silence for a moment. He had been completely unaware that Alina’s birthday celebration was only two days away.

His internal instinct was to decline. He loathed birthday parties; he found such events loud, taxing, and entirely too much effort.

However, he reminded himself that his alliance with Alina was only just beginning. Rebuffing her now could easily wreck the rapport he had spent the last three hours cultivating.

"I see. In two days, you said? I will be there. Don't worry about it."

His assurance allowed Alina to release a long, pent-up breath. In truth, she had been terrified that Nolan would shut her down.

Beyond the personal humiliation, she dreaded a fractured relationship caused by his rejection.

Even as a guest at the palace, Nolan possessed the autonomy to choose which events he graced with his presence, and Alina had no power to compel him.

Thankfully, he had agreed, and that singular fact made her heart leap with joy.

Nolan noticed her sudden ease and offered a faint smile.

"By the way, how many years are you turning?"

"Eighteen," Alina answered, her voice dropping. "Since it's my eighteenth, the celebration will be larger than usual. I am quite excited."

Her eyes twinkled with anticipation. To her, reaching adulthood represented a turning point in her life.

She looked forward to the freedoms that she had missed out on because of her youth.

"Eighteen?" Nolan was taken aback.

He scanned Alina’s frame in surprise. She carried an air of maturity, particularly in the way she moved. He had initially assumed she was well into her twenties, not a mere seventeen.

'The experts were right—some women certainly mature earlier than others,' Nolan mused to himself.

"And how old are you, Prince Nolan?" Alina’s curious inquiry pulled him from his thoughts.

"Me? I am nineteen."

"Nineteen? That means we are almost the same age!" Alina beamed, clearly pleased.

"Close enough." Nolan conceded and took another sip from his tea.

"I see..." Alina smiled, the tension leaving her shoulders entirely.

She had harbored the impression that Nolan was much her senior. Such age gaps often created a sense of distance, making her hesitant during their conversations.

Knowing they were near-peers allowed her to fully relax.

They fell into a pleasant rhythm of casual chatter and lighthearted jokes.

Alina found her laughter bubbling over; she found his wit refreshing. She had never expected the prince dismissed as lazy and incompetent to be so engaging.

Before she realized it, her respect and trust in him had deepened.

Sadly, their time was cut short. A servant arrived to remind her that her noble training was about to commence.

"Oh..." Alina sighed with clear reluctance as she rose. "My apologies, Prince Nolan. I truly wish we could keep talking, but I must leave."

In the past, she had viewed her studies as a chore, but after the time spent with Nolan, she felt she had connected with a kindred spirit.

She longed to continue their conversation well into the evening, but the reality of her obligations stood in the way. If she neglected her lessons, Melody would surely berate her, and her punishment would be severe.

"Think nothing of it." Nolan smiled as he stood to join her. "We have plenty of moments ahead. I am at your disposal whenever you wish for company."

Alina breathed a visible sigh of relief and smiled back.

"Thank you."

She turned and walked away, leaving Nolan by himself.

The mask of his pleasant smile dissolved instantly.

He sat back down and reached for his tea, shielding his expression from view.

"A birthday gala, eh? I have a feeling this won't be as mundane as it appears. Something interesting is bound to occur," he muttered, his mind turning.

A public celebration was, by his estimation, the prime breeding ground for disaster—whether through political upheaval or violent treachery.

He couldn't be certain, yet his intuition screamed that trouble was brewing.

Nevertheless, he remained unbothered. His aim was to strictly observe while his own schemes developed in the background.

For the time being, he would maintain a low profile and avoid unnecessary risks.

He finished his tea and stood to head for his quarters. As he passed a cluster of trees, he caught the faint sound of voices coming from the shadows.

"Is the snare prepared?"

"Indeed. Everything is positioned. I imagine there will be quite a few casualties during the festivities... heh heh heh..."