The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 635 Alina's Innermost Feelings

"A request?" Nolan inquired, his expression showing a hint of surprise. "What would that be?"

Seira leaned in closer, a faint smile on her lips, and murmured, "I would like you to..."

As Nolan took in her words, his complexion suddenly turned bright red.

"Sister, you are..."

Before the sentence could leave his lips, Seira had already pulled her hand away.

Simultaneously, the music drew to a close, marking the final moments of the dance.

The two of them exchanged gentle smiles, their eyes lingering on each other for a brief second.

Observing this, the unmarried young nobles felt a sharp pang of envy.

However, it also ignited a sudden urge within them to take to the floor.

Even without a dedicated partner, there was nothing preventing them from participating in the festivities.

Soon, the unpartnered gentlemen and ladies conferred amongst themselves before moving toward the center of the ballroom.

Seira glided over to Aldrian, whose expression had darkened with displeasure.

Nolan observed his sister’s receding silhouette with a calm demeanor. His eyes then tracked over to Aldrian, who appeared absolutely delighted the moment Seira whispered something in his ear.

"Pfft… What a spineless sycophant," he scoffed under his breath.

Aldrian repulsed him. The man was willing to stoop to any level for the sake of a woman, even to the point of self-humiliation.

The fixation Aldrian held for his sister wasn't genuine affection; it was a volatile obsession that threatened to explode like a neglected powder keg at any moment.

Yet, Nolan remained unfazed. Every potential outcome had already been meticulously weighed in his mind.

"Would you care to dance with me?" a soft, bashful voice piped up beside him.

Nolan pivoted to find Alina standing there, her eyes filled with earnest anticipation.

Raising an eyebrow, he questioned, "Are you certain? There are plenty of suitors lined up who would jump at the chance, you know."

He cast a brief look toward the nearby men, who glared at him with pure, heartbroken malice.

Had it not been for the utter sincerity in Alina’s gaze, Nolan would have assumed she was intentionally painting a target on his back for everyone else’s resentment.

"Why not? Do you not wish to?" Alina replied, a touch of hesitation and sorrow coloring her voice.

Noticing her reaction, Nolan held his tongue for a pulse, eventually letting out a quiet, resigned breath.

"Very well. Let us dance, Princess."

With a subtle flourish, Nolan offered his hand.

A ripple of joy crossed Alina’s features, though she quickly regained her composure and slipped her hand into his.

"Naturally," she agreed.

Together, they joined hands and moved toward the heart of the ballroom.

"That man is infuriating! I invited him to dance earlier, but he prioritized his sister. I assumed the second round would finally be my opportunity, yet he chose to entertain a request from the princess instead."

Not far away, Elsa ground her teeth in frustration, though she had no recourse beyond bitter muttering.

The second dance cycle commenced. Much like before, Nolan performed with flawless precision.

Though he had never undergone formal dance tutoring, his innate, solid foundation—honed by years of navigating elite social functions in his former life—made the steps feel like second nature.

Alina, for her part, was equally impressive. Trained as a princess, dance was a non-negotiable aspect of her education.

They moved in perfect rhythm, a truly elegant display.

The nobles who had finished their set, along with the idle onlookers, watched the pair with genuine awe.

Even those nursing deep-seated jealousy toward Nolan were forced to concede that he possessed undeniable grace.

The label of "useless prince" seemed entirely incompatible with the man before them.

Meanwhile, Aldrian and Seira also moved with polished efficiency. Though it pained her to grant him the credit, Seira conceded that Aldrian was not entirely devoid of substance.

At the very least, he displayed the baseline competencies expected of a royal.

"How was my performance? Admirable, was it not?" Aldrian boasted with a smug grin.

The admiration Seira had briefly felt instantly vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of revulsion.

She offered no reply, choosing instead to focus entirely on her footwork.

Aldrian interpreted her silence as tacit approval. His smile stretched wider, yet to Seira, the expression looked increasingly grotesque and off-putting.

Ten minutes passed, and the music sighed to a halt, concluding the second round.

Aldrian reached out, clearly hunger for validation, but Seira had already spun on her heel and departed.

Visibly stunned, he scurried after her.

Nolan and Alina retreated to the sidelines of the hall. The dance had left them slightly flushed, yet the mild perspiration only seemed to enhance their vibrant appearance.

A butler glided by, balancing a silver tray laden with glasses of sparkling red syrup.

Nolan retrieved two, offering one to Alina.

"My thanks," Alina whispered, beaming. She took a sip and sighed at the crisp, cooling sensation.

"I am quite happy," she confessed.

Nolan, nursing his own glass, regarded her with a touch of surprise.

"Happy? Because of the festivities?"

"No." Alina shook her head, her gaze softening. "I am happy because, for the first time on my eighteenth birthday, I have a genuine companion to converse with."

She released a small, wistful sigh, continuing, "You are my first real friend, Nolan. Most approach me only for my pedigree—there is nothing beyond that. Even the staff who have looked after me since childhood operate the same way. They don't see me, just the station of a princess. It is… truly draining."

Just as Nolan had suspected, the burden of high-born status was far from idyllic.

While their position was undeniably exalted and many coveted it from afar, the reality was starkly different.

Only those shackled by such expectations could truly empathize with that void—much like she did.

Once, she had accepted society’s sycophantic smiles at face value, never thinking twice about them.

She was a princess, after all. What could she expect but polite deference?

Then, the day arrived when she unwittingly overheard whispers of malice directed at her.

Her heart had crumbled, as though pierced by a blade. Yet, in that sharp moment, the fragile facade she had been trapped behind shattered forever.

Whether noble or servant, they saw only the Princess of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron, never Alina Lyren.

Following that epiphany, she erected an impassable fortress around herself.

Though she maintained a polite, smiling mask, her inner world became a desert of cold indifference.

Yet, the arrival of Nolan had altered that trajectory. Though their time together had been fleeting, it was enough to breathe new life into her long-dormant heart.

She no longer felt the need to censor herself or hide her true disposition. It was all because, in Nolan's eyes, she wasn't just a royal ornament; she was Alina Lyren—a friend.

Nolan stared intently into her eyes and let out a soft laugh.

"Your dramatic flair is quite excessive, but I find it rather charming."

Alina pouted, clearly unsatisfied, yet before she could protest, Nolan pressed on.

"I am genuinely glad to hear it. The truth is, there are many souls like yours—hidden amongst the high-born and the commoners alike. One day, you will find others. I am certain of it. So do not wall yourself off forever. Try to be more receptive to the world."

Part of why Alina had become so reclusive was the absence of maternal guidance. Her father, Gulvar, was perpetually occupied, devoid of any capacity to nurture her emotional or psychological development.

Consequently, Alina had been ill-equipped to realize that not everyone reciprocated her kindness. Many were purely calculating, waiting to strike.

Because her heart remained pure, Nolan found no issue in befriending her, even knowing that their paths were destined to drift toward conflict.

He could only hope she would secure a sincere companion and, in the time to come, perhaps look back on him with indifference.

Alina looked at Nolan in a daze, before a slow, genuine smile graced her lips. "Thank you, Nolan. I shall keep your words close to my heart."