The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 659 Escape Plan

"Speaking of that…" Nolan's face grew grave. "I'm in a bind as well. Sorry—I took his life impulsively, blind to the fallout."

He bowed his head, putting on a sorrowful expression. Naturally, it was pure pretense. How could he possibly be ignorant of the repercussions?

Every soul from the royal lineage connected to the soul tree, that supreme artifact concealed far inside the palace.

Should a prince—or any royal—perish, detection would happen instantly.

Solely the Ancient Eron Royal Family owned such a treasure. Even the mighty Great Velmora Empire lacked one.

This explained why he spared Meliodas before. His death would have triggered a huge probe, wrecking his schemes.

Yet he couldn't let his sister notice. He aimed to spare Seira any stress. Plus, he preferred carrying out his strategies covertly, owing explanations to no one.

Seira's ashen face relaxed. Her right hand extended to softly caress Nolan's hair.

"Don't fret over it. I'll take care of everything," she assured calmly. "Melody and Gulvar will surely consent if I give myself up and betroth another prince."

No alternative existed. At minimum, this path ensured their grand aim—gaining the backing and safeguard of the Singularity of Light, her grandfather—remained intact.

Nolan's brows knitted. He seized her right hand firmly and stated icily, "Absolutely not. Why slay Aldrian if you'd plunge into ruin regardless? Sister, we're fleeing the Ancient Kingdom of Eron."

"Flee the Ancient Kingdom of Eron?" Seira's eyes bulged. "How could we? The capital to the closest sea stretches vast—it demands two whole days' journey. We'd never make it. Gulvar must have already commanded the nobles and his vast forces to hunt us down."

Nolan smirked derisively. "Sister, after the chaos in the party hall, do you truly believe the noble houses would back the royals?"

Seira recoiled. Before she replied, Nolan pressed on, "The nobles despise the royal family most now. Losing heirs and offspring struck a brutal blow. And the royals demand they swallow peace. Picture their seething rage?"

Seira creased her forehead, mulling his point, then saw the truth in it.

She'd caught snippets of Aldrian's mutterings earlier, including noble family gripes. Royals promised hefty reparations—but at a steep price.

Noble houses faced mandates to sign pacts erasing the event from memory.

Defiance wasn't permitted. Heaven alone knew the fate of rebels.

"So they won't obey royal commands to pursue us?" Seira inquired.

"Precisely. Even if they try, it'll be lackluster. Seize this opening to break free," Nolan urged sincerely.

Seira drew a sharp breath and swiftly swung her legs from the bed.

"No time to lose then. Move!"

Nolan inclined his head, but paused as a thought struck, saying, "Hold on."

He approached, sifted through the toppled furnishings, and snatched a sheet of paper. Grasping it, he scribbled swiftly.

Next, he headed to the gaping breach from his clash with Obsidia.

Fingers snapped, summoning a crow from nowhere. Nolan creased the note and bound it tight to the bird's right leg.

"Take this to him. Understood?"

Caw! Caw!

The crow screeched sharply, beat its wings, and soared off into the distance.

Nolan pivoted back with a soft smile. "Now, let's depart."

…

"Unclear if he snagged Seira, but he ought to," Melody murmured.

Luxurious soap foamed across her skin as a subtle grin played on her lips.

Abruptly, her neck's nape tingled ominously. Brows furrowing, she scratched it, grumbling, "What's this? Why the strange sensation?"

Nothing like it had ever struck her.

"Is disaster brewing?" she pondered.

Motherly instincts wailed, yet she pushed them aside to finish bathing.

Still, the dread persisted, swelling beyond dismissal.

"Must uncover the truth," she snapped, climbing from the tub.

Clothed hastily, she rushed to the throne chamber. Gulvar lounged there, locked in talks with assorted ministers.

Spotting her, the ministers bowed out rapidly and vanished.

"What brings you? Odd hour for a visit," Gulvar queried, intrigued.

Melody halted at his side, voicing worry, "A dark premonition grips me about Aldrian. This dread surges, unrelenting."

Gulvar's gaze sharpened. He never scoffed at her hunches—mother's blood bonds reigned supreme.

Numerous plots had targeted Aldrian already. Real peril wasn't far-fetched.

"Relax," Gulvar comforted. "Aldrian enjoys Ancient Mage Flugar's shield. Foes daring approach would shatter before touching him."

His reassurance dulled Melody's fears a touch. She nodded faintly, tone weighted, "Very well."

Urgent footfalls thundered beyond the throne room suddenly.

"Your Majesty! Peril! Your Majesty, catastrophe strikes!"

An elderly figure stumbled inside, yelling in frenzy.

Gulvar and Melody whipped toward him, shock etching their features.

This man guarded the soul tree relic, a role of supreme gravity. He surfaced only for dire councils.

Duty bound him eternally to his station, departing solely for crises.

His abrupt presence signaled doom.

Melody's panic flared, breaths quick and ragged. Gulvar steadied her with a shoulder pat, demanding, "What occurred? Why abandon your watch?"

The elder gulped air desperately. Pallid and quaking, he declared, "Prince Aldrian's soul lamp… extinguished!"

The revelation struck Gulvar and Melody like lightning. Breaths halted, eyes flared in terror.

"Aldrian's soul lamp… snuffed!? Impossible!" Melody shrieked, frenzy edging her cry. "Error! You've erred!"

"No mistake, Your Majesty," the elder insisted wildly. "Prince Aldrian's soul lamp has truly dimmed!"