The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 660 Investigation Order (1)

The throne room plunged into silence. Melody's breaths turned labored, her eyes filling with red-tinged tears.

"How is this possible!? How could my son… be dead?" she shrieked in hysteria.

She crumpled down and erupted into sobs. Aldrian remained her sole son, whom she adored beyond everything else in existence.

Yet now, he had vanished forever. Refusal, fury, and loathing boiled up together, fusing into a single crushing feeling.

"I want the culprits found! I want them dead!" Melody snarled in a raspy, chilling tone.

Gulvar shook free from his daze. Pallor drained his face, laden with profound grief.

His hands balled into fists as he bellowed, "Alex, Eldrin, come here at once!"

Whoosh!

Two forms materialized at his side. They bowed deeply and inquired, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

Gulvar pivoted to them and declared in a burdened tone, "My son is dead."

The statement hit them like an explosion. Their gazes bulged, faces awash in incredulity.

"Prince Aldrian… is dead? How is that possible?" Alex exclaimed in astonishment.

"I don't know either," Gulvar answered, teeth grinding. "But one thing is certain—he was with Seira. Find her immediately and make her tell you what really happened."

Deep down, he hesitated to pin the blame on Seira. After all, slaying Aldrian equaled igniting war against the Ancient Kingdom of Eron.

He believed Seira too shrewd for such recklessness.

Neither dared probe more and vanished instantly from sight.

Gulvar faced the elder and gestured with his hand.

The man grasped it right away and hastened from the throne room.

Gulvar assisted Melody upright and murmured comfortingly, "Don't worry. Maybe Aldrian is still alive."

"Still alive? How is that possible?" Melody wept. "His soul light has gone out! That can only mean one thing—he really is dead! Argh! Gulvar, I want you to get to the bottom of this! I want my son's killer to burn in hell!"

Her wails intensified, resounding across the throne room.

Gulvar stayed mute, persisting in efforts to soothe her.

Yet inwardly, he had pondered the direst outcome—and the actions required.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure lounged against the wall by the throne room door.

A subtle smirk played on his lips as arms folded across his torso.

"It seems Nolan has succeeded. That means it's my turn," he whispered faintly.

…

"Where's Nolan? Why can't I find him anywhere?"

Alina burst from the restaurant, face etched with alarm. Servers dashed about, aiding her frantic hunt for the absent man.

Abruptly, manager Rugard approached swiftly, visage ashen.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I couldn't find any trace of Prince Nolan inside the restaurant. He's not outside either," he uttered, voice quivering.

"Nowhere?" Alina's eyes bulged. "How is that possible!? I clearly remember him going to the restroom. Could he have been kidnapped?"

The notion chilled her veins. Nolan served as a prince of the Great Velmora Empire.

Should harm befall him—or death—the Ancient Kingdom of Eron faced merciless assault from the empire.

Rugard held his tongue. Uncertainty clouded whether Nolan had been abducted.

But surely, his vanishing would unleash turmoil on the restaurant. And as manager, royal wrath would descend upon him.

Envisioning his tranquil life shattered, Rugard's complexion blanched further. Guts churned, pulse raced furiously.

At that instant, two robust shapes emerged from the rear.

"Your Highness," one summoned.

Alina whirled to spot Alex and Eldrin. Her gaze brightened; she dashed over.

"Alex, Eldrin, you're just in time! Can you help me find Nolan? He disappeared after going to the restroom. I'm worried he's been kidnapped," Alina pleaded urgently.

The pair jolted, swapping looks.

Sensing their odd demeanor, Alina scowled and blurted, "What's wrong?"

Alex inhaled sharply, then revealed, "We came here on His Majesty Gulvar's orders. We're searching for Prince Aldrian."

"Brother Aldrian?" Alina stiffened. "What happened? Was he having dinner here too?"

Alex's features shadowed as he nodded faintly.

"Yes. He and Princess Seira had dinner at this restaurant. And Prince Aldrian appears to have been murdered."

Those words slammed into Alina, freezing her form.

Eyes flaring wide, breaths erratic.

"Brother Aldrian… is dead!?" she wailed in dread.

Alex confirmed with a nod. "Yes. Eldrin and I need to investigate this matter further."

He commanded Rugard, "Take us to the place where Prince Aldrian and Princess Seira ate earlier. Quickly!"

Rugard refrained from protest, guiding them promptly to the private room.

Alina stood frozen, thoughts emptied. Belief evaded her that her elder brother perished so nearby.

Moments passed before awareness returned, her countenance ghostly white.

'Brother Aldrian is dead… and Nolan has disappeared. Could the two be connected?'

Fingers gripped vise-like as a horrifying notion arose.

Fear barred her from lingering on it; she shoved it aside hastily.

"No… that's impossible," she stammered unsteadily. "I must be wrong. Yes, I must be wrong."

Regaining poise, she hurried inward to uncover the truth.

***

Within the private room of Seira and Aldrian's meal, Alex, Eldrin, Alina, Rugard, and assorted staff gathered, faces grim.

Gazes locked on soiled dishes, some bearing uneaten remnants.

"Did Prince Aldrian and Princess Seira really eat here?" Eldrin queried gravely.

"Y-Yes, Sir. Both of them ate here. I personally escorted them to this room," Rugard affirmed, feigning steadiness amid unease.

Eldrin creased his forehead. Logically, chaos should reign in this space.

Instead, tidiness prevailed. Thus, Aldrian's demise occurred elsewhere.

As Eldrin grilled Rugard and staff, Alex neared the table, scrutinizing minutely.

Right-side servings exceeded the left. Hence, Aldrian occupied the right seat, Seira the left.

Alex bent toward Aldrian's dish and inhaled deeply.

No oddity detected. Aromas rang ordinary.

Next, Aldrian's wine goblet—quarter-filled—revealed nothing amiss.

Attention turned to Seira's plate. Sniff yielded normalcy.

Lastly, Seira's wine glass neared his nostrils.

Right when suspicion waned, his eyes flew open.

"There's something in here!"