The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 691 Discovering the Truth

Bang!

The harsh clang of metal bars being shut resonated throughout the confines of the prison.

"Please endure your stay patiently, Your Highness. A transfer to the capital's penitentiary will be arranged once we receive instructions from central command," the prison warden stated with an air of detachment.

Nolan remained composed, offering no reply.

With the warden's departure, he found himself utterly isolated.

The confinement chamber was eerily silent and oppressive. Being a solitary holding cell, it housed no other detainees—only him.

"Haa…" Nolan exhaled a prolonged sigh and slowly lowered himself to the floor.

He shifted his posture slightly, as if addressing his own shadow, and inquired calmly, "What are your thoughts on this?"

Buzz!

A luminescence flared, and Malverna materialized from the light.

Her gaze swept the surroundings with a hint of derision before settling on Nolan.

"No comment," she responded nonchalantly. "More importantly, what do *you* think? Why were you incarcerated immediately after returning from that particular kingdom?"

Though her tone was outwardly casual, an undercurrent of wry amusement was detectable.

Nolan stretched his stiff limbs and answered with a weary lack of enthusiasm, "Isn't it quite apparent? That old man orchestrated this."

He was entirely convinced that his father was already privy to the demise of Aldrian, an event he himself had instigated.

Consequently, his imprisonment held no element of surprise for him.

Malverna offered a subtle smile and took a seat beside him.

"Do you anticipate being released?"

While she had no deep understanding of the legal system within the Great Velmora Empire, her intuition suggested Nolan was poised to face rather stringent consequences.

"I am uncertain." Nolan inclined his head. Nevertheless, the serenity etched on his features implied a certain prescience regarding the unfolding events. "My father is an rather unpredictable individual. It's conceivable he might grant my freedom shortly, or perhaps he'll opt to keep me confined for a few days. We shall simply have to observe the progression."

Malverna regarded him silently for a beat before emitting a soft chuckle.

"You are truly an anomaly."

For anyone else, the situation would undoubtedly inspire profound dread. Imprisonment signified not merely the deprivation of liberty but also the potential ruin of one's reputation.

Yet, Nolan remained unfazed, betraying no hint whatsoever of apprehension.

It was plausible that his unique status as the Singularity of Chaos rendered him impervious to any worldly fear.

Alternatively, it might stem from an unshakeable confidence in his father's judgment.

Malverna could not ascertain the reason. However, one fact remained indisputable—Nolan invariably emerged victorious.

Such had been the consistent pattern of his affairs.

"On a side note, I find myself pondering something, Nolan," Malverna stated, genuine curiosity coloring her tone. "What are your intentions regarding the Ancient Kingdom of Eron? Surely, you do not plan to simply overlook their actions?"

She understood him intimately. While his outward demeanor was one of composure and gentleness, a core of ruthlessness and unforgiving resolution lay beneath when confronting his adversaries.

Given that the Ancient Kingdom of Eron had dared to target him and his elder sister, Malverna was convinced Nolan would exact some form of retribution.

Nolan rolled his eyes in response. "Did I not already convey that I intended to extricate myself from further involvement? You are decidedly mistaken in your assessment of me."

"All of this is attributable to your own doing. It was you who cultivated that particular perception of yourself in my presence." Malverna blinked with feigned innocence, as if her suspicion had been entirely warranted.

Nolan offered a slight, knowing smile. "Indeed, your suspicion is not entirely without merit. I did, in fact, leave something behind within the territories of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron."

"Leave something behind?" Malverna's eyebrows arched slightly. "Pray tell, what might that be?"

Nolan maintained his smile and responded with an air of mystery, "You shall discover it within the coming days."

…

"What!? Nolan is imprisoned!?"

Rafine exclaimed, jolting upright from her seat, her jaw slack with disbelief.

Elina sat composedly on the sofa, gently massaging her temples.

"That is correct."

Rafine remained frozen for a moment before querying with evident panic, "What transpired? How did he end up incarcerated? Could it be…"

Her eyes widened as a sudden realization dawned upon her.

"Did he slay Prince Aldrian of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron?"

This time, it was Elina who appeared startled. She regarded Rafine with surprise.

"How did you come by that information?"

Elina was certain that only she and Seira possessed this knowledge. In fact, Elina herself had only ascertained this fact upon their arrival in the Ancient Kingdom of Eron.

Rafine quickly deduced that Elina was unaware of the correspondence Nolan had dispatched to Duke Austin, prompting an awkward smile from her.

"My apologies," she murmured, lowering her head with a degree of guilt. "Nolan had actually sent a letter to my father beforehand. He detailed his intention to eliminate Prince Aldrian several days prior. This also served as the justification for my father's consent to permit you to mobilize thousands of troops to secure the safety of Nolan and Princess Seira."

Elina was rendered speechless, her expression solidifying as though the information had rendered her momentarily incapable of processing it.

"So, you are suggesting that I was the sole individual unaware of the peril my brother faced… due to his assassination of Prince Aldrian?" she inquired, her voice trembling slightly.

Rafine offered a sheepish smile, nodding slowly in agreement.

"Something like that," she confirmed with a soft tone. She hastily added, "I recognize my actions were wrong, but I believe my father and Nolan intentionally withheld this from you out of concern you might worry excessively and lose your composure."

Elina drew in a deep breath, then slowly released it, nodding her head.

"I understand. Rest assured, I am not angry."

This was, however, a falsehood. While anger simmered within her, she possessed enough self-control to refrain from displaying it.

What Rafine had stated was entirely accurate.

Had she been aware from the outset of the reasons behind her brother's peril, the likelihood was high that she would have succumbed to her rage and retaliated with even greater ferocity against the enemy forces.

She acknowledged her brother's culpability. But did that truly matter to her?

Certainly not.

As long as her brother's safety was at stake, the righteousness or wrongness of any party involved was irrelevant. She would ensure Nolan's protection, not allowing even the slightest harm to befall him.

Meanwhile, Seira, who had been observing in silence, narrowed her eyes.

'Nolan informed Duke Austin about Aldrian's assassination... Could it be that he was aware from the very beginning that this individual would perpetrate such a vile act against me?' she mused.

As she meticulously reconstructed the sequence of events, this possibility grew increasingly plausible.

Ever since the incident in which Aldrian had nearly ended her life, Seira had been persistently urging Nolan to return to the Great Velmora Empire without delay.

Curiously, her younger brother had not assented immediately, even requesting her to postpone their departure for a few additional days.

The pivotal moment arrived when Nolan implored her to accept Aldrian's invitation to a dinner engagement.

Ultimately, that harrowing, dream-like ordeal had transpired.

'So that's how it was... It all becomes clear now!'

Seira's fists clenched, a surge of vexation and indignation coursing through her.

'So, from the very beginning, you were merely using me as a pawn, weren't you!? Just you wait; I shall certainly make you pay dearly for this,' she vowed through gritted teeth.

An inexplicable chill permeated the air, causing both Elina and Rafine to shiver involuntarily.

They glanced around uneasily, then fixed their gazes upon Seira, who sat in solemn silence, her expression grim and unsettling.

"Sister, is something amiss? Do you perhaps have a fever?" Elina inquired with evident concern.

Seira immediately regained her composure. She shook her head and responded with outward calmness, "I am quite alright. I was merely contemplating an individual who had wronged me and considering the most fitting retribution for their transgressions."

Despite her smile, Elina and Rafine perceived a subtle yet piercing aura emanating from her.

The two exchanged a look, then whispered in unison, 'Anyone who dares to cross her is utterly doomed.'

...

"Achoo!"

Nolan suddenly sneezed, casting a wary glance around his surroundings.

"Who is talking about me?"