The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 693 Seeing Alina Again

"Hahahahaha... Their fury has finally exploded. All my meticulous preparations over these past few days have not been in vain."

From his vantage point on the balcony, Karakh cast his gaze toward the distance, where a throng of people was furiously battering the palace gates.

The faces of the crowd were contorted with visible rage, deep-seated hatred, and a tumultuous mix of other negative emotions.

Yet, Karakh remained entirely unfazed, devoid of any hint of panic. After all, this was precisely the moment he had been anticipating for days.

"Reporting, Your Highness!"

A voice called out from behind him. Turning, he beheld a figure clad in a dark cloak, maintaining a posture of respectful deference.

A smile played on Karakh's lips as he inquired, "How fares the situation? Have the nobles in the various cities commenced their actions?"

The man dropped to one knee, responding, "Yes, Your Highness. Protests have erupted in other cities as well, all instigated by the nobles you brought under your service. Furthermore, the troops stationed at the border and other crucial locations remain occupied, delaying their return to the capital by at least two days. This grants us ample time to execute our plans."

"Excellent!" Karakh exclaimed, clapping his hands together, his face alight with unconcealed elation. "The turmoil at that evening's party was certainly worthwhile. Those nobles have finally declared their allegiance to me. My prospects of deposing my father have just increased exponentially."

In reality, even without the rallying support of the noble families, he possessed the capability to depose his father.

Moreover, he had already garnered the backing of ninety-five percent of the ministry, a group that included the generals and other high-ranking officials.

Nevertheless, he was a man who valued prudence. The burgeoning anger and resentment from the noble families could prove to be a persistent irritant.

Left unchecked, this could fester into a deeper malady in the future, becoming a troublesome and arduous wound to excise.

But now, such worries were entirely extinguished. They had irrevocably chosen to back his ascent to the throne.

"Very well, let us proceed to the throne room. I am confident that the ministers are already awaiting my decisive move," Karakh declared with an air of pride.

The attendant inclined his head. "Indeed, Your Highness."

***

Within her chamber, Alina was caught in a cycle of pacing, her expression a mask of panicked anxiety.

Her gaze would periodically dart towards the window, observing the vast sea of people assembled below, their unified demand being the abdication of her father, the King.

To be candid, the scene was utterly terrifying. She had never anticipated that the disturbance from eight days prior would ignite such fervent outrage amongst the citizens of the capital.

"What am I to do?" Alina voiced, her tone quivering with a mixture of apprehension and dread.

She couldn't shake the feeling that, since that unsettling incident, a series of peculiar events had unfolded within the confines of the royal palace.

Her third elder brother, Meliodas, had met his end. He was not the sole casualty; many of her other siblings had also perished under perplexing circumstances – some poisoned in their sleep, others fatally stabbed through the heart, and more besides.

Even more alarming was the fact that the majority of these fatalities had occurred within the very precincts of the royal palace, a place ostensibly designated as the kingdom's most secure sanctuary.

Alina's suspicions began to coalesce around the idea that the perpetrator behind these tragic events was none other than the enigmatic figure responsible for the capital's turmoil eight days prior. Indeed, there was a strong possibility that the current wave of protests was also being masterfully orchestrated by this same individual from the shadows.

Just as a suffocating tide of panic and fear threatened to engulf her, a serene voice cut through the tension from behind.

"It has been quite some time, Alina. How have you been?"

Alina froze, her body stiffening. With deliberate slowness, she turned, her eyes falling upon a strikingly handsome man in a black robe, seated comfortably on the sofa.

His hair was as dark as the deepest night, while his eyes shimmered with the captivating hue of purple, reminiscent of meticulously cut sapphires.

A faint shadow of stubble graced his chin, yet this only served to enhance his rugged charm, lending him a more masculine and alluring presence.

Alina's heart began to pound rapidly as she pointed a trembling finger at the man, stammering, "N-Nolan!?"

Nolan offered a subtle smile, gracefully crossing his legs and leaning back. "Indeed, it is I. Surprised?"

Alina remained frozen for a beat, then clenched her teeth, her eyes flashing with anger.

"You... Why are you here?!" she demanded, her voice cold. "How could you possibly show your face? Do you not realize this kingdom is in chaos because of you?!"

There was a time when she had considered Nolan a cherished friend, perhaps even her most trusted confidant. Nolan, like herself, carried the weight of a difficult past.

She had placed every ounce of her trust in him, more so than in anyone else, even her own father.

But what was her reward for such unwavering faith?

Betrayal! Utter betrayal!

Nolan had deceived her in the most unimaginable manner. He had taken the life of her elder brother, a tragedy that plunged the queen into profound despair and ultimately shattered her sanity.

A cascade of calamities followed in its wake: widespread riots in the capital, the steady erosion of her father's authority, and a string of other devastating incidents.

She had once envisioned Nolan as the pillar of support she could lean on, a steadfast companion to share her solitude.

However, the stark reality presented a different narrative. This man was a monster... an embodiment of pure evil... a despicable scoundrel.

If it weren't for him, her life wouldn't have been plunged into such disarray.

Gazing at the look of resentment and hatred etched on her tear-streaked face, Nolan maintained an unruffled demeanor. His expression remained unchanged, as if he were a detached observer, bearing no responsibility for the pain Alina was enduring.

"Are you holding me accountable?"

That single question struck Alina's heart like a piercing sword. Her breathing became ragged, and her eyes intensified their redness.

"Yes, I blame you! You are the root of all this suffering!" she cried out, her voice hoarse.

This was the first time Nolan had witnessed such an emotional display from Alina.

Normally, Alina would greet situations, even uncomfortable ones, with a smile.

Nolan offered a faint smile and queried, "Then, do you believe I possess the motive or the capacity to orchestrate this calamity?"

Alina flinched. Her eyes widened, and a slight tremor ran through her body.

"Are you suggesting you are not the instigator?"

Nolan gave a nod. "I am merely a pawn—or, more precisely, a piece manipulated on the chessboard of the true culprit. I am certain you have already discerned that someone is orchestrating events from the shadows."

Alina fell silent. She had, in fact, come to that realization. However, Nolan's sudden appearance had led her to presume he was the primary antagonist.

"Yet, it cannot be denied that I also bear culpability in this affair. And I harbor no regrets," Nolan stated with chilling indifference.

That emotionless declaration caused Alina's breathing to grow more labored.

"However, there is no need for your concern. I have not arrived to offer apologies, to burden you further, or for any similar purpose. My intention is to aid you in exposing the true mastermind," Nolan continued, his tone placid.

"Expose the mastermind?" Alina's eyes narrowed. "Can I place my trust in your words?"

He had deceived her before. To be candid, it was challenging for her to place faith in him once more.

"The choice rests with you. The decision is entirely yours. I am not compelling you."

Having spoken, Nolan closed his eyes, ceasing his further insistence. He understood that, ultimately, Alina would still opt to place her trust in him. After all, her alternatives were rather limited.

Alina clenched her teeth, her mind in a turmoil between trusting Nolan or not. After a few minutes, she drew a deep breath and responded with a cold resolution, "Very well, I will trust you. Tell me—who is responsible?"

Nolan's eyes fluttered open, his purple irises gleaming with a hint of amusement. "Is it not already evident? It was your second elder brother, Karakh."