The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 702 Isabella's Tears

"You've returned? I heard you were confined to the eastern region. What transpired?" Isabella regarded Nolan, who was approaching her, with a curious gaze.

Nolan offered a smile. Rather than answer immediately, he strode forward and embraced her.

"I've returned, Mother," he declared with affection.

Isabella's eyebrow arched. It had been quite some time since Nolan displayed such clinginess, and typically, this indicated a significant predicament he couldn't resolve alone.

However, she did not pull away. Instead, she reciprocated his hug.

"Did you commit a grave error?" she inquired suspiciously, stroking her son's head.

Nolan emitted a soft sigh and disengaged from her.

"Indeed, I did," he confessed truthfully. "But you need not concern yourself. It has already been handled."

Isabella expressed mild astonishment. She had anticipated her son seeking her assistance to rectify the situation.

Who could have foreseen that everything was already resolved?

Nevertheless, this was a positive development. After all, Nolan was now a man. He ought to be capable of managing his own affairs.

Nolan took a seat beside his mother and surveyed his surroundings.

"Where is Eliza?" he inquired.

"She journeyed to the Blue Moon office to confer with Miss Shion regarding business matters," Isabella responded nonchalantly. "She will be back shortly. Simply wait."

Scarcely had she uttered these words than an enthusiastic voice echoed from a distance.

"Big Brother Nolan!"

Nolan looked up and observed Eliza, clad in a charming blue dress, sprinting towards him, her eyes alight with excitement.

Nolan smiled, then crouched and extended his arms.

The young girl leaped into his embrace and hugged him tightly.

"I missed you dearly, Big Brother! When did you come back?"

Nolan held her for a moment before resuming his seat.

"I just returned a little while ago," he replied gently. "And I missed you as well."

Witnessing the tender exchange between the siblings, Isabella merely smiled, refraining from intervention.

"Big Brother, let's go for a stroll!" Eliza exclaimed with delight.

Nolan was on the verge of declining, but he suppressed his words upon observing the hopeful expression on Eliza's face.

"Very well." He smiled and tousled her hair. "Go change your attire first. Then, we shall depart. I shall procure an abundance of snacks for you."

"Truly!?" Eliza's eyes radiated, as if they contained countless stars.

"Of course. Do you believe your big brother would utter falsehoods?" Nolan gently pinched her right cheek.

Eliza swiftly shook her head. "No! I believe you!"

Nolan nodded with contentment. "Then make haste."

Without a moment's hesitation, Eliza hopped down and dashed inside.

Nolan then turned to Isabella. "Mother, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

Isabella offered a faint smile. "Proceed. I am attentive."

Nolan paused briefly before finally divulging, "I personally executed Prince Aldrian."

Isabella's eyes widened. Her form quivered subtly, but she swiftly regained her composure.

"What was the justification for such an action?" she inquired with a heavy tone.

"To safeguard Seira," Nolan answered truthfully. "And for the security of the empire as well."

Isabella narrowed her gaze. "To save Seira… and for the empire's safety?"

Nolan nodded and elucidated the entire sequence of events, including his pact with Karakh.

His mother was among the select few individuals he could place absolute trust in. Furthermore, his father would inevitably disclose the truth to her eventually, rendering the timing of his confession inconsequential.

Only subsequent to Nolan completing his explanation did Isabella fully grasp the predicament. Her expression shifted, becoming complex as she stated, "You are truly imprudent, Nolan. Should you sustain harm, I… I…"

Her voice faltered, and lacrimal fluid began to gather at the edges of her eyes.

Nolan appeared startled. He swiftly wiped away her tears.

"Mother…" His own expression grew intricate, and he drew Isabella into an embrace.

Isabella sobbed uncontrollably, intensifying Nolan's remorse.

'Hah…' Nolan released a quiet exhalation and murmured, 'Perhaps I should not have uttered it…'

Several minutes elapsed…

Isabella eventually regained her composure, though vestiges of tears remained upon her cheeks.

She playfully tugged Nolan's earlobe and admonished him, "Next time, refrain from such rash actions. Otherwise, I shall administer discipline!"

"Ouch!" Nolan groaned and hastily apologized. "Yes, I comprehend! Release me, Mother! That inflicts pain!"

Isabella smiled with evident satisfaction and finally relinquished her grip.

Nolan massaged his reddened ear but displayed no sign of displeasure.

"Big Brother, what has happened to you?"

A voice laced with concern emanated from behind.

Nolan turned and saw Eliza. He cleared his throat.

"It is nothing significant." He stood and immediately diverted the topic. "Are you prepared?"

Eliza's countenance brightened instantly. "Mhmm! I am ready!"

Nolan bid farewell to Isabella. "In that case, I'll be leaving with Eliza."

"Be safe. Return before nightfall," Isabella cautioned him.

Nolan gave a nod. He took Eliza's hand and they departed.

"Goodbye, Mom!" Eliza exclaimed, waving with gusto.

Isabella returned the wave with a smile. However, as soon as the two disappeared from sight, her smile gradually vanished.

"You two, come here," she commanded icily.

*Whoosh!*

Two figures materialized behind her, both clad in red robes and adorned with fox masks.

Judging by their builds, they were unmistakably men.

"What are your orders, Your Highness?" the figure on the left inquired respectfully.

Isabella turned to face them, recognizing them as special guards dispatched by her father.

It was no exaggeration to state that neither of them was inferior in strength to the Seven Mages of the Constellations serving her husband.

"I want you to investigate the events unfolding in the Ancient Kingdom of Eron," she ordered calmly. "Leave no stone unturned—not even a single detail. Understood?"

Having heard Nolan's explanation earlier, she harbored a suspicion that he was withholding crucial information. And she was convinced it was of extreme importance.

"As you command, Your Highness!" they responded in unison.

Without another word, the duo vanished from sight.

Isabella drew a deep breath and gazed in the direction Nolan had gone.

"I hope you aren't concealing anything grave," she muttered. "Otherwise…"

She let out a cold snort and turned to depart.

...

Two days passed…

"Hah…" Elina sighed deeply, her gaze drifting towards the outside occasionally.

Rafine, sensing her unease, inquired, "What troubles you?"

Elina shook her head. "I'm simply concerned. My brother hasn't contacted me in three days. Could something have happened to him?"

According to her calculations, Nolan was supposed to have reached out yesterday. Yet, strangely, he still hadn't made contact.

Her greatest fear was that their father had actually imprisoned him, a prospect she desperately wished to avoid.

"Hmm…" Rafine knitted her brows. "I haven't heard from Nolan either. But surely His Majesty the Emperor wouldn't imprison him, would he? Nolan had justifiable cause to slay Aldrian to protect Princess Seira."

Upon hearing this, Elina felt a measure of calm returning.

"You speak the truth…"

She managed a strained smile, attempting to quell the lingering anxiety within her chest.

Just then, footsteps echoed from outside.

"Your Highness, it is I, Luvistar! I bear news from the imperial palace!"

Elina's eyes brightened. She quickly rose and moved to the door, then opened it.

"What is it?"

Luvistar presented her with a golden envelope.

Elina lost no time in opening it and perusing its contents. However, mere minutes later, her expression froze.

"Huh? A reward for my service and accomplishments?"