The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 717 Evalyn's Frustration

Inside the room, Evalyn sat in a state of bewilderment. Her thoughts were still replaying the conversation from the dining hall earlier.

"Did Nathan actually manage to secure the Asbourne family's inheritance? How could that possibly happen?" she pondered aloud, scratching her head in confusion.

Previously, she hadn't felt the slightest concern about it. After all, there had never been any reports of Nathan successfully acquiring that inheritance.

This lack of news had kept her calm and at ease. However, that tranquility was now shattered.

Her prospects in the upcoming contest were starkly defined—defeat was inevitable.

"No, I refuse to give up!" Evalyn declared, clenching her teeth. "My talent isn't inferior to his; in fact, I'm far more gifted. How could I possibly face defeat?"

Fueled by this renewed determination, she promptly rose from her bed and settled onto the carpet.

Her legs were crossed, her palms pressed together, and her eyes shut tight.

"Focus… that is what I must do," she whispered to herself.

Seconds ticked by, yet strangely, she sensed nothing.

A wave of frustration washed over her. She opened her eyes and angrily slammed her fist onto the floor.

"Damn it!" she growled. "Why… why can't I sense it? Why can he, but I cannot?"

Her jaw tightened once more. She was consumed by anger but lacked an outlet for it.

Ultimately, all her frustration and disappointment erupted into tears that streamed down her face.

"Sniff… sniff…"

Sobbing, she collapsed backward, covering her face with her arms.

How long had it been since she last cried?

Evalyn couldn't recall. But one thing was certain—it had been an extraordinarily long time. Perhaps even since her childhood.

She was an exceptionally talented individual. Failure? That word was absent from her vocabulary.

Yet, ever since her power's advancement had stalled, a deep unease had begun to settle within her.

Although Nolan had eventually provided assistance, the matter of the inheritance was a far more complex issue.

It was something that only she could resolve on her own.

Nevertheless, she was completely at a loss regarding how to proceed.

She had explored every conceivable avenue, but each attempt had culminated in failure.

As she wallowed in her sorrow, a sudden knock echoed from outside her door.

Knock!

"Are you inside? I've brought you some food."

The voice belonged unmistakably to Nolan.

Evalyn started, quickly sitting upright and hastily wiping away her tears.

Taking a deep, steadying breath to quell the storm within her heart, she replied with a cool tone, "There's no need. Go away. I wish to be left alone."

Outside, Nolan stood holding a tray laden with soup and a substantial meal. Since Evalyn had not finished her earlier meal, he had retrieved something else for her from the kitchen.

Upon hearing her response, Nolan offered a slight smile and knocked once more.

Knock!

"Are you certain? Your voice sounds rather hoarse. Don't tell me you've been weeping."

Silence emanated from within, as if Evalyn were deliberately ignoring him.

Undeterred, Nolan knocked again and playfully taunted, "So it truly is so. A future hero is shedding tears. What a comical image that truly is."

Crack!

A sharp, distinct cracking sound could be heard from inside. However, Nolan remained unfazed, continuing his teasing.

"I imagine people would find it quite amusing if they knew—especially the young nobles who harbor affections for you. Just picture it… Evalyn, always so formidable and proud, revealed to be nothing more than a crybaby. Isn't that utterly hilarious?"

Immediately after his words, footsteps were heard approaching from within, and the door suddenly swung open with considerable force.

Evalyn emerged, her appearance somewhat disheveled. Her eyes held a sharp intensity, yet her face was pale, and faint tear tracks were still visible on her cheeks.

Nolan showed no signs of being intimidated. He calmly walked past her and entered the room.

"Eat first. Crying expends a great deal of energy, and consuming food is the sole method of replenishment," Nolan stated, placing the tray on the bedside table.

Evalyn's brows knitted together. She felt a surge of anger, but she found herself unable to express it.

In the end, she could only offer a sigh and murmur, "You are precisely as irritating as you have always been."

Over the preceding several days, Nolan had undergone noticeable changes.

This transformation had prompted Evalyn to begin viewing him in a different light. Yet, it now seemed her perception was mistaken—this individual remained as vexing as ever.

"Indeed, I am irritating. Even my father acknowledges it," Nolan responded with nonchalance.

He proceeded to sit in Evalyn's study chair, crossing his legs casually.

"You did not finish your meal earlier. Uncle Luke appeared quite concerned but refrained from bothering you, fearing it would only add to your distress."

Evalyn pursed her lips but remained silent.

She walked over to her bed, sat down on its edge, and began to eat.

As it turned out, she was indeed feeling quite hungry, having consumed very little earlier.

Observing her eat, Nolan displayed a faint smile. He understood Evalyn better than anyone else.

Though presenting a strong facade, Evalyn possessed a gentle heart beneath, a truth Nolan recognized and that prevented him from being deceived by her composed exterior.

"So, enlighten me—what is troubling you so deeply? Could it be the news of your father's remarriage?" Nolan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

He had heard absolutely nothing regarding Luke's remarriage, not even a whisper from his own mother or Elina.

This led to a singular conclusion: Luke had intentionally concealed this event from everyone outside their immediate family circle.

As for the specific motivations behind this secrecy, Nolan himself had yet to ascertain a definitive answer.

Evalyn lifted a piece of chicken thigh to her mouth and began to chew deliberately.

"That is not the reason," she responded with a clipped tone.

Nolan's eyebrows arched subtly. "Then… is it connected to the inheritance bestowed upon Nathan Asbourne?"

Evalyn remained silent, a silence that served as a clear confirmation for Nolan.

"So that's the situation… I comprehend…" Nolan nodded slowly, a smile then gracing his lips. "You harbor fears of being outmatched by him, don't you?"

The question struck Evalyn like a piercing barb, lodging itself in her heart. She yearned to retort, yet the words refused to escape her throat.

What standing did she possess to feel indignant?

Ultimately, Nolan's assessment was accurate.

She was indeed apprehensive—apprehensive of falling short against Nathan in the imminent competition and apprehensive of tarnishing the esteemed Lionheart family name.

Yet, admitting this truth was beyond her reach; her pride forbade it.

In the end, her head merely lowered, and she resumed her meal.

Her quietude did not provoke Nolan's displeasure. He continued to converse in an easy manner, while Evalyn offered only intermittent nods and vague, half-hearted responses.

Her disposition was most unpleasant, and she felt far too weary to engage in conversation with anyone, Nolan included.

However, a particular statement from Nolan caused Evalyn to falter in her actions.

"What if I were capable of assisting you in securing the ancestral inheritance? Would you place your trust in my words?"

Evalyn looked upward, her gaze meeting the tranquil depths of his violet eyes.

"What?"