The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 724 Arriving at the Hero's Camp

"M-mhhm…"

Evalyn's eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened, meeting Nolan's smile.

"Are you awake?" he inquired gently.

Evalyn sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Three hours."

"Three hours?" Evalyn froze, staring at Nolan in disbelief before asking irritably, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You were sleeping so peacefully. I couldn't bear to wake you," Nolan replied with a helpless shrug, seemingly asking for understanding.

Nolan was known for respecting others' sleep; he would never rouse someone unless absolutely necessary.

He understood how unpleasant it felt to be forced awake while still exhausted.

Evalyn's irritation quickly dissolved, replaced by embarrassment and a faint warmth.

She quickly got to her feet and said, "Let's go!"

Nolan nodded, and the two remounted their horses, continuing their journey.

…

"I brought you breakfast. Eat first."

Roseline placed a tray with food, a glass of water, and several slices of fruit on the nightstand.

Rei slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard. Although his body still ached, his condition was notably better than the previous day.

"Do you want me to feed you?" Roseline asked hopefully.

Rei felt embarrassed and was about to decline when Luminus's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Just accept her offer. You still can't move your hands properly yet. Otherwise, the food will end up all over the bed."

Rei swallowed his refusal and instead gave a small nod.

"If it's not too much trouble, thank you," he said shyly.

Roseline smiled happily, sat on the edge of the bed, and began feeding him.

Initially, Rei felt nervous and awkward. However, after the third and fourth spoonfuls, he gradually relaxed.

"By the way, where's Lucas? Why haven't I seen him these past few days?" Rei asked curiously.

Lucas was his comrade and another hero, the wielder of the Dark Sword of the Eclipse.

Lucas had previously promised to come to the Dragon's Foot border to assist him.

Strangely, he had yet to appear, which worried Rei.

"Hero Lucas is currently dealing with a rebellion in the southern region of the empire," Roseline explained with a complex expression.

"A rebellion?" Rei's eyebrows shot up. "What happened?"

Roseline let out a long sigh before beginning her explanation.

As Rei listened, his expression shifted between surprise, confusion, and horror.

"So you mean the demon race managed to brainwash the border city leaders into attacking their own people?" Rei repeated, his voice trembling slightly.

Brainwashing was a known ability of the demon race; they often manipulated the memories of humans and other races, causing their victims to turn against their own kind.

Rei hadn't anticipated them targeting the leaders of the border cities. The situation was clearly dire, as any military coordination would inevitably involve those leaders.

"Something like that." Roseline nodded, feeding him another bite.

Rei ate slowly, his thoughts drifting to Lucas's situation on the battlefield as he chewed and swallowed.

He worried the man might be in danger. Despite Lucas's occasional annoyance and frequent arguments, Rei still considered him a friend.

After all, they hailed from the same world, even if they were from different countries.

"So, how is Lucas doing? He's okay, right?"

"Don't worry. Hero Lucas and his troops are safe. They managed to suppress the rebellion and are now hunting down the remaining demons responsible for the chaos," Roseline explained gently.

"Thank goodness…" Rei sighed in relief, a smile returning to his face.

As they were engrossed in conversation, the sound of footsteps suddenly approached from outside.

"Hero of Light, pardon the interruption. Two people outside claim to be your acquaintances and wish to see you."

Hearing this, both startled, exchanging glances.

"My acquaintances?" Rei furrowed his brow. "Did they mention their names?"

"Umm… no. They only said they were your acquaintances," the soldier replied hesitantly.

Roseline stood up and walked toward the tent flap, opening it.

The soldier, startled by her move, quickly bowed his head.

"Good morning, Your Highness. I apologize—I didn't realize you were here."

Roseline seemed unbothered and immediately asked, "Why didn't you send them away?"

It was not uncommon for individuals to falsely claim kinship or acquaintance with Rei and Lucas, only for their true intentions to be exposed.

The vast majority of these people sought to gain status, elevate their reputation, or achieve some form of personal advantage.

Roseline had grown weary of these repeated encounters. Consequently, her trust was not easily granted, especially to those who purported to know the heroes without even revealing their own names.

"I apologize, Your Highness," the soldier conveyed with a sheepish expression. "It's not a matter of unwillingness. Rather, one of them, a man, asserted that he knew both you and the Emperor. He even possessed knowledge of the imperial palace's internal structure. This caused us apprehension regarding hasty actions, leading us to adopt a cautious approach."

A sigh escaped the soldier's lips. He was merely an ordinary member of the guard, possessing no genuine authority.

The mysterious man exhibited the bearing and aura characteristic of nobility. Moreover, his detailed familiarity with the imperial palace's layout, including the names of the emperor, princes, and princesses, was striking.

Even if he were not a member of the imperial family, he must have been a significant guest from another realm.

This understanding compelled the soldier to refrain from acting rashly, thereby avoiding potential punishment.

"He knows both my father and me?"

Roseline's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her brow furrowing with evident doubt.

'Someone aware of the imperial palace's layout... could it be a visitor from afar? But that seems improbable.'

Designated accommodations for guests were situated outside the palace grounds, rather than within its confines.

This established protocol served to mitigate the risks associated with unforeseen threats to the imperial family.

Furthermore, the true intentions harbored by anyone, even guests, remained ultimately unknowable.

After a period of contemplation, Roseline resolved to personally meet the two individuals in question.

"Lead me to them."

Without hesitation, the soldier complied, guiding her towards their location.

***

"Are you certain that soldier will convey our message?" Evalyn inquired, a note of uncertainty in her voice.

Her gaze surveyed the vicinity, where numerous tents had been erected.

A contingent of twenty soldiers stood watch nearby, observing their every action with the diligence of guards.

"Have no concern. He will undoubtedly relay the message. If not him, then certainly a high-ranking official from this encampment will appear. At that juncture, we can articulate our purpose and advocate for escort to your ancestor's whereabouts," Nolan stated with composure.

Evalyn offered a silent nod, her attention fixed elsewhere. The minutes ticked by slowly until, at last, the soldier reappeared, accompanied by an elegant woman.

"Oh?" Nolan remarked with a subtle smile. "This outcome surpasses my expectations..."