The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 892 Roswell's Oath

Roswell's harsh words shattered Cassandra's resolve.

She lowered her head, her face filled with guilt.

She had tried everything to save Cedric, but all her efforts had been in vain. Ragan remained firm in his decision to punish him.

That left her feeling helpless... and desperate.

Roswell slowly calmed himself. He crossed his legs and leaned back against the sofa.

"Saving Cedric is incredibly difficult—it's like trying to reach heaven," he said with a hint of irritation. "But I'll do everything I can, even if it means risking my position as prime minister."

He let out a heavy sigh.

"I'll do it."

Cedric's rise to the top of the empire wasn't just important for him and his allies. It was also vital to the future of the Kleith family.

Back then, the Kleith family was little more than a small baronial house in the north.

Even so, the family produced many talented descendants.

Roswell was one of them, along with his younger sister, Cassandra.

Before becoming prime minister, Roswell had been an outstanding student who graduated from the Imperial Academy with perfect grades.

At the time, he was only ten years old, earning him the nickname "the genius who appears only once in a thousand years."

From that point on, his career in government continued to rise.

Eventually, when Ragan ascended the throne, he was appointed prime minister, replacing Gustav Montclair, the previous holder of the position.

Because of his achievements, the Kleith family was automatically elevated to the rank of Counts.

Although that rank might not seem particularly high, no one dared to provoke the Kleith family—not even the Ashvale family, the rulers of the northern region.

All of that was because Roswell served as prime minister.

Ever since Cedric was born, Roswell had been determined to make his nephew the next emperor of the empire.

That way, he could keep his position as prime minister while securing the Kleith family's influence throughout the empire.

Unfortunately, Cedric's case was a harsh wake-up call.

He had let the enemy make the first move, leaving his nephew in a difficult situation.

Hearing her brother's words, Cassandra pursed her lips, her face filled with guilt.

"B-Brother, I..."

She was about to speak, but Roswell cut her off.

"Don't say another word. This is my decision. I have to save Cedric, no matter what it takes."

His expression carried a fierceness Cassandra had never seen before.

"We can't afford to be eliminated this early. The winner hasn't been decided yet, and we still have a chance to turn this around. As for the one behind all of this... Nolan Lorian."

A cold smile slowly spread across his face.

"I'll make him pay a thousand times over—no, a hundred thousand times!"

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Seeing the rage in Roswell's eyes, Cassandra swallowed hard. It had been a long time since she'd seen her brother like this.

Yet at the same time, she felt relieved. If Roswell was this determined, then there was still hope that Cedric could be saved.

She took a deep breath, regained her composure, and said softly, "I believe in you."

…

The trial was held in a magnificent building not far from the Imperial Palace.

It was the same building where Belfor, one of the empire's most successful businessmen, had once been tried before the public.

Since Cedric, the second prince, was the defendant, his trial was held there as well.

Emperor Ragan would personally preside over the proceedings.

By then, everyone had already gathered in the courtroom.

Queen Vanessa sat on the right, with the other consorts beside her—Cassandra, Clarisse, Melinda, and Isabella.

Opposite them sat Aldric, Adalen, Elina, Seira, and Eliza.

Nearby were the heads of the empire's leading noble houses—Duke Austin, Duke Ashvale, and Duke Valcrest—seated close to the row of princes and princesses.

Behind them stood the rest of the nobility, with the marquises and counts at the front, followed by the lower-ranking nobles.

The imperial ministers stood behind the queen and the consorts.

Every one of them looked pale and anxious.

After all, this trial would determine their future. If Cedric was acquitted, their chances of continuing to enjoy their wealth and status would remain intact.

But if the opposite happened... none of them could imagine what awaited them.

"Hahaha!" Duke Austin burst into laughter and looked at Duke Ashvale, who was sitting beside him, with a teasing smile. "I heard your future son-in-law has run into some trouble. Is that true?"

Duke Ashvale's cold expression darkened. He let out a heavy breath as he glared at Duke Austin.

"What do you mean by that, Duke Austin?" he asked coldly.

Duke Austin chuckled and waved his hand.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I was just asking, that's all. Why are you so sensitive?"

He rolled his eyes before taking a sip of his tea.

The corner of Duke Ashvale's mouth twitched. Duke Austin's words were clearly meant to mock him.

Yet the man shamelessly insisted he was only asking a question.

For a brief moment, Duke Ashvale wanted to punch him in the face.

However, he quickly dismissed the thought.

Things were already bad enough. Cedric was about to stand trial, and Jakes's actions had severely damaged his standing among the nobility.

Many of the Ashvale family's businesses were linked to Jakes.

Whether he liked it or not, he had to cut those ties.

Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. Those businesses were deeply intertwined with Jakes, including the entire supply chain from top to bottom.

As a result, the Ashvale family would have to spend a great deal of time and money to rebuild everything.

Seeing the tension between them, Duke Valcrest decided to step in.

"All right, you two. That's enough. You're both getting on in years. There's no point in arguing like this."

His words managed to calm Duke Ashvale. He let out a quiet snort and turned away.

Duke Austin remained as calm as ever. He had already accomplished what he wanted by provoking Duke Ashvale, so there was no need to continue the argument.

Duke Valcrest let out a quiet sigh of relief. Even so, he couldn't help glancing at Duke Ashvale, whose expression was still gloomy.

To be honest, he had never imagined Cedric would be involved in such a massive criminal scheme.

After all, in public, Cedric was known as an intelligent, capable, and authoritative prince.

"The battle for the throne will only grow fiercer," he muttered.

His gaze shifted to Elina in the distance. Her calm expression seemed to hint at something.

"Perhaps it's time for me to make a decision..."