The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 299

299: Malverna’s Warning 299: Malverna’s Warning “Um…

sorry to trouble you,” Claire said, her voice tinged with guilt.

Because of her, Nolan had spent so much money.

She vowed that if she ever had the means, she would repay him.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nolan replied, patting her right shoulder.

“It’s nothing.

I already spent two billion Sharn to buy the Red Obsidian Trading House.

That’s barely a drop compared to what I’ve spent overall.” Claire fell silent, biting her lower lip.

What he said was true, yet she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her.

Seeing she hadn’t fully relaxed, Nolan quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, we’re heading to the capital.

Over the next few days, I’ll arrange several tutors for you.

I expect you to study diligently.

Do you understand?” Claire had been blind since birth and had never received any formal or informal education.

In a sense, she was like a blank sheet of paper, untouched by ink.

Nolan intended to shape her into a remarkable figure, according to his own standards.

As for the possibility of failure, he didn’t dwell on it.

Merlinda, Zarak’s mother, had been an extraordinary woman-intelligent, perceptive, and sharp-thanks to the resources Belfor had invested in her.

If he did the same, it wasn’t impossible that Claire could reach her level-perhaps even surpass it.

True, she was nearly forty, but that wasn’t a serious obstacle.

Claire gave a small nod.

“Don’t worry, I will… Um… I just realized you haven’t told me your name yet.

Can you tell me now?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement.

She remembered that Nolan hadn’t had the chance to introduce himself earlier, thanks to the villagers’ interruption.

Nolan paused for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips.

“My name is Nolan Lorian, and I am the Sixth Prince of the Great Velmora Empire.” After saying that, he rubbed his face, and his appearance transformed instantly.

His white hair gradually darkened to black.

His jawline became firmer, and a hint of laziness appeared in his expression.

Claire was stunned.

“The Sixth Prince?

Wait… doesn’t that mean you’re my nephew?” Melinda was his older sister and one of the imperial concubines.

By bloodline, Nolan was technically her nephew-though not a direct one.

She hadn’t expected his identity to be so sensitive.

“Nephew, huh?

Pfft!

You could think of it that way,” Nolan said with a small chuckle.

“But don’t dwell on it.

Honestly, there’s no real relationship between us, so just relax.” Claire was speechless.

It was still difficult for her to accept.

After all, she was a fairly traditional woman.

On top of that, she felt an inexplicable attachment to Nolan.

Though they had only just met, she already considered him someone important.

For decades, she had lived alone.

Nolan was the first to truly care for her, and now her lonely heart seemed entirely his.

After a moment of thought, she finally regained her composure.

What Nolan said was true-there was no direct relationship between them.

She didn’t need to feel guilty about her feelings.

A faint smile unconsciously curved her lips as she glanced at Nolan, her eagerness barely concealed.

They continued walking until they reached the edge of the forest, where a luxurious horse-drawn carriage was waiting.

Nolan gestured for her to climb inside.

“What about you?

Aren’t you coming with me?” She asked, worry lacing her voice.

“No, I have some business,” Nolan replied.

Claire nodded reluctantly.

Without another word, the carriage began to move, leaving Nolan alone.

“Tsk!

I’m getting more and more impressed with you.

Was it really necessary to get that close to her?” Malverna appeared beside him, a mischievous grin on her face.

She had watched the entire conversation and, for the first time, saw the ice-hearted man show a tender side to someone other than his little sister.

It was like witnessing a fire burn in the middle of the ocean-an impossible sight.

Nolan’s expression remained cold and indifferent.

“I did it only for my own benefit.

Nothing more.” Every one of his actions was carefully calculated, like a doctor preparing medicine for a patient.

Claire was a lonely woman who had always seen her life as empty, without anyone who truly cared for her.

To win her over, he only needed to give her a sense of security, love, and attention.

“Tch!

You haven’t changed-still as cruel as ever,” Malverna sneered, rolling her eyes.

“Be careful with your actions.

If you keep treating other women like that, it’s not impossible they’ll become obsessed with you.

Consider this a warning.” Her words came unexpectedly, and Nolan froze for a moment.

The corners of his lips twitched slightly as he processed what she had said.

Seems I really need to restrain myself next time, he muttered softly, letting out a small sigh.

What he didn’t realize was that Malverna’s warning was a prelude to a reality that would one day come true.

… Seven days later… Time had flown by, and during that week, a major event shook the Great Velmora Empire.

Belfor Horven, the leader of the Red Obsidian Trading House, had been caught in a scandal involving investment fraud, abuse of power, money laundering, and multiple other charges.

As the second-largest trading house in the empire, the news caused an immediate uproar among the public.

Many initially doubted the reports, but those doubts vanished after news of Belfor’s arrest two weeks prior surfaced.

Consequently, the public began actively boycotting the Red Obsidian Trading House, refusing to purchase its products-or anything affiliated with it.

The chaos intensified when the palace announced that the trial would be held in two days.

The public demanded severe punishment for Belfor and everyone involved in his crimes.

Arguably, the past seven days had been the most chaotic in years.

The Red Obsidian Trading House, already struggling under the dominance of the Blue Moon Trading House, now faced immense pressure from the public.

Loss after loss continued to mount, forcing them to carry out massive layoffs of staff and employees.

“Do you think the trial will go smoothly, Uncle?” Cedric gazed up at the vast blue sky through the large window.

Sitting on the sofa behind him was Roswell, the prime minister of the Great Velmora Empire.

Hearing his nephew’s question, Roswell closed the book he had been reading and gave a small nod.

“Of course.

The situation has escalated, and the outcome is clear-Belfor Horven will lose the trial completely and be punished severely,” he replied with a faint chuckle.

Cedric took a deep breath, pausing for a moment before asking hesitantly, “Are you planning to take action amidst the chaos in the public?” A playful spark flashed in Roswell’s eyes.

“Guess.” Cedric opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out.

“I don’t know, but… my gut tells me… yes.”