The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 358

358: A New Responsibility and Troublesome Internal Issues 358: A New Responsibility and Troublesome Internal Issues “Hah… this is really troublesome.

If I had known managing this area would be this difficult, I definitely wouldn’t have accepted that medal of honor.” In her study, Elina sighed deeply, massaging her temples.

She glanced at the pile of documents on the desk and smiled wryly.

It had been three days since she arrived in the territory her father had granted her.

The territory wasn’t large; in fact, it was considered small.

It included a modest town called Virella and the surrounding area of about four kilometers.

The town had once belonged to a noble family of baron rank.

However, the family had fallen after all its members died.

The identity of the murderer remained unknown, though it was said to be linked to a battle for the throne during her father’s era.

The mansion she now lived in had belonged to that family but had been renovated into an even more magnificent residence.

Elina picked up one of the documents and examined it carefully.

“The problem of hunger, huh?

What a dreadful issue,” she murmured softly.

The town of Virella was much like any other small town.

Its population numbered around eighty thousand, with a growth rate of only three percent.

For a town in the prosperous eastern region, it was clearly lagging behind.

Moreover, most residents were elderly, while the younger generation tended to move to more developed cities.

“Father really did give me a test,” she chuckled, shaking her head.

Elina knew that the honorary title given to her wasn’t entirely a gift-it came with responsibility and a test.

The town of Virella had no notable natural resources, nor was it strategically located.

It lay about a thousand kilometers from Ostravia, the center of the eastern region.

To be honest, the town seemed almost hopeless, but Elina knew she couldn’t give up.

If she did, she wouldn’t be fit to be a leader.

“The real problem could be solved if there were decent jobs available in this town.” She twirled a pen in her right hand as she leaned back in her chair.

“But finding investors willing to come here is going to be difficult.

This town doesn’t have any advantages… Wait a minute!” Her eyes suddenly lit up.

“If I’m not mistaken, Virella has a large forest on its southeast side.

It’s said to stretch for hundreds of kilometers.

If we can utilize it, it could become an attraction for trading houses!” Her brother had once said that wherever humans settle, nature provides.

The challenge is how humans discover and manage those resources properly.

“All right, that will go on the planning agenda,” she said enthusiastically.

She jotted it down in her notebook before moving on to the other documents.

They all contained reports on the problems facing the town of Virella.

Considering that the town had lacked a direct leader for so long and relied solely on assistance from the central government, it was no surprise that the residents faced numerous problems.

While Elina focused on her work, a shadow in the corner of the room watched her closely.

She really does look like her brother, the shadow muttered with a small laugh.

The figure gradually became clearer-Malverna.

Since Elina had moved in, she had been guarding her from the shadows, observing her every move.

Malverna admitted that Elina was a formidable presence.

At first, she had thought the girl wouldn’t be able to manage on her own without Nolan’s help.

But her assumption had been completely wrong.

The girl was both capable and resourceful.

On her first day, she had already inspected the entire town-her new territory.

Then she began noting its shortcomings and seeking solutions, just as she was doing now.

I’m very curious, Malverna whispered, rubbing her chin.

Will she solve this quickly, or will problems arise later?

Well, that’s not my concern.

I’ll just watch how it unfolds and report back to Nolan.

With that, her figure melted back into the shadows and disappeared.

Knock!

“Your Highness, it’s me, Rick!

May I come in?” The sound of knocking came from the study door.

Elina started and immediately paused her work.

“Come in, Rick.” Clack!

The door swung open, revealing Rick with a pale face.

Elina regarded him calmly.

Rick was the mansion’s butler.

He had a youthful appearance, with short dark red hair and wide eyes that gave him a somewhat comical look.

Although the mansion had been uninhabited for a long time, it was far from neglected.

The Austin family employed twenty servants and a butler to maintain it.

That was why, when she first arrived, the mansion appeared clean and well-kept.

“What’s wrong, Rick?

Why do you look so panicked?” Elina asked calmly.

Rick stepped inside, clearly nervous.

“Your Highness, many people are falling ill from starvation.

There are about two hundred of them!” “What?” Elina gasped and immediately stood.

“How is that possible?

Don’t we have a storage warehouse?

Why aren’t we using it?” “That’s…” Rick bit his lower lip.

“The stock in the warehouse is being saved for the coming winter.

If we use it now, there won’t be any reserves left for later.” The town of Virella did have a large warehouse for staples like wheat and rice.

Of course, these supplies didn’t come from the town itself-they were aid from Ostravia, enough to last only until winter.

If they insisted on using it now, the number of victims would surely rise.

Elina’s face darkened.

“Do you think those two hundred starving people are unimportant?

Stop talking-take out all the food stocks for them!” Rick froze at the commanding aura she radiated.

Without hesitation, he bowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Highness!” He then turned and rushed out to carry out her orders.

Once Rick was gone, Elina shook her head.

She stared at the document she had been reading and muttered, “This problem is serious… I have to find a solution immediately.” … The Austin Family Mansion… In the living room, Alvaron, Anastasia, Masha, and Rafine sat casually, chatting.

“Pfft!

So, Your Highness treated you very well, huh?

Are you telling the truth?” Anastasia teased, glancing at Rafine playfully.

Rafine’s face flushed at the memory of her time with Nolan.

She quickly composed herself and replied calmly, “Of course, Mother.

Do you think your daughter would speak nonsense?” She sipped her tea to hide her embarrassment.

Truthfully, she was lying.

Nolan had treated her poorly-he could be rude to a woman.

Yet sometimes, he was unexpectedly romantic, leaving Rafine torn between anger and a fluttering heart.

Seeing her reaction, Anastasia suspected her daughter was lying.

She didn’t press further, only offering a slight smile.

“By the way, my dear,” Alvaron spoke softly, “I heard that Princess Elina received her territory in the eastern region.

Do you know where that is?” Rafine stroked Masha’s head, which rested on her lap, and answered, “It’s the town of Virella.”