The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 360

360: Protests (2) 360: Protests (2) In the living room, Elina sat quietly, staring at the two men before her.

The man on the left appeared quite old, probably around fifty-eight.

He wore a plain brown shirt patched at the sleeves and chest.

His head was bald, and a long white beard hung from his chin.

This was Orwin, one of the most respected figures in Virella Town.

The man beside him looked younger, perhaps around thirty-eight.

He had a sturdy, healthy build, and a thick mustache under his nose gave him a fierce, stern appearance.

That was Kael, Orwin’s son.

Both men studied Elina from head to toe, their admiration barely concealed.

What a beautiful girl, they thought in unison.

Since Virella was a remote town, information about the imperial family-their names and appearances-was scarce.

“So, should I address you as Leader, Princess Elina?” Orwin asked politely.

Elina smiled and waved her hand.

“No need, Mr.

Orwin.

Just call me Elina.” Orwin was respected by most of the community.

When there was no official leader, he managed the town’s affairs, assisted by his son sitting beside him.

It wasn’t an official position, only recognized by the people of Virella.

Still, thanks to his efforts, the town continued to develop, even if slowly.

“How could that be, Your Highness?” Orwin chuckled, shaking his head.

“The Imperial Family is the leader of this land.

It is only natural that I-and all the people-show you respect.

Isn’t that so, Your Highness?” His eyes slowly opened, carrying a subtle, hidden meaning.

Elina caught it immediately-it was a thinly veiled mockery.

Yet she said nothing.

The Great Velmora Empire had triumphed since its founding.

At least, that was what many people believed-including Elina herself.

But the reality was far less ideal.

Many were still denied the prosperity they deserved, and the residents of Virella were among them.

For that reason, Elina had no right to scold or punish Orwin for mocking her and the Imperial Family.

“Since you refuse, just call me Princess.

That’s enough,” she said calmly, raising her cup and sipping her tea.

If she wanted to truly change Virella, she would need both of them on her side.

“All right, Princess.” Orwin’s expression turned indifferent.

“You must understand how serious your actions were in opening our food warehouse, right?

Everything there was meant to sustain us through the coming winter.

But…” His voice grew cold as he scolded her.

“You opened it and took just one percent of its contents!

That is no different from killing us!” His breath came in ragged gasps, his face flushed red.

Kael, sitting beside him, immediately tried to calm him down.

Even so, Kael understood his father’s anger.

Two hundred people was indeed a large number, yet it was nothing compared to the tens of thousands in the town who would have to survive the winter.

A one percent reduction from the food warehouse could clearly have serious consequences.

He looked at Elina, waiting for a logical explanation that both he and his father could accept.

Faced with his anger, Elina remained calm as ever.

At the imperial palace, she had been trained in strict aristocratic etiquette.

All princes and princesses were expected to control their emotions when dealing with those beneath them-in this case, the people.

“Don’t rush to conclusions like that, Mr.

Orwin,” Elina said evenly.

“To you, two hundred people may seem expendable, but not to me, as the new leader of this town.” Her words struck Orwin like a hammer.

He ground his teeth and growled, “Do you think I want this to happen?

Two hundred lives are at stake!

I even know some of them!

But… but…” His words faltered, as if he could not continue.

Who would enjoy seeing the lives of others lost?

Only a heartless madman would.

He was not such a person.

Yet, as someone trusted by the people, he had neither the ability nor the power to prevent it.

The food supplies provided by the city of Ostravia were extremely limited and could only be used when winter arrived.

If they helped those two hundred people, thousands of others would suffer-and he couldn’t allow that to happen.

This time, Elina’s expression was no longer calm.

Her face had darkened, as if she were restraining a burning anger.

Seeing this, Kael panicked.

Although he had once considered Elina an incompetent girl, unfit to lead, her status as a princess was undeniable.

If she became angry and summoned the soldiers, Kael and his father could be finished in an instant.

“Your Highness…” Before he could finish, Elina took a deep breath and looked at them with a calm, gentle gaze.

“Before I was assigned to this town, I didn’t even know it existed,” she said.

“I believed the Empire was prosperous, that its people lived in abundance.

But I was naive.” She bowed her head.

“There are still many areas that have yet to enjoy true prosperity.

Instead, people live in extreme poverty, and it is heartbreaking.

On behalf of the Imperial Family, I apologize to you and to all the people of Virella.” “This…” Kael and Orwin were stunned, unsure how to respond.

Orwin realized that his earlier behavior had been excessive.

As he composed himself, he intended to apologize-but Elina had beaten him to it.

“Your Highness…” Kael began, but Elina raised her head and cut him off.

“Even so, I’m sure you don’t want to remain in poverty, right?

You want to rise above it, don’t you?” Her gaze pierced both of them.

They flinched, feeling a spark of ambition long buried within them.

“Yes!

I want to escape this poverty!” Kael ground his teeth.

“I want myself, my wife, and my children to eat healthy food every day!

And not just us-everyone in this town should have nutritious meals daily!

But…” His voice trailed off as he let out a deep sigh.

“It’s hard to make that happen.

We lack farming skills and capital to get started.

On top of that, we’re in a remote area, and the soil isn’t fertile enough.” He left out one critical fact: the nearest city was two hundred kilometers away.

Unlike Virella, that city had merchants driving its economy.

It was far more advanced, and if Virella wanted to progress, it would have to follow suit.

Given their situation, achieving this seemed nearly impossible.

They had no horse-drawn carriages or other means of transport.

Elina smiled faintly, as if she had anticipated their doubts.

“Don’t worry.

I’ve prepared a plan to revive Virella.

I’ll need your help-and the help of the townspeople.

Can you do that?” Orwin and Kael met her gaze, her purple eyes radiating calmness and unwavering confidence.

“Father…” Kael began, but Orwin smiled and patted his back.

“With the Princess so certain, how could we possibly refuse?”