The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 406

406: The Candidates for the Throne Take the Stage (2) 406: The Candidates for the Throne Take the Stage (2) After Adalen took the stage, Cassian was next.

Unlike Aldric, Cedric, and Adalen, Cassian looked ordinary, with nothing remarkable about him.

However, this was understandable, considering that Cassian, Elina, and Zarak had never been seen as candidates who could win the throne.

Everyone’s attention was on the other three-Aldric, Cedric, and Adalen.

But who would have thought that Elina would become the dark horse who defeated all her rivals?

Now, only Cassian remained, and so far, he hadn’t shown any notable skills or made any surprising moves, keeping him in the shadows of the other four.

“Huh?

Is it just me, or does Prince Cassian look different?” Aston rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

He had met Cassian before, so he instantly noticed the change in him.

If Cassian used to seem reserved, gentle, and always smiling, now he looked colder and indifferent, like someone carrying immense pride.

It was a complete contrast to his former self.

Beside him, Orlan wore a strange expression as he nodded slightly.

“You’re right, Aston.

There’s something off about him,” Orlan muttered, his tone serious.

His instincts were sharp.

The moment he looked at Cassian, something inside him screamed, warning him to stay cautious and not act recklessly around him.

If he wasn’t careful, he might die a terrible death.

As someone who had relied on his instincts for years, Orlan naturally trusted them deeply.

That was why he was immediately on guard the moment Cassian arrived.

And it wasn’t just Orlan and Aston who sensed the change.

The four dukes, Ragan, and even the three princes also felt that something was off about Cassian.

Ragan stepped forward and asked, “Are you alright, son?” Cassian turned and nodded slightly.

“I’m fine, Father.

Thank you for your concern.” At the same time, however, he called out to Zerathos in his mind.

What’s going on?

Why did my father suddenly ask that?

Did I get caught?

“No, you misunderstood.

It’s simply because you look different from before.

Think about it-how do you usually appear in front of others?” Zerathos’ voice echoed in his head.

Cassian paused and finally understood the problem.

In the past, he always wore his mask.

In front of everyone, he was kind, gentle, smiling, and all of that.

Of course, he did it to win people’s sympathy.

According to a book he had read as a child, people were more easily swayed by someone who acted kind.

But ever since Zerathos entered his life, he had abandoned that mask and gradually begun to show his true self.

“It’s also tied to my demonic power.

Demonic power can make any living creature-even demons-turn ferocious and aggressive.

That’s why we’re forbidden from using it carelessly.

So be careful, and make sure no one notices the remnants of my demonic power inside you.” When he summoned the demon yesterday to kill the person Cassian requested, Zerathos had used Cassian’s body as a vessel.

As a result, the demonic power he released remained inside Cassian and slowly eroded his humanity without him noticing.

“If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me, son.” Ragan gave a small nod.

Cassian bowed his head slightly, then walked toward the line of princes.

Not long after, the final figure appeared-Elina.

She stepped forward gracefully, and in that instant, everyone was captivated by her beauty.

“Is that Her Highness Elina?

She’s so beautiful!” one of the noble heads shouted, sitting transfixed in place.

And it wasn’t just him-everyone, both men and women, was left speechless.

Elina’s beauty today was so extraordinary that it was difficult to put into words.

“I didn’t expect the princess to be this beautiful.

My dear, don’t you think so?” Alvaron smiled as he glanced at Rafine beside him.

He had to admit it-even his own daughter was one step behind the princess.

It seemed that the title of the most beautiful woman would soon fall into Elina’s hands.

Rafine showed no anger or jealousy.

She nodded and replied, “You’re right, Father.

Elina is indeed very beautiful.” She had realized this from the very first time she met her.

If Elina took her appearance more seriously, she could easily surpass the other beautiful women in the Empire, including herself.

After all, Elina possessed the unique beauty of the eastern region, inherited from her mother, Isabella.

Brother and sister-both of them completely shatter the confidence of anyone proud of their looks, Rafine muttered with a small chuckle.

In the barons’ row, Leonard sat dazed, unable to take his eyes off Elina.

What a beautiful woman, he whispered, his heart pounding.

If I could make her mine, I’d be the winner in life.

The young masters from various noble families instantly fell for Elina, though some were filled with jealousy instead.

One of them was Novaria, seated in the imperial family’s row.

“Elina is truly… beautiful,” she muttered through gritted teeth.

Even she, despite her hatred and envy toward Elina, had to admit Elina’s beauty.

Elina could draw everyone’s attention with her looks alone-and that made Novaria burn with jealousy.

“Wow!

Elina is really beautiful!” Seira couldn’t contain her admiration.

She turned to Isabella beside her and said excitedly, “Mother Isabella, don’t you think so too?” Isabella smiled and replied casually, “Yes, she is beautiful.

But Seira, you are also very beautiful.” The compliment made Seira blush.

She giggled and said, “Thank you for the compliment, Mother Isabella.” Watching the interaction, Clarisse felt deeply unhappy.

In front of her, Seira always appeared cold and indifferent, as if she were a stranger.

But now, she seemed so affectionate with Isabella, and that only made her even more upset.

“Hahaha!

You are truly beautiful, my dear,” Ragan praised sincerely as he looked Elina up and down.

“Thank you for the compliment, Father.” Elina bowed her head gracefully.

Ragan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the noble families.

“All right, everyone,” he said in a thunderous voice.

“Let’s begin the ceremony!” … “Help me!

No!” “I don’t want to die!

Someone, save me!” “My leg… My leg is broken!

Argh!” Amid the heavy snow, fifteen soldiers stood frozen in fear as they stared at a white dragon in the distance.

The dragon gazed back at them coldly.

Red blood stained its mouth, making its appearance even more terrifying.

“D-Don’t come any closer…” one of the soldiers shouted, waving his arms desperately.

But the dragon didn’t care.

It opened its massive jaws and devoured all the soldiers in an instant.

Roar!

It lifted its enormous body and unleashed a deafening roar.