The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 452

452: Reversal and the Truth (1) 452: Reversal and the Truth (1) Everyone froze, exchanging glances filled with disbelief.

The Singularity of Light declared that the recording stone had not been tampered with in any way.

Didn’t that mean Cassian’s accusations against Elina were completely true?

Unconsciously, their gazes grew cold as they turned toward Elina, Mikazura, and Shion.

They wanted to see what other tricks they would use to deny everything.

‘What’s going on?

Why isn’t the Singularity of Light revealing the truth?’ Cassian asked, dumbfounded.

He had prepared himself for the worst, yet the outcome was nothing like what he had feared.

‘Demon Emperor Zerathos, what really happened?

Could it be that the Singularity of Light failed to detect it?’ he asked.

Zerathos fell silent for a moment before answering, “No.

He is capable of doing so.” Cassian frowned.

‘Then why is he protecting me instead of revealing the truth?’ He had no connection with the Singularity of Light whatsoever.

There was no reason for the old man to help him.

So what was the Singularity of Light’s purpose?

“I don’t know either,” Zerathos replied weakly.

“However, I suspect the Singularity of Light had a conflict with Elina in the past.

Do you know what happened between them back then?” Cassian pondered, recalling everything that had happened over the past few months.

Suddenly, he remembered the incident at his father’s birthday banquet.

‘So that’s it!

Hahaha!

Everything makes sense now!’ He laughed inwardly.

He then explained everything to Zerathos.

After a while, Zerathos finally understood and nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s obviously the reason.

The Singularity of Light hates Elina, so there’s no way he would reveal the truth.

That woman named Shion is truly foolish for leaving the final decision to the Singularity of Light,” Zerathos chuckled softly.

With the Singularity of Light’s help, he no longer needed to reveal his existence before everyone, just as he and Cassian had planned earlier.

Their plan to pin the blame on Elina could continue without issue.

Meanwhile, Ragan’s face turned pale as he clenched his teeth.

Taking a deep breath, he asked in a heavy voice, “Are you telling the truth, Singularity of Light?” The Singularity of Light smiled faintly before tossing the recording stone to Shion.

“It is up to you whether you believe it or not, Your Majesty the Emperor.

I am merely conveying what I discovered during my investigation through the recording stone.

Whether you accept it is not something I can force.

However, you must remember-everyone here witnessed it firsthand.

I hope you make a wise decision,” he said calmly and indifferently.

Yet, anyone perceptive could notice the strange smile lingering on his lips.

Ragan fell silent, then turned to Elina.

His gaze carried a mixture of sadness, anger, and hatred.

“Elina Lorian,” he called out in a cold, firm voice.

“Do you still have a defense?

All the evidence points to you, and everyone here is a witness.

If you have anything to say, speak now before I declare you the culprit.” He couldn’t help but feel angered by what had happened in the hall.

And Elina, his own daughter, was accused of being the culprit.

There was no clear motive for her actions, and no one could explain where the potion capable of turning humans into demons had come from.

Unfortunately, no matter how strong the arguments or contradictions might be, in the face of concrete evidence and dozens of witnesses, none of it mattered.

All eyes immediately turned to Elina.

Some gazes were filled with anger, others with joy, hatred, sorrow, and even disgust.

Those who felt joy were, of course, the princes.

They realized their father was giving Elina one last chance to turn the situation around.

But the question was-was it possible?

Even with the help of Mikazura and Shion, the inevitable outcome could not be changed.

‘Hahaha!

Elina, the day you feared has finally arrived.

Your path has always been too smooth, as if the gods favored you.

Now, how will you explain yourself?’ Aldric looked at Elina with a playful smile.

The greatest obstacle on his path to the throne was about to be removed.

This was the happiest day of his life.

Not only Aldric, but also Cedric and Adalen felt the same.

Adalen, in particular, was delighted by his grandfather’s actions.

He didn’t know whether his grandfather was lying or not-but he didn’t care.

But that no longer mattered.

As long as Elina was in trouble and declared guilty, his chances of ascending the throne would increase by fifty percent.

“Elina…” Rafine called out, her voice trembling.

She knew better than anyone that Elina was not the culprit.

After all, she had been with Elina the entire time during the banquet.

Even when Elina went to the restroom, Rafine could confirm that she had truly left the hall and headed there.

So Cassian’s accusations and the Singularity of Light’s claims were clearly lies.

They had only one goal-to trap Elina and destroy her.

How could Rafine simply stand by while her friend was in danger?

Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do.

The evidence Cassian presented was too strong, even though it was completely fabricated.

“It’s okay.

You can be sure I can handle it,” Elina said casually.

Her face showed no fear or panic.

Instead, she remained calm, as if everything were still under her control.

Under everyone’s intense gaze, Elina stepped forward and said coldly, “Father, my answer remains the same-I will not admit it.” Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

Everything clearly pointed to Elina as the culprit.

So why was she still being so stubborn?

Inevitably, many saw Elina’s attitude as a desperate act.

Some felt regret over her choices.

However, Orlan, Rudy, Duke Austin, and a few others who knew her well understood that Elina was not foolish.

“Are you still unwilling to admit it?” Ragan stared at her sharply.

“Yes, I won’t admit it,” Elina replied calmly.

“Nonsense!” Cassian interrupted angrily.

Pointing at Elina, he shouted, “The evidence is overwhelming!

What more do you intend to deny, Elina?

Give up-don’t disgrace the imperial family in front of everyone!” He deliberately invoked the imperial family to place moral pressure on her.

But Elina remained completely unfazed.

She looked at him indifferently and said, “Cassian, do you know that you are actually very stupid?” The sudden insult instantly ignited Cassian’s emotions.

Yet before he could respond, Elina continued.

“Do you remember the wine glass you handed me earlier at the banquet?” “The wine glass?” Cassian froze.

“Do you really think I don’t know what you put in it?” Elina chuckled softly and shook her head.

Cassian’s heart raced.

Elina’s knowing expression, as if to say, “I see through everything,” threw him into a panic, cold sweat spreading across his body.

“To be honest, I didn’t intend to report you to Father at first.

But who would have thought you’d accuse me like this?

You even altered the recording stone,” Elina sighed quietly.

“What nonsense are you spouting?

You’re clearly the culprit!” Cassian shouted, his voice ringing with fury.

Elina shook her head slowly and whispered, “Since you were the one who sought death first, I’ll grant it to you.

Please, help me, Malverna…”