Chapter 22: Change of Appearance, Change of Judgment and Opinion

Chapter 22 - Change of Appearance, Change of Judgment and OpinionMoments later, the other princes began to arrive one by one. The fourth prince was a fat man named Zarak Lorian. He was short, with a large belly that bulged beneath the black robe he wore. His hair was short and blue, and his chubby cheeks resembled buns. His eyes were black and slightly slanted, pushed down by the fat beneath his eyelids. There was a lewd glint in his gaze, making people feel uncomfortable just by looking at him. In contrast, the fifth prince, Cassian Lorian, was a young man with a handsome appearance—though still far from Adalen's level. He had brown hair and eyes of a similar shade. A warm smile was always on his lips, giving the impression of a kind and friendly man to anyone meeting him for the first time. His build was not very tall, and he was rather thin. Compared to the other princes, his appearance was the most modest and unremarkable. The arrival of the two princes stirred the atmosphere in the square to its peak. Although most believed these two would play little role in the battle for the throne, their participation still made the competition more lively and entertaining. "By the way, where is Prince Nolan? Why hasn't he shown up yet?" A man in the crowd stared at the main stage with a confused and curious expression. The people around him also began to notice Nolan's absence, their expressions turning to surprise. "If I remember correctly, that lazy prince is already eighteen. Isn't it strange that he's not joining the struggle for the throne?" "Yeah, you're right. He should be standing there with the other princes by now. Why hasn't he shown up? Is he scared and choosing to back out?" "No way. Even if he was reluctant to come, His Majesty the Emperor wouldn't allow that. After all, there's a sacred rule in the Empire—every prince who turns seventeen or eighteen must participate in the succession." Nolan's absence quickly stirred suspicion and curiosity among the people. He was well known throughout the Empire. But not for any great deeds or fame—rather, for his laziness. Yes, laziness. As ridiculous as it sounded, that was what made him stand out. While princes like Aldric and Cedric were celebrated for their accomplishments, Nolan's reputation was the complete opposite—and that contrast caught everyone's attention. Most people looked down on him, even labeling him a failed prince. If it weren't for the strict laws against criticizing the imperial family, they might have mocked him openly. And just like the common folk, the leaders of the noble families were also confused and surprised. They glanced around, trying to spot Nolan—but he was nowhere to be found. In the end, they all reached the same conclusion: "Is Prince Nolan really not participating in the succession? If not, why hasn't he appeared?" Just as confusion swept over the entire square, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs leading to the main stage. A few people near the stage turned toward the noise—and were immediately stunned. An extraordinarily beautiful young woman appeared. Her face was flawless, framed by long white hair braided and neatly tied into a bun resting over her right shoulder. Her expression was cold and distant, giving her an unapproachable aura. Her eyes were a clear, mesmerizing purple—like sapphires. She wore a white gown that matched her hair. Her figure, curvaceous in all the right places, was elegant and impossible to ignore. Every step she took radiated a charm that held men captive, unable to look away. Behind her walked an extraordinarily handsome man. His face was exquisite, with a perfectly symmetrical, sharp jawline. His straight, firm eyebrows resembled swords, and his eyes—also purple—mirrored those of the woman ahead. Standing about 1.95 meters tall, his slender frame concealed powerful muscles beneath the black robes he wore. His dark hair was short and silky, as beautiful and quiet as the night itself. A playful, mocking smile curled on his lips, radiating disdain toward anyone who met his gaze. The arrival of these two silenced the square, which had been buzzing with whispers moments before. Damn! Those two are stunning—so beautiful and handsome! That was everyone's first impression. Even Ragan, who had been standing still, couldn't hide his surprise—especially when he saw the man walking behind the woman: none other than Nolan. This brat can actually be this handsome? Why am I only finding out now? He muttered quietly, astonished. He had always known Nolan was good-looking. After all, he had been by his wife's side and witnessed his son's birth firsthand. What caught him off guard was how Nolan now carried himself with a regal and stern presence, like a true prince—completely opposite from his usual lazy and indifferent attitude. Aldric, Cedric, Adalen, Zarak, and Cassian were equally surprised when they saw Nolan's new appearance. When did he get this handsome? Adalen muttered, frowning with suspicion. He didn't mean to sound arrogant, but he had always believed his looks were the best among the princes. That was part of why he was the idol of so many women throughout the Empire. But now, Nolan seemed equal to Adalen—maybe even superior in some ways. "Are those Princess Elina and Prince Nolan?" A man in the crowd exclaimed in amazement. "Yes, that's right! That's definitely Princess Elina and Prince Nolan!" the man beside him confirmed. "Hiss! I knew Princess Elina was beautiful, but I didn't expect Prince Nolan to be that handsome!" "Exactly! He's even more handsome than Prince Adalen!" Excited chatter quickly spread through the crowd. Many women who had once been captivated by Adalen's charm were now turning into Nolan's fans. No matter the rumors about him, they didn't care. To them, as long as the prince was handsome, he must be admirable! "Alright, everyone, I have an announcement," Ragan's booming voice echoed across the square. "As you can see, these are the participants in the succession to the throne. However, I must inform you that my son Nolan will not be competing. Instead, his place will be taken by his younger sister, Elina Lorian!"