The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 878: The Psychological Battle

Instead of answering, Jakes asked, "What do you think happened to me, Prince Cedric?"

Cedric smiled faintly.

"Let me guess. Is one of your businesses struggling because of regulations imposed by the Imperial Palace? Or... are you involved in an illegal business?"

He rubbed his chin, as though carefully considering both possibilities.

"...But I’m leaning toward the second one. Am I right?"

Jakes broke into a broad smile and clapped his hands.

"Brilliant... Absolutely brilliant! I didn’t think you’d figure it out that fast."

He took another long sip of his beer.

"You’re right. One of my illegal businesses is in trouble, and I need your help, Prince Cedric. Will you help me?"

A meaningful glint flashed across his eyes.

Cedric could sense the subtle pressure behind those words, but his expression remained calm.

Illegal businesses, also known as illicit businesses, operated in secret to avoid detection by the Imperial Palace.

They usually dealt in underground industries such as prostitution, gambling, the slave trade, and other black-market activities.

The profits were enormous.

While legitimate businesses typically earned margins of only twenty to thirty percent, illicit businesses could generate profits of one hundred to three hundred percent.

And that was considered normal. In some cases, profits could even reach one thousand percent.

Even so, the risks were just as great. If they were caught by the Imperial Palace or the local authorities, the punishment was death.

Imperial law was indeed strict, but that wasn’t enough to deter them.

Cedric had learned from his uncle, the prime minister, that almost every city in the empire had organizations running underground businesses.

Only the imperial capital remained pletely free of them. That was only natural, as it was under the direct authority of the Imperial Palace.

Trying to build an underground business network there was no different from mitting suicide.

"If this is about your illegal business, then I’m sorry, but I can’t help you, Jakes," Cedric said calmly. "It concerns my reputation. You know I’m going through a difficult time, don’t you? Everyone is watching me. If my siblings find out I helped you, they’ll use it against me. The chances of me being forced out of the race for the throne would be very high."

Jakes had expected that answer, so he didn’t seem upset.

"I hope you’ll reconsider, Prince Cedric. My illegal business is one of my main sources of ine. Without it, I simply can’t afford to continue supporting you."

Cedric paused with the teacup just inches from his lips. His calm gaze turned sharp.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Threatening?" Jakes let out a soft chuckle and shook his head. "No, you’ve misunderstood, Your Highness. I don’t have that kind of power. I’m just an honest businessman who needs fresh capital to keep my business running."

He deliberately emphasized the word "honest," as though mocking Cedric.

Cedric’s expression darkened. This was exactly why he hated relying on other people.

He lacked the resources to fight for the throne. Even with the support of the Ashvale family he knew it wouldn’t be enough.

Jakes’ support would solve that problem, but it came at a price—a tremendous responsibility and a heavy burden.

He had known that from the very beginning.

But what choice did he have?

The battle for the throne was an arena for building connections and a power base.

In the process, the interests of many parties would bee intertwined.

As one of the candidates for the throne, it was his duty to maintain the balance among those interests.

The room fell silent. Only the sound of the wind and falling snow outside occasionally broke the silence.

Ten minutes later, Cedric let out a soft sigh and finally gave in.

"You win. I’ll help you."

The moment those words left his mouth, it felt as though invisible chains had wrapped around him.

He knew that from this moment on, he was pletely entangled with the northern region’s shadowy underworld.

If he were ever exposed, his fate would be worse than death.

Then he remembered the Imperial Palace’s two-day lockdown. Before he knew it, another quiet sigh escaped his lips.

"Hahaha! Excellent!" Jakes laughed heartily as he clapped his hands. "I knew I hadn’t chosen the wrong candidate in this battle for the throne. You truly deserve my support, Your Highness."

It sounded like a pliment, but to Cedric, it felt more like a taunt. Even so, he didn’t care in the slightest.

Ever since stepping onto the chessboard of the battle for the throne, he had no choice but to keep moving forward and do whatever it took to win.

Only by being emperor could he truly take control of his own destiny.

Jakes clapped his hands once, and the door to the room opened. Several beautiful waitresses entered, pushing a cart laden with food.

They carefully arranged the dishes on the table.

"Business should always begin with a full stomach. What do you think, Your Highness?" Jakes said with a faint smile.

Cedric gave a slight nod.

"You’re right."

After the waitresses left, the room fell silent once again. The two continued eating while occasionally chatting about trivial matters.

Neither of them realized that a scaly shadow stood quietly in the corner of the room, watching them.

Twenty minutes later...

Every dish on the table had been emptied. The waitresses returned to clear the table. Then, one of them placed a bottle of blue wine and two glasses in front of them.

She uncorked the bottle and carefully poured the wine into both glasses.

When she was done, she placed the bottle in the center of the table before quietly leaving the room.

Silence settled over the room once again.

Cedric picked up his glass and took a sip of the blue wine. It was sweet at first, followed by a hint of tartness and bitterness, with a light fizz lingering on his tongue.

He frowned slightly. "What kind of wine is this?"

Jakes took another sip before replying, "It’s Lotus Dim wine from the distant Western Continent. It’s brewed from herbs, Korontis blue grapes, and dragon’s blood, then aged for five years before it’s ready to drink. A single bottle costs around a hundred thousand Sharn."

Cedric looked at the wine in his glass with surprise. It was the first time he had ever heard of wine made with dragon’s blood.

No wonder the aftertaste was so unique.

He took another sip before setting the glass down on the table and looking at Jakes with a serious expression.

"So, what kind of illegal business do you want to discuss?"

Jakes leaned his heavy body back against the chair.

"It concerns the slave trade, Your Highness."

The moment those words reached his ears, Cedric’s body stiffened.

"The slave trade... you say!?"