The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 882: Visiting Cedric

Duke Ashvale and Margaretta soon arrived at the detention center.

These facilities were established in every major region and operated under the direct authority of the imperial palace.

Because of that, even the dukes had to obtain permission from the head of the detention center before they could enter for an inspection.

As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a woman dressed in formal black attire.

"Wele, Duke Ashvale and Lady Margaretta. Are you here to visit Prince Cedric?"

Both of them were slightly surprised. They hadn’t expected her to know the purpose of their visit.

"That’s right. Could you take us to him?"

The woman gave a slight nod.

"Of course. Please follow me."

She led them to a special holding area not far away.

The detention center was divided into two levels. The first level was located underground and housed inmates convicted of serious crimes. It was heavily guarded.

The second level was on the ground floor, near the administration building.

Unlike the first level, the inmates held on the second level had mitted only minor offenses. They still had a chance of being released, although the odds were slim.

Cedric was the second prince. Because of his status, there was no way he would be placed in a first-level cell.

When they arrived outside Cedric’s cell, the woman bowed respectfully before taking her leave.

"I’ll be going now."

Margaretta gave a slight nod.

"Thank you."

After the woman left, Margaretta stepped up to the cell and saw Cedric sitting inside, staring blankly ahead.

"Cedric..." Margaretta called softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Cedric looked up at her and gave a faint nod.

He stood up and walked over to the cell door.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

Seeing Cedric’s expressionless face, Margaretta felt a heavy ache in her chest.

"I just arrived. My father came with me."

She quickly wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes.

Duke Ashvale looked at Cedric with a plicated yet concerned expression.

"How are you, Your Highness? Did they mistreat you?"

Cedric shook his head.

"They didn’t. I’m fine," he replied calmly.

Duke Ashvale let out a sigh of relief before asking in a strained voice, "Your Highness, what exactly happened? How did you end up being arrested?"

Margaretta stared intently at Cedric. She was just as eager to know what had happened.

Earlier, she had foreseen Cedric’s future and seen that his meeting with Jakes would bring him tremendous benefits.

Instead, everything had gone horribly wrong. Cedric had been arrested by the Phantom Guard.

None of it made any sense.

Cedric leaned against the wall before saying, "Nolan did it."

Duke Ashvale and Margaretta’s eyes widened.

"Prince Nolan?" they asked in unison.

"That’s right." Cedric nodded. "Margaretta, do you remember the letter from my uncle?"

"I do." Margaretta gave a firm nod.

A mocking smile spread across Cedric’s face.

"That letter arrived this morning, and by noon I had been arrested by the Phantom Guard. Do you really think that’s just a coincidence?"

Margaretta narrowed her eyes. Cedric’s suspicion made sense.

What she couldn’t understand was how Nolan had managed to arrange Cedric’s arrest.

What charges did he use?

And how had he timed it so perfectly?

Realizing what Margaretta was thinking, Cedric let out a long sigh before saying, "My meeting with Jakes was about expanding his business. That business was tied to his illegal operations."

Duke Ashvale’s expression immediately stiffened.

"Illegal operations?" He swallowed hard before asking, "What kind of business?"

Cedric fell silent for a moment before giving a bitter smile.

"...The slave trade."

Bang!

Duke Ashvale and Margaretta felt as though a massive boulder had crashed into them.

Among all illegal businesses, the slave trade was the most forbidden and despised, even by the empire’s worst criminals.

Yet Cedric had bee involved in it.

At that moment, they finally understood why the Phantom Guard had personally intervened to arrest him.

Duke Ashvale’s face turned pale, and his breathing became ragged. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat.

Cedric was the candidate he had supported from the very beginning. He had poured countless resources into helping him claim the throne.

But now, reality had hit him hard. The Imperial Palace had gone into lockdown, and it would stay that way for the next two days.

Even so, he knew it was only a matter of time. As soon as Emperor Ragan learned the truth, the entire empire would descend into chaos.

Duke Ashvale suddenly began to tremble. His vision went black, and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.

Thud!

Margaretta froze for a split second before rushing to his side.

"Father! What’s wrong? Father!"

She desperately tried to wake him, but Duke Ashvale didn’t respond.

"Help! Someone, please help my father!"

Her cry of desperation instantly brought the attention of the staff and of the soldiers on duty.

"What happened?"

A handsome man hurried over, his face filled with concern.

"Please help my father! He collapsed!" Margaretta cried in panic.

The moment the man saw Duke Ashvale lying on the floor, his face turned pale.

"Hurry! Help Duke Ashvale!"

The soldiers quickly lifted the duke and carried him away.

Margaretta was deeply worried about her father’s condition, but she couldn’t simply leave Cedric behind.

"What should we do now?" she asked anxiously. "Should we contact your uncle?"

"It’s no use." Cedric shook his head. "I was arrested right after signing Jakes’ business expansion agreement. Legally, I’m considered his acplice. There’s no way out of this. Besides..."

His eyes narrowed.

"The Imperial Palace is under a freeze order. My uncle is the Imperial Prime Minister, so he’s part of the government. Contacting him now would be pointless."

For the first time, Cedric truly understood what despair felt like.

Nolan had planned everything perfectly.

Not only had he lured Cedric into prison at the perfect moment, but he had also cut off his only escape—his uncle.

No wonder Nolan had ordered Emperor Ragan to freeze the Imperial Palace. Cedric had no choice but to wait another two days before he could contact his uncle.

But even then, it would all be meaningless. The evidence against Jakes was overwhelming. Even the death penalty seemed too lenient for everything he had done.

And Cedric, a prince of the empire, had been implicated as his acplice.

He could already imagine the severe punishment waiting for him.

Margaretta hadn’t expected Cedric to give up so easily. Anger flared inside her, but she quickly forced it down.

"I won’t give up. I’ll find a way to get you out of this," she said firmly.

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Cedric watched her disappear into the distance before shaking his head helplessly.

"How... foolish..."