The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 30

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 30

 

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The car carrying Bada crossed the bridge and headed toward the Bernhardt Embassy located in Hannam-dong.

 

The car climbed the hill road and stopped in front of an elegant Western-style building where Bernhardt’s flag fluttered.

 

Following Lancaster’s guidance into the entrance, security guards were stationed with strict vigilance.

 

Only then did Bada become aware of her appearance.

 

Wearing training clothes from home and a cap pulled down low, she looked exactly like a criminal standing in a photo line.

 

‘…If I had known this would happen, I should have at least dressed properly.’

 

As she followed Lancaster into the building, the embassy staff all bowed in unison.

 

Everyone was in an emergency state due to the crown prince’s unscheduled visit, but at the same time, they wore expressions of curiosity.

 

The curiosity of ‘Who exactly is this woman the crown prince came to meet, even taking a private jet.’

 

Suddenly, an uneasy thought crossed Bada’s mind.

 

‘But why is he waiting for me at the embassy of all places? What kind of secret conversation do we need to have?’

 

As her thoughts reached that point, she began to feel nervous.

 

Ah, he came to look for the ring.

 

Wasn’t he planning to interrogate her about the whereabouts of the ring belatedly?

 

‘But he’s the one who put the ring on me, saying it was fake. And if it was such an important ring, he should have taken care of it himself!’

 

Bada’s thoughts deepened.

 

‘Will he be very angry if I say I lost it by mistake? What if he thinks I’m lying because I coveted the ring?’

 

Even though she hadn’t been interrogated yet, she already felt indignant rising up.

 

The two people climbed the stairs and walked down the second-floor corridor.

 

“His Highness is waiting in the reception room.”

 

When they arrived at the reception room door at the end of the corridor, Lancaster checked Bada’s complexion before opening the door.

 

She looked exactly like someone being dragged to an interrogation room.

 

“There’s no need to be too nervous. And His Highness the Crown Prince has a tender heart despite appearances, so please don’t scold him too harshly.”

 

Bada rolled her eyes at Lancaster’s words.

 

“Would such a person disappear without a word like that?”

 

“Well, perhaps there was a good reason for it?”

 

“As expected, Morgan… no, Lancaster is 100% on His Highness the Crown Prince’s side.”

 

“Well, I am someone who swore to serve His Highness with lifelong loyalty.”

 

“Tch, fine.”

 

“If Miss Yu knew how heartbroken he was when you left him behind, would you perhaps forgive him?”

 

“What? …When did I?”

 

“Well then, you must have much to discuss with ‘River,’ so I’ll take my leave now.”

 

Clearing his throat, Lancaster knocked on the door and called out.

 

“Your Highness, the lady has arrived.”

 

Through the opened door, Bada carefully stepped into the reception room.

 

The interior with dark teal curtains drawn was very dim and quiet.

 

When she turned her gaze, she saw him standing with his hands behind his back beneath a large window.

 

As he slowly turned at the sound of footsteps, Bada unconsciously swallowed.

 

Soon his perfect profile was revealed through the backlight, and his blue eyes gazed at her.

 

The moment their eyes met, her heart jumped as if having a seizure.

 

“Hello.”

 

Hearing his familiar voice, Bada had to suppress the tears that welled up in her eyes.

 

He turned his body and gazed at her with a cold expression.

 

“….”

 

For the past month, she had imagined the day she would meet him while losing sleep.

 

What would she do if she met him again?

 

She would grab him by the collar and pour out curses calling him a coward.

 

But the moment she saw him right in front of her, such thoughts vanished without a trace.

 

She was simply grateful that he was now before her.

 

Damien asked Bada, who was staring wide-eyed with her mouth tightly shut.

 

“How have you been?”

 

Bada barely held back the scoff that wanted to escape at his strange question.

 

‘How have I been? Is that supposed to be a question right now?’

 

Bada tried to speak calmly while swallowing her words, but she couldn’t hide her trembling voice.

 

“I returned home immediately the day you disappeared. Then I just lived as usual.”

 

“….”

 

“You?”

 

“Survived. Barely.”

 

Bada exhaled and slowly took in his appearance.

 

The long hairstyle was nowhere to be found anymore.

 

His black hair was cut short and slicked back without a single strand out of place, and his face was cleanly shaved.

 

The custom shirt he wore had a luxurious sheen, and his suit pants had sharp creases.

 

Moreover, he was wearing cabochon-cut cufflinks and a silver tie pin, making him look excessively perfect.

 

This wasn’t the lively, playful young man from Bali, but the solemn crown prince who was difficult to approach.

 

So perfect that he felt less like a human and more like a doll from a royal gift shop.

 

Damien took a deep breath and gestured toward the sofa with his hand.

 

“Sit. I have something to tell you.”

 

Bada sat on the sofa positioned in one corner of the reception room.

 

Damien sat across from her with his legs crossed, his index finger pressed to his temple as he gazed at her.

 

Both remained silent for a long time.

 

Thousands of questions floated in Bada’s mind, but her lips wouldn’t part as if glued shut.

 

He was the one who broke the deep silence.

 

“Did you see the article?”

 

Bada nodded slightly.

 

“…Yeah. When exactly was that photo taken?”

 

Damien exhaled deeply and explained.

 

“Bad luck. It seems a paparazzi came to Bali for vacation and happened to spot me. They probably found out your personal information by looking at the records of the yoga studio you attended in Bali.”

 

“Hah…”

 

“I apologize for the article being published. Our side is doing damage control, but honestly, it’s going to be quite chaotic for a while.”

 

He continued his explanation in a businesslike tone.

 

From the current situation of the article spreading to gossip magazines worldwide, to countermeasures for it.

 

But Bada could barely hear his story.

 

She gripped her clothes tightly with her hands.

 

Anger was gradually building in her stomach.

 

“There will also be people who pretend to be ordinary citizens and approach you to gather information. If there’s anyone around you who might profit by selling information about you, please let me know in advan…”

 

“Before that.”

 

She sharply interrupted him and asked.

 

“Don’t we have something to talk about?”

 

His pupils dilated slightly. Bada continued.

 

“Damien Alexander Hastings?”

 

The corners of Bada’s mouth trembled. Her fingertips kept getting colder.

 

“How could you deceive me so perfectly?”

 

Damien lowered his gaze and said calmly.

 

“I’m sorry. You won’t be able to understand me, but from my position, that was the best option.”

 

“Ha!”

 

Bada swallowed the tears welling up and shouted.

 

“Was disappearing without a single word also for the best? I…!”

 

Her voice trembled so much that she couldn’t continue speaking. Bada swallowed her tears and thought.

 

Do you know what I was thinking?

 

Actually, I wondered if all of this was just my imagination.

 

Isn’t that right?

 

There’s no evidence anywhere that proves you exist.

 

Maybe I went crazy for a moment. Maybe you’re just a figment of my imagination.

 

But when I close my eyes, I can still feel your kiss, and our conversations still echo in my ears.

 

You have no idea how tormented I was thinking that all those moments were only important to me.

 

Her throat tightened and tears threatened to spill over.

 

Bada lifted her head to look at the ceiling.

 

‘Don’t cry. Don’t cry.’

 

Meanwhile, Damien’s jaw muscles trembled as he clenched his teeth.

 

Damien abruptly stood up and turned his back. He remained silent for a long while.

 

Bada shouted at his broad back.

 

“What was I to you exactly? Did the time we spent together in Bali mean nothing?”

 

“I was planning to come find you once the situation was sorted out.”

 

“Situation? What situation exactly?”

 

“…I can’t tell you that.”

 

“Ha.”

 

Turning around, Damien lowered his eyelashes and spoke calmly.

 

“You knew it would end someday anyway, didn’t you? If you thought we could stay hidden away in that tropical paradise forever, that was just a delusion.”

 

“…”

 

She was so dumbfounded she couldn’t even speak.

 

Cold, arrogant, and detached. She could even sense an authority in his voice that came from someone who had lived their entire life as part of the ruling class.

 

She couldn’t believe that the person standing before her was the same person as River. Everything was confusing.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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