The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 31

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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 31

 

“You bastard.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

“…Why did you have to hide your identity so desperately? Even if you had told me you were the crown prince, I would have taken that secret to my grave.”

 

Damien lowered his gaze and let out a low sigh.

 

Memories of their time together in Bali flashed through his mind.

 

Their first kiss by the swimming pool in the rain. The countless conversations they shared while looking at the stars. The frangipani scent that drifted from her nape.

 

She would never know that he savored those memories every night, afraid they would fade.

 

Nor how difficult it had been to turn away his reluctant steps, leaving her sleeping peacefully behind.

 

‘It was all for your safety.’

 

Damien swallowed the rising thoughts and spoke with forced coldness.

 

“I’m in a position where I can’t easily trust people. Of course, I don’t expect you to understand.”

 

Bada let out a self-deprecating laugh.

 

“So in the end, you didn’t trust me.”

 

“…Bada.”

 

Damien shook his head and approached her. When his hand caressed her cheek, Bada coldly turned her head away.

 

She quickly wiped away the tears from her eyes and spoke in a deliberately cold voice.

 

“So what’s the reason you came all the way here to find me?”

 

He withdrew his hand that had been wandering in the void and shoved it into his pants pocket as he spoke.

 

“I have something to ask you.”

 

Instantly, Bada’s heart began to pound.

 

Given his cold attitude, it didn’t seem like he had come just because he missed her.

 

Then perhaps he had come to ask about the whereabouts of the ring after all?

 

Nervous, Bada blurted out anything.

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“What?”

 

“I mean, well, that is…”

 

Bada squeezed her eyes shut.

 

It was a clear mistake.

 

But how could she find a ring that had already fallen off a cliff?

 

Bada’s face turned as pale as someone about to receive a death sentence.

 

“I have a proposal I’d like to make to you.”

 

But the words that came from his mouth next were more shocking than she had expected.

 

“I’d like you to become my fiancée.”

 

“…”

 

“Just for one year.”

 

* * *

 

So the situation Bada heard from Damien was this:

 

Since the crown prince of marriageable age had no girlfriend, let alone any dating rumors, the public’s curiosity had been growing day by day.

 

There were even rumors circulating that he was gay.

 

Then the scandal with Bada broke out, so it was understandable how much interest people showed.

 

Above all, the photo of her wearing a ring on her ring finger was the decisive blow.

 

Western countries had little concept of ‘couple rings.’ So naturally, everyone assumed it was an engagement ring.

 

The fateful story of meeting at a travel destination was like adding fuel to the fire.

 

People were ecstatic that the crown prince had found true love.

 

Given this situation, what would happen if it was revealed that he had given not just any ring, but a royal heirloom, to someone who wasn’t his marriage partner?

 

“If that happened, my position would be completely ruined. My approval ratings are already rock bottom since I haven’t been first in line for succession for very long.”

 

On top of this, there was the royal family’s pressure to marry, and the power struggles among upper-class figures trying to place their daughters in the position of crown princess, which was quite bothersome.

 

So he came up with an idea to settle all this commotion at once.

 

That was for Bada to act as his fiancée for one year.

 

‘So basically, since the article came out anyway, he wants to use me.’

 

Bada, who had been deep in thought, opened her mouth.

 

“Then what do you plan to do after one year?”

 

“Even setting aside the engagement, the royal family would never approve of our marriage. I’ll use that as an excuse to break off the engagement. According to royal marriage law, those up to third in line for succession must have the king’s approval to marry. If they don’t give permission, I can pretend to be heartbroken and not have to marry anyone.”

 

“…”

 

That way he would solve all the immediate problems and even maintain the image of a pitiful crown prince who failed in love.

 

Bada looked at him with suspicious eyes.

 

‘Was he always this calculating?’

 

“If you want to extend the contract, it wouldn’t be bad to consider it again at that time.”

 

Damien cast a subtle glance as if testing her reaction.

 

But Bada, whose mind was complicated with all sorts of thoughts, didn’t notice that strange look.

 

In any case, it was clear that he had made precise calculations before proposing the fake fiancée position to her.

 

“Then what do I gain from this contract?”

 

Thinking that Bada was showing interest, he leaned forward and spoke in a serious voice.

 

“I can adjust the conditions to whatever you want. Financial compensation, of course, and when the contract ends, measures will be taken to protect you. If you want, I can even arrange for you to start a new life in a third country.”

 

Bada’s ears perked up at the mention of financial compensation.

 

“What exactly would I have to do as your fake fiancée?”

 

“I won’t lie to you. The position of the crown prince’s fiancée isn’t easy. You’ll face opposition from inside and outside the royal family, and the media will dig through even your trash cans to investigate your background.”

 

“…”

 

“You’ll be involved in various royal events for one year. You’ll often have to deal with the media too. But the process is all organized, and we’ll attach experts to train you in advance, so there’s nothing to worry too much about.”

 

Damien was speaking as if all this was easy, but no matter how she thought about it, it seemed like madness.

 

“But I’m just an ordinary person who’s lived a normal life. Plus, I’m a foreigner. How could someone like me pretend to be the crown prince’s fiancée? It’s ridiculous.”

 

When Bada hesitated, Damien got up and sat beside her.

 

Instantly, a familiar scent wafted from his solid body.

 

‘Clive Christian No. 1. Everything from your name to your status has changed, but the scent you carry is exactly the same.’

 

Then the passionate lovemaking from Bali flashed dizzily before her eyes. It was too stimulating.

 

‘Am I crazy? Get it together.’

 

Bada tried hard to regain her composure.

 

But as if recognizing that his presence disturbed Bada’s rationality and wanting to use this, he gently placed his hand on her thigh.

 

Startled by that touch, she looked down and saw the ring on his pinky finger.

 

It was a signet ring engraved with a lion rampant crest, symbolizing him as the Duke of Wexley.

 

“I didn’t call you here simply because of the article. I think you’re more suitable for this position than anyone else.”

 

His hand slowly moved up along her thigh.

 

“…Because you’re smarter and stronger than anyone I know.”

 

Bada let out a shallow sigh and grabbed his hand to stop him.

 

Then she got up from her seat, avoiding his intense gaze.

 

“…Let me think about it.”

 

Bada turned her back and stared out the window, lost in thought.

 

‘How could I possibly play the role of Prince Bernhardt’s fiancée? It’s ridiculous.’

 

He, who had been calmly watching her back, rolled his eyes upward.

 

‘Damn it, Bada. Just accept it.’

 

“Ha… I think I need a bit more time to think.”

 

When Bada turned around, he put on a solemn expression as if putting on a mask.

 

“Alright. Will an hour be enough?”

 

At those words, Bada raised one eyebrow.

 

“Just one hour?”

 

Wouldn’t she need at least a week to make such a big decision?

 

Seeing Bada’s incredulous expression, he shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Sorry, but I can’t delay the work any longer. The fact that I secretly entered Korea is already a big risk.”

 

When Damien ran his hand through his hair, the ring on his finger glinted.

 

‘A ring…’

 

Only then did Bada suddenly remember the ring she had lost.

 

Bada cleared her throat unnecessarily, hiding her anxious feelings.

 

“Oh, and about that ring mentioned in the article.”

 

“….”

 

When Bada couldn’t continue and hesitated, he narrowed his eyes, sensing something strange.

 

His blue marble-like eyes moved and landed on her empty ring finger.

 

“The ring is gone.”

 

He smiled crookedly.

 

“Well…”

 

“Don’t tell me you threw it away?”

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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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