The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

Seeing that graffiti made her throat tighten with pity.

 

‘What kind of feelings did Damien have when he wrote this graffiti?’

 

Looking at the graffiti, it seemed that from a young age, he had defined himself as a shadow-like existence.

 

Bada suddenly recalled the past records she had seen in his profile.

 

He had many aspects that didn’t match the typical image of a proper prince that people usually imagined.

 

He enjoyed dangerous sports, and even when he served as a naval officer, he was dispatched to conflict zones like Africa and the Strait of Hormuz, directly commanding troops.

 

At the time, the royal family opposed having a prince who was second in line to the throne assigned to missions that could potentially endanger his life.

 

On the other hand, public reaction was mixed.

 

While some people worried about him, there were also those who openly cursed him, saying he should just die on the battlefield.

 

‘Front-line deployment? How ridiculous. It’s probably just for image laundering, taking one photo. He should rather die and prove it with his life.’

 

Even in such chaotic circumstances, he didn’t bend his convictions and fulfilled his defense duties as Crown Prince for several years.

 

Bada fell deep into thought.

 

Why didn’t he mind being assigned to missions where he could lose his life?

 

‘Most people dismissed it as youthful recklessness, but perhaps it was Damien’s own fierce effort to find purpose in life?’

 

He had become accustomed to living his entire life as someone’s shadow.

 

With his sister’s sudden death making him heir to the throne, it would have been incredibly confusing.

 

Bada sighed and closed the book.

 

‘Moreover, there were even strange rumors that Damien was involved in Princess Charlotte’s death. So how difficult it must be for him.’

 

Looking at the traces left throughout Windswood House, it felt like peering into the lives of royalty through a microscope.

 

While it appeared infinitely glamorous on the surface, lifting the velvet curtains revealed dusty corridors inside.

 

And in the middle of it all, on a chair placed alone, sat heavy solitude.

 

After putting the book back on the shelf, Bada once again took in the photographs placed on the desk.

 

As she quietly gazed at Damien’s childhood photos, she discovered one fact.

 

Before and after he was kidnapped and injured his neck.

 

The light held in his blue eyes had subtly changed.

 

* * *

 

After lunch, media training immediately began.

 

Bada sat in front of the camera and received practical training according to the instructions of an expert invited from outside.

 

“You must answer questions briefly and concisely, with an ambiguous but not negative nuance. Now, here’s a hypothetical question. ‘How did you meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?'”

 

“A chance encounter in Bali led to a precious connection.”

 

“As someone of common birth, won’t you have difficulties adapting to the royal family?”

 

Caught off guard by the phrase “common birth,” Bada struggled to find words.

 

“…I will do my best to learn.”

 

“Rather than that, you should answer with an ambiguous but positive tone. For example, ‘Thanks to the warm welcome from His Highness and the royal family, I am incredibly happy.'”

 

“…Yes, I understand.”

 

After finishing even the camera test, sweat beaded on her forehead.

 

When the training ended, a three-hour dress-up session followed.

 

Bada’s dedicated team recreated her from head to toe under the concept of ‘The Graceful Outsider.’

 

“Forget your life until now. A foreigner, but a graceful lady more fitting for the royal family than anyone. That’s your new persona, my lady.”

 

Three assistants attached themselves to work on her hair and makeup.

 

Equipment resembling a professional aesthetic shop was mobilized for glowing skin, her hair was cut to an appropriate length to enhance scalp volume, and dried so that pearl earrings would be subtly visible.

 

At first glance, it was a very natural style, but it was meticulously calculated down to every strand of hair.

 

The clothes were adjusted with tweezers, and they carefully checked not only the balance of both shoulders but also the angles when extending her arms.

 

‘I feel like I’ve become a mannequin to be displayed in a royal museum.’

 

Lea also checked the press conference schedule beside her and reported.

 

“The journalists attending the press conference are those who have been granted access to Windswood House by the Crown Prince’s Public Relations Team. They are relatively royal-friendly journalists, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

 

“I see, that’s fortunate.”

 

“And after the conference, there will be an official photo shoot. These are important photos that will grace the headlines of major daily newspapers, so you must pay special attention to your posture.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“For reference, when standing, you should be beside His Highness but one step behind.”

 

“Imagine that you’ve become Princess Ann from the movie ‘Roman Holiday’ and straighten your back!”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Now, we’re all done.”

 

The assistant who finished brushing the collar brought a large mirror to reflect Bada.

 

They asked with expectant expressions.

 

“How is it? We’re quite pleased with it.”

 

In the mirror stood a woman who wouldn’t look out of place being called the Crown Prince’s consort.

 

Natural yet elegant hairstyle and makeup. And a neat boat-neck dress in pale blue tones with well-arranged accessories.

 

Seeing this, Bada clutched her heart and pretended to be surprised.

 

“Whoa. What is this?”

 

“What’s wrong? Is there something that needs fixing?”

 

When the staff asked, startled by Bada’s reaction, she said cheekily.

 

“Could you find out who the stylist is for that person in the mirror? Their skills are the best, I want to secretly scout them.”

 

“Haha, we’re glad you like it!”

 

The staff were delighted by Bada’s approval and continued their explanation.

 

“The point of this look is the brooch. It’s a product made with motifs of Bernhardt’s national flower, the white rose, and Korea’s hibiscus flower, your homeland.”

 

Looking again, the brooch had white roses and light pink hibiscus flowers crafted in jewels.

 

“It’s so pretty, I can keep it after this is over, right? By the way, thank you so much for paying attention to even the small details.”

 

“Haha, that’s our job. We’re happy that you appreciate it.”

 

Just as the staff and Bada were sharing warm smiles.

 

There was a knock, and soon Damien appeared through the gap in the door.

 

The staff politely greeted his appearance.

 

“We greet Your Highness.”

 

Bada stood still and looked at him.

 

With his fine black hair neatly swept up and wearing a tailored suit, he seemed to radiate even more presence than usual.

 

It was difficult to even dare make eye contact.

 

But Damien also looked at Bada and remained frozen and speechless. As if he had received some kind of shock from seeing something.

 

The staff looked back and forth between the two people standing confronting each other with strange looks, as if something was odd.

 

Only then did Damien come to his senses, smile, approach her, and kiss her cheek.

 

“My fiancée is so beautiful that I momentarily forgot what to say.”

 

“I was about to say the same thing to Your Highness.”

 

Bada also smiled and played along with his act.

 

Only then did relieved smiles spread across the staff’s faces.

 

Damien spoke to them in a polite tone.

 

“You’ve all worked hard. I’d like to be alone with her for a moment, could you give us some space?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

The servants hurriedly organized their things and left the room. Soon after the door closed, an awkward silence lingered in the room.

 

Damien released his hand that had been around her shoulder. Then he stood in front of the mirror and asked while unnecessarily adjusting his tie knot.

 

“How was the training?”

 

“It went smoothly. I also did rehearsals for the preliminary questions.”

 

“Good, you worked hard.”

 

Once again, silence flowed between the two.

 

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Bada spoke first.

 

“And I also thoroughly read your profile on Wikipedia.”

“….”

 

“But there was a lot of wrong information.”

 

At those words, he asked while adjusting his cufflinks.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“Well, you see….”

 

Bada picked up the phone she had placed on the nightstand.

 

Then she showed him a page that came up when she searched for his profile on the internet.

 

“Look at this. It says you’re obsessed with luxury watches and have hidden a watch collection in an underground vault that’s even more extravagant than the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince’s. But the watch you usually wear is a $50 military watch, which makes no sense.”

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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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