The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 4

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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 4

The intimidating presence that River exuded with his dominant atmosphere was considerable.

Overwhelmed by River’s imposing aura as he looked down at him with his tall stature, the man got up from his seat without a word.

As the man disappeared, Bada spoke with relief.

“Phew, thanks for helping me.”

Only then did he slowly release his hand that had been wrapped around her shoulder and winked.

“Don’t mention it, ‘darling’.”

Bada shook her head at his cheekiness, but somehow the corners of her mouth curled up on their own.

“Well, it seemed like you could have handled it perfectly fine on your own even without my help.”

He had already taken the seat next to her and was scanning Bada with his blue gaze.

Whether it was because of that intense gaze or the scent emanating from him, Bada’s heart was pounding.

‘…He really came.’

River, who had neatly swept back his long black hair, was wearing a white linen shirt and beige chino pants.

He looked luxurious and overflowing with elegance.

It seemed a bit different from his first impression that had given off a slightly debauched atmosphere.

‘Am I imagining that he seems to have dressed up with care?’

His gaze landed on the glass Bada was holding, and he instantly snatched it away.

“Hey!”

After casually taking a sip of Bada’s drink, he frowned his handsome eyebrows.

“Long Island Iced Tea? Are you some college student who came to Miami for spring break?”

“What’s wrong with Long Island Iced Tea? It’s sweet and delicious.”

When Bada pouted and tried to snatch the glass back, he raised his hand holding the glass up high.

“This is the worst kind of drink – cheap vodka mixed with rum and tequila. It’s something you drink when your only goal is to get drunk fast.”

“…Was it that kind of drink?”

“Be careful. Ordering stuff like this attracts bugs.”

“Geez. Then what are you drinking?”

Bada gestured with her chin toward the crystal glass he was holding in his other hand.

“Single malt whiskey.”

She could tell that what he was drinking was quite expensive whiskey. Balvenie? No, judging by the strong antiseptic smell, was it Laphroaig?

“A Ducati and amber whiskey. You’re like a real prince.”

At those words, he looked at her silently for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.

“Let’s just say I have taste. Unlike someone.”

“What…”

He lightly ignored Bada’s glare and called over a waitress.

“Would you like to order?”

“Please bring us two glasses of water.”

She thought he was going to order alcohol. It was unexpected.

“I want to drink a cocktail.”

“Then one glass of water and one non-alcoholic cocktail. How about a piña colada?”

At the words “non-alcoholic,” Bada looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

“A non-alcoholic cocktail isn’t a cocktail, it’s just juice.”

Then he leaned close to her ear and whispered with serious eyes.

“What makes you think you can drink with me? Do you know what kind of person I am?”

His cool expression made Bada’s heartbeat quicken slightly.

Was he subtly giving her a warning right now?

“…Why are you being like this? I can control myself and drink in moderation.”

“I know, I believe you. But today I want to get to know you slowly.”

At those words, Bada laughed softly.

He seemed different from those thuggish men who had approached her out of nowhere offering to buy her drinks.

“And by the time we leave this place, we’ll be holding hands, and I’d like you to be sober then. I don’t want you trying to kiss me because you’re drunk.”

“You’re overflowing with confidence.”

Bada shook her head and asked.

“By the way, what do you do for work?”

Then he propped his chin and grinned.

“Well. Why don’t you try to guess?”

“Hmm, you do look familiar somehow…”

Bada stared at him intently.

Just then, a breeze from the terrace tousled his hair.

With his unrealistically handsome face, he looked like an actor, but she had no memory of seeing him on screen.

‘His looks would be perfect for casting as Superman right now. But looking at the scar on his neck, it seems like he might be involved in some rough work.’

However, his refined way of speaking and presence made him seem like a true nobleman.

He sparkled his eyes as if he found this situation amusing.

Bada narrowed her brow and pursed her lips. Every time she met his sharp gaze, her mind seemed to go blank with tension.

“I think…”

“…”

“An athlete? The sport would be… hockey?”

“Wrong.”

“Hmm. Then a cover model for luxury brands or Harlequin romance novels?”

After all, English romance novel covers often featured photos of male models, didn’t they?

His appearance had that fantasy-stimulating quality to it.

But at those words, River frowned as if he didn’t find it appealing.

“…It’s not a bad thing to say, but why do I feel strange about it.”

“Then you try guessing about me this time.”

River crossed his arms and gazed at her intently.

“Judging by your accent, you studied abroad on the East Coast of America. Considering that you look young for an Asian, you’re probably in your mid-to-late twenties. You might have come to Bali after getting fed up with work life.”

“…What? That’s too accurate. Did you investigate my background?”

“I’m quite good at observation.”

“Like you’re Sherlock Holmes or something.”

She was getting goosebumps from his accurate guesses and was making a half-serious joke when…

A waitress who had approached placed the drinks on the table and asked.

“Here are your ordered drinks. By the way, would you be interested in participating in our special event tarot card reading?”

At those words, Bada’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Tarot card reading? Here?”

“Yes. A famous tarot reader from Ubud happens to be at our club. It’s an event where you draw cards for a reading and then order food items that match those cards.”

It seemed like marketing to get people to order expensive food using tarot reading as bait.

But it was indeed an interesting concept.

As if reading Bada’s mind, River nodded.

“Well then, let’s give it a try.”

* * *

Soon after, a woman dressed like a hippie appeared and introduced herself, saying her name was Esmeralda.

She took out a purple cloth, spread it on the table, shuffled a deck of cards, and asked.

“By the way, you two look great together. Did you come to Bali for your honeymoon?”

“Oh, we’re not in that kind of relationship.”

Then River propped his chin and sighed.

“Earlier you called me ‘honey.’ That’s too much. You just want to have fun with me but don’t want to take responsibility?”

At his unexpected teasing, Bada’s eyes widened as she smacked his shoulder.

“What is he saying right now! Haha, this guy has such mischievous humor.”

“Fine, my feelings are hurt.”

“I told you to stop joking around. Now I’m the only one who looks weird.”

Esmeralda watched the two of them with an amused smile and spread the cards in a fan shape.

“Who would like to go first?”

“Ladies first?”

“Yes. I’ll go first.”

“Please focus and draw nine cards.”

When Bada drew the cards with a rather serious expression, River chuckled as if finding her adorable.

Esmeralda flipped over the cards Bada had drawn and began reading them.

“For your past, the ‘Ten of Wands’ card appeared. It seems you’ve recently had many painful experiences that were difficult to endure both physically and mentally. Or perhaps you exhausted yourself trying to handle everything alone.”

“Oh, that’s right. Actually, I recently quit from a company I’d worked at for a long time. And my younger brother got into debt, so I ended up using all my severance pay to help pay it off…”

Bada was startled by her own unexpected outburst and closed her mouth.

There was no need to broadcast her financial situation to people she’d just met today.

“Here, for your present, the ‘Lovers’ card appeared. Have you recently met your destined partner? Perhaps the person sitting next to you?”

At the woman’s question, their gazes suddenly collided in mid-air.

Under his penetrating stare, Bada’s ears turned pink.

“No… I haven’t?”

River rested his chin on his hand and whispered “Liar” with his lips.

Flustered, Bada pretended not to hear and quickly turned her attention back to the cards.

“Is that so? That’s strange. Looking at the combination of cards, it shows there’s quite an old karmic connection. It seems to be a card referring to the person next to you.”

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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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