The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 40

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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 40

Even at the direct question, Damien answered without batting an eye.

“I am aware that such perspectives exist. However, I ask that you consider it proof of our confidence in our relationship. Lady Yu is someone who showed me deep comfort and love during my most difficult moments. I hope you will respect this.”

Despite the perfect answer, the journalist seemed unsatisfied as he scrutinized the two of them. It was a gaze that seemed intent on finding even the smallest flaw.

Sensing that unpleasant stare, Bada recalled that she and Damien were sitting about a hand’s width apart.

No matter how official the occasion, it was plausible that journalists might question why a couple who had just announced their engagement weren’t even holding hands and were sitting apart.

Bada subtly shifted her body to align her shoulder with his.

Then she carefully placed her hand over the back of his hand.

At her sudden action, Damien’s body stiffened slightly. But soon, realizing Bada’s intention, he grasped her hand firmly.

At the same time, that journalist threw out another question.

“There’s one more thing I’m curious about. This press conference is the first time Your Highness has appeared in an official setting since Princess Charlotte’s sudden passing.”

Then the secretary stepped forward with a sharp tone to block the question.

“This is a venue to announce His Highness the Crown Prince’s engagement. Please refrain from questions that deviate from the topic.”

“This is a question about matters the public is curious about. Isn’t avoiding this a deception of the people?”

As tension flowed between the secretary and journalist, Damien raised his hand as if to say it was fine, stopping the secretary.

He stared at the journalist with a piercing gaze and said.

“Go ahead.”

The journalist seemed to flinch at Damien’s cold stare but soon asked venomously.

“There are rumors circulating that Princess Charlotte’s death was not a simple accident. I’m curious about Your Highness’s thoughts on this, and whether there will be additional explanations from the royal family regarding these suspicions.”

At the bombshell question, silence fell over the press conference hall all at once.

Though smoothly packaged, it was tantamount to openly asking about the bizarre rumor that the Crown Prince was involved in Princess Charlotte’s death.

Bada inwardly gasped.

‘Do journalists really ask such pointless questions?’

Nevertheless, Damien didn’t even flinch.

Only their interlocked hands tightened with force, their fingers firmly intertwined.

“Charlotte was our precious sister. Her death is an unforgettable pain not only for Bernhardt but for me as well. Lady Yu gave me strength to rise again from that grief.”

Damien briefly met Bada’s eyes before turning his gaze away.

“All suspicions related to Charlotte’s death have already been clearly revealed through thorough investigation. I hope there will be no unnecessary remarks that damage the honor of the deceased.”

Despite the journalist’s question with clear intent to shake Damien, his response was smooth.

However, the atmosphere in the press conference hall had somehow frozen cold.

Bada keenly read the suspicion forming in the journalists’ eyes.

It was the kind of suspicion wondering, ‘Could they really have announced this shocking engagement to cover up something?’

At this rate, the headlines in the articles might be written with a negative tone.

‘What should I do?’

Then, a journalist with brown curly hair standing in the back row raised her hand.

“Um… I have a question.”

Looking at her unusually young-looking face, she seemed like a newcomer.

Damien sent her a cold gaze.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask. I’m Lucy Johnson from Europa Chronicle. I have a question I’d like to ask the Lady.”

As another question came to Bada, Damien frowned.

“The Lady seems to have already answered questions sufficiently.”

Bada looked at him, surprised by Damien’s sharp reaction.

He hadn’t wavered even when receiving questions about Charlotte. His unusually cold voice was bewildering even to her.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

Bada also found questions directed at her burdensome, it was true.

But if she avoided questions in this atmosphere, who knows what kind of articles would be written.

As he tightened his grip, their clasped hands began to sweat.

Bada whispered in his ear.

“It’s okay. I’ll answer well.”

He quietly gazed into Bada’s eyes, full of determination.

Finally, he nodded toward the journalist as if reluctantly.

“Uh, well… then I’ll ask my question. The thing is, His Highness Crown Prince Damien has fans rivaling those of pop stars! I’m curious about what aspects of him as a man, not as a Crown Prince, captured the Lady’s heart!”

At the junior journalist’s question overflowing with fan sentiment, the atmosphere momentarily softened and giggles broke out.

Bada instinctively sensed it.

Right now was the perfect chance to turn around the atmosphere of the press conference.

‘How should I answer?’

According to the protocol learned in media training, personal answers should be avoided.

‘They said to answer vaguely and briefly, but if I give that kind of answer in this situation, wouldn’t it rather fuel the journalists’ suspicions?’

Moreover, journalists were quick-witted. They would detect fabricated answers like ghosts.

‘It might be a gamble. But…’

Having made up her mind, Bada looked at Damien with a smile in her eyes.

“May I call you Damien instead of Your Highness for a moment? You’ll understand, right?”

He seemed a bit surprised, but soon nodded along with her lead.

“Of course.”

Bada turned her gaze toward the journalists.

“Damien is, in a word, an ‘endangered species.'”

At the somewhat unexpected word choice, the journalists looked puzzled.

“Of course, I’m not saying he’s an endangered species because there’s only one Crown Prince.”

At this point, the journalists burst into laughter.

“I mean that men like Damien are hard to find in today’s world. You might meet this kind of man once in a lifetime, if at all.”

“Could you give us specific examples?”

Bada gazed into the void, lost in thought.

She felt that to give an answer that didn’t sound contrived, she had no choice but to reveal her honest feelings.

“Damien is confident but never rude. He’s serious about everything, but his jokes brighten my heart even on the hardest days. Sometimes he makes me nervous… but at the same time, he makes me feel like I have the whole world.”

“…”

“He’s strong but doesn’t unnecessarily show off his power, and he’s considerate but has his own firm standards. He might not be kind to everyone, but he shows unwavering loyalty to his people.”

“Lady, you mentioned you were born in Korea, so would he be like a male lead from K-dramas?”

At one journalist’s cheeky question, laughter erupted.

“Haha. To me, he’s even more wonderful than K-drama male leads, you know? I especially love Damien’s human side.”

“What aspect is that, Lady?”

Bada forgot that journalists were in front of her and was momentarily lost in memories. It was because she recalled scenes of him often making omelets for breakfast in Bali.

She smiled brightly and said.

“Does anyone here know that His Highness the Crown Prince can make the most delicious omelet in the world?”

Then the journalists shook their heads. Bada looked at Damien and said cheekily.

“It’s true. And maybe because his hands are big, he can crack two eggs simultaneously with one hand? By the way, when do you plan to reveal that omelet recipe to the world, Damien?”

Damien smiled charmingly and answered.

“That’s a trade secret.”

“I think you should reveal it for the public good.”

At the cute appearance of the Crown Prince couple, smiles had already spread across the journalists’ faces.

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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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