The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 41

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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 41

 

“That’s not all. Did you know that when Damien was young, he used to hide Harry Potter books inside classic literature covers to read them?”

 

“Haha! His Highness had that side to him? I had no idea.”

 

“And you probably don’t know that there are photos in Damien’s study of him with his comrades from his days as a naval officer.”

Upon hearing this, someone whispered, ‘That’s right, His Highness was a Navy Special Forces officer. That’s truly admirable.’

“Moreover, Damien is a visionary leader who takes action. He’s someone who truly cares for the people of Bernhardt and is prepared to sacrifice everything to improve their lives. Having seen him closest by his side, I most respect this aspect of Damien.”

 

Though these were words meant to appeal to the journalists, everything she said was sincere.

 

In Bali, the two had shared many conversations, and one day they had talked about what made each other angriest.

 

At that time, Bada had answered, ‘Pineapple on pizza. Because that’s where pepperoni should be. And the crazy people on Seoul Subway Line 2 during rush hour.’

 

In contrast, Damien had spoken so seriously that she felt embarrassed by her playful answer.

 

‘Inequality makes me angriest. Much of life is determined by one’s background. But the elites act as if people fail to succeed because they’re lazy and lack ability. I want to tear down that corrupt system.’

 

She had been surprised when she first heard it, but after learning he was the crown prince, she even felt respect.

 

How much contemplation must it have taken for a crown prince, the ultimate privileged person, to think such thoughts?

 

Of course, people would have no idea he held such radical views.

 

On the surface, members of the royal family had to refrain from expressing political opinions.

 

Perhaps sensing Bada’s inner thoughts, Damien stared at her with a slightly shocked expression.

 

Meanwhile, Bada continued speaking to the journalists with bright eyes.

 

“This is the real Damien I fell in love with. Don’t believe the distorted image circulating in rumors. I wanted to tell you that even without the grand title of crown prince, he is a very wonderful person who deserves to be loved. That concludes my answer.”

 

A gentle silence followed her moving response.

 

One of the journalists began clapping, and soon the press conference hall was filled with applause.

 

The journalists exchanged meaningful glances and whispered, ‘She’s more than qualified.’

 

The journalist from Europa Chronicle who had asked the question also smiled brightly and said,

 

“Thank you for that wonderful answer. And as a woman before being a journalist, I sincerely congratulate you on finding true love!”

 

* * *

 

The press conference ended in a warm atmosphere.

 

Thanks to Bada’s moving answer, no one doubted their relationship anymore.

 

As the journalists began leaving one by one, Bada finally relaxed and let out a sigh.

 

Above all, she was quite proud that the journalists had reacted well when she mentioned Damien’s human side.

 

‘See. I knew everyone would like it.’

 

As soon as the press conference ended, a photo call proceeded. A photographer who had set up his camera shouted toward the two.

 

“Now, we’ll have an official photo shoot! Could you both come over here for a moment?”

 

Following the photographer’s instructions, Bada and Damien stood side by side against a wall with landscape paintings.

 

The photographer tilted his head at their somewhat awkward appearance.

 

“Could you two move a little closer together?”

 

At his direction, Bada hesitantly stepped closer.

 

At the same time, Damien skillfully placed his hand around her waist.

 

Where his hand touched, sparks flew as if a subtle electric current was flowing. Simultaneously, the scent of his cologne grew stronger at the tip of her nose.

 

As he gently pulled her into his embrace, her cheeks burned like a high school girl who didn’t know what to do in front of her first love.

 

She hated herself for reacting so easily.

 

“Alright, I’m taking the shot.”

 

Even as flashes went off continuously, all her nerves focused on the areas where they were in contact.

 

They had already done everything together. Why was she getting so flustered by such small contact?

 

Only after dozens of photos were taken did the photographer give the okay sign.

 

When even the shutter sounds stopped, silence filled the reception room.

 

The two lingered as if they were a married couple.

 

“….”

 

When their eyes met, Bada smiled awkwardly at Damien.

 

His gaze lingered on her face for a while, then he slowly parted his lips.

 

“That last answer….”

 

“….”

 

“Did you have a prepared script?”

 

His question brought a sudden wave of anxiety.

 

‘Am I going to get scolded for answering on my own?’

 

Bada spoke while unnecessarily reading the room.

 

“No. I answered that spontaneously.”

 

“…I see.”

 

For a moment, their gazes seemed to intertwine in the air, then a faint warmth bloomed in his eyes.

 

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, Bada whispered in his ear.

 

“But about what you said about us meeting 11 years ago. You should have told me in advance. If there was such a scenario, we should have coordinated our stories beforehand….”

 

The moment he heard those words, the warmth that had bloomed in Damien’s eyes disappeared without a trace.

 

He stared at her intently, then turned away and spoke in a dry tone.

 

“You must be tired, go rest.”

 

Bada shrugged her shoulders as she watched his retreating figure leave the reception room with long strides.

 

‘Ugh. My blood sugar’s dropping. I need to hurry back to my room and eat a bunch of whiskey chocolates.’

 

* * *

 

That night.

 

Damien confirmed through his room’s window that the lights in Bada’s bedroom had gone out.

 

Then, after a while, he left his room and headed toward Bada’s bedroom.

 

Creak.

 

After confirming Bada was sleeping, he carefully sat by the bedside and looked down at her.

 

‘How tired must she have been to sleep so soundly without noticing I came in.’

 

He gazed intently at her defenseless state and carefully brushed her hair aside.

 

Long eyelashes, soft cheeks, and lips breathing softly.

 

When his gaze passed her deer-like long neckline and reached the gentle mounds of her breasts rising beneath her light blue silk slip, he let out a languid moan.

 

Feeling his pants tighten, Damien bit the inside of his mouth with his molars.

 

Calm down. You shouldn’t have such wicked thoughts about a sleeping lady.

 

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to compose himself.

 

Then the scent of her skin mixed with apricot fragrance that had been floating in the air filled his lungs.

 

Hah.

 

This isn’t helping.

 

It’s fortunate we have separate bedrooms.

 

If they had shared the same bed, he might have already revealed his feelings and had the contract canceled according to the clause she had added.

 

Slowly opening his eyes, he carefully caressed her lustrous hair.

 

‘You worked hard today, darling.’

 

It was her first time in such a situation, so she must have been quite nervous.

 

Though he had prepared in advance, he had been worried that Bada might be hurt by the journalists’ sharp questions.

 

That’s why he had intercepted and answered most of the questions directed at her. Not forgetting to intimidate the journalists with his gaze as well.

 

Nevertheless, she had done better than expected, and he couldn’t express how proud he was.

 

‘I think I fall for you more every day.’

 

Pretty and smart, and she even speaks well.

 

I’m lucky too. How did I manage to find a woman like you? Isn’t that amazing?

 

He replayed dozens of times what she had said about him at the press conference.

 

A man so rare he could be called an endangered species.

 

Doesn’t that sound like a love confession to anyone who hears it?

 

Having such thoughts made his heart feel satisfied.

 

Of course, he didn’t know how much was sincere and how much was fabricated for the press conference, but for him, who had been anxiously worried that she might turn away after hearing the dark rumors and gossip about him, it was incredibly reassuring.

 

Just as he was feeling quite pleased, he remembered what she had said before the interview.

 

‘And what about those rumors regarding Princess Charlotte? Were there always this many conspiracy theorists in the world?’

 

At that moment, his soaring mood came crashing down instantly.

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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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