The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 44
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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 44
‘That servant tried to write a book exposing the truth about the royal family, so we had to pay hundreds of millions to silence them.’
One day, after shaking hands with the citizens and turning away, he vigorously rubbed his hands with a handkerchief.
Richard spoke to Damien as if something dirty had gotten on him.
‘The lower the income, the worse the hygiene. You should wipe your hands too. Unless you want to bring germs into Windmere Palace.’
A few years after Richard ascended to the throne, Gerald died in an unfortunate yacht accident.
When Gerald died, Richard’s eccentricities seemed to subside for a moment, but it was only temporary.
Gerald, who died young, began to be revered as a tragic saint.
Thanks to this, Richard’s mental illness worsened day by day.
Until then, Damien still held a small amount of pity for Richard.
But after the day of Richard’s coronation ceremony, he completely turned his back on his father.
That day, tens of thousands of people holding flags in their hands gathered outside Windmere Palace.
When the royal family appeared on the balcony, cheers erupted.
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
“Long live Her Majesty the Queen!”
Among them were people who screamed fanatically or even cried. It was a scene he had witnessed every year, but that day, all of it felt particularly grotesque to Damien.
‘Why on earth do people worship these two people so devotedly?’
After the balcony greeting ended, a knighthood ceremony was held in the audience chamber of Windmere Palace.
Bernhardt’s knighthood was a very meaningful honor bestowed only upon individuals who had achieved remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields.
Therefore, among those who received knighthood that day, there were some who were moved to tears.
Among them was a figure who had been called a living legend during Damien’s service in the navy.
He was someone who had lost an eye and a leg to save a comrade.
Such a great man was kneeling before Richard and sobbing.
Toward someone who had been lying in a warm bed drinking tea brought by others while that man was bleeding and crying out in pain on the battlefield.
Watching this, the thought crossed his mind that all of this seemed like a well-orchestrated role-play.
The royal family was just a glamorous stage, and everyone seemed like actors playing their roles.
After the knighthood ceremony ended, contempt filled Damien’s eyes as he watched Richard inevitably wiping his hands with a handkerchief.
‘Just a lucky man.’
At that moment, Damien made a decision.
He would end this outdated role-play in his generation.
* * *
After Damien left the house, Bada sat at the table alone to have breakfast.
Soon, seeing the beverage the servant brought out, her eyes widened.
“This is… iced americano?”
Bernhardt was a place where tea culture was more developed than coffee culture.
Even when people drank coffee, they usually drank hot coffee, and few people drank iced coffee from the morning.
So it was puzzling that an iced americano had suddenly appeared on the dining table. The servant said.
“His Highness mentioned that the Lady drinks this beverage every morning. I received orders to assist the Lady so that she experiences no small inconvenience while adapting to life here.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. Please let us know if there’s any food you’d like to eat. Also, His Highness said that if the Lady wishes, we should hire a chef for Windswood who has experience cooking Korean food.”
“Oh no, that’s not necessary at all!”
“Yes, understood. Please let us know anytime if you need anything else.”
After the servant withdrew, Bada took a sip of the americano.
As the rich coffee aroma with abundant acidity filled her mouth, she naturally let out an exclamation.
“Ah… I feel alive.”
Bada smiled softly while looking at the coffee cup.
‘By the way, he remembered that I like iced americano with acidity.’
That wasn’t all.
The mini bar in Bada’s room was packed full of Korean snacks and beverages, and on the nightstand were candles with her favorite scent and a new book by her favorite author.
However, there were some aspects where the consideration was a bit excessive.
In the early afternoon, a servant who entered to clean her bedroom suddenly took off their shoes at the doorway. Bada asked in confusion.
“…Why are you taking off your shoes?”
“His Highness strictly ordered us to be careful because the Lady greatly dislikes people entering her personal space with shoes on.”
Bada said, trying to hide her bewilderment.
“…Really? But I’m fine with it. It must be troublesome every time, so you can just keep them on.”
“Yes, understood, Lady.”
Watching the servant put their shoes back on, Bada smiled brightly.
‘He remembered that too.’
Back then when they were together in Bali. One day, Damien tried to lie on her bed with his shoes on, and she had been horrified.
‘Ugh, River! Take off your shoes!’
‘Huh?’
‘For Koreans, getting on the bed with shoes on is an unbearable desecration!’
No matter how long she had lived in America, she still couldn’t get used to the Western culture of wearing shoes indoors.
Who knows what you might have stepped on with your shoe soles outside?
Damien seemed to have remembered this and given the servants advance warning.
‘He’s been very thoughtfully considerate.’
Suddenly, memories from Bali flashed before her eyes, making her heart feel warm for no reason.
It felt as if that gentle man was still alive and breathing within Damien.
* * *
In the afternoon, after receiving a briefing from Lea about the media reaction to the recent press conference, Bada was resting and enjoying tea time.
While she was tasting a cake with layers of chocolate stacked on top, another unexpected guest appeared at Windswood House.
Lea appeared urgently in the reception room and shouted.
“Lady! The Queen’s aide is currently in the reception room.”
“The Queen’s aide?”
“Yes… Her Majesty the Queen wishes to have an audience with the Lady.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. A vehicle sent from Windmere Palace is waiting outside.”
The mention that a car was waiting made her feel anxious.
It seemed she should consult with Damien before having an audience with Her Majesty the Queen. But he was currently busy with his schedule.
“Do I have to go right now?”
At Bada’s question, Lea nodded with a troubled expression.
“Yes. I also asked if the schedule could be adjusted, but they said Her Majesty the Queen spoke firmly. She ordered that the Lady be summoned to Windmere Palace immediately.”
“I understand, then let’s prepare and head to Windmere Palace.”
“Yes, understood.”
Bada immediately began preparations with Lea’s help.
She put on a neat two-piece suit that met the royal dress code and received detailed information about the royal protocol to keep in mind when entering the palace.
She tried calling Damien in the middle, but he didn’t answer, probably because he was busy. Eventually, Bada sent him a text message.
Bada
The Queen wants to see me right now, so I’m about to leave for Windmere Palace. Please reply.
Only after finishing all the preparations and getting in the car did a reply come from him.
HRH Damien
I have to meet with the King of Sweden soon, so wait an hour.
Seeing his reply, Bada let out a gasp of disbelief.
‘Don’t tell me he’s asking me to come with him?’
Bada
The Queen seems to want to see me right now.
Bada
I contacted you to ask if there are any parts I should be especially careful about.
HRH Damien
Make an excuse that you can’t go today because you’re sick. No, wait. Just stay put. I’ll speak for you instead.
Bada
Do you think she’ll believe such an obvious lie?
HRH Damien
Then I’ll come right now.
Bada
Ah, forget it! Please don’t come! You said you’re meeting with the King of Sweden. Besides, I’ve already left.
Bada
I’ll handle it myself, so don’t worry and do what you need to do.
Bada let out a groan and cast an anxious glance out the car window.
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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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