The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 67
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 67
She could feel Damien, who had been conversing with Adeline in the distance, glancing over in their direction.
Bada continued her story with a smile, like Scheherazade reciting the Arabian Nights.
“With the help of a fisherman, I somehow managed to arrive at school carrying the fish. Since the fish was already dead, it seemed pointless to release it back. While I was pondering what to do with it, I got caught red-handed by the principal.”
“Oh my, you must have gotten in terrible trouble.”
“He was furious from head to toe when he found out we had stolen the fishing rod. Right then and there, the fishing rod and fish were confiscated, and my friend and I received detention. We were punished by being locked in the classroom after school for an entire week, and during that time, do you know what scene I encountered while passing by the principal’s office?”
“What kind of scene was it?”
“I had assumed that our confiscated fish would naturally become the staff’s dinner. But lo and behold, the muskie we caught was mounted and hanging on the principal’s office wall! Moreover, the principal was lovingly polishing that frame with a cloth, standing with his hands behind his back, watching it with satisfaction!”
Everyone burst into laughter at that part.
“Was he trying to pretend he caught the fish that the Lady caught?”
“Yes, exactly. I was so angry that my friend and I eventually went to the principal to claim rightful ownership of the fish.”
“With the photos, you had sufficient evidence.”
“Yes. The principal seemed to have nothing to say in his defense. So we entered into negotiations, demanding that our detention be canceled. We finally reached an agreement to have our names written as donors on the frame containing the mounted fish.”
“Hahaha! Is that nameplate still at the school?”
“Of course! I heard it still hangs in the principal’s office with ‘Donated by Miss Bada Yu and Caroline McAllister, Class of 20XX’ written on it.”
“You truly became a school legend. Hahaha!”
“You should submit this episode to the royal magazine – I think it would get a great response?”
When the story ended, the stiff atmosphere had quickly relaxed. Soon, Lord Middleway proposed a toast.
“Then, let us toast to Lady Yu who told us such an entertaining story, and to the mounted muskie.”
“Haha, excellent. To Lady Yu and the sacrificed muskie!”
“Cheers!”
After taking a sip of champagne, Lord Anderson looked at Bada with a pleased expression and said.
“Lady Yu, when you have time, how about going fishing with us?”
“…Us?”
“Myself, His Majesty King Richard, and several other courtiers.”
“That would be wonderful! It would be my honor. But there’s one condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. I’m afraid you’ll have to allow me to steal Lord Anderson’s fishing rod. It seems I only have luck when I use a stolen fishing rod. Could you turn a blind eye to it?”
“Hahaha, Lady, you’re quite amusing. Of course, naturally.”
Bada exchanged smiles with Lord Anderson and thought.
‘I’m glad I seem to have won Lord Anderson’s favor.’
Meanwhile, Damien was watching the entire scene from a distance.
Soon, for some reason, a complicated expression appeared on his face.
* * *
When the dinner concluded, the invited guests all moved together to the Grand Hall where the ball was being held.
The full-scale ball began with the opening dance by the King and Queen who hosted the event.
The person who approached Bada as she entered the Grand Hall was Arturo, the opera singer she had encountered at the clothing store last time.
He made a big fuss about the egg terror incident, making Bada feel a bit embarrassed. Then he began rattling off his own stories.
“I’m scheduled to perform in the opera Tosca at the Royal Theater soon, and I’d like to invite the Lady to attend.”
“I’d be grateful if you invited me.”
He had been chattering excitedly, but after drinking champagne repeatedly, he suddenly became melancholy.
“Come to think of it, this is the first ball without Princess Charlotte. Even though she has passed away, the world continues to turn as if nothing happened. Sadness fills me up to my throat.”
“…You must have been close to the Princess.”
“…I wouldn’t say exactly that, but she used to attend my performances frequently. She must have been a fan of mine. Artists like myself have deep sensitivity…”
Arturo now began sniffling and expressing his regret about Charlotte’s death.
Bada pretended to comfort him while looking for an opportunity to escape from the situation.
But every time Bada tried to subtly move away, Arturo would ghostily block her path with his hefty body.
“…”
Giving up on escape, Bada pretended to listen to Arturo’s chatter while shifting her gaze.
Then she saw Noah Christenson in the distance, holding Jamie’s hand and looking at her with loving eyes.
His gaze, expression, and every gesture overflowed with love for his wife.
Even in the ballroom filled with countless people, they looked happy as if trapped in their own world.
Watching that scene fondly, Bada smiled bitterly.
‘…We used to look like that once too.’
Just as she felt a tingling sensation in her heart, a black shadow fell over Arturo’s face as he chattered endlessly beside her.
“It’s truly a frightening world. Who could have imagined that she would suddenly pass away like that… Y-Your Highness!”
“Count Arturo.”
Damien had appeared silently, standing with his hands behind his back, looking down at the two of them.
“I’d like to dance the first dance with my fiancée. Would it be alright if I took her away now?”
“Oh my, of course, Your Highness! Then I’ll see you again soon, Lady.”
Damien extended his arm for Bada to take and nodded his head. Bada asked with a bewildered expression.
“Dance… with you?”
“I rescued you from that talkative opera singer. You don’t need to thank me.”
“…Right, you’re just like a prince on a white horse.”
“I am a prince.”
“…”
But then, seeing the two of them moving with linked arms, someone called out.
“Oh my, it looks like you two are going to dance together!”
Looking around, the people nearby were sending expectant glances for the two to dance.
Damien turned around as if he had no choice and faced her. Then he politely extended his hand as if asking for a dance.
“You’re really going to dance?”
“I have no choice. Everyone’s looking at us with such expectant eyes.”
“…But my waltz steps are still a bit clumsy. Will that be okay?”
“It’s fine, just don’t step on my feet. These are expensive shoes.”
“Doesn’t that just make me want to step on them more?”
He positioned himself naturally and gently took one of her hands.
Then with his other hand, he wrapped around her waist and pulled her body firmly against his.
“…”
Every place where their skin touched was hot as if burned by fire.
Because of the deeply cut back of the dress she wore, she could feel his touch traveling up her shoulder blades completely.
Tense, Bada unconsciously held her breath.
Wherever his touch reached, electric sparks ignited and spread to her spine and tailbone.
“You need to look at me, Bada.”
He gently grasped the tip of Bada’s chin and fixed it toward himself.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————