The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 68

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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 68

Despite wearing heels, the height difference meant she had to crane her neck to look up at him.

As their gazes tangled dizzily in the void, Bada lowered her eyes again.

At this rate, her feelings for him would be exposed completely.

‘Why is it so hot today of all days.’

Soon the orchestra began to play. Bada slowly stepped to his lead.

Only then did Bada realize she didn’t even need to worry about her terrible waltz steps.

With his skilled dancing and strength, he controlled her like a marionette puppet.

Grabbing her hips to spin her around, lifting and moving her body while embracing her waist.

As their bodies pressed tightly together during a turn, their trembling breaths mingled.

Before she knew it, the waltz music had changed to a gentle tune for slow dancing.

The couples began to pull each other close and move slowly.

Damien also seized the opportunity to pull Bada into his arms. Then he persistently searched her eyes and whispered.

“You seemed quite happy at the table earlier.”

“Hm? Oh, I was just making conversation to liven up the atmosphere.”

“Usually when people come to events like this for the first time, they get nervous and make mistakes they wouldn’t normally make. You looked very natural.”

“I’m glad it looked that way. Actually, I’m still a bit nervous now but pretending I’m not. Fake it till you make it, you know?”

“Is that what it was?”

“Yeah. I was in America for a long time. Wherever I went, it was an environment where Asians were the minority.”

“….”

“People usually assumed that because I was an Asian woman, I’d be quiet and passive. At first, I didn’t want to meet their expectations, so I deliberately acted more social and confident.”

During college group projects or social networking, Bada had always made an effort to speak up loudly.

Otherwise, she’d often be treated like wallpaper as the quiet Asian woman.

Even during her internship in New York, there was a time when her entire team happened to be white men.

To fit into their conversations, she even studied American football, which she had no interest in. That’s why she recognized the famous quarterback Noah Christenson at first glance.

Remembering those days, Bada continued with a self-deprecating smile.

“But then, when you keep pretending to be confident like that, you actually do become confident.”

Damien silently watched her with a strange look in his eyes.

He had always admired how spirited she was and how easily she adapted to unfamiliar environments. To think there was such a story behind it. His heart felt heavy.

‘She fought alone and lonely. How exhausting it must have been.’

Damien pulled her lower back even more firmly against him. As if he would protect her from now on.

Meanwhile, Bada took advantage of the softened atmosphere to casually bring up what was on her mind.

“…And Count Lucien’s notes were quite helpful too.”

At the mention of Lucien’s name, Damien’s expression instantly twisted.

“Lucien’s notes?”

“Oh, yes. He shared notes containing inside information about the social circle, saying it would help me.”

Then Damien let out a cold laugh and whispered in her ear.

“Already thinking about reasons to terminate the contract? Planning ahead is good, but isn’t it a bit early?”

“Reasons to terminate the contract? What do you mean….”

“A scandal between my ex-fiancée and my cousin. Well. It’s shocking, but it doesn’t look like a pretty picture. Can you even handle the public scrutiny?”

“What are you talking about, really. You looked overly intimate with Lady Adeline too. Even if she’s your first love, shouldn’t you show some restraint?”

How absurd.

But despite her questioning, Damien only showed a crooked smile without saying anything else.

That silence ignited a fire in Bada’s stomach.

Why isn’t he even making excuses? Is that woman really his first love?

‘Then he should marry that woman. Why did he drag me into this contract engagement?’

Bada quickly turned her head away to hide her face, which she couldn’t manage to control.

At that moment, she made eye contact with the audience watching the two of them dance.

‘Oh no.’

With the music and Damien’s low voice whispering like a secret rendezvous, there was no way they could have overheard the conversation between the two.

But seeing her upset expression, one woman raised her eyebrows.

Startled by this, Bada mechanically put on a smile and looked up at him with the most loving gaze possible.

Then he frowned with one eyebrow.

“Why are you smiling like that? Was there something wrong with dinner?”

“You should smile too, Damien. Everyone’s watching.”

At those words, Damien tightened his grip and pulled her waist closer. As if asking ‘Is this better?’

Bada made a choking sound and glared at him.

He responded by curving his eyes and giving her a sickeningly sweet smile before kissing her forehead.

Not forgetting to send her a look as if she were the most beloved person in the world.

* * *

After the dance ended, Bada wet her throat with champagne and headed to the restroom.

Entering a stall, Bada let out a deep sigh.

‘Ah. This is draining all my energy.’

Even for her, who prided herself on being quite social, this was an overwhelming event. People sending curious glances and those who approached her with probing words.

And even Queen Beatrice standing at a distance, sending watchful looks.

There was no end to the things she had to be mindful of.

‘Let me sit here a bit longer before going out.’

While taking a brief, sweet rest and checking her phone, she began to hear women’s voices from outside.

The women standing near the sink complained about today’s guest list while touching up their makeup.

“Why are there so many mediocre people? It’s so degrading.”

“The royal family is past its prime too. Starting with the crown prince’s fiancée, who knows where that woman came from.”

“That woman is strange. Earlier she was sitting between Lord Anderson and Count Lucien, giving them coy smiles. She’s no ordinary person.”

“She’s no ordinary fox, which is how she climbed up here. Did you see the article? She didn’t know Damien Bernhardt was the crown prince when they first met? They expect us to believe such a blatant lie?”

“Even her name is off-putting. Bada? It’s not like ‘goo-goo-ga-ga’ or something. Her name sounds like baby babble.”

“And what about that rolling American pronunciation. She should go eat Big Macs instead of coming here to muddy the waters.”

At that part, Bada had to hold back her laughter.

‘How childish. They’re all just jealous. And what’s wrong with Big Mac? Though I do prefer Wendy’s burgers myself.’

“Rather than seeing that dim-witted woman, I’d prefer to see Adeline become the crown princess.”

“The day you’d take Adeline’s side. Well, that would be better than some low-class gold digger Chinese girl.”

“But this is really a secret. According to my source, there are already rumors that the crown prince has lost interest in that woman.”

“What?”

Suddenly, the smile completely disappeared from Bada’s face.

“There are rumors that they sleep in separate rooms and their relationship is awkward.”

“Really? Has he already come to his senses? Well, once the novelty wears off, it’s only a matter of time before that uncultured woman gets kicked out….”

Bang!

As Bada emerged through the door that opened with a loud noise, the two women were startled and averted their gazes.

Bada headed to the sink and silently began washing her hands.

The two women exchanged glances about how to get out of this situation.

Squeak.

After finishing washing her hands, Bada turned off the faucet and shook her wet hands toward the women.

The women screamed in horror.

“Ah! What do you think you’re doing!”

“I’m sorry. I lack ‘refinement,’ so please understand.”

The women huffed angrily while wiping the water droplets from their faces with tissues.

Watching this quietly, Bada opened her mouth.

“Well, I understand. You might have doubts about my qualifications. Some random bone that rolled in from who knows where has taken the spot next to the prince, so your stomach might hurt.”

“….”

“However, remarks that deny the relationship between His Highness the Crown Prince and myself are quite dangerous, so I hope you will exercise restraint. Surely you don’t think that someone who will one day become the king of a nation would make such a momentous decision as an engagement impulsively?”

“….”

“I won’t ask you to respect me. You have no intention of doing so anyway, right? But at the very least, you should respect His Highness’s choice.”

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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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