The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 73

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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 73

* * *

That afternoon, Bada was enjoying tea time with the Countess who had visited Windswood House.

The lady set down her teacup with a bright smile.

“By the way, it was regrettable that you two suddenly disappeared during the ball.”

“Oh, I’m sorry we left without properly saying goodbye.”

“You have nothing to apologize to me for. I only mentioned it because all the guests were looking for you, my lady. Lord Anderson especially praised you highly.”

“Haha, well that’s a relief then.”

Fortunately, it seemed the news of Damien and Lucien’s fistfight in the garden that day hadn’t spread.

Bada felt secretly relieved as she sipped her tea.

“By the way, I heard that despite many social events wanting to host you, you haven’t been making appearances. Though it might be troublesome, how about taking a more active step into society this time?”

At the lady’s question, Bada showed an awkward smile.

Since the Royal Summer Gala, invitations had come from everywhere, but she had politely declined them all.

In truth, she wanted to accept the invitations, but she was restraining herself, thinking it might be crossing the line as a contract fiancée.

“Is that so? I’m still being cautious, worried that my actions might damage His Highness’s image. I am a foreigner, after all…”

At Bada’s carelessly spoken words, the Countess questioned back.

“What’s wrong with being a foreigner?”

“Pardon?”

“Bernhardt was originally a country founded by Germanic tribes, but it’s a kingdom that was invaded and conquered by Catholic English nobles. Therefore, it has a complex dual identity. So there’s absolutely no need for you to feel intimidated about being a foreigner, my lady.”

“Is, is that so?”

Bada felt ashamed that she had vaguely thought the tradition-valuing Countess would see her foreign origins as a disadvantage.

The lady gazed quietly at Bada and continued speaking.

“The Crown Princess’s very existence is a message in itself. So you must strive to become a good role model for the young women of Bernhardt.”

Bada nodded as if she understood the Countess’s words.

“I see. Then the moment I feel intimidated for being a foreigner, the girls of Bernhardt might think it’s natural to be discriminated against based on appearance and background. So I should show a more confident side of myself.”

“You understand my words very well.”

“…I’ll think deeply about what kind of message I should convey, my lady.”

The Countess smiled brightly and picked up her teacup.

The sweet fragrance of black tea wafted through the afternoon reception room.

* * *

After finishing tea time with the Countess, Bada returned to her bedroom and was rummaging through the dresser drawers.

“Strange. Where on earth did it go?”

The fake engagement ring she had put in a ring case and placed on the nightstand had disappeared.

She searched every corner of the bedroom thoroughly, but the case was nowhere to be found.

During the last ball event, she had deliberately taken it off because she couldn’t wear a ring on her finger while wearing opera gloves. It was truly a mystery.

‘If someone got hold of that ring and it’s discovered to be fake, it would be a disaster.’

Her head was throbbing with worry. Wondering if it had fallen to the floor, she bent down to look under the dresser when Lea appeared.

“…Um, my lady? Are you alright?”

“Oh, sorry. I was looking for something. What’s the matter?”

“Well, it’s rather sudden news, so you might be surprised…”

The moment she heard Lea’s words, Bada squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again.

Had someone seen Damien and Lucien fighting and spread the word?

What a dysfunctional household. Bada straightened up and sighed.

“…I have a rough idea, but how far has the rumor spread?”

“It seems the news reached Windmere Palace quickly too.”

“Oh dear. The palace must have been quite shocked.”

“Oh, not to that extent. They were just questioning Dorothy’s sudden resignation.”

“Resignation?”

At those words, Bada looked puzzled.

“Dorothy submitted her resignation? Why?”

“Yes, she submitted her resignation this afternoon and then disappeared without a trace.”

“So suddenly? What did she say about her reason for resigning?”

“…The thing is, there was no explanation whatsoever about the reason for leaving. So we’re just as puzzled.”

Bada frowned as if something seemed strange.

“…Hasn’t Dorothy been working here for quite a while?”

“Yes, it’s her sixth year.”

It was strange. The ring had disappeared and now Dorothy had suddenly announced her resignation.

“Sigh… I understand. Please let me know as soon as you can contact Dorothy.”

“Yes, my lady.”

* * *

The news that the ring had disappeared quickly spread throughout Windswood House.

Mrs. Rosa, who hurriedly came to find Bada, was convinced Dorothy was the perpetrator and flew into a rage.

“The ring disappeared? It’s obviously that Dorothy who did it! I thought her behavior was suspicious, but to think she was a thief too! I won’t let this slide!”

“…I wonder. If Dorothy really stole the ring, she wouldn’t have resigned so obviously.”

“There are so many shameless people in this world! Anyway, we need to call the police right away!”

“Mrs. Rosa, please calm down. Let’s hear Dorothy’s side first. And just in case, let’s search the manor once.”

“Oh my, there’s nothing more to see! Report it immediately!”

Bada looked over Mrs. Rosa with suspicious eyes.

‘Excessive aggression is usually a defense mechanism to hide something.’

Somehow she felt doubtful.

* * *

Bada went out for a garden walk to clear her head full of thoughts. While moving her steps admiring the summer flowers swaying in the wind, a servant appeared from the side door leading to the kitchen in the distance.

The servant was holding a large black bag in hand, looking around and moving cautiously.

Seeing this, a suspicious expression appeared on Bada’s face.

‘Come to think of it, last time too, the sight of him holding a bag seemed suspicious, didn’t it?’

Bada hid behind the fountain and quietly watched the scene. Soon the servant put the black bag into a large trash can, looked around, and then returned to the kitchen.

A moment later, Bada stealthily approached the trash can and opened the lid. When she took out the bag and opened it, it was full of untouched food ingredients.

Among them were jam and cream with unopened lids, truffle oil and balsamic vinegar. Bada picked up one jar and examined it. Reading the label, she saw the expiration date had long passed.

‘Did they leave it in storage until the expiration date passed by so much? Why did they buy such large quantities in the first place?’

Finding the situation suspicious, Bada immediately went to find the servant from earlier and asked about the whole story.

“Those items just now had expiration dates that passed long ago. Who manages the food inventory?”

“Th, that would be… I do.”

“Why did you leave all those ingredients in storage even after their expiration dates passed?”

“Th, that’s…”

The servant trembled as if caught committing a crime.

“Who places the food orders?”

Then the servant hesitated for a long time before bowing his head deeply and whispering.

“…Mrs. Rosa is in charge of that.”

A suspicious thought suddenly crossed her mind.

The excessive quantity of food orders that had to be discarded.

Mrs. Rosa’s excessive flattery as if she had some ulterior motive.

Even the sight of the servant trembling before her eyes as if some secret had been discovered.

‘Could it be that Mrs. Rosa is placing bulk orders for groceries and receiving kickbacks? And maybe smart Dorothy found out and was tormenting her?’

Over-ordering followed by disposal was a typical purchasing rebate scheme, wasn’t it.

Once she formed this hypothesis, a picture began to form in her mind.

Bada spoke to the servant who was trembling like a cornered mouse.

“I understand. We shouldn’t waste precious food, so please manage it well from now on.”

“Y-yes! I’ll be going now.”

Bada let out a deep sigh as she watched the servant hurry away as if fleeing.

‘Something’s suspicious. I should probably investigate this.’

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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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