The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 76

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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 76

Bada froze at Nina’s interrogation.

Meanwhile, Nina’s bright, round eyes were filled with considerable certainty.

“I know he’s the prince. I saw him on TV.”

“….”

After thinking for a moment, Bada looked around, then took Nina’s hand and started walking.

“Shall we go over there and talk for a bit?”

After moving behind a large oak tree, Bada placed her hands on Nina’s shoulders and said,

“Uncle River is indeed the prince.”

“I knew it! I thought so! Why did you lie?”

“…Well.”

Bada squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. What on earth should she do about this serial identity fraud?

Having organized her excuses, Bada carefully opened her mouth.

“I didn’t lie. Uncle River is the prince’s true self.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You saw the prince on TV, right? He was very solemn. He doesn’t smile much like he does now. That’s because Uncle River is acting the part of the prince.”

Nina made an expression as if she half-understood. Bada began explaining at the level of seven-year-old Nina.

“What role did you play in the Christmas play last time?”

“The fairy godmother.”

“It’s similar to that. You could say Uncle River made a promise from birth to act the role of prince for his entire life.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“What if Nina had to act as the fairy godmother all day without rest?”

“Um… I think I’d hate it. Because it would be suffocating.”

“Right? Uncle River sometimes wants to take a break from acting as the prince too. And the reason he loves this place most is because he can exist as his true self without acting. So how about we keep it a secret?”

At Bada’s plea, Nina brought her index finger to her lips and nodded.

“Okay, I understand.”

“Thank you, Nina. Now, let’s promise.”

“Promise!”

After hooking and locking pinkies with Nina, Bada smiled gently and patted Nina’s head.

She had just said whatever came to mind to convince Nina.

But somehow she felt like she had unconsciously hit upon the exact reason why Damien used an alias.

Here, Damien wasn’t using a fake name to deceive the children.

His purpose was simply to approach the children more intimately, as his true self.

If so, hadn’t he deceived her in Bali for similar reasons?

To cast aside the title of prince and show her his real self?

Just as her thoughts were deepening, Nina rolled her doll-like eyes and said,

“…Then Lizzy is Princess Bada, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s also a secret.”

“…I want to be a princess too.”

Nina said this while drooping the corners of her mouth dejectedly.

“Jessica said that since I’m from an orphanage, I can’t become a princess, but I might be able to work at a strip bar with the name Princess.”

“…What?”

“But do you know what a strip bar is?”

Bada instinctively pulled Nina into her arms.

She felt as if her throat was completely blocked.

Why should this small child have to hear such words? How bruised her heart must be.

Nina seemed slightly startled by the sudden embrace, but soon her tiny hands were patting Bada’s back.

After a long while, Bada released the hug and spoke with serious eyes.

“Nina, are you curious about how to become a princess?”

“Yes.”

“I can teach you that. The first way to become a princess is to not listen to Jessica’s words that you can’t become one. The second important thing is to believe that you can become anything.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. Look at me. I came from a far, far away country but became a princess, didn’t I? There’s no law saying Nina can’t do it too.”

At those words, Nina’s eyes widened as if she had gained enlightenment.

“That’s true!”

“Right? So Nina can do it too. Today I’ll specially breathe the spirit of a princess into Nina. Could you close your eyes for a moment?”

When Nina closed her eyes, Bada pretended to cast a spell.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now. How is it?”

“Um… I’m not sure.”

Bada placed Nina’s small hand on her left heart and said,

“Right here, I planted a small flame. It’s just a small candle now, but this candle will grow bigger and become a flame. Now, can you feel the flame flickering inside you?”

Nina’s clear eyes widened at the heartbeat she felt beneath her palm.

“I really feel it! Something’s moving!”

“See? From now on, when Jessica says mean things again, or when someone mocks Nina’s dreams, put your hand here and feel the flame living and breathing inside you. No one can extinguish that flame. Instead, it will always give Nina burning strength and courage.”

Nina, who had been seriously feeling her heartbeat, smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Princess.”

Seeing that beautiful smile made Bada feel touched, and her eyes grew hot.

This orphanage had a very good environment and the staff seemed genuinely caring toward the children.

But even so, she couldn’t fully fathom the feelings of Nina, who had to stand alone without parents at such a young age.

Bada pressed her forehead against Nina’s and murmured,

“Nina is already a strong and wonderful child.”

Bada prayed in her heart. Please let the world be a little kinder to this small, young Nina. Please protect this child from wounds she shouldn’t have to endure.

How long had she been holding Nina? Nina cleared her throat and said,

“Um…. I’m getting a little short of breath.”

At those words, Bada burst into hearty laughter and released the embrace.

“Sorry, sorry. Now, let me tell you the third way to become a princess.”

“What is it?”

“Go and eat the barbecue deliciously. That way you’ll grow tall and strong, and become a Nina who can accomplish anything.”

Then Nina nodded with serious eyes.

“Okay. I understand! I’ll go eat two plates.”

Bada turned and watched Nina’s back fondly as she scurried toward the yard.

Just as she was getting up, she heard Damien’s voice from behind.

“Did you share trade secrets with Nina?”

Bada smiled and turned to look up at him.

“You know Nina figured out your identity, right?”

“Really?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. She promised to keep your secret.”

“You didn’t notice for over a month. Seven-year-old Nina is better than you.”

“What. I just barely cleaned up your lies and that’s what you say?”

Bada rolled her eyes and poked Damien with her elbow, then gazed up at his perfect profile.

‘Damien looks at peace here.’

A gentle silence flowed between them for a moment. Bada was the one who broke the quiet.

“Damien.”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll definitely be a good father.”

After saying those words, her nose somehow felt tingly.

Seeing how naturally he interacted with the children, she could picture him as a father with his own family.

‘I probably won’t exist in that picture.’

Despite his somewhat cynical attitude lately, Bada felt her love for him deepening every day.

His tenderness that he had shown in Bali. His attentiveness that seemed cold on the surface but never overlooked even the smallest details.

And even his deep consideration for others.

The more she watched him from beside him, the more she could see what a good person he was. Even the wounds he carried only added to his human charm.

That’s why she kept growing greedy. Even though she was just a fake fiancée who would be discarded after a mere year, she wanted to consider him hers, at least for this moment.

Bada gazed at her own reflection in his blue eyes that were deep like a lake.

‘Do I exist even a little within you? How wonderful it would be if I could look into your heart, just like looking into your transparent eyes.’

Just then, a cool breeze blew, ruffling both of their hair.

Damien carefully caught her fluttering hair and tucked it behind her ear.

“….”

At that moment when her body tingled from the touch of his hand brushing against her earlobe, Damien whispered softly.

“And you will be a good mother.”

“….”

Bada gazed at the fragments of sunlight that settled on his face and shimmered.

‘Are you thinking the same as me?’

His eyes, which changed color depending on the sunlight, held an unknowable mystique.

Usually aquamarine blue like the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Some days gray blue reminiscent of the cold North Sea.

And when you look at me like now, they shine with an enchanting violet blue.

That very color I love most.

Does your heart change moment by moment like the color of your eyes?

Is that why you’re so fickle?

Bada directed a question toward him in her heart.

‘You know my feelings. So I’m curious if you’re thinking the same thing.’

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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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