The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 78

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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 78

“Really? Where?”

Bada immediately rose from the sofa.

“We found the ring box inside the billiard table pocket.”

“…How on earth did it end up there?”

When they gathered the servants to question them, only then did an employee named Hans seem to remember something and cried out in horror.

“…Ahhh! I just remembered! On the night of the ball, I sat on the billiard table in the reception room with other servants and drank heavily.”

At Hans’s confession, Reginald exploded in anger.

“You rascal! Using the reception room as you pleased while the two were out!”

“Wahhh, I’m sorry. I was so drunk that night that I must have mistaken the ring box for a ball and shoved it into the hole. Ahhh!”

Hans clutched his head with an expression that looked like he was about to cry. It really seemed like an honest mistake.

“But why did Hans have the ring box in the first place?”

“Well, I’m not sure either… It was in my hoodie pocket… Ah! That day, while drinking, I got cold so I went to the laundry room to get an outer garment. Then I tripped over a laundry basket, and something that looked like a billiard ball rolled across the floor. Ahhh, now that I think about it, that must have been the ring case! I’m truly sorry! I’m sorry!”

Hans kept bowing his head repeatedly, apologizing as if he had committed a mortal sin.

All the servants of Windswood couldn’t hide their bewilderment at the absurd truth behind the incident.

Thus, the engagement ring loss incident concluded as an absurd mishap.

* * *

Before long, full summer had arrived in Cavendish.

Since summer was the most active social season in Bernhardt, various social events such as tea parties and tennis matches were held actively.

The main topic of conversation in social circles these days was the royal-hosted horse racing event ‘Sovereign Derby’ to be held in a few days.

The Sovereign Derby was a 200-year-old Bernhardt tradition, featuring world-class horse racing and friendly polo matches over five days.

It was truly a social venue for nobles and the top 0.1% of high society.

The dress code was very strict – men had to wear tuxedos and top hats (cylindrical hats with high crowns and brims).

The event was especially famous for the glamorous fashion showcased by women. Women were required to wear elaborate hats called fascinators (hats decorated with feathers, netting, etc.), and they competed to see who could wear the most unique hat.

After lunch, Bada entered the reception room and stopped in her tracks, startled by the scene before her.

“My goodness… What is all this?”

The reception room was piled high with clothes, bags, and accessories sent from various high-end luxury brands.

“Each brand sent these hoping to sponsor what you’ll wear to the Sovereign Derby.”

“My goodness.”

Several hat samples were placed on the nightstand.

Bada put on a hat decorated with peacock feathers and netting and stared at herself in the mirror.

“…Don’t I look just like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland?”

“Haha, it’s tradition to wear slightly exaggerated hats at Derby events. Last year I saw hats with stuffed parrots and vegetables attached.”

“I see. By the way, did the brands just send all these items? For free?”

“Yes. While royalty doesn’t accept brand sponsorships, since you’re still technically a civilian, each brand seems to have aggressively sent items as part of their marketing.”

“…That’s incredible.”

“I politely declined the brands’ offers to send their own representatives and shoppers. It seems the Crown Prince’s fiancée is called a walking Times Square billboard because of the tremendous promotional effect.”

Bada clicked her tongue as she flipped through the catalog.

‘Come to think of it, Times Square billboard marketing costs at least hundreds of millions per month. Trying to get that effect by sending one outfit is pretty shrewd.’

Suddenly, Countess Clarissa’s words echoed in Bada’s ears.

‘You must become a good role model for the young women and girls of Bernhardt.’

‘A role model…’

Then surely the fashion worn by the Crown Prince’s fiancée would also become a message.

After being lost in thought for a while, Bada spoke with a determined voice.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but please send all these items back.”

“Pardon?”

Bada smiled at the bewildered Lea and said,

“If I’m a walking Times Square billboard, how about I try doing some proper advertising for once?”

* * *

The day of the Sovereign Derby.

Evelheim Racecourse, located on the outskirts of the capital, was bustling with people from early morning.

As if welcoming the first day of the event, the weather was very clear, and the racecourse had endless green carpet-like lawns.

A large screen installed on one side was repeatedly playing highlights from previous races and advertisements.

The racecourse seating was divided into four grades, and Bada was watching the event from the Royal Box, the highest grade among them.

Before long, Bada quickly caught on to the event’s purpose.

‘This isn’t just a horse racing event, but a power struggle venue for high society.’

The attendees seemed to be quickly reorganizing the social power map based on who sat in which box and who conversed with whom.

‘They live such complicated lives, really.’

But Bada herself was also adapting to this environment with quick wit.

Today she wore a neat mint-colored dress with a belt that emphasized her particularly slim waist.

‘I got caught up in pregnancy rumors when I wore clothes that didn’t show my figure at the press conference. Since lots of photos will be taken today too, it won’t hurt to be careful in advance.’

On her head, she wore a wide-brimmed hat in the same mint color as her dress.

The hat was decorated with white rose ornaments made of white beads of various shapes and sizes.

By decorating with white roses, Bernhardt’s national flower, she expressed her will to uphold tradition.

Though it looked glamorous at first glance, it was simple compared to the outfits of other women participating in the Derby.

The women were each wearing unique hats and glamorous clothes as if competing.

A woman wearing a dress reminiscent of tulips with a hat that looked like an entire miniature garden transplanted on her head.

A celebrity in a dress that looked like wearing clouds, made of layers upon layers of lace and thin chiffon. And someone wearing a hat with geometric sculptures hanging from it.

These scenes were being photographed and uploaded to social media in real time.

“Aren’t you thirsty?”

Lucien’s voice reached Bada’s ears as she blankly stared at the spectacle.

He handed her a silver glass and sat in the seat next to her.

“This is the Sovereign Derby’s signature cocktail. Please try it.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The light pink cocktail in the glass was garnished with rose petals and rosemary leaves.

One sip brought a refreshing taste that lingered in her mouth. As Bada sipped the cocktail, she asked cautiously.

“…Um, have you been well since the Summer Gala?”

Perhaps Lucien had also kept quiet, as no rumors about Damien and Lucien fighting had circulated in social circles.

But looking closely, there was still a faint bruise on his forehead.

Seeing this, Bada felt both sorry and grateful.

“Thank you for your concern. Cousins naturally grow up fighting with each other.”

“…But you two are already grown up.”

At Bada’s gaze that seemed to ask about the reason for the fight, Lucien sighed softly.

“I’m sorry you had to see such an unseemly display. Actually, Damien and I have considered each other rivals since childhood. Our competitive spirit and misunderstandings toward each other hardened over a long period, making us worse than strangers.”

“…Really? May I ask how you became rivals?”

After thinking for a moment, Lucien spoke.

“Well, I don’t remember exactly when we became antagonistic. But when we were young and visited Windmere Palace, the Queen would always have the court people place bets on me and Damien. Things like who rode horses better, who won combat games, who grew taller during the summer.”

“…The Queen?”

“Yes. It was probably just a joke to her. When we got older, the tabloids started stirring up fights.”

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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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