The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 80

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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 80

The Viscountess blushed upon hearing Bada’s words.

“Oh my… Suddenly I feel embarrassed about this luxury brand I’m wearing.”

“No, Viscountess! You don’t need to think that way. I’m not trying to send a message that luxury brands are bad. I wear luxury items in other places too. Come to think of it, you might consider it hypocrisy…”

Countess Clarissa, who had been quietly observing this, spoke up.

“I don’t know if that can be called hypocrisy, but sometimes hypocrisy is necessary. It’s proof that you thought about it and acted accordingly. Very admirable.”

The Countess’s eyes looking at Bada contained affection and pride for her beloved protégé.

Under that gaze, Bada felt happy as if she had received the Countess’s approval.

Lucien also actively praised Bada’s actions. The four of them continued their harmonious conversation.

In the midst of this, Bada unconsciously turned her head at the stinging gaze she felt on her cheek.

Then she saw Queen Beatrice watching them from a private box in the distance.

Just then, a secretary beside her held up a phone screen to the Queen, and her brow furrowed.

‘Her Majesty the Queen must have seen that post too. Ugh.’

Even though it wasn’t her intention, there was no way the Queen would look favorably upon Bada receiving attention.

Bada took a sip of her cocktail, hiding the anxiety bubbling in her stomach.

* * *

After the first race ended, people scattered to have lunch or enjoy afternoon tea.

Bada picked up a race card from the VIP booth, intending to place a bet.

When she opened the pamphlet, she saw pages densely filled with information about horses and jockeys.

The list also included a horse named ‘Orpheus’ owned by Damien, which seemed to be considered a strong contender for victory.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t they say Damien’s equestrian skills were top-notch since childhood?’

In his online profile, you could find photos of little Damien sweeping victories at horse racing competitions.

However, as his height grew to 6 feet 5 inches (about 195cm) during his teenage years, it became difficult for him to participate in horse racing events as a jockey anymore.

Riding a racehorse at that size would be close to animal abuse.

Eventually, Damien switched his main sport to polo and immediately showed professional-level capability.

But he left the polo world due to a rotator cuff tear, causing regret among many coaches and fans.

Anyway, as a horse owner with expertise in horse racing, and since the Sovereign Derby was an event hosted by the royal family, he seemed quite busy.

‘Not a trace of him to be seen. But anyway, which horse should I bet on?’

As Bada quietly read through the pamphlet, her gaze stopped on a brown Thoroughbred with the cute name ‘Sea-Sea.’

Bada blinked as if she couldn’t believe it.

‘Sea-Sea? That’s my nickname.’

She hurriedly checked the owner’s name and found ‘Jacob McAllister,’ Caroline’s older brother, listed there.

“Wait, could Jacob actually be here?”

Suddenly, Bada’s heart began to pound.

‘How could he come all the way from America here without saying a word to me!’

She asked a staff member where the horse owners were gathered.

Then, following the directions, she headed to a space accessible only to racehorse owners and trainers.

There, Bada searched around looking for Jacob.

“Jacob! Are you here?”

Then a cheerful American Southern drawl hit her ears from behind.

“Darn right I am.”

When she turned around, a large man wearing a cowboy hat was grinning broadly.

“Jacob!”

“Haha, well look who it is. Our little princess!”

As he spread his arms wide, Bada ran straight into them and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jacob lifted her up and spun her around once before setting her down on the ground.

“How long has it been!”

“Haha, almost four years?”

Bada looked at him as if she couldn’t believe it.

Slightly tousled golden-brown hair and hazel eyes that sparkled when he smiled.

Bronze skin tanned by the Southern American sun. Even his refreshing smile that conveyed his hearty personality.

He was exactly the Jacob from her memories.

“When did you even get here?”

“A few days ago. I received a special invitation from the Bernhardt Royal Family to participate in the competition. I was swamped with horse transportation, quarantine, and getting them acclimated. Phew. But I couldn’t pass up the chance to show these European gentlemen what a Southern American horse can do.”

“Still, you should have told me in advance! I only found out after seeing the pamphlet!”

When Bada lightly hit Jacob’s chest with the pamphlet, he frowned and tapped his square chin with his index finger.

“Hmm, I don’t think someone who got engaged without saying a word to me has room to talk, do you?”

“…Haha, that’s true. Sorry.”

“Do you know how shocked I was when I heard that news?”

“You, you were?”

“Of course. You’re like a little sister to me.”

‘Little sister.’

At those words, Bada somehow felt deflated.

“Anyway, you don’t know how bitter I felt thinking you wouldn’t come to Kentucky in the summers anymore.”

The McAllister family was a millionaire household that had operated large ranches and resorts in Kentucky for generations.

Every summer, Bada used to spend time at the colonial-style mansion in Kentucky, following Caroline.

Looking at him, she felt as if past memories were flashing before her eyes.

The lawn heated by summer sunlight, the smell of hay, and the hot wind.

Jacob, who was four years older than Bada and Caroline, volunteered to be their guardian every summer, showing them around various places.

Downtown Louisville, the racetrack, Cumberland Lake.

Thinking about it now, Jacob was only in his early twenties at the time, but to Bada’s eyes, he had seemed as mature as a fully grown adult man.

The heartiness characteristic of Southern men, the thoughtfulness of cooking for them personally, plus his professional-level guitar and singing skills.

Bada had secretly harbored a crush on him, but considering that all the women around him liked him, it wasn’t surprising.

It was also because of Jacob that she fell in love with country music.

Nothing was as happy as sitting around a campfire on summer nights listening to the country songs he sang.

“But naming the horse Sea-Sea. Don’t tell me you took it from my nickname?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Suddenly, seriousness appeared in Jacob’s eyes.

So ‘Sea-Sea’ was the nickname Jacob used to call Bada. It was made by connecting ‘Sea’ twice, and it was quite a cute pet name.

To name a horse he had raised with such dedication that it won the Kentucky Derby after her nickname.

Somehow it felt strange.

Bada swallowed the old emotions that kept resurfacing and spoke cheerfully.

“Since it’s a horse named after my nickname, it’ll definitely win.”

“Of course. I think so too.”

A gentle silence flowed between the two for a moment.

Eventually, Jacob smiled brightly and said.

“So. The guy who swept you away is really a prince? That prince on the black horse with all those fancy medals on his chest from earlier?”

“Haha, that’s him.”

“Good Lord. If you were getting married, shouldn’t you have gotten my permission first? Was our friendship only worth that much?”

“Hahaha, sorry.”

Just then, startled by the sound of throat clearing from behind, Bada and Jacob turned their gaze.

There stood Damien, who had changed into a morning coat, with his hands clasped behind his back.

But for some reason, his expression was as ominous as the Grim Reaper coming to harvest souls.

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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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