The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 91

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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 91

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Bada was sitting in the reception room, reviewing the draft speech for tomorrow’s event when Lea knocked and appeared.

“My Lady, please take a look at this. The response to your recent events has been very positive.”

Bada pushed up her blue light glasses and took the tablet PC that Lea handed her.

“Is that so?”

On the tablet screen was an article about Bada’s recent volunteer work serving meals at a public school.

That day, despite the Press Team’s dissuasion, Bada had served meals wearing a sanitary cap, gloves, and even a mask.

Some children didn’t even realize that Bada was the Crown Prince’s fiancée because of her proper attire.

“The public response has been very positive, saying it doesn’t feel like she’s just pretending to volunteer, but that her sincerity really comes through.”

“It’s good to hear the response is positive.”

“Also, your remarks at the round table with young venture entrepreneurs are making headlines. There have been reactions like ‘The future Crown Princess’s questions are quite insightful’ and ‘You can feel her expertise, probably because she worked in finance.'”

“Haha, I’m glad everyone is viewing it favorably. Well, it’s thanks to you and the Press Team preparing everything well.”

“That’s not all. There’s also news that you’ve been selected for Forbes’ ’30 Under 30′ (next-generation leaders under 30 who have created transformation and impact in their respective fields). The phrase ‘A modern symbol of royalty combining intelligence and vision’ is expected to be featured.”

Lea’s face was very flushed as she recited the achievements.

For her, who was as much of a workaholic as Bada, nothing could be more satisfying than this.

Bada smiled brightly.

“You’re not just showing me the good news because of His Highness’s orders, are you?”

“No, My Lady! Of course it would be a lie to say there are no negative opinions at all, but it’s true that the overall response has been very positive.”

“I was joking. By the way, when will His Highness the Crown Prince’s approval ratings be announced?”

“The approval rating results are scheduled to be announced around the end of this month. I’ll let you know as soon as the results come out.”

“Sigh, I really hope there will be good results.”

“Don’t worry, My Lady. There will definitely be good results.”

Bada smiled and brought the teacup on the coffee table to her lips.

‘If this doesn’t lead to an increase in Damien’s approval ratings, all of this will be meaningless. I’ll be like waiting for test results until the approval rating numbers come out.’

Although Bada packaged all of this as being 100% for Damien, there was a slightly impure motive mixed in.

If she could prove her abilities as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, he might reconsider ending the contract.

Even though she knew he loved her, choosing her as Crown Princess was a separate matter.

‘…Because I want to stay by your side even a little longer, no matter what.’

Bada, who had put down her teacup, cast her gaze far out the window.

The seasons were changing before she knew it.

* * *

A few days later.

Bada was in a car heading to the art museum that Lady Adelaine had newly opened.

This was because she had previously promised Adelaine to participate in the opening ceremony.

Various figures from the art world and celebrities visited the museum’s opening ceremony.

Among them, Bada’s appearance drew a lot of attention.

After the opening speech and ribbon-cutting ceremony, there was time to appreciate the artworks with the curator.

While listening to explanations about the artworks, Bada stared at a large window.

The rain that had been falling since dawn had grown heavier.

‘It’s pouring again. I’m worried.’

While she was momentarily distracted, the group had already moved on to another artwork.

Bada, who had grown bored with the explanations, separated from the group and began appreciating the artworks alone.

Then she suddenly stepped into an exhibition room with few people.

When Bada shifted her gaze to a painting hanging on the wall, she stopped in her tracks.

“…That is.”

Where her gaze stopped was a huge portrait that occupied an entire wall of the gallery.

The painting, created with layers of dark navy, red, and golden paint in rough strokes, looked like both an Impressionist painting and obscure modern art.

Above all, it was eerie how the portrait’s eyes seemed to follow the observer.

‘But… I think I know who the portrait’s subject is.’

Bada shifted her gaze to the artwork description card on the wall.

‘The Princess, Lorenzo Maresi, Oil on Canvas, 420cm x 240cm.’

The Princess.

The portrait’s subject was definitely Princess Charlotte.

“Would you like a glass of champagne?”

Startled by the sudden voice, she turned her head to see Adelaine holding a champagne glass.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Thank you so much for coming to the opening ceremony. Thanks to you, we got great media coverage.”

Bada took the champagne glass that Adelaine offered and said,

“Not at all, I should help if it’s something I can do.”

“By the way, the role of Crown Princess seems like your calling? How do you work so hard? Isn’t it bothersome?”

“Bothersome? I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

“You really do have strong mental fortitude.”

At Adelaine’s words, Bada suddenly recalled a malicious comment she had accidentally seen that Lea hadn’t been able to filter out.

‘So annoying to watch her showing off. She’s definitely a wannabe of the late Princess Diana of England. Disgusting attention seeker.’

Even though she knew more people supported her, seeing the malicious comment still made her feel bad.

Moreover, she always had to smile wherever she went, and she had to be tense about everything since even small actions could lead to controversy.

‘Still, it’s better than when I worked at the company. Better than having my achievements stolen and getting caught up in office politics.’

After finishing her thoughts, Bada shifted her gaze to the painting and said,

“This artwork is incredible.”

“It’s a portrait of Charlotte painted by Lorenzo Maresi, a famous Italian artist. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Just standing in front of the painting makes me feel overwhelmed.”

“It’s a precious painting worth millions of dollars. But would you believe it if I told you someone donated this amazing painting anonymously?”

“Donated anonymously?”

“Yes. Doesn’t something seem strange about that?”

Adelaine looked around to check if anyone was eavesdropping before speaking.

“So I traced back Lorenzo Maresi to find out who commissioned that painting. But do you know who that person was?”

Adelaine stepped closer to Bada. Then the scent of her strong perfume stung her nose. Soon she lowered her voice and said,

“It was the Duke of Haddington.”

“You mean Count Lucien?”

Adelaine nodded with a meaningful expression.

“It seems a bit much to be simply a tribute to his cousin’s death…”

“Why? If the two were close, commissioning a portrait doesn’t seem that strange.”

“That’s what’s questionable. Actually, the two didn’t get along very well.”

“Then what kind of relationship did they have?”

“Well, that’s…”

Soon Adelaine explained the relationship between the two during Charlotte’s lifetime in a whispered voice.

In short, Charlotte, who was an idealist, believed that major reforms were needed for the corrupt nobility.

Therefore, she often clashed with Lucien from the Haddington ducal family, who was like the leader of the conservative faction.

“When they were very young, the two were quite close. Lucien blindly followed his cousin Charlotte. But after they both grew up a bit, they would argue whenever they met. Eventually, they became people who wouldn’t even face each other unless it was a royal event.”

“…”

“On the day Charlotte died in a car accident, Lucien and I were attending a boring garden party. Then everyone was shocked by the sudden news of her death.”

What on earth was Lady Adeline trying to say?

Bada nervously swallowed.

“There were people who fainted upon hearing the news. But throughout all of that, Lucien showed no reaction whatsoever. He looked just like a hollow doll incapable of feeling any emotion.”

“What? What does that even mean…?”

“As if he had anticipated that incident would happen beforehand.”

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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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