The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 92

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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 92

After remaining motionless for a while, Lucien suddenly got up and started walking. Adelaine instinctively followed behind him.

“Lucien went into an empty room in the building. I was lingering in the corridor for a moment, and just as I was about to turn back, I suddenly heard Lucien crying from inside the room.”

“….”

“But that crying wasn’t just simple sobbing. Laughing, then crying. Hitting the walls as if venting his anger. It was like the howling of a beast. Just hearing it made all the hair on my body stand on end.”

Bada’s face turned pale as she listened to Adelaine’s story.

“…So what’s your purpose in telling me this now? When I asked you about Princess Charlotte’s death last time, you just said it was an accident. Why does it sound like you’re changing your story?”

Upon hearing those words, Adelaine gestured with her chin as if telling her to look at the painting before them.

“I thought so too. Until I received that painting. It’s as if Lucien’s guilt is melted into that painting, you know? It’s rare to commission a portrait in such a large size, but more than anything, the color scheme is… how should I put it. The deeper you look, the more the murky green and crimson colors are mixed together in a way that feels eerie.”

“….”

“The composition is unstable too. Lorenzo’s usual painting style is much brighter than this. So that means Lucien deliberately requested a portrait with this kind of atmosphere. I don’t understand it.”

“….”

Adelaine, who had been muttering as if entranced, let her shoulders droop when Bada didn’t respond.

“Sigh, actually I don’t even know what I’m babbling about. Maybe I’ve gone crazy from the trauma of Charlotte’s death too. I’m sorry.”

“…It’s alright.”

“Just, forget what I said.”

Adelaine sighed deeply, patted Bada’s shoulder, and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Bada remained frozen in place, lost in thought.

‘He cried like a beast? Now that I hear the story, that painting feels suspicious too.’

Could Lucien possibly be involved in Charlotte’s death?

To eliminate his cousin sister who had different views from him and simultaneously get one step closer to the throne succession?

‘If that assumption is true… isn’t Damien in danger too?’

As long as King Richard was alive, it could take decades for Damien to ascend to the throne.

If something unpleasant happened to Damien or a shocking scandal broke out in the meantime, the throne would pass to Lucien.

Bada suddenly recalled what Lucien had said during the Sovereign Derby.

‘What if my heart changes and I put poison in Damien’s teacup?’

At the time, she had dismissed it as just a joke. But thinking about it again, goosebumps rose on the back of her neck.

Does Lucien really have some ulterior motive?

Could he be involved in Princess Charlotte’s death?

Does Damien know about all of this?

“…No way, surely not.”

Bada tried hard to push away her thoughts, but her head felt like it would burst with complicated ideas.

* * *

Returning to Windswood House with a complicated state of mind, Bada dragged her heavy body toward the bedroom.

But on the way, Lea, whom she encountered in the corridor, asked with a delighted expression.

“You’re back, Lady! If it’s alright with you, could we proceed with the media briefing now?”

“I’m a bit tired right now. Could we do it later?”

“Oh, is that so? It’s such good news that I wanted to deliver it to you as quickly as possible….”

“Good news?”

“Actually, we obtained the approval rating survey results in advance.”

At those words, Bada asked nervously.

“…How are the results?”

Lea said with a beaming smile.

“There has been remarkable improvement in His Highness’s favorability, trustworthiness, and public popularity ratings. Thanks to this, His Highness’s approval rating for this quarter is expected to rise by about 9 percentage points to 72%.”

Bada’s eyes widened upon hearing this. The approval rating had risen by as much as 9 percentage points.

“My goodness, that’s an enormous increase, isn’t it?”

“Yes, of course! It’s an incredible figure even compared to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen’s approval ratings, which are in the late 60s! And….”

“What else is there?”

“Lady’s approval rating is also expected to be calculated at about 70%.”

“…My approval rating?”

“Yes. Although you haven’t officially entered the royal family yet, your presence is so significant that they specially surveyed your approval rating. Especially a few weeks ago, when heavy rain fell in Cavendish. The scene of you rolling up your sleeves and personally helping flood victims became a hot topic on social media and caused a great sensation.”

On that day of record-breaking heavy rain, Bada had helped citizens bail out water despite the security guards’ dissuasion. She had also held a newborn baby in her arms to comfort it and evacuated it to a safe car.

It was just an instinctive action in an urgent situation. But that sight seemed to have been quite moving to the citizens.

Lea continued speaking.

“Recently, a conservative media outlet published a special column about you, Lady. I think you should check it out.”

Lea turned on her tablet PC and showed her the article.

‘This is truly an era when debates about the abolition of the royal family are raging. Prince Damien will face even greater opposition forces than King Richard witnessed.

…(omitted)

However, I do not necessarily forecast that the future of the royal family will be gloomy. The Bernhardt Royal Family still enjoys great support from the people and remains the guardian of beautiful traditions.

However, what is important in these rapidly changing times is winning the sincere hearts of the people.

In that sense, Lady Yu will become the ‘most powerful weapon’ that the Duke of Wexley possesses.’

“…My goodness.”

After reading through the article, Bada felt bewildered but couldn’t hide her joy.

Until recently, she had been worried that her background might cause disadvantages for Damien.

She was very happy to learn that she could be of great help to Damien.

“Does His Highness know about this too?”

“Yes, he probably knows by now. Oh, and the servants of Windswood House are all saying they want to throw a surprise party. What do you think?”

“A party?”

Bada blinked at Lea’s unexpected words.

Come to think of it, arranging a celebration for Damien’s rising approval ratings wouldn’t be a bad idea.

* * *

That afternoon when the approval ratings were officially announced.

A simple champagne party prepared by the servants was held at Windswood House.

The dining room was filled with cake along with finger foods like canapés and tartlets, and all the servants without exception were invited.

The moment the approval ratings were announced on the news, everyone cheered and clinked their champagne glasses.

However, Damien looked more complicated than happy for some reason.

Though he was trying not to show it while praising the servants for their hard work and giving a speech of gratitude to Bada.

“Above all, I would like to propose a toast for Lady Yu, who is my ‘most powerful weapon.'”

All the servants raised their glasses with pleased smiles.

“For Lady Yu!”

“For Lady Yu!”

Soon, warm laughter echoed throughout the house.

“The atmosphere of Windswood House has changed since Lady arrived. Honestly, it was a bit bleak before.”

“His Highness’s approval ratings have gone up, and these days every day is rewarding and enjoyable. Hahaha!”

Watching the servants’ reactions, Damien showed an elegant smile, but his mind was quite noisy.

As someone who aimed to abolish the royal family, the rise in approval ratings for the royal family wasn’t particularly welcome to him.

‘But this is the first time I’ve seen the servants look so happy. Bada looks very joyful too.’

Damien suddenly imagined Bada officially becoming the Crown Princess.

If she became the next Queen, would the bleak atmosphere of Windmere Palace change like this too?

No matter how much the current royal family opposed Bada, they wouldn’t be able to easily dismiss someone loved by the people.

‘Actually, finding ways to win over the royal family is just a matter of looking for them somehow.’

He had secretly worried that she might become unhappy if confined to the prison-like Royal Court.

But now he could see that Bada would not only adapt well enough, but have plenty to spare. No, she might even reform the Royal Family itself.

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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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