The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 93

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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 93

Damien imagined it.

Placing a shining tiara on Bada’s head, having her bear his heir.

Making her into a princess who receives abundant love from her prince, envied by the entire world.

Perhaps she secretly wanted that too? And he had enough power and money to make that dream come true.

But for that, he would have to abandon his firm conviction about abolishing the monarchy.

‘If that would make you happy…’

Maybe he could sacrifice such a conviction.

Damien was suddenly startled by having such thoughts.

It felt strange, as if a blade he had been sharpening for years had suddenly dulled in an instant.

Love could change even life’s priorities that seemed unchangeable.

However, at that moment, the face of dead Charlotte appeared before his eyes.

‘But if I give up here, Charlotte’s sacrifice will be in vain.’

Just as he was falling into swamp-like deep anguish, Bada approached with a bright smile and asked.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Nothing.”

She clinked her champagne glass against his, looking at him with what seemed like a somewhat weak smile.

“Thank you for the speech earlier, Damien.”

“Don’t mention it. You worked hard, darling.”

“I’m happy I could be of help to you.”

Soon Damien’s warm hand cupped her cheek. He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb as he spoke.

“But during that heavy rain last time, it could have been quite dangerous. So if something like that happens again next time…”

“Oh, I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.”

Sensing that another round of Damien’s nagging was about to begin, Bada pretended to cover her ears and escaped from her seat.

Watching Bada like that, Damien shook his head slightly.

But a gentle smile had already formed on his lips.

* * *

The chief administrator of Windmere Palace hurriedly made his way to the King’s office with approval rating announcement materials.

Arriving in front of the office, he cleared his voice and knocked on the door.

“Your Majesty, it’s Benedict.”

“Enter.”

Richard, who had been reviewing documents, looked up at Benedict’s appearance.

Soon Benedict began reporting the approval ratings.

“Your Majesty’s approval rating showed no notable changes compared to last quarter. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s approval rating has risen dramatically.”

But for some reason, the King’s complexion darkened instantly upon hearing the report. Benedict, who was skilled at reading Richard’s mood, became tense.

‘Why does His Majesty look like that?’

The royal family had been worried about the Crown Prince’s low approval rating that had remained in the 40% range.

This was due to the sudden transfer of succession rights and the rebellious image from an assault incident the Crown Prince committed during high school.

They should have been celebrating the dramatic rise in the Crown Prince’s approval rating that they had been worrying about.

Richard snapped irritably at Benedict, who was making a puzzled expression.

“What are you doing? If you’re done talking, get out.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even as he left the office after the cold dismissal, Benedict couldn’t hide his confusion. He turned away, grumbling.

“Ah, why is he like that? Did someone bring him lukewarm tea again? Tsk.”

* * *

When Beatrice came to the King’s office after hearing news about the approval ratings, Richard had already been drinking heavily.

The room reeked of strong whiskey.

The Queen dismissed all the servants waiting in the corridor and locked the door.

As Beatrice opened the window with a stern expression to ventilate the room, Richard spoke with slurred speech.

“Isn’t all of this Damien’s scheme to bring me down?”

“…”

“He’s doing the same thing as Charlotte. No, the situation has become even more unfavorable for us because of that girl beside him.”

“Pull yourself together, Your Majesty.”

As he continued drinking whiskey, the Queen tried to snatch the glass from his hand.

“Leave it alone!”

Richard struggled to keep his glass from being taken and ended up dropping it on the floor.

As the crystal glass fell to the floor and shattered, Beatrice’s eyes filled with anger.

She raised her hand and struck Richard’s cheek sharply.

Smack!

Richard covered his stinging cheek with his hand and glared at the Queen. But Beatrice was not shaken at all by that sharp gaze and shouted.

“You need to stay composed at times like this! What would you do if the servants saw you drunk in broad daylight!”

“…That bastard Damien. He’s definitely planning to bring me down and seize the throne. Isn’t that right?”

In fact, King Richard had been suffering from strange delusions for a long time.

The delusion that his children were framing him as old, sick, and behind the times to pull him down from the throne.

Since the monarch was a lifelong position, he thought his children, who didn’t want to wait until he died, were plotting against him.

His relationship with Charlotte, who was once his beloved daughter, had also soured because of such delusions.

The drunk King Richard now began to cry and sob.

“Charlotte… I miss Charlotte.”

“…”

“If I had known she would leave so meaninglessly, I would have loved that child more.”

The Queen barely swallowed the rising anger in her stomach and pretended to comfort him.

But every time she saw the King’s weak appearance, she wanted to strangle him.

‘You have such inferiority complex and jealousy, yet you have compassion.’

She closed and opened her trembling eyes.

‘I’m the one who made you King. You should know your place.’

The face of the Crown Prince’s fiancée appeared before the angry Queen’s eyes.

Now that she thought about it, Damien’s sudden rise in approval ratings that triggered Richard’s mental illness seemed to be all because of that girl.

She had warned her so nicely.

By now she should know her place and disappear on her own.

Beatrice thought while swallowing her anger.

‘Then I’ll make your place even clearer to you.’

* * *

After the storm-like summer passed, Bernhardt had entered the beginning of autumn.

The dry autumn scent drifted in the air, and the ivy surrounding Windswood House had turned red.

Today, the Windswood servants had been bustling about since morning.

This was because the Crown Prince couple was planning to go on vacation to an estate in the south for several weeks.

Reginald and the servants loaded trunks into the car and saw the two off.

“Have a safe trip, both of you!”

“I’ll take care of His Highness, so everyone rest comfortably.”

The two drove for over four hours.

But looking at the endless fields and pastoral scenery unfolding outside the window while chatting together, the travel time didn’t feel boring.

“I’m as excited as if we’re going on a picnic. By the way, what kind of place is Ashgrove Hall?”

“It’s a small castle where I spent every summer as a child. It’s famous for its beautiful autumn scenery too. You’ll probably like it.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Damien smiled as he watched Bada chattering away.

The reason he had decided on this unplanned vacation was actually because of Bada.

She had been busy without a moment’s rest, fulfilling her duties as the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

She handled so many tasks simultaneously that even he, a workaholic, was worried about her.

So he had come to Ashgrove Hall to force her to take a break, even if it meant doing so against her will.

Beautiful scenery continuously passed by outside the window.

Buttercup flowers and bluebells blooming in the fields, and even a small stream with a waterwheel turning.

It was a scene as if they had entered the pages of a ‘Peter Rabbit’ storybook.

Before long, Ashgrove Hall began to reveal itself in the distance.

The classic-style grand manor standing tall in the middle of the field looked like Mr. Darcy’s house from ‘Pride and Prejudice.’

Bada let out an exclamation at the sight unfolding before her eyes.

“…That’s a ‘small’ castle?”

“Isn’t it about time you got used to the House of Hastings’ standards?”

“Someday I’d like to invite you to my studio apartment in Sindaebang-dong.”

“What’s it like there?”

At Damien’s question, Bada smiled brightly and answered.

“A convenience store, franchise coffee shop, and tteokbokki restaurant within 5 minutes, near a subway station for easy commuting, a studio that’s like a two-room apartment with full options including a refrigerator and washing machine.”

“…What?”

“That kind of place exists, Your Highness.”

Bada laughed as she patted Damien’s back, who was frowning in confusion.

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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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