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Chapter 35
He stroked Bada’s cheek with his large hand.
Even now, he wasn’t sure if bringing her to his side was the right thing to do.
Her life from now on would unfold in an entirely different way. Returning to a perfectly ordinary life would probably be impossible.
Yet, there was one undeniable truth.
‘That incident was unfortunate for you, but honestly, it was an opportunity for me.’
She had no idea how hellish the past month had been for him.
It was like drifting alone on a vast ocean—an unbearable sense of loss.
The exhilaration and fulfillment he felt simply from having her within reach was overwhelming.
A thrill so intense it made his spine tingle.
Finally, she was his.
Damien exhaled lazily and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
The scent from her skin made him feel like he could finally breathe properly after so long.
In that moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.
Could I really let her go in a year, as promised? Even if her life is ruined because of it? Even if she ends up hating me?
Right now, he couldn’t guarantee anything.
By then, the chartered plane carrying the two of them was already crossing the vast ocean.
It had been a long flight.
Thirteen hours after leaving Korea, the private plane finally landed at the Bernhardt royal airport.
Before disembarking, Bada changed into a classic two-piece outfit with the help of her secretary.
At last, with Damien’s signal, the plane’s trap door opened.
It was early evening outside, dim and shadowy, and several officials were waiting at the bottom of the steps.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Could she really pose as the fake fiancée without being discovered?
At the same time, she felt a strange flutter of excitement.
It was as if she were stepping into a world filled with countless possibilities.
Like the first days of starting out in a new city as a fresh graduate—confusion mixed with anticipation.
Damien, gazing down at her quiet, shallow breaths, suddenly took her hand.
“Ready?”
“…Yes.”
Bada smiled faintly and nodded.
The warmth of his hand instantly calmed her.
Holding his hand, she descended the steps one by one. The waiting officials bowed politely.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince.”
They hesitated, unsure how to address her. Damien answered.
“This is Lady Yu, the fiancée-to-be of the Wexley line. Call her that until the marriage is official.”
Since Bada was still a commoner, it was not customary to address her as a lady. But this was an unspoken command: treat her with the respect due to the Crown Prince’s formal fiancée.
The officials acknowledged this politely.
“Yes, understood. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Pleased to meet you as well.”
Although their expressions were solemn, their eyes flashed with curiosity.
“….”
After greeting each of them, Bada, following Lancaster’s instructions, entered a black Rolls-Royce waiting near the runway.
As the door closed, she let out a small sigh.
She turned to Damien, sitting beside her.
“Where are we going now?”
“To Winswood House. It’s my residence—you’ll be able to stay comfortably there.”
“Ah…”
The car started smoothly. Leaving the airport, they passed over an elevated road and entered Cavendish, the capital.
Throughout the drive, Bada couldn’t take her eyes off the scenery outside.
Cavendish, a city with centuries of history, felt like a cultural relic in its entirety.
The majestic Gothic cathedral.
The marble square with a massive victory monument.
The gently flowing Lichten River beneath the old stone bridges.
Bada watched in awe.
‘If only the cars and the red double-decker buses weren’t here, it would feel like I’d traveled back to 19th-century Europe.’
For a moment, Damien’s silhouette was reflected on the window beside her.
“….”
Since leaving the plane, he had been unusually silent.
He didn’t make eye contact, his face deep in thought as he stared out the window.
‘Well… River… no, Damien must have a lot on his mind too.’
Winswood House, the Crown Prince’s residence, was located about twenty minutes by car from Windmere Palace in an area called The Gilded Mile.
The Gilded Mile housed the Prime Minister’s residence and the homes of the upper class—it was the political and administrative center.
Comparable to Westminster in London.
The Rolls-Royce passed through heavy iron gates and entered Winswood House.
Behind the gate stood a three-story Georgian building wrapped in ivy. At the entrance, the staff of Winswood House awaited them.
They welcomed the two guests warmly.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Yu.”
Bada shook hands and greeted the staff.
She was introduced to the butler Reginald, with his solemn demeanor and streaks of white hair; Mrs. Rosa, the house manager; and staff members Dorothy and Harper.
“These will be the staff attending to you from now on.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Glad to meet you.”
Mrs. Rosa greeted her warmly, almost theatrically. Harper, with a round, curious face, couldn’t hide his interest in Bada. Dorothy, tall and thin, maintained formal manners but gave an impression of subtle disapproval.
‘It’s like a scene from Downton Abbey.’
Bada recalled Damien’s earlier warning.
‘The staff at Winswood House were thoroughly screened and signed NDAs, but that doesn’t mean I can trust them completely. Apart from Lancaster and me, no one else should know the details of the contract.’
‘Could some of them have been planted?’
‘Maybe. A few years ago, the royal physician at Windmere Palace was found to be a Russian spy—it caused quite a stir.’
‘Eek.’
Reginald, Mrs. Rosa, and Dorothy would be the closest observers of Bada.
‘I have to hide the fact that I’m a fake fiancée from them as thoroughly as possible.’
Hiding her tension, Bada smiled faintly and followed Reginald into Winswood House.
