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Chapter 40
Even with such a blunt question, Damien didn’t flinch at all.
“I am aware that such perspectives exist. However, please consider it as evidence of the certainty we have in our relationship. Lady Yu has shown me profound comfort and love during my most difficult moments. I hope you all will respect that.”
Even after such a perfect answer, the journalist seemed unsatisfied, scanning the two of them as if searching for the smallest flaw.
Noticing that disapproving gaze, Bada realized that she and Damien were standing a small distance apart.
Even in an official setting, it would be understandable if journalists found it strange that a newly engaged couple wasn’t holding hands.
Bada subtly shifted closer, pressing her shoulder against his.
Then she gently placed her hand over his.
Damien’s body stiffened slightly at her sudden action. But soon, realizing her intention, he clasped her hand in return.
At that moment, the same journalist asked another question.
“One more question. This press conference marks Your Highness’s first public appearance since Princess Charlotte’s sudden passing.”
Aide intervened sharply.
“This is an announcement of the Crown Prince’s engagement. Please refrain from asking questions outside this topic.”
“These are questions the public is curious about. Avoiding them would be a disservice to the citizens, wouldn’t it?”
A tense standoff ensued between the aide and the journalist. Damien raised his hand as if to signal that it was fine, stopping the aide.
He fixed the journalist with a sharp gaze and said,
“Go ahead.”
The journalist flinched at Damien’s icy stare but quickly pressed on.
“There are rumors circulating that Princess Charlotte’s death was not a simple accident. I’d like to know Your Highness’s thoughts on this, and whether the royal family plans to provide further clarification regarding these suspicions.”
The press room fell into stunned silence at the bombshell question.
Though wrapped carefully, it was essentially asking if the Crown Prince had been involved in Princess Charlotte’s death.
Bada inwardly gasped.
‘Do journalists really ask such useless questions?’
Yet Damien didn’t move an inch.
His fingers, however, tightened around hers as they clasped hands firmly.
“Charlotte was our precious sister. Her death is a lifelong pain, not only for Bernhardt but also for me. Lady Yu has been my strength, helping me rise again from that sorrow.”
Damien briefly met Bada’s eyes, then averted his gaze.
“All suspicions regarding Charlotte’s death have already been thoroughly investigated and clarified. I hope no one uses unnecessary comments to damage her honor.”
Even though the journalist clearly intended to rattle him, Damien’s response was seamless.
Still, the atmosphere in the room had turned icy.
Bada keenly read the suspicion forming in the journalists’ eyes.
‘Are they really thinking that this sudden engagement was meant to cover something up?’
If so, the headline could easily be written in a negative tone.
‘What should I do?’
Then, a curly-haired journalist in the very back raised her hand.
“Um… I have a question.”
She looked unusually young, probably a rookie.
Damien shot her a cold, piercing look.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Thank you for the opportunity. I’m Lucy Johnson from Europa Chronicle. I have a question for Lady Yu.”
Again, Bada was about to be asked a question, and Damien frowned.
“Lady Yu has already answered questions sufficiently,” he said sharply.
Bada looked at him, surprised by his sharp tone.
Even when asked about Charlotte, he had remained unshaken. Now his unusually cold voice startled her.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
Bada herself felt the question was a bit burdensome.
But avoiding the question in this atmosphere could make for a bad article.
As he tightened his grip on her hand, sweat began forming on their clasped palms.
Bada whispered into his ear:
“It’s okay. I’ll answer it properly.”
He quietly observed her determined gaze.
Eventually, he reluctantly nodded toward the journalist.
“Uh, then… please go ahead with your question. You asked about what, as a man, not as a prince, caught Lady Yu’s heart?”
The rookie journalist’s fan-like enthusiasm lightened the atmosphere, causing a few chuckles to ripple through the room.
Bada instinctively sensed that this was the perfect opportunity to turn the press conference’s mood around.
‘How should I answer?’
According to the media training protocol, private answers were to be avoided.
‘They said to answer vaguely and concisely, but if I did that now, it might only fuel more suspicion.’
Moreover, the journalists were sharp—they’d detect any fabricated answer instantly.
‘It might be a gamble. But…’
Bada made up her mind and gave Damien a playful smile.
“For a moment, I’ll call him Damien, not Your Highness. I hope that’s okay?”
He seemed slightly surprised but then nodded, going along with her tone.
“Of course.”
Bada turned her gaze to the journalists.
“Damien is, in a word, an ‘endangered species.’”
The unusual choice of words left the journalists puzzled.
“I’m not saying he’s endangered because there’s only one Crown Prince like him.”
This caused the journalists to laugh.
“What I mean is, men like Damien are rare these days. You may meet such a man only once in a lifetime.”
“Could you give a concrete example?”
Bada thought for a moment, staring into space.
To give an answer that didn’t sound rehearsed, she realized she had to be completely honest.
“Damien is confident, but never rude. He’s serious about everything, yet the jokes he makes brighten even my hardest days. Sometimes he makes me nervous… but at the same time, he makes me feel like I own the world.”
“……”
“He’s strong without unnecessarily showing off, caring yet firm in his own standards. He may not be kind to everyone, but he is unwaveringly loyal to his people.”
“You said you’re from Korea. Would that make him like the male lead in a K-drama?”
The journalist’s playful question made everyone laugh.
“Haha. To me, he’s even better than a K-drama male lead. Above all, I really love Damien’s human side.”
“What aspects, Lady Yu?”
Bada momentarily forgot the journalists were present, recalling a memory from Bali—him making her omelets for breakfast.
She smiled and said,
“Does anyone here know that His Highness can make the world’s most delicious omelets?”
The journalists shook their heads. Bada looked at Damien teasingly.
“It’s true. And maybe because his hands are big, he can crack two eggs at once with one hand. By the way, Damien, when will this omelet recipe be revealed to the world?”
Damien smiled charmingly and replied,
“That’s a trade secret.”
“For the public good, you should reveal it,” Bada teased.
The Crown Prince couple’s cute interaction brought smiles to the journalists’ faces.
