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Chapter 41
“This isn’t all. Did you know that when Damien was a child, he used to hide the Harry Potter series inside classic literature book covers and read them?”
“Hahaha! Your Highness had that side? I had no idea.”
“And you probably don’t know that in Damien’s study, there are photos from his time as a naval officer, taken with his comrades.”
Hearing that, someone whispered, “Right, His Highness was a naval special forces officer. That’s truly admirable.”
“Furthermore, Damien is a visionary leader who takes action. He genuinely cares for the people of Bernhardt and is ready to dedicate everything to improving their lives. Having observed him closely, I truly respect that about him.”
Although these words were meant to appeal to the journalists, everything Bada said was sincere.
During their time in Bali, the two had shared many conversations, including one about what annoyed them the most.
Bada had said, “Pineapple on pizza—because that’s where the pepperoni should be. And the insane people on Seoul Subway Line 2 during rush hour.”
In contrast, Damien had responded so seriously that her playful answer made her feel embarrassed.
‘I get most angry at inequality. So much of life is determined by your background. But the elites act as if people fail because they are lazy or incompetent. I want to tear down that corrupt system.’
Even when she first heard this, she was surprised. After learning he was the Crown Prince, her respect deepened.
How much contemplation must a member of the royal elite—the pinnacle of privilege—have gone through to hold such radical views?
Of course, no one would ever know he had such thoughts. On the surface, royal family members are expected to refrain from expressing political opinions.
Perhaps sensing Bada’s thoughts, Damien looked at her with a slightly shocked expression.
Meanwhile, Bada’s gaze flashed toward the journalists as she continued speaking.
“This is the true Damien that I fell in love with. Don’t believe the distorted images floating around. Even without the grand title of Crown Prince, he is a remarkable person, worthy of love. That is all I have to say.”
Her heartfelt answer was met with a gentle silence.
One of the journalists began clapping, and soon the room was filled with applause.
The journalists exchanged meaningful glances and whispered, “He certainly has the qualities.”
The journalist from Europa Chronicle who had asked the question smiled brightly.
“Thank you for your wonderful answer. And I, too, as a woman before being a journalist, sincerely congratulate you on finding true love!”
The press conference ended on a warm, harmonious note.
Thanks to Bada’s moving response, no one doubted the relationship anymore.
As the journalists gradually left, Bada finally exhaled in relief.
Above all, she felt proud that mentioning Damien’s human side had resonated so well with them.
‘See? I knew everyone would like it.’
Once the press conference ended, a photo session was held. A photographer shouted as he prepared the cameras.
“Official photos! Please come this way, both of you.”
Following the photographer’s directions, Bada and Damien stood side by side against a wall decorated with a landscape painting.
Their slightly awkward posture made the photographer tilt his head.
“Could you two move a little closer?”
Hesitant, Bada took a small step toward him.
At the same time, Damien expertly placed his hand around her waist.
Where his hand touched, it felt as if a subtle current sparked through her. His cologne’s scent filled her senses.
When he gently pulled her into his embrace, her cheeks flushed like a high school girl in front of her first crush.
She disliked how easily she reacted like that.
“Alright, take the photo.”
Even as flashes went off relentlessly, her attention was entirely on the parts of her body touching him.
‘We’ve already done everything, so why does even a small touch make my heart race?’
After dozens of photos, the photographer finally signaled they were done.
Silence fell in the reception room.
The two of them lingered as if they were a married couple.
“……”
Making eye contact, Bada gave Damien an awkward smile.
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he slowly parted his lips.
“Your last answer…”
“……”
“Did you prepare a script beforehand?”
A wave of nervousness hit her at his question.
‘Hopefully he’s not upset that I answered on my own.’
Bada, fidgeting, replied,
“No. I answered it spontaneously.”
“…I see.”
For a moment, their eyes seemed to meet in the air, then a faint warmth appeared in his gaze.
Taking advantage of the moment with no one around, Bada whispered into his ear.
“About that story from 11 years ago… why didn’t you tell me earlier? If there was a scenario like that, we should have coordinated beforehand…”
Upon hearing this, the warmth in Damien’s eyes vanished completely.
He stared at her intently, then turned his body and spoke in a flat, detached tone:
“You must be tired. Go and rest.”
Bada watched his long strides as he left the reception room and shrugged her shoulders.
‘Ugh. I’m drained. I need to get back to my room and eat a bunch of chocolate with whiskey in it.’
That night.
Damien checked from his window to see that Bada’s bedroom light had gone out.
After a while, he left his room and headed toward hers.
Creak.
Seeing her asleep, he carefully sat at the edge of the bed, gazing down at her.
‘She must be so exhausted she didn’t even notice me.’
He observed her defenselessly, gently brushing her hair aside.
Long eyelashes, soft cheeks, lips quietly exhaling breaths.
His gaze traveled down her delicate neck to the curve of her chest over the pale blue silk slip, and a soft moan escaped him.
Feeling tightness in his pants, Damien bit the inside of his cheek.
Calm down. You shouldn’t have such thoughts with a sleeping lady.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath to regain composure.
The air carried the faint scent of apricot mingled with her natural scent, filling his lungs.
Exhale.
This was no help.
It was good they slept in separate beds.
If they shared the same bed, he would have already revealed his feelings, and she might have canceled the contract based on her added clause.
Opening his eyes slowly, he carefully smoothed her glossy hair.
‘You worked hard today, darling.’
This was likely the first time she’d been in such a situation, so she must have been nervous.
Although prepared beforehand, he had worried that the journalists’ sharp questions might hurt her, which is why he had intercepted all the questions and even shot warning glares at the reporters.
Still, she had handled everything better than he expected, and he was proud.
‘Every day I find myself falling more for you.’
Beautiful, smart, and articulate.
Lucky, too. How did he manage to find a woman like her? Incredible, isn’t it?
He replayed in his mind everything she had said about him during the press conference.
A man so rare he could be called an endangered species.
Anyone hearing that would call it a confession of love.
Thinking this made him content.
Of course, he didn’t know which parts were sincere and which were for the press, but after worrying that she might turn away from him because of dark rumors, he felt immeasurably relieved.
As he felt genuinely pleased, he remembered what she had said before the interview:
‘And what about the rumors about Princess Charlotte? Are there really this many conspiracy theorists in the world?’
At that thought, his high spirits suddenly plummeted.
