Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 97

#97.

“…….”

“Do you have a lover?”

In an instant, the table where the members, Deputy Lee Jung-yeon, Jin Ha-ru, and her assistant were sitting was enveloped in silence.

Of course, it was a question that could be asked in a casual atmosphere.

Other staff members were also often curious about whether the members had lovers.

However, there was a reason why the table fell silent.

The fact that she specifically asked Do-jae for his phone number and whether he had a lover, coupled with the look in Jin Ha-ru’s eyes, felt significant.

Jin Ha-ru was thirty-three years old.

Eleven years apart from Do-jae.

However, Jin Ha-ru looked like she was only in her late twenties.

Although she wasn’t conventionally pretty, she had an attractive face that could easily be in front of the camera.

People’s interest in her appearance was intertwined with Jin Ha-ru’s fame.

In addition, Jin Ha-ru was a photographer who spent most of her time in France and Europe.

The fact that she was open to age differences wasn’t just a rumor; it was evident in her interviews.

‘Didn’t she say she had a ten-year-younger French boyfriend? I hope they didn’t break up?’

Woo-cheol’s eyes widened as he recalled an interview he saw online.

He felt like a red alarm was going off in his head.

It was even more concerning when he thought about how well Do-jae and Jin Ha-ru got along during the shoot earlier.

‘No, no. Do-jae *hyung* [older brother or male friend] isn’t interested in dating!’

Woo-cheol quickly sorted out his thoughts, worried that Do-jae might be swayed.

The members had decided not to date for at least two years after their debut.

It wasn’t just their own problem; a dating scandal during that time could harm the team’s progress.

It was a rule made just before their debut, and the one who opposed this rule the most was Woo-cheol, who didn’t have a girlfriend back then or now…….

In fact, Woo-cheol and the members were embarrassed because this was the first time someone had shown such blatant personal interest in a public setting after their debut.

Deputy Lee Jung-yeon also seemed to sense Jin Ha-ru’s personal interest and was visibly embarrassed.

The company also officially prohibited the members from dating.

“No. I don’t have one.”

Do-jae answered honestly, as he always did.

“Really? You’re not hiding anything?”

Jin Ha-ru asked again, her eyes sparkling as if she would uncover the truth.

Do-jae nodded.

“Yes. I really don’t have one. You can believe me.”

“I guess it’s true.”

However, Jin Ha-ru’s reaction to Do-jae’s words that he didn’t have a lover was unexpected.

“That’s too bad. *Merde!* [French for ‘shit!’]”

She was genuinely disappointed.

‘Isn’t it a good thing if he doesn’t have a lover?’ The people at the table all thought the same thing at the same time.

“What…….”

Do-jae was also unable to follow the flow of the conversation.

To Do-jae’s question, Jin Ha-ru pushed up the sunglasses she was wearing on her head and said.

“I was going to ask you to take a pictorial together if you had a lover.”

Only then did the assistant next to her look like she understood what Jin Ha-ru was saying.

Jin Ha-ru often suggested personal work if she had a model she really liked while working.

It was work for photos to be used for her exhibition.

Because Jin Ha-ru’s work itself is highly regarded, it was a glorious offer for most models.

Some people didn’t even receive a model fee, grateful that she used them as a model for her personal work.

But this time, even her assistant was momentarily confused as to whether she was hitting on him or making a model proposal.

It wasn’t because of the ambiguous comments.

It was because Jin Ha-ru’s eyes were completely fixated on one person.

“A pictorial with a lover?”

Woo-cheol asked, still not understanding the exact meaning.

“Do-jae, you’re an incredibly inspiring subject. It’s an inevitable desire for an artist to want to capture something intimate that will never be revealed to the outside world of such a subject.”

Jin Ha-ru’s eyes sparkled almost frighteningly as she continued to speak.

She seemed to be overflowing with a desire to film.

The assistant soon realized.

It was just that he hadn’t noticed because it was the first time Jin Ha-ru had that look in her eyes in Korea.

Those were the eyes that craved a masterpiece.

“There’s no better time to capture that than when you’re with your lover.”

“Ah…….”

Like when they heard the truth about the rumors, the members were caught off guard and answered blankly, “Ah.”

Jin Ha-ru tilted her head, seeing the members’ reactions.

“I think there was some misunderstanding…….”

At Jin Ha-ru’s words, the members smiled awkwardly.

Louis raised his finger and showed it off cutely, saying, “A little bit.”

The members were apologizing in their hearts several times today (although it was really easy to misunderstand this time).

“Did I say something that could be misunderstood?”

Jin Ha-ru looked back and admitted.

“You’re attractive enough to make me feel something. My type is a ‘key ring man’ [someone who is easily accessible and always around], so if I had to pick, it would be Louis……”

“Wow. Me? *Writer-nim* [term of respect for a writer]?!”

Louis was startled and used the title ‘Writer-nim’ for Jin Ha-ru, who he had been calling ‘*nuna* [older sister or female friend]’ just a moment ago.

Jin Ha-ru laughed loudly, and even Deputy Lee Jung-yeon laughed a little at Louis’ change in attitude.

Do-jae shook his hand, saying he didn’t misunderstand.

“Just kidding. I’m not that shameless. Although I live a little more shamelessly in Rome, following Roman law [when in Rome, do as the Romans do].”

Just in time, the server brought additional cool cocktails to the table.

The colorful cocktails were pretty.

“Anyway, if you ever get a lover in the future, please contact me. I’ll pay you whatever model fee you ask for.”

“Yes. I will.”

Do-jae answered with a smile.

At this rate, it seemed like there would be no contact for a while, or even quite a long time.

“Of course, it’ll be hard to make it public…… So it’ll end up being for my personal collection. Or maybe? I think I can make it public if I only capture Do-jae in the frame.”

Looking at Jin Ha-ru, who was seriously contemplating as if she would be filming tomorrow, it seemed right to say that he understood for now.

That’s how another night passed on the beautiful island of Bohol.

***

The next day.

The members roamed around the island for the last time to create content to upload to MyTube, playing games and various experiences.

The members’ favorite thing was snorkeling and scuba diving in the sea.

After spending such a busy day, it was finally time to return to Korea.

The members boarded the plane with regret.

When they returned to Korea, they would have another hectic day.

***

The members, who had been awake when they left Korea, constantly opening the windows to check the clouds with excited hearts and enjoying all the entertaining services provided in the cabin, fell into a deep sleep on the returning plane.

Do-jae, who woke up from his sleep because he was thirsty, drank the water prepared by the flight attendant and fell into thought for a while.

The four days in the Philippines felt both long and short.

‘It was fun.’

The impression was simple and clear.

It was a trip that mixed vacation and work, but it was fun.

Spending time with the members in a place other than Korea was new and special.

It felt freer than in Korea.

‘Life in the Republic of Korea was much freer than life in the Korean Empire…….’

Do-jae had become completely accustomed to his recent life in the Republic of Korea than the 20 years he spent in the Korean Empire.

‘Because I lived as the real me, not as a prince.’

There were hard days, but every day was rewarding and meaningful.

The affection he shared with the members deepened day by day.

Even though he had affection, he had more affection than his family, with whom he could only have superficial relationships under the higher value of the imperial family’s duty.

‘Is this okay?’

He was good at maintaining peace of mind, but there were inevitably moments when his emotions surged.

When happiness beyond the threshold swept through his heart like a wave, inevitable anxiety remained like a collapsed sandcastle.

He wanted to escape, but the Korean Empire was the world he had left behind for Do-jae.

‘Kang Do-jae’ was an existence that remained in that world.

He wondered if it was really okay to live as Kang Do-jae like this.

Of course, what a parallel world is.

He was experiencing it, but he couldn’t even prove it.

It meant that even if he didn’t want to live like this, he had no choice but to spend the given days here.

It was also an opportunity for Do-jae, so he was doing his best.

‘If the world turns upside down again…….’

Naturally, Do-jae’s thoughts reached that point.

Do-jae erased his thoughts and got up from his seat.

The wide seat in business class felt cramped.

He was walking down the aisle towards the end.

“…Brother-in-law?”

Someone called Do-jae in a low voice from behind.

Do-jae was startled and froze.

‘Kang Do-jae,’ who was an only child, had no siblings, so there was no way his non-existent sister’s husband would appear.

He wondered if he had mistaken him for someone who looked alike when he turned around.

A very familiar face was looking at Do-jae.

‘The little sister’s!’

The man who had a marriage alliance with Do-jae’s younger sister, the second princess of the Empire, was sitting in business class with his long legs crossed.

‘I heard he was from a legal family. I guess they already had the wedding…….’

Do-jae shook his head quickly, thinking.

This was not the Korean Empire, but the Republic of Korea.

He was just confused because he had just thought of the Korean Empire.

Do-jae blinked slowly.

Then he remembered who he was.

It was the popular actor, Park Seung-ho.

“Kang Do-jae. Am I right?”

As soon as Do-jae realized, Park Seung-ho asked softly.

Do-jae answered blankly that he was right.

Like Do-jae’s mother, team leader Kim Seok-cheol, and trainer Kang Chang-sik, there were people in the Republic of Korea who had the same face, similar personality, and similar job as in the Korean Empire, and Park Seung-ho was one of them.

Thanks to that, he was often surprised when he saw them on TV.

In the Korean Empire, he was the fiancé of his second sister and a lawyer, but in the Republic of Korea, he had a completely different job as an actor.

At least his name, and his face, which was not like a sculpture, but gave people a sense of favor and trust, were the same.

‘But brother-in-law…….’

Do-jae was wondering if it was possible.

“We meet like this.”

When Do-jae couldn’t answer right away to Park Seung-ho, who was happy to see him, Park Seung-ho muttered with an embarrassed face.

“Don’t you know who I am? I’m Park Seung-ho. An actor…….”

He seemed quite unfamiliar with introducing himself.

After all, if you were a citizen of the Republic of Korea who watched TV or used the internet, there was no way you wouldn’t know Park Seung-ho.

He had gained popularity in every drama he appeared in, and even his entertainment shows were successful, and he had filmed dozens of commercials.

Before he recognized someone, there would be many more people who would recognize Park Seung-ho first.

At the introduction of the actor, Do-jae erased his confusion and hurriedly greeted him.

“Ah, no. Hello. I was surprised because it was so sudden…… And I was surprised that you recognized me.”