Billionaire's Hidden Princess by Alegna Ciee (tharntype novel english .TXT) 📕

The Apollon Group Holdings’ Anniversary is one of the most anticipated events in the world of trade and commerce.

This special occasion garners the whole country’s attention since it’s one of those grandiose happenings that mark the ample upsurge of economic advances and development. Because of that, the visitors aren’t the only ones attending, but the media people as well.

As soon as the President’s lavish black limousine pulls out in front of a long, stretching red carpet that leads to the entrance, an ocean of flashing white lights greet the couple from the outside. They haven’t even taken a step out yet, but they’re already gathering attention like this.

“T-That’s… a-a lot of people,” Leticia stuttered in flummox and panic, her eyes widening as she looked through the tinted car window.

“Princess, look at me…” Livius called out from beside her all of the sudden, cupping both of her cheeks.

“Just stare ahead or focus on me, alright? You just have to walk like you usually do. Don’t pay them any mind.”

“I understand… B-But…”

“What is it?”

With her eyes glistening with evident worry, she looks back at the sea of flickering illuminations that await them outside. She can’t help but feel her heart beat faster, her anxiety ascending against her will.

Leticia has never been good with cameras.

She hates them, to be precise. It’s one of the things she feels anxious about the most.

Her fear for cameras starts all the way back when she’s still a child. She can’t recall the memory well, but she’s aware that something horrid and extremely unpleasant happened to her. It’s an experience that’s connected with this particular object, though she really can’t remember how and why.

“B-But… I’m not a child anymore…” Leticia thought silently before looking back at her boyfriend.

“Livi is a famous person, so this is inevitable… And I just can’t continue being pampered all the time. He has done a lot of things for me. Seeing this through is the least I can do for him in return.”

“Princess…?” Livius called out again, concern laced in his voice.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go now, shall we?”

Veiling her fears, she then beams at him ebulliently in an attempt to reassure him. He’s not entirely convinced, though. He can sense that she’s hiding something, especially with how she seems to be acting tough despite how cold and pale her face has become.

“Don’t worry. This’ll be a breeze,” he assured her before kissing her forehead tenderly, making her eyes flutter closed.

A minute later, the couple finally walks out of the car and faces the crowd.

At that very second, the flickers and flashes of camera lights have gotten more intense. The sight overwhelms Leticia to an unfathomable degree, but even then, she just forces out a straight face.

And alas, they begin sauntering.

With her arm hooked under his, Livius can feel her body turn more rigid and colder than earlier. He doesn’t know what’s going on with her out of nowhere, but he can sense that this is no trivial matter.

After all, he has never seen her this tense before. Although she’s doing a good job hiding it behind an impassive façade and enviable poise, in his eyes, she’s barely keeping her uneasiness from seeping through.

Leticia only stares ahead just as he instructed, though still remaining stiff. It’s almost as if she’s been holding her breath for the entire walk – unable to settle down even just for a second.

She keeps feeling goosebumps travel all over her body, making her hairs stand on end. The lights and attention are scorching, and she feels like burning.

The noise around her only falls in deaf ears. She has started muting everything that time and just focused on silently wishing for this to end.

In each passing second, it’s really becoming more and more unbearable.

“Princess.”

That’s until Livius holds her hand that’s linked around his arm all of the sudden, reminding her of his presence. Leticia perks up at this and looks at him surprise.

He has this warm and reassuring smile on his face, blowing her troubles away in an instance. She feels herself calm down a little, reveling in his attempt to solace her through that gentle look.

Then, eventually, they have arrived inside the hotel.

“Are you alright, Eya?” Livius asked her straight away, grabbing her shoulder and turning her to face him directly.  

“I-I’m f-fine,” Leticia stammered out with a wobbly, brittle voice.

“No, you’re not.”

He then pulls her into an embrace, folding his arms around her shoulders and caressing her head. At such a soothing gesture, she can’t help but finally muster a terrified look – all of her bottled emotions earlier breaking through.

Nearly tearing up, she returns the embrace and lets out a faint sob. In the end, she didn’t manage to pull herself together at all.