Husband With Benefits
Chapter 255: At The Conference

Chapter 255: At The Conference

Evangeline stepped aside, letting Lucien come forward to the podium. Even now, she was half tempted to rush to the microphone and announce to anyone who would listen that she had no relationship to this man. Heck, she was even willing to call him a friend. She could easily insist that the pictures were from a private gathering and nothing but a little bit of talking among friends for which the picture had been taken out of context.

Interestingly, the press ignored the man and shouted even more weird questions at her," Princess, the man in the poster is dressed as a rebel while this man is well dressed. Are you trying to change him image so that it seems more respectable?"

"Princess Evangeline, we’ve heard this man was a holiday fling. Something to sow wild oats. Then why are you announcing him as your fiancé? Just to save your reputation?"

"Princess Evangeline? What does Prime Minister Sterling have to say about your choice for a life partner? Has he met that man yet?"

Evangeline was angered at the blatant contempt that the press sent his way while she cheered a bit! Good thing. See, if he was such a big shot, why was he not recognized by anyone here? But she needed to tread carefully from this point on or else, the public’s view would turn too negative.

Before she could say more, Lucien stepped in front of her protectively and with a charming smile, called out," Now, one would think I was invisible with the way you all have been shouting questions at my fiancé."

There was a certain commanding quality to his voice that seemed to freeze them. A bit unsure, they looked at each other in confusion.

"All of you look shocked. I believe Evana just mentioned that I am her fiancé." Seamlessly, Lucien took control of the situation, his tone diplomatic yet firm. "I understand that there are some questions, and I’ll be happy to address them. But let’s remember, we are all civilized people here, "I won’t stand for baseless accusations or disrespectful insinuations. So you can ask away."

As the room fell into an uneasy silence with Lucien waiting patiently for the questions, a junior reporter tentatively raised her hand," Then, can you tell us how long you have known the princess? And how this engagement came to be about."

Lucien smiled and looked at the reported, "Of course. Princess Evangeline and I met at the mutual acquaintance’s gathering a few years ago."

The words were like a bomb being dropped in still waters. Immediately, the reporters seemed to come alive," Years ago? Have you been in a relationship since then?"

"No. Evana and I have been friends. It is only recently that we realized our deep feelings for each other. And I proposed to her. In fact, the pictures you have are from our vacation, we were celebrating our togetherness."

"But there is no ring in the picture?" another reporter called out.

"And my fiance is still not wearing a ring. Estania does not have the custom of a woman wearing a ring before her wedding. I believe you have forgotten that."

"Princess Evana? Are you still following the old tradition which many have let go?"

Evangeline, who’d been surprised at Lucien’s revelation quickly nodded," Yes. While many believe it to be a redundant tradition, I cherish it."

She’d only mentioned the custom in passing and how it was a handy excuse to not wear any kind of accessory on her hands since she hated those.

More whispers and murmurs. "Mister..." As the journalists needed to ask more questions, they realized that they did not know this man’s name. Were they supposed to address him as Mr. Fiance?"

"Sir, would you please introduce yourself? Your name, etc?"

An enigmatic smile lit his face as he said," Of course. My name is Lucien Frost."

A moment of pin-drop silence and then a rapid fire of questions started," Do you have any relation to the Frost Industries which has recently signed a multi-billion dollar deal with Estania for the development project?"

"Mr. Frost? Are you from the Frost family?"

"Frost? Lucien Frost? You are the youngest brother of Demon Frost?"

"I am indeed from the Frost family. My older brother is Demon Frost. But I’d like to stress this fact here that my private life is not related to the deal with Estania."

As the journalists tried to process the new information, a seasoned reporter raised her hand, "Mr. Frost, do you think your family’s financial standing influenced the Princess’s decision to accept your proposal?"

Lucien smiled as he said," Are you trying to say that Princess Evangeline would need to enter a business marriage?"

"It is a well-known fact that there have been arranged marriages in the past as well within the Royal family for mutual benefits...", the reporter trailed off, leaving the implication hanging.

Lucien smiled casually, knowing a dig when he saw it and answered," Some things should remain in the past. As for this question, I am wondering if I should take offence. Are you implying that I am not enough for Evana and she would accept me only if I came with some monetary benefits?"

The reporters all laughed easily at that and soon, Lucien had changed the entire day’s agenda into a storytelling session for their so-called love.

Evangeline stared at the man’s back as she tried to control her expression. He’d spoken no lies and yet, he’d not spoken the truth either. Heck, listening to this man, even she was forced to believe that their entire story was all a fairytale romance where the two of them became friends and then more. If she had not been with him the entire time, she would have definitely been fooled.

Holy sh*t! This man is even more dangerous than she had anticipated. She needed to get Nora’s head checked. The girl had claimed that he was the simplest and most honest of all Frosties... She was too foolish...

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