Don’t Ask, It’ll Hurt If You Know - Chapter 67

Asking a question to royalty first was an act that went against etiquette, but Chloe didn’t care. If one were to be that particular, the Crown Prince, who had shown up without an appointment, was the more impolite one.

Antonio didn’t seem to mind either, as he spoke with a faint smile.

“I came on a sick call, of course, because I was worried about Miss Chloe Elena’s condition.”

Chloe was about to press him, asking if that was all and if there wasn’t another reason, but she swallowed her words since that would truly be crossing the line.

There was nothing to be gained by being rude to the Crown Prince. If she wanted to resolve Ian’s problem, it was better to stay on his good side.

“I am truly grateful for Your Highness’s concern for me, but…… I’m a bit worried that strange rumors might spread in society.”

It would be best to start laying the groundwork now. Chloe touched her cheek and spoke in a voice that was somberly subdued.

“What if my marriage prospects are blocked because of false rumors started by people who misinterpret Your Highness’s pure goodwill?”

What if? What indeed. She’d probably shout for joy and dance.

If her marriage prospects were completely blocked, Countess Elena wouldn’t be able to nag her to get married anymore. Chloe sighed deeply, hoping it would turn out that way.

In the meantime, she kept her ears pricked, waiting for the Crown Prince to apologize and say he hadn’t thought that far. Only then could she use that as a pretext to resolve the matter regarding Ian MacMilden.

“I will take responsibility.”

A moment later, an answer that didn’t just miss her expectations but felt like a heavy blow to the back of her head made Chloe look at him in surprise.

“I shall take responsibility for Miss Chloe Elena.”

Meeting her eyes directly, Antonio even spoke her name clearly as if to drive the point home.

Only then did Chloe realize he was serious and not joking. She covered her face with both hands as it involuntarily crumpled. She bit the tender flesh inside her mouth so hard it nearly bled to force down the curses rising up her throat.

“You seem quite surprised.”

Wouldn’t you be? She wanted to snap back like that, but the reality that she couldn’t was truly sorrowful. Chloe took a deep breath, constantly reminding herself that the man before her was the Crown Prince. She couldn’t become the rude daughter of Count Elena. She might have endured it if it were just for herself, but since it wasn’t, she had to suppress it no matter what.

“I was…… a bit more than surprised.”

Her voice trembled slightly due to the emotions she couldn’t quite suppress. Chloe took another deep breath and continued.

“I never dreamed Your Highness would say such a thing.”

“I thought as much. That’s likely why you rejected my request for a dance during the Rumonie as well.”

At the time, she had simply rejected it because she didn’t want the attention, but Chloe couldn’t bring herself to tell the truth and laughed awkwardly instead.

The Crown Prince went on and on with stories she wasn’t curious about and didn’t want to know—like how he’d been interested since he first saw her, how certain parts of her were charming, or how he thought it would be quite reassuring if someone like her became the Crown Princess.

Chloe sipped her already-cold tea, expressing her lack of interest indirectly, but he didn’t stop. Seeing him act like this, she began to suspect that he wasn’t just pretending to be oblivious, but that he was actually thick-headed.

“Your Highness.”

Futile hopes with no chance and delusions that caused harm to others were best cut off early. If she left it alone out of a sense of politeness and let the idea grow, it would only become more troublesome later, so Chloe spoke firmly.

“I have absolutely no desire to become the Crown Princess.”

This, too, was phrased as mildly as possible. If the person before her had been a son of a noble house and not the Crown Prince, she would have barked at him to stop talking b******t and get the hell out immediately. In the first place, she wouldn’t have even listened to him.

Despite the clear rejection, the Crown Prince showed no particular reaction. He just stared at her so calmly that her worries about him throwing a tantrum over his bruised ego felt pointless. That was even more unsettling, but Chloe didn’t show it and met his gaze stoically.

“I find it hard to understand.”

In the midst of their staring contest, Antonio was the first to speak.

“Any daughter of a noble family would dream of becoming the Crown Princess, yet you kick away an opportunity that has rolled right to you.”

“It is true that many young ladies envy the position of Crown Princess, but that is not true for everyone. I happen to be one of those who do not.”

Chloe calmly conveyed her intent, pointing out the error in his logic first.

“So, I dare to request that you set aside your desire to have me as the Crown Princess.”

“I would like to hear the reason why you are refusing.”

She thought he would back off out of pride after she had spoken this much, but the Crown Prince was more persistent than she had imagined. Chloe, who forced down a sigh bubbling up from deep within along with her tea, set her cup down with a deliberate clatter and asked.

“Rather, I would like to ask Your Highness. There must be other young ladies better suited for the position of Crown Princess than I am, so why me?”

Even as she spoke, one person came to mind. The second daughter of the Marquisate of Litman, Daphne Litman.

Not only had she graduated from Sharfran Academy with honors, she was the very epitome of a refined lady. With her family background, education, looks, and character all being flawless, people were certain she would become the Crown Princess.

Chloe had felt the same. That was why even after the Rumonie, when the Crown Prince sent flowers, she had dismissed it as a mere courtesy.

But for him to suddenly show up and say such things was utterly absurd.

“I believe I told you earlier. That I am interested in you, Lady. Is it wrong to want to take the person I’m interested in as my wife?”

“It isn’t, but I was under the impression that the interest Your Highness has in me isn’t something like affection or love.”

When Chloe spoke firmly, Antonio tilted his head slightly.

“How can the Lady be so sure of that?”

“Your eyes.”

Unlike his lips which held a faint smile, Chloe pointed out his eyes, which were chillingly cold. That look hadn’t changed from the moment she first saw him until now.

“There is no one in this world who looks at someone they like with eyes like those.”

Perhaps he had never expected to have such a thing pointed out to him, as Antonio flinched and touched the corner of his eye.

His face, now devoid of the smile on the only part of him that had held any warmth—his lips—was cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine. Strangely, however, Chloe wasn’t afraid of him. Rather, she felt more at ease, likely because this was the Crown Prince’s true self.

Silence fell between them again, but the weight of the atmosphere had shifted for her. She didn’t know about the Crown Prince, but Chloe, at least, waited more lightheartedly than before.

All while pondering how to bring up the subject of Ian.

As if thinking about what to say and how to say it, he stared at his teacup—not having taken a single sip—then gave a short laugh and shook his head lightly.

“My, this is embarrassing. It feels as though my inner thoughts have been caught.”

She expected him to deny it or make excuses about a misunderstanding, but to her surprise, he admitted it quite readily. It was a bit unexpected.

“You are correct. The interest I have in you is not of that sort. However, you can rest assured that it is not because I dislike you or wish to torment you.”

I’ve never seen a good person among those who speak like that.

Though Chloe felt uneasy, she masked it and gave a smile as if she believed him.

“My desire to have Miss Chloe Elena as the Crown Princess is also sincere. I may not know about others, but I believe you are better suited for the position of Crown Princess—and eventually, the Empress—than Miss Daphne Litman.”

“I am grateful that you think so highly of me, but that is an excessively generous evaluation.”

“No. My eyes are not mistaken.”

The fact that he was insisting he was right when the person involved said otherwise was so ridiculous that Chloe clicked her tongue inwardly.

“So, if only for the sake of my feelings, I hope you will participate in the Crown Princess selection exam held next month.”

It was a polite command disguised as a request. In other words, it meant she had no right to refuse, causing Chloe to furrow her brow. Antonio smiled, seemingly delighted despite her blatant display of displeasure.

Even if the ground collapses, there is always a way out.

“If Miss Elena promises to participate in the selection exam, I, in turn, will grant you one request.”

Chloe, who had been searching for a way to refuse even without the right to do so, faltered at the proposal that sounded quite enticing.