Don't Ask, It'll Hurt If You Know - Chapter 17
The person who opened the door was Aaron Elena.
“I apologize for being late…… Ian?”
When Aaron called out, Ian turned around with an expressionless face, as if he had never shown that murderous intent before, and bowed his head in greeting.
Although Aaron was older, Ian’s social status was higher. Despite this, Aaron smiled faintly, pleased with Ian’s respectful attitude.
“Yes. You came to visit Chloe again today.”
‘Again today’ meant he had come yesterday as well.
While it was natural for a friend and academy classmate to pay a sick visit, coming two days in a row was unusual, so Chloe turned to look at him in slight surprise.
“Has the doctor visited? What did they say?”
Seemingly unaware of her gaze, Ian continued asking Aaron various questions about Chloe’s condition without looking at her.
“Ah, that reminds me, Ian, since you’re close with Chloe, you must know the Lady as well.”
Only after Aaron mentioned Bianca did Ian turn to look at her. Though not as cold as before, his eyes were still frigid, and Chloe swallowed hard and avoided his gaze. She found herself resenting Aaron for his thoughtless mention of her.
“The Lady is also Chloe’s friend…… Oh? Lady?”
Only then noticing Chloe sitting on the floor, Aaron approached with surprise and extended his hand.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, thank you. I’m fine.”
Though her legs were no longer numb, Chloe took Aaron’s hand to stand up, just to be safe.
“Why were you sitting on the floor?”
Seizing this final chance to clear up the misunderstanding, Chloe quickly replied.
“I was trying to pick up a gold coin that had rolled under the sofa table, but I was so startled when the Duke suddenly came in…….”
“Oh my.”
Aaron clicked his tongue briefly, then turned to Ian.
“Frightening the Lady like that. That’s not like you, Ian. You should apologize.”
“I apologize.”
Ian apologized with absolutely no emotion, making it obvious to anyone that he was doing it only because he was forced to. He then bowed to Aaron and left.
“Well, that’s.”
Aaron scratched his head awkwardly before apologizing to Chloe.
“I’m sorry, Lady. Ian, that fellow isn’t usually so cold-blooded and curt…… I think he’s just on edge because of Chloe’s serious injury.”
Ian was always curt though.
And while she didn’t understand what connection there was between her serious injury and Ian being on edge, she had something else she was more curious about, so she just nodded without asking about that.
“I heard that the Young Master came to visit yesterday as well…… is that right?”
“Yes. He rushed over as soon as he heard about Chloe’s fall from the horse. He even sent for the Imperial physician.”
“What? The Imperial physician?”
The Imperial physician who only treated the royal family came to examine me?
When Chloe asked in surprise, Aaron smiled as if he understood her reaction and answered.
“Ian earnestly begged His Majesty the Emperor. He said his precious friend was seriously injured and pleaded to send the physician.”
“…….”
I didn’t know Ian cared about me that much. Chloe glanced at where Ian had been standing.
“It’s getting late, Lady. You should return to the mansion.”
“Yes, I will. Ah, but could I fix my makeup first?”
As a proper lady shouldn’t directly express wanting to use the restroom, she phrased it this way instead. Aaron understood what she wanted and nodded.
“Of course. Then I’ll call a maid…….”
“It’s fine. I know where it is, I’ll go by myself. Then, I’ll be going.”
Chloe bowed to Aaron and turned around. As Aaron watched Chloe, wearing Bianca’s appearance, leave, he muttered.
“I’ve never seen her face before…….”
Knowing the location of the bathroom meant she frequently visited the count’s mansion. Which also meant she was close with Chloe.
Yet it seemed strange that he had never seen her face before, nor was he familiar with her name or family. Aaron tilted his head as he watched his sister’s friend’s retreating figure grow distant.
* * *
After returning to the Lloyd Viscounty mansion from the Elena Countess’s residence, the first thing Chloe did was search for the place where she had first opened her eyes here.
No matter how she thought about it, her soul leaving her body and entering Bianca’s must have been related to that magic circle drawn in blood that was in that place. She had to find it no matter what.
‘The problem is that I don’t know where that place is.’
