Don't Ask, It'll Hurt If You Know - Chapter 3
The Royal Knights are known for being the sword and shield of the royal family, making not only the admission test but also the qualifications to take that test exceedingly difficult and stringent.
Candidates must excel in martial skills, including swordsmanship, and possess etiquette and knowledge that uphold the dignity and honor of the royal family.
In addition to these, there were various other conditions, and only those who satisfied all of them could take the admission test.
The admission test itself was said to be so incredibly challenging that only one person would pass it every ten years, if that.
“Will I really be able to pass?”
Chloe groaned and sprawled out on the lush green grass.
While she worried about whether she could pass the admission test, she was even more concerned about the possibility of failing while Ian MacMilden succeeded.
Given his skills, the notoriously difficult admission test for the Royal Knights would likely pose no problem for him.
Although they were rivals, Chloe acknowledged that Ian’s martial abilities were exceptional.
Not only in martial arts, he excelled in academics as well, including literature and mathematics. The professors at the academy often said that if Ian weren’t the only heir of the Duke of MacMilden, they would want to have him in their research labs.
“Anyway, he’s an amazing guy.”
That’s why she wanted to win against him so badly. It wasn’t out of sheer hatred or a desire to crush him; it was pure competitive spirit.
How could she pass the admission test with a higher score than Ian?
“Ah, there you are, Chloe.”
As she pondered while gazing at the clear blue sky without a cloud in sight, Chloe lifted her upper body at the sound of a familiar voice.
It was her older brother, Aaron Elena, the eldest son of Count Elena, approaching her.
“What’s going on?”
“Mother is looking for you.”
At that, Chloe furrowed her brows. Her relationship with the Countess wasn’t bad, in fact, it was close enough that people often envied them. However, due to recent conflicts over marriage issues, Chloe felt uneasy about meeting her mother.
“Okay, I’ll go.”
But she had to go. Chloe let out a deep sigh and stood up. Aaron, who followed her to their mother’s room, began to nag her.
“Chloe, you know that Mother wants you to go to Sharfran Academy, not Ideol Academy.”
Most noble ladies entered Sharfran Academy to learn the qualities and virtues needed to become the wives of their future husbands and the matriarchs of their families.
Even if they weren’t particularly inclined toward swordsmanship or magic, it was extremely rare for a respectable lady to enroll in Ideol Academy.
If Sharfran Academy was a carefully cultivated flower garden, then Ideol Academy was a jungle. It wasn’t a place for delicate ladies raised like flowers in a greenhouse.
Naturally, when Chloe announced she would attend Ideol Academy and had even received her acceptance letter, Countess Elena was utterly shocked.
“C-Chloe, how could you do this……!”
Overwhelmed by the shock, Countess Elena collapsed onto her bed, clutching her head.
The entire family, including Count Elena, gathered to express their disapproval and urged her to reconsider. But Chloe stubbornly held her ground until the end.
“Ultimately, you entered Ideol Academy according to your own stubbornness, and since then, you’ve continued to act on your own whims.”
Aaron said, shaking his head as if remembering that day gave him a headache.
“So how about following Mother’s wishes just this once? She doesn’t want anything bad for you, everything she does is for your sake.”
Ignoring his nagging, Chloe suddenly stomped her foot and came to a halt.
“How is that for my sake?”
She glared at Aaron with a frustrated expression and spoke clearly.
“That’s not for me. It’s for Mom.”
“Chloe, that’s…….”
“I don’t want to sacrifice and dedicate myself by giving up my name for someone else. I want to live as Chloe Elena, not as someone’s wife or mother.”
A cool breeze swept through, causing her loosely tied blonde hair to flutter in the wind. Aaron’s blue eyes sparkled with surprise as he took in her determined expression.
“Which means I will never get married.”
