Don't Ask, It'll Hurt If You Know - Chapter 4
* * *
“Do you remember Baroness Maylin? Her daughter got married last year and had a lovely baby last month. They’re living happily together with her husband.”
Chloe sighed inwardly, realizing that she had indeed been called in because of marriage. She fiddled with her teacup.
“Chloe, you should hurry up and get married, have beautiful children, and create a happy family.”
“……I’m not really interested in that.”
When Chloe replied with a sulky tone, the Countess smiled kindly.
“You’re still young, so it’s natural to think that way.”
Twenty-two is young, is it? According to her mother, she should have already been married with children by now.
Of course, parents tend to see their children as eternally young, so Chloe understood that her mother viewed her as a child.
However, she couldn’t comprehend why her mother treated her like a naïve kid and imposed her own thoughts on her.
While they could compromise on other matters to some extent, marriage was not one of them.
Chloe had repeated countless times since she was young that she didn’t want to marry, yet the Countess had never truly listened.
She repeated like a parrot that it was because she was still young and that her thoughts would change as she grew older.
“Having children and creating a happy family is a special privilege given to women by God, Chloe. It’s also the path to true happiness for women.”
Who the heck said such nonsense? Chloe sighed deeply inwardly.
“Look at me, your mother. I met your father, gave birth to you, and lived happily. So, Chloe, I hope you can find happiness just like I did.”
She couldn’t bring herself to speak as firmly as she had with Aaron, as it would mean completely denying her mother’s life choices.
“Chloe, you know I’m saying all this for your sake, right?”
“Yeah. Of course. I understand how you feel, Mom.”
As a child, she couldn’t outright dismiss her mother’s words, so she nodded along, letting it go in one ear and out the other. This was the quickest way to make the tiresome lecturing end.
“Really? I promised your mother that you would participate in the upcoming Rumonie event next week.”
“Sure…… wait, what?”
Without thinking, Chloe answered, but she quickly realized something felt off and asked in surprise.
“When did I say I would participate in Rumonie?”
“When? Just now, you said so.”
Did I? Chloe tried to retrace her thoughts but couldn’t remember. She had merely nodded along, not really paying attention to her mother’s words, so it made sense that nothing stuck.
Rumonie.
It was a social party held every March to help unmarried men and women of marriageable age find suitable partners. Participating in Rumonie was akin to publicly declaring a desire to marry.
No. She had to stop that at all costs.
As if sensing Chloe’s desperate wish to escape, the countess tightly grasped her hand.
“You wouldn’t go back on a promise made to your mother, would you?”
She held on so tightly that it felt like the blood was draining from Chloe’s hand.
“Our good daughter wouldn’t do such a thing. Right?”
“F-fine. I’ll go. I can just go, right……?”
With her mother glaring at her like a threat, Chloe had no choice but to nod.
* * *
Even if the ground were to collapse, there’s always a way out.
Chloe kept someone’s wise words close to her heart as she pondered how to avoid attending Rumonie. However, no matter how hard she thought, a good plan eluded her.
“Haah.”
In the end, Chloe found herself at Rumonie, letting out a deep sigh as she pressed her hands on her waist. The corset constricted her torso so tightly that breathing became a challenge. The high heels forced her to rely solely on her toes to stay upright, adding to her discomfort.
“Seriously, how do women endure this for hours?”
In moments like these, she felt that women in dresses were even more impressive than knights in armor.
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Chloe made her way to a corner of the party hall. She had reluctantly attended due to her mother’s insistence, but she had no intention of looking for a potential husband.
She planned to remain as quiet as a mouse until the party was over.
To avoid those who approached her without a clue, Chloe hid behind a column and sipped her champagne. The fresh fruit aroma popped delightfully in her mouth.
“Oh…… this isn’t bad at all! I’ve never had anything like it. What kind of champagne is this?”
“It’s called Canon, my lady.”
“!”
Startled by the unexpected response to her musing, Chloe turned around, shocked that she hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.
The first thing that caught her eye was a rich, golden blonde hair that looked like it had honey poured over it. His eyes were the same golden hue as his hair.
With feline-like, elegantly arched brows and a smooth jawline, he had flawless skin and delicately shaped features.
He was a handsome man, but “beautiful” suited him better.
“……I am Chloe Elena of House Elena. It’s an honor to meet the small sun of the Empire.”
It was none other than Antonio de Adrian Phasis, the Crown Prince of the Phasis Empire.
