Don't Ask, It'll Hurt If You Know - Chapter 5
Why is the Crown Prince here? Though he doesn’t yet have a Crown Princess, he isn’t exactly the type to search for a bride openly.
He even has a designated fiancé.
Seeing him at the Lumonié was already surprising, but even more unsettling was how all eyes turned towards them. Even those dancing in the hall had stopped to stare.
There goes my plan to slip away quietly!
While Chloe screams internally, she maintains a graceful smile. It was a perfectly composed expression, the kind that would bring her mother, Countess Elena, to tears of pride.
Antonio’s eyes curved pleasantly as he returned her smile, seemingly pleased with her display. His smile was as dazzling as a blooming rose, yet to Chloe, it felt ominous.
“Lady Chloe Elena.”
His low voice only heightened her unease.
“Would you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me?”
Why is it that bad feelings are always so accurate?
Chloe barely managed to smooth her expression, which had nearly twisted for a moment, as she looked down at Antonio’s outstretched hand.
Accepting a dance invitation wasn’t always mandatory, but it could be, depending on the person. Refusing without a good reason was considered a grave insult.
And rejecting the Crown Prince could be taken as an affront to the entire royal family. Declining was not an option.
There’s no choice. Even if I don’t want to, I have to accept.
Chloe held back a sigh and was just about to place her hand gently on Antonio’s when—
Thud—
Another hand shot out from the side and nearly snatched Chloe’s hand away.
What is this now? Slightly flustered, Chloe turned to look at the newcomer, and Antonio did the same. The Crown Prince’s refined brow furrowed tightly as soon as he recognized the face beside him.
“……Ian MacMilden.”
Antonio’s voice dropped ominously, like a predator facing an intruder who had trespassed into its territory. His gaze at Ian was equally fierce.
Ian’s expression was calm as he met Antonio’s gaze, but his appearance was slightly disheveled. It looked as though he’d dashed through the night breeze, his hair and clothes in disarray.
“I’m afraid she already has a prior engagement.”
“A prior engagement?”
“Yes. She promised to dance with me.”
When did I ever? Chloe blinked wide-eyed at Ian, the claim entirely new to her.
Antonio tilted his head, seemingly at a loss, and directed his question to Chloe.
“Is Ian telling the truth?”
“Ah, yes! That’s right!”
If she absolutely had to dance with someone, Ian MacMilden was a hundred—no, a thousand times better than the Crown Prince. Chloe gladly joined in on the lie.
“I promised Ian I’d dance with him first.”
As Chloe turned down the invitation with Ian as her excuse, Antonio chuckled dryly and swept a hand through his hair.
‘Looks like his pride took quite a hit.’
It was understandable. Usually, when the Crown Prince asked a young lady to dance, she would cancel any prior engagements to accept his hand.
In situations like these, it was common courtesy to suggest a dance later. But Chloe hadn’t done that.
If she danced with the Crown Prince, rumors about their impending marriage would spread like wildfire across society.
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
Knowing he might ask again, Chloe bowed her head, clearly drawing a line to indicate she would not be dancing with him.
Antonio looked down at her for a moment, then smiled, stepping back.
“If you already have a prior engagement, there’s nothing I can do. Part of me wishes I could request the second dance, but unfortunately, I have a prior commitment as well.”
“Yes, it’s truly unfortunate.”
Nice. Though internally she cheered, Chloe kept up the act, feigning regret.
Finishing his conversation with Chloe, Antonio turned to Ian. He wore a friendly smile, but it seemed a stark contrast to the way he had glared at Ian moments earlier, as if ready to devour him.
“His Majesty the Emperor misses you greatly, so I will invite you to dine at the imperial palace soon.”
The Crown Prince patted Ian’s shoulder and left.
“Phew.”
Only after the Crown Prince moved out of earshot did Chloe finally release the tension she’d been holding in, exhaling deeply as she turned to Ian.
“Are you alright?”
Her sudden question made his dark brows arch slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“What do you think it means? I’m asking if you’re okay. Your expression didn’t look great while talking to His Highness.”
Outwardly, Ian’s expression had been as composed as ever, but after observing him closely for eight years, Chloe could easily tell he’d been irritated.
“…….”
Without a word, Ian ran a hand down his face as though to clear his head, then extended his other hand toward her.
“Let’s dance.”
Chloe widened her eyes in surprise.
“Are we really going to dance? I thought you were just saying that.”
“The Crown Prince is watching.”
Just as Ian said, the Crown Prince was indeed observing them from a short distance away.
“If we don’t dance, he’ll know we lied.”
“……That’s true.”
