Lmao same... Maybe he doesn’t like social situations/conflict?
I think it had something to do with Chloe's "ability" manifesting? The thing on her forehead that she showed that purple haired mage. Maybe the ability instills fear into its victims? So Cedric was so scared of Chloe that he froze and then ran away
Spoiler(kind of):
He knows Claude. And realised that it was him and froze up.
He's probably intimidated or scared of Claude. Or realised that the lady that Blaire was with in the garden was Claude.
In the future chapters it seems that they know each other because Chloe/Claude is in his male form sitting together with him, wizard guy and the prince.
That's just my guess on why he froze up with reference to future chaps ╮(￣▽￣)╭
So... why did Cedric freeze up and ran away? I'm confused...