That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 1

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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That’s not what kissing means!

Episode 1

Prologue

“Tell me, Evelyn. The reason you abandoned me.”

The Duke’s desperate voice echoed through the interior.

His exaggerated tone, loud enough for everyone around to hear, was like that of a theater actor.

Everyone sitting held their breath.

This was Duke Ashford, who had no interest in romance, let alone humans in general.

But now his appearance was that of a man utterly devastated by heartbreak.

Evelyn was terribly troubled.

Why on earth did you come looking for me!

He widened his eyes as if realizing something.

“Don’t tell me, you were only after my body from the beginning…!”

This won’t do! He’s crazier than I thought!

Evelyn, who had been hiding from him, hurriedly emerged from behind the bookshelf.

If she stayed like this, even bigger rumors would surely spread.

She made a tearful face, thinking that all the time she’d spent trying to sort things out with him had gone to waste.

As she ran toward him, the Duke softly curved his eyes as if nothing had happened.

The playful look in his eyes disappeared instantly. Only the wronged man remained.

Evelyn urgently whispered, trying to cover his mouth.

“Why are you doing this, really! Coming all the way here…!”

“It’s fine, it’s common for a man to cling to the woman he loves.”

“Even if that’s the situation, you should choose the right place!”

That’s right.

This was the Royal Historical Research Institute, Evelyn’s first workplace.

Her superiors were glancing over here with curious eyes while being frightened by Duke Ashford’s appearance.

The Duke answered with a truly pitiful face.

“Then should I just stay still? When you’ve been avoiding me for two weeks?”

“Th-that’s…”

“I really… that night, I gave you my everything…”

The Duke placed his hand on his own chest.

Anyone watching would misunderstand that something tremendous had happened.

The researchers were all busy listening intently while pretending to be absorbed in their work.

They exchanged glances with colleagues beside them and focused on the Duke’s every word.

An incredible topic of conversation had arisen in the usually quiet research institute.

Evelyn, who had instantly become trash for making a man cry and running away, looked around frantically.

“Let’s go outside and talk, please!”

“Now you’re making sense.”

The Duke smiled brightly and took Evelyn’s hand.

For someone who had put her in a difficult position, his touch was quite affectionate.

The Duke hummed a tune, saying it had been a while since they had time alone together.

Only Evelyn was suffering.

‘What am I supposed to say to my seniors later…’

The kiss swept up in the atmosphere had been incredibly sweet.

But a mistake was a mistake.

The difference in status was a problem, but she also didn’t want to get entangled in the rumors surrounding the Duke.

She thought he would feel the same way and that they wouldn’t see each other again.

But after that day, the Duke persistently sought her out.

‘What should I do…’

Meanwhile, the interior of the research institute was enveloped in silence.

Even long after the two had disappeared, everyone just sat there dazed.

It was Catherine, the senior researcher, who broke the quiet.

“That was… Duke Ashford, right?”

“Yes, that crazy guy…”

It was an unbelievable situation.

“But why our new employee…”

“Why is he acting like that toward Evelyn? Did she really covet the Duke’s body or something?”

“Come on, no way. Is she that kind of person?”

No matter how much they racked their brains, no answer came.

What on earth had happened between a new researcher from the countryside and the continent’s greatest magic swordsman?

* * *

Evelyn’s life had been peaceful and quiet.

She was born in Adrianne Territory, far from the capital, and graduated from the Academy there.

Though they called it an Academy, it was about the size of a small monastery.

There was no dormitory, so students commuted from home, and the professors also pursued free-style teaching.

Evelyn’s Father was a baron without even an estate, and the surroundings were nothing but mountains and fields.

She was a child closer to nature than to social etiquette. From childhood, she had run around playing with friends, her pink hair flowing in the wind.

As an adult, she spent her days watching over the ranch her parents owned while studying ancient languages, her field of expertise.

One day, a professor who thought her talent was too precious to waste made a suggestion.

‘If you become a royal researcher, you’ll be able to study the ancient languages you love to your heart’s content!’

Some teaching assistant seniors with hollow eyes had once said:

You should always be wary of professors’ sweet talk.

But Evelyn, tempted by those words, took the exam and was able to become a royal historical researcher.

Before leaving for the capital, Evelyn’s Mother spoke with an extremely serious face.

‘I’m very worried about you.’

‘It’s okay, I’ll go there and live well and strong.’

‘That’s not it… I’m worried you might meet some handsome guy somewhere and be completely charmed.’

Evelyn’s Mother sighed while looking at her husband.

‘Why, honey?’

Her father’s features sparkled as he looked at his wife with an expression of knowing nothing.

Evelyn said with a smile.

‘I’m different from Mother. I won’t fall for a man’s looks and get married right away.’

Even Evelyn’s Mother, who was thorough in everything, couldn’t control love as she wished.

In her youth, she had fallen for Evelyn’s Father at first sight and immediately held a wedding ceremony.

Fortunately, her husband was a kind-hearted person, but she couldn’t guarantee the same for Evelyn’s case.

‘I’m worried you might take after me.’

‘Don’t worry. Nothing has happened so far, right?’

Her mother, swallowing the words “because there was no one more handsome than your father…” forced a smile as she saw her daughter off.

The place she entered was the Ancient Language Interpretation Department under the Royal Historical Research Institute.

Contrary to her parents’ words that the capital was a very chaotic and dangerous place, everyone treated Evelyn well.

This was because ancient languages weren’t popular, so a new employee had joined for the first time in years.

All the seniors who heard this news treated her preciously.

Moreover, there wasn’t a single man who caught her eye, making her mother’s worries seem pointless.

The people of the capital were certainly sophisticated, but that was all.

‘I guess I didn’t take after mother!’

It was fortunate that she could focus on work.

Just like her hometown, it was a series of peaceful and quiet days.

About a month passed like this, and Evelyn’s first business trip approached.

Catherine, the senior researcher, patted her and smiled warmly.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re a newcomer, so we’re taking you for experience.”

“Yes, I’ll work hard!”

Everyone burst into laughter at the newcomer’s enthusiasm.

“If monsters appear, avoid them at all costs. Though you probably won’t get close to them.”

The researchers’ mission was simple.

It was to release the stone tablets that temporarily sealed monsters in the north.

By interpreting ancient languages and releasing the stone tablets, the trapped monsters would emerge, and it was the royal knights’ job to deal with them.

Due to the powerful magic of Monster Mountain, the power of the sealed monsters gradually grew stronger.

Since the stone tablets could break from this increased power, monster subjugation was carried out every spring.

The accompanying researchers were three in total: Catherine, Oliver, and including Evelyn.

They packed simple luggage and headed to the gate in the basement of the Ministry of Magic.

“This is my first time using a gate!”

As Evelyn’s blue eyes sparkled, Catherine smiled warmly.

It was the kind of freshness you could only see from a newcomer at times like this.

‘She’ll probably end up like Oliver eventually…’

Oliver’s eyes, which she glanced at briefly, contained nothing.

He was only chanting about going home from work.

Catherine, who thought it would be the same business trip as always, heard words that struck like a bolt from the blue.

A researcher from the same department came running.

“Senior, we have a big problem!”

“What’s wrong?”

“The energy surrounding Monster Mountain this time is unusual! So instead of royal knights, we need outside help…”

“Outside help, you mean like last time…”

Catherine’s face turned pale.

Fear also filled Oliver’s eyes, which had been completely empty.

Behind Evelyn, who wore a puzzled expression, heavy footsteps could be heard.

Knights in armor came rushing in. There seemed to be about five or six of them in total.

What was distinctive was the man leading them.

His tall stature and large build that required looking up, along with his natural intimidating presence, captured attention.

Cold eyes beneath fine black hair contrasted with smooth lips.

Purple eyes added an air of mystery.

“…”

For the first time, she could understand the phrase about falling helplessly.

Evelyn, who had never had an ideal type, developed her first preference in men.

‘Mother…!’

I’m in big trouble! You were right!

It was a fascinating and unfamiliar emotion.

His beauty was so satisfying that just looking at him was enough.

Moreover, the man was meeting Evelyn’s eyes without avoiding them.

“A new face, I see.”

He spoke to Evelyn, who was standing in front of him.

“Hello.”

After that, his eyes curved beautifully.

At his radiant smile, Evelyn’s body froze completely.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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