That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 105

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. 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 105

The Envoy must have been doubting the third prophecy.
The false prophecy they had fabricated to deceive him.
To make him believe it, they needed to stage the situation convincingly.
Theo gazed at Helena.
“As I mentioned, there’s considerable dark magic woven into the ritual circle. It even contains symbols representing the god of death. Can you neutralize it?”
No one must ever use that ritual circle again.
“The magical formation is far too potent to dispel immediately. It’s also ancient magic that’s no longer in use.”
Her expression grew resolute.
“However, House Ashford possesses countless ancient texts. I’ll search for a method. The problem is….”
Evelyn immediately grasped what she left unsaid.
“I’ll handle the interpretation of ancient grimoires and theological texts. I’m fluent in ancient languages.”
Helena’s expression brightened at those words.
Theo spoke to Donovan.
“Support Helena, and if she needs any magitech tools, have them crafted.”
“Understood.”
“I don’t know what the Envoy might attempt next. But you won’t suffer any harm from it.”
“I’ll inform the villagers.”
As the meeting concluded, Donovan and Helena rose from their seats.
They immediately departed to carry out their orders.
A quiet voice reached Evelyn, who remained behind.
“The village will become quite lively.”
“Is it because of the Envoy?”
“No, Helena has excellent rapport with people.”
When she made a confused expression, Theo continued his explanation.
“She’ll be gathering people and talking about you.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled softly.
“That Duke Ashford brought a woman with him.”
“Won’t they assume I came on official business?”
“They’ve witnessed far too much for that.”
Evelyn recalled the meeting they had just concluded.
Theo had sat beside Evelyn rather than at the head of the table. He refilled her empty teacup, brushed back her fallen hair….
‘Oh no… I was far too obvious about it!’
His considerate gestures had become so natural that she hadn’t noticed them.
Helena’s eyes must have gleamed even brighter as she watched Evelyn accept it so naturally.
“How embarrassing.”
“What is?”
“We made it far too obvious. That we’re lovers.”
“….”
Theo, whom I’d expected to laugh it off, fell silent.
When Evelyn regarded him with bewilderment, only then did he break into a radiant smile.
“I’m sorry. I’m simply too overjoyed to contain myself.”
Theo layered his hand over the back of Evelyn’s.
“Hearing the word ‘lover’ from your lips….”
Each time the solidified bond became tangible, elation surged through me.
Perhaps it was because I had yearned for it so desperately.
At his words, Evelyn’s ears flushed warm as well.
Yet she could not remain bashful forever. Theo and she were lovers, after all.
“I suppose I should grow accustomed to it now?”
She declared this with deliberate boldness—words directed as much at herself as at him.
“I’ll be quite busy from today onward. Don’t you think I should head to the Magitech Research Institute?”
She was eager to move forward and assist Helena’s research.
“It would be better to go in the afternoon. She’ll likely be preoccupied searching for necessary materials right now.”
At his suggestion to go a little later, Evelyn nodded in agreement.
Life in the Holy Kingdom was tedious—not only for Vanessa.
For far longer, I had endured the suffocating routine dressed in priestly vestments.
I was done being dragged about by Theo. I wanted to be useful through the ancient languages I loved.
“I’ll go after lunch.”
What should I do in the meantime?
Theo’s voice reached Evelyn as she pondered.
“I’ll give you a tour of the mansion.”

* * *

Before showing Evelyn around the castle, Theo asked her a question.
Was there anywhere in particular she was interested in seeing?
Ashford Castle overflowed with treasures passed down through generations—priceless artworks, jewels, ancient tomes, and countless rarities.
Evelyn answered without the slightest hesitation.
“The place where your most precious memories are kept.”
Theo’s eyes widened. A memory surfaced, and he spoke.
“There’s somewhere I haven’t been able to visit for a very long time.”
A smile crossed his face.
“But I think I can go there now. If you’re with me.”
Hand in hand, they left the office together.
Climbing the stairs to the third floor and walking through the corridor, Theo’s memories stirred to life.
“When I was young, I spent half the year at the Estate. There was a small library just for me.”
He continued.
“But it wasn’t really for reading—it was my playground. It was filled with games and toys rather than books.”
“Theo, so you actually enjoyed playing?”
“More than that, I think I loved spending time with my family. My parents would come here whenever they had a moment. They devoted all their leisure time to me.”
They reached the end of the third floor corridor.
“This is the first time I’ve come here since my parents passed away.”
Theo opened the double doors. A library revealed itself, immaculately maintained despite its emptiness.
Three walls were lined with bookshelves, their contents a treasury of toys and fairy tales.
A low desk scaled to a child’s height and a wooden rocking horse remained exactly as they had been, drawing Theo into contemplation.
It was as if time itself had bypassed this room alone.
Just then, Evelyn murmured as she surveyed the interior.
“You called this a small library…”
The word “small” hardly seemed fitting.
I should have known!
I realized once again that Theo’s sense of scale was vastly different from my own.
He must have grown up healthy and strong, running freely through such spacious surroundings.
“May I look around?”
“By all means.”
Evelyn examined the contents of the bookshelves. It was precisely the sort of place a child would find irresistible.
Then she discovered an elegant jewelry box that seemed out of place here. It was about the size of two palms pressed together.
“Does this belong to you as well?”
A fox was carved in relief upon the golden, gleaming surface of the box.
‘How unusual… was this specially commissioned?’
Typically, jewelry boxes bore floral patterns rather than animals.
Animals did appear occasionally, but they were usually majestic creatures like dragons or eagles.
A tender voice reached Evelyn as she gazed at the fox with fascination.
“That belonged to my mother.”
“Did the Duchess have a fondness for foxes?”
Theo shook his head at those words.
“Actually, you were quite fond of flowers. I’m curious what’s inside as well.”
“You don’t know either, Theo? I thought you’d surely know since it’s here.”
“He said it contained a treasure beyond compare. I tried to open it, but I failed.”
“Could it be something secretive?”
“No, rather he wanted me to open it. He said I should find the answer myself.”
But Young Theo quickly lost interest and went searching for another toy.
Seeing this, Evelyn’s curiosity was piqued as well.
She laughed playfully.
“Shall I try to solve it?”
“Please do. I’ll reward you generously.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise.”
She looked around the Library and found a long chair. It was sized for an adult.
“The Duke and Duchess must have sat here.”
“That’s right. They watched me play.”
Theo and Evelyn sat together on the chair.
A warm gaze fell upon her as she carefully examined the jewelry box.
It had been such a long time since I’d entered this place.
Had it not been for Evelyn, I likely would never have seen this sight again.
Even facing the buried memories head-on, my heart did not ache.
The reason was….
Theo looked at her with affectionate eyes.
“Any luck? Did you find the method?”
Evelyn answered with a thoughtful expression.
“There’s more than just the Fox, isn’t there?”
She showed him the bottom of the jewelry box.
Small bas-relief carvings of candy, eyes, and flowers were etched there.
Evelyn fell into thought as she examined the decorative patterns.
“Fox, fox….”
There must be some reason for it….
Evelyn recalled each moment with Theo one by one.
From when they first met to when she stayed at the Duke’s Mansion, and….
Then, her eyes sparkled.
If it’s the Fox, there’s only one possibility!
“I think I know the answer!”
She exclaimed brightly.
“Prepare a generous reward.”
Evelyn pressed firmly on the candy pattern located at the bottom of the jewelry box.

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