That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 109

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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 109

Vanessa spoke with barely suppressed laughter.
“You’ll be staying for a few days, won’t you? Once you see it, you’ll understand right away.”
At that, Julian’s eyes narrowed as he glanced toward Evelyn.
What… what is he looking at me for?
Evelyn asked, flustered.
“Is there something you wanted to say…?”
“No.”
He turned his head sharply and headed toward the Duke’s Mansion, clearly displeased about something.
Vanessa smirked at Julian with an amused expression.
“He’s so cute.”
“What’s going on? Did Theo start a new venture?”
“Not exactly… ah, I suppose I can tell you now. It’s our Lord’s romantic endeavor.”
At the words “romantic endeavor,” Evelyn’s eyes widened.
“W-what kind of endeavor?”
“Our Lord has been fond of you for quite some time, Miss Evelyn. So we’ve all been thinking hard about how to help him.”
Since when have you known?
Evelyn’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
Vanessa laughed softly as she watched her.
“How could we not notice? You’re the first woman our Lord has ever shown interest in and cared for so attentively.”
“But that was only proper hospitality…”
“That was just an excuse. Even you came to suspect something was odd about it later, didn’t you?”
Evelyn nodded.
Wait, does that mean…?
“Don’t tell me Julian also helped with Theo’s romantic pursuit?”
I couldn’t recall anything he had done at all.
“Of course!”
Vanessa declared confidently.
“I told him to follow my instructions and stay quiet about everything else!”
“I see…”
Now I understood why Julian seemed so displeased.
‘They really don’t get along…’
It was a one-sided relationship where only one person was frustrated.

* * *

Early that morning, when Julian arrived at Theo’s office, Theo invited him to share a meal.
“That’s not necessary.”
“Still the same, I see.”
Julian was remarkably thoughtful and prone to worry. His mind churned constantly throughout the day, leaving him frequently afflicted with indigestion, and he often skipped breakfast altogether.
“Put your mind at ease. Everything will proceed smoothly.”
“My only concern is anything related to Duke Ashford.”
“Are you confessing something to me?”
At the light jest, Julian’s face crumpled visibly.
Theo continued without hesitation.
“Give it up. I already harbor feelings for another.”
“….”
Truly unbearable.
It was the harshest rebuke Julian could muster. He simply lacked the temperament for crude profanity.
Of course, even this escaped only as an internal thought.
Just then, a knock sounded from beyond the door.
“Come in.”
A noticeably brightened expression and a gentle voice directed outward.
As expected, the one knocking was Evelyn.
“Julian mentioned he had something to tell both you and me.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
He opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“I’ve completed my investigation into the flower you entrusted me with. Or rather, I should call it a poison flower.”
At last, I had uncovered the truth about the Grand Cleric’s crimson bloom.
Theo had Julian sit on the office sofa, then settled himself beside Evelyn.
Julian’s explanation continued.
“It’s a Sarun flower used in ancient dark sorcery. Originally, it was said to be pure white. However, when the person cultivating it feeds the flower their own blood, the petals gradually turn crimson.”
Evelyn recalled the crimson flower once more.
‘Indeed… the red petals weren’t vivid—they looked as though stained with blood.’
He continued his explanation.
“When the Sarun flower cultivated this way is consumed as tea or its fragrance is inhaled over a prolonged period, a person’s mind gradually becomes clouded. Thoughts no longer flow clearly, inexplicable fatigue accumulates, and naturally, the person becomes dependent on whoever cultivated the flower.”
As thought itself became paralyzed and anxiety ceased to register, people mistook this numbness for tranquility.
“It’s not a potent toxin that controls someone immediately. Rather, it slowly, ever so gradually, erodes their reason. In summary, it’s a poison flower that weakens the human spirit and induces obedience.”
“Why would such a flower be in circulation?”
In response to Theo’s question, Julian answered.
“Due to its extreme danger, it was completely eradicated across the entire continent long ago.”
“Which means….”
At Evelyn’s concerned tone, he nodded.
“It’s not in circulation. Someone has apparently redeveloped this extinct species.”
“Just like the ritual circle.”
The Envoy had devoted himself to collecting lost documents and restoring them—both the ritual circle and the Saron flowers alike.
“Is there any possibility of developing an antidote?”
When Evelyn posed the question, Julian’s expression grew troubled.
“First, we must sever all contact with the flowers—for a duration exceeding the period of addiction itself. After that, we would need to employ purification magic to detoxify, but….”
“It’s not simple, then.”
“No. It will require considerable time and resources.”
“We must unravel this dark magic as soon as possible. So that those who suffered can know the truth.”
At those words, Theo spoke.
“We should address the one closest to us first.”
His thoughts turned to the Emperor—the highest authority in the Empire, who had been brainwashed by the Envoy for so long.
It was time to tell him the truth.
“…He will grieve deeply.”
Evelyn exhaled softly.
The poignant desperation of a man who wished to keep his beloved wife at his side, even if it meant believing an illusion, tugged at her heart.
But he was the Emperor of the Empire.
For the sake of his people, he had to sever this foolish attachment.
Theo turned to Julian with a question.
“Have you found the source of the Saron flowers? Who developed them?”
“It doesn’t appear to have been created within the Empire. However, when we investigated the merchant vessels, we discovered traces of the Saron flowers being smuggled in covertly. Due to the hasty infiltration, we couldn’t conduct a thorough investigation.”
“That explains why it took so long.”
Since it hadn’t been created within the Empire, the investigation had to extend elsewhere.
Julian hadn’t reported to his superiors until he was certain. But investigating the merchant vessels required the Duke’s authority.
“I’ll need to meet with His Majesty the Emperor soon.”
The Envoy would make contact with the Emperor before long, attempting to persuade him not to trust Duke Ashford.
Julian withdrew a glass vial from his document case. Inside the small bottle lay several black seeds.
“These are Saron flower seeds I extracted while investigating the merchant vessels.”
“Julian, that’s unexpected….”
Evelyn regarded him with curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t think you would do something like secretly taking things.”
Julian’s expression turned puzzled.
“If I lived with such scruples, I couldn’t do this work. And I have a principle: evil must be corrected by any means necessary.”
“Oh….”
She had discovered a new side of Julian. She’d thought him rigidly principled, yet in certain respects, he was flexible.
He spoke to them both.
“I’ve come to deliver these so that the mages of Ashford can research them.”
He had traveled all the way to the Estate to deliver the seeds—Evelyn marveled at his sense of duty.
Thud!
Julian withdrew a stack of papers from his document case and placed them on the table.
It was a considerable amount at first glance.
‘If I play my cards right, I could even use this as a weapon.’
As Evelyn drew a breath, Theo spoke up beside her.
“I think this was the original purpose. Wasn’t it?”
“It serves double duty.”
While Theo was in the Holy Kingdom, Julian had handled much of the Duke’s work in his stead.
However, there were matters even an acting advisor couldn’t resolve, and he had carefully gathered them to bring to the Estate.
“Once you’ve processed all the documents, I’ll return to the Capital.”
“Yes, since you’ve come all this way after so long, rest comfortably.”
“I intend to meet with the merchants who conduct business with Ashford Estate. I receive reports, but I prefer to verify things with my own eyes from time to time for peace of mind.”
“Why don’t you just inherit the dukedom?”
“I’ll take my leave now. I’m pressed for time.”
Julian checked his pocket watch and rose from his seat.
Though he had met Theo after so long, he had simply said what he needed to say and left without ceremony.

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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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