That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 113

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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 113

At Julian’s outcry, Evelyn quickly shook her head.
“J-Julian! This is a misunderstanding…!”
“There’s no point explaining from that position!”
Both Evelyn and Julian’s faces flushed crimson with embarrassment.
Only Theo remained composed.
“You should have knocked before entering.”
“The door would have been properly closed if it had been!”
Julian sighed heavily.
“Will you continue like this?”
Only then did Evelyn rise to her feet. She had been conversing with him in an embarrassingly compromising position.
“In any case, I hope this doesn’t happen again.”
Julian spoke firmly to Evelyn. She felt even more wronged.
“But that’s not what happened…!”
“Fine, just do it when you’re alone.”
What on earth was he saying!
At Theo’s words, Evelyn’s expression turned incredulous, though he seemed entirely unbothered.
“So, what was your reason for summoning me?”
True to his nature of despising wasted time, Julian quickly demanded the main point.
“Last time, you mentioned managing the merchant guilds belonging to House Ashford, didn’t you?”
As Theo spoke, a serious atmosphere enveloped them.
Without giving Evelyn a chance to explain herself.
“Yes, there are no major issues, but there are minor mistakes here and there. I’m going through them one by one to correct them.”
Julian was excessively meticulous and precise.
Whenever he visited the Estate, more than a few people’s expressions darkened.
“Are the merchant guild management and transactions lacking? It seems Jayden, the assistant, isn’t himself these days either.”
“There are minor expenditures. Sometimes we import products that aren’t strictly necessary.”
“Why?”
“Likely they’re bringing in new goods to test them out, and if they work well, they plan to establish trade agreements.”
As with all large noble houses, House of Ashford had multiple assistants.
The Estate had assistants in administration, commerce, and land management respectively, and they regularly submitted reports to the Capital Duke’s Residence.
Julian, including himself, oversaw all general affairs of House Ashford. He essentially served as the chief assistant.
“Will you be tearing through the merchant guilds again today?”
“I’m not tearing through them. I’m correcting them.”
“Then go with Jayden.”
“Is it because he manages the trading company? That’s unnecessary. I’m perfectly capable of handling it alone….”
“Investigate him discreetly. Look into everything, including those unexpected imports I mentioned earlier.”
Julian fell silent at those words.
He’d grasped that this was no ordinary matter.
“…Are you asking me to inquire about the source and nature of the goods? Please be more specific.”
“Lionel has hidden spies everywhere, and I suspect several people. Jayden is among them.”
Only then did Julian fully comprehend the situation.
“He does procure magitech devices that Donovan requires.”
By observing what Donovan requested, one might have deduced that he was researching consciousness stones.
“There are many suspicious individuals. But among them, Jayden has the easiest access to the Temple.”
“Through trade, he could establish communication networks with other nations.”
Theo continued speaking.
“Spend time with him and dig into everything. I’ll assign a Knight to follow you in secret—if the situation becomes urgent, request assistance.”
“You’re telling me to follow him openly?”
“Given your nature, he won’t find it strange. You’re already persistently bothersome as it is.”
“So that’s why you summoned me?”
Theo nodded. It was an instruction to investigate while finding fault with everything.
This was work only Julian could accomplish.
“Understood. I’ll handle both the trading company management and the task you’ve assigned simultaneously.”
Julian showed no displeasure at Theo’s words. He seemed satisfied at the prospect of working meticulously.
“Since the Duke has approved it, there will be no restrictions whatsoever.”
Evelyn gazed at him with genuine admiration.
‘He truly has not a shred of attachment to human relationships.’
His disregard for others’ feelings and his tendency to pry into everything was, in a way, admirable.
Of course, I had no desire to emulate him.
“I’ve summoned Jayden. He should arrive shortly.”
“We can depart together then? That’s efficient.”
Not long after, a knock sounded from beyond the Reception Room door.
“Duke, it’s Jayden, your aide.”
His voice carried the tension of meeting with a superior.
At Theo’s permission, Jayden opened the door and entered. The middle-aged man with brown hair held neatly organized documents in one arm.
Papers were arranged orderly in the crook of his arm.
“W-why is Aide Julian here….”
Upon seeing Julian, his complexion drained of all color. His expression screamed that he wanted no involvement whatsoever.
“Sit.”
Following Theo’s command, Jayden, who had been glancing uncertainly at the sofas, reluctantly took a seat beside Julian.
“Julian has been meddling in trading company management lately—you must be exhausted.”
With a desperate, pleading look, Jayden barely managed to speak.
“…No, sir. I’ve been receiving considerable assistance.”
“Is that so? Julian does handle his work well.”
Theo smiled gently.
“It would be even better if you worked together. I’ll assign Julian to you, so cooperate with him for today.”
“Pardon? I thought you summoned me to receive a report on the merchant guild’s affairs…?”
Jayden hastily thrust the documents he’d brought forward, a silent plea that he’d rather deal with the Duke instead.
“That’s not it. It’s not even a regular report day.”
Theo spoke to Julian.
“Do your best to assist Jayden.”
“Understood. I will do my utmost.”
Work even harder than this…?
Jayden’s eyes began to glisten with moisture.
As Theo gestured toward the door, telling him to leave, Jayden rose with a heavy body.
Julian dragged him out, his face full of reluctance as he kept glancing back.
Evelyn watched his shoulders sag in defeat. How exactly did Julian manage to capture people like this?
I was grateful he wasn’t my superior.

* * *

Meanwhile, Helena was conducting an investigation with Donovan under the Duke’s orders.
The two of them held a private meeting at the Magitech Research Institute.
“It’s a magic circle that can reflect any magic spell, no matter how powerful.”
She showed Donovan a piece of paper with intricate patterns drawn on it.
“Among these, only soul separation magic will redirect back to the caster. The rest will scatter and dissipate.”
“You’ve worked hard researching this.”
Helena’s lips curved upward at Donovan’s praise.
“The more firmly a magic circle is engraved, the more power it exerts. We’ll place deeply carved magical artifacts in the Eastern Forest and the Northern Tomb.”
Helena’s expression darkened at those words.
“Which direction will they come from… East or North?”
“Does it pain your heart? Having to suspect the mages?”
The mages belonging to House Ashford were like family to Helena.
Every day, she desperately hoped that none of them harbored a hidden spy.
“It seems the Duke is keeping a close watch on Jayden, the assistant administrator.”
“The one who manages the merchant guild?”
“Yes, contact with the Holy Kingdom would be easiest through him.”
“I don’t understand.”
Helena sighed.
She didn’t know who it was, but it was lamentable why anyone would betray Duke Ashford.
Then Donovan spoke in a solemn voice.
“Helena, as you live, truly many things happen. No one can ever know another person’s heart.”
“….”
“The Duke is a strong man. Haven’t we both witnessed it?”
Helena nodded.
After the Previous Duke passed away so suddenly, all the people of the Estate wailed in grief.
Yet only one person—the current head of House Ashford—remained steadfast at his post.
“All we can do for him is simply be by his side.”
“…I see.”
If someone departed, one could fill that emptiness by standing with them.
Helena smiled.
“I understand what you mean. I was being too whiny.”
“I know you were.”
At Donovan’s gentle rebuke, she burst into laughter.

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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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