That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 119

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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 119

The Emperor was visibly shaken, his breathing ragged and uneven.
Princess Rosina eventually withdrew from him and commanded the Imperial Physician to examine him.
After the Imperial Physician finished his inspection, he addressed everyone present.
“His Majesty is in a state of considerable shock. He should recover once he calms down.”
Hearing that there was no serious physical injury, the Princess exhaled in relief.
“What on earth happened? Duke Ashford, please explain.”
Theo looked toward the Emperor instead of answering. The Emperor shook his head as if to say nothing should be said.
“…Princess, you should withdraw.”
“Now that I look at you, Your Majesty’s complexion seems troubled. Did something unfortunate occur while I was away from the Empire?”
After conducting the Empress’s funeral, the Princess had immediately left to study abroad. It was the Emperor’s decision—he could not leave his daughter in such a gloomy environment.
“I wish to rest. It would be better to exchange greetings later.”
A Servant cautiously approached the Princess, gesturing to escort her outside.
The Princess pretended to comply before suddenly rushing toward the Table.
“Princess…!”
She quickly read through the evidence that Evelyn and Theo had brought. The Servant dared not lay hands on the Princess, and the Emperor could only watch her helplessly. Theo made no move to stop her.
The Princess’s eyes widened as she reviewed the contents. Her hands trembled with fury as she gripped the papers.
“Sarun flowers and hallucinogenic herbs…? The Envoy brainwashed Your Majesty and made you see illusions?”
“Indeed. Moreover, he set fires throughout the Empire and sacrificed innocent citizens as offerings.”
“Good heavens, how could he…!”
The Emperor barely managed to speak.
“No, that cannot be. The Empress I saw was real…”
Theo answered at the Princess’s confused expression.
“It appears the Envoy used the hallucinogenic herbs to show Your Majesty a phantom of the Empress.”
“That mad Envoy…!”
Curses spilled from the Princess’s lips. She seemed to have acquired quite a vocabulary during her time abroad.
“I understood that Your Majesty missed the Empress deeply. Your bond was always so strong. But to exploit that…”
The Princess could not contain her rage at the fact that her family had been manipulated.
Theo addressed the Emperor.
“The Envoy has been trafficking in Sarun flowers and hallucinogenic herbs through Oben Territory. We must investigate this and eliminate the source.”
“Is that why you came…”
The Emperor pressed his hand to his forehead. The headache still had not subsided.
“Do not slander the Envoy. What he showed me was the truth.”
“Father!”
Forgetting that the Princess was watching, I called out to the Emperor without formality and sat beside him, grasping his hand firmly.
“All the evidence is right here. Why won’t you believe it? Have you already been brainwashed?”
“….”
When the Emperor averted his gaze, the Princess called out to him again.
“…Mother wouldn’t want this.”
Her clear voice persuaded the Emperor.
“Both of you worked tirelessly for the Empire day and night. Mother was so proud of Father for caring for the people of the Empire.”
The Emperor’s gaze returned to the Princess.
Her confident tone, her eyes gleaming with intelligence, even the way she discussed matters of state.
His daughter’s appearance overlapped with the Empress in his mind.
The Princess he was seeing after so many years resembled the Empress even more.

‘Let us build the Empire together.’

He remembered the Empress saying that to him one day—the woman who had stolen his heart so completely.
As Evelyn had said, the Princess was his future.
“Father, you are an excellent husband and a good father.”
The Princess caressed his cheek.
“But before that, you are the Emperor of the Solaris Empire. I am proud of such a father.”
The Emperor gazed quietly at his daughter. His eyes had grown moist without him noticing.
After some time had passed, the Emperor finally spoke, breaking the long silence.
“…Only this once.”
He looked toward Theo.
“I will permit an investigation of Oben Territory.”
“I am grateful for your permission.”
Theo and Evelyn bowed respectfully in gratitude.
“However, if all of this proves to be false, the Duke will bear that responsibility.”
“I understand.”
The Emperor, with a weakened hand, wrote out a document permitting the investigation of Oben Territory.
Theo and Evelyn, having received the document, left the Reception Room.
Even after the door closed, the Emperor remained slumped in his chair, vacant.
The Princess’s heart ached painfully. The Emperor had insisted she focus on her studies and forbidden her from entering the Empire until she completed her education.
The letters they exchanged frequently had been filled with cheerful content, so she could never have imagined the Emperor in such a broken state.
How dare they exploit the grief of losing family, how dare they touch the Emperor of the Empire….
The Princess had grown considerably during this time, and she had become that much stronger.
A fierce resolve burned within her—she would not let the Envoy go unpunished.
She offered the Emperor a gentle smile and spoke.
“Father, shall we have tea together after all this time?”
“Princess, I am sorry for showing you such a pathetic side of myself.”
“Please don’t apologize. I’ll tell you how I’ve been all this time. And let us cherish memories of Mother together.”
The Princess smiled warmly at him, reassuring the Emperor that everything was fine.

* * *

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Theo and I made our way to the Duke’s Mansion.
Robert showed no surprise at our sudden arrival.
The Manor remained immaculately maintained, thanks to the capable butler.
“Has anything happened?”
“No, sir. Nothing unusual, except that Julian has become somewhat busier.”
“Then all is well.”
Julian seemed to be of no concern to anyone.
“Have you been well, Robert?”
When I greeted him warmly, Robert broke into a broad smile.
“Yes, miss. Have you been in good health? The Chef has missed you terribly.”
“I’ve missed the Chef’s skills as well.”
“Have you had breakfast?”
“Not yet.”
Robert was greatly startled by my response.
“That simply won’t do! Perhaps it would be acceptable for the master, but for you, miss…!”
With that, he hurried off to summon the Chef.
I felt embarrassed. When had I become someone for whom going hungry at the Duke’s Mansion was unacceptable?
Before long, Robert guided us to the Dining Room.
The Chef, delighted at news of my return, filled the table with an abundance of dishes.
Of course, they were all prepared to suit my tastes.
“It’s still delicious.”
“Good. We’ll be spending a long time together from now on.”
“The proposal feels natural now.”
“And you’re no longer embarrassed about it.”
I burst into laughter. Now, a future with Theo felt inevitable and certain.
I paused mid-meal and lifted my gaze, surveying the Dining Room.
“What are you doing?”
At Theo’s question, I answered matter-of-factly.
“Getting familiar with it beforehand. I’ll be here for a long time.”
When I turned his own words back on him, Theo laughed with genuine pleasure.
“Shall we take a walk in the Garden once you’ve finished eating?”
At his suggestion of a stroll together after so long, I replied.
“I’d like that. But let’s go to the Courtyard instead.”
“The Courtyard?”
“The Ashford Knight Order is training right now. I’d like to see everyone after all this time.”
“True, I should inspect the Knights anyway.”
Theo filled her empty cup with water.
Moments later, someone cried out upon seeing the two visitors arrive at the Training Ground.
“Huh? Wha—!”
Victor’s voice was unmistakable. He dropped his wooden sword and rushed toward Theo and Evelyn, then abruptly stopped.
What’s wrong with him?
Evelyn regarded him with bewilderment, but Victor spun around and bolted in the opposite direction.
His hasty retreat left her perplexed. In the meantime, Whittaker approached and offered a respectful greeting, then reported on the recent activities of the Knight Order.
“You seem to be in excellent spirits. Has something pleasant occurred?”
When Evelyn asked Whittaker, he responded with a broad smile.
“Yes, because Vanessa is away.”
….
Before I could formulate a response, Victor mercifully returned.
He shyly offered her a knitted rabbit doll.
“Since you seemed to enjoy it last time….”
“Oh my, how adorable!”
Evelyn marveled at Victor’s remarkable craftsmanship.
Now at the Duke’s Mansion, Evelyn appeared far more at ease. Theo gazed upon her with quiet satisfaction.

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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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