That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 14
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
That’s not what kissing means!
Episode 14
‘Once you set a goal… follow it to hell…?’
According to Catherine’s words, didn’t that mean she could end up becoming a monster too?
She could already picture her future self being caught by the Duke and crying ‘Oooh-kiki!’
Evelyn gasped at the horrifying thought.
No, that can’t be!
She let out a hollow laugh, saying it was ridiculous.
Yet anxiety was slowly creeping up when it happened.
The carriage stopped at the Imperial Palace Gate.
From here, they had to walk to the research institute.
“Let’s report quickly and get off work!”
“Yes, Chief.”
The two hurriedly entered the History Research Institute.
Their fellow researchers welcomed them, asking how their trip went.
Unlike her troubled mind, the workplace was peaceful.
The next day and the day after were the same.
Contrary to her worries, it was a series of calm days.
Evelyn was able to sort out her thoughts during this time.
After reflecting on her encounter with the Duke countless times—
She admitted it.
That she had feelings for Duke Ashford.
If they had been in similar circumstances, she might have wanted a deeper relationship.
The alcohol had stirred up passionate emotions, and the moment their lips met was also enchanting.
But it wasn’t deep enough to overcome the scrutiny surrounding a newcomer, the vast difference in status, and even his reputation.
Once she reached this conclusion, her mind felt at ease.
Seeing that there was no contact from him, the Duke surely felt the same way.
“Good morning, have a great day!”
Today too, Evelyn started her day refreshed.
It was the same peaceful routine as always.
Occasionally Oliver would visit and throw out strange words like ‘Why are you… never mind,’ but she brushed it off lightly.
As Evelyn was greeting everyone good morning, Paul approached her.
He was Evelyn’s only fellow new hire.
“Your fortune today is amazing!”
Paul excitedly held out tarot cards.
It was a card with a man hanging upside down.
“What’s so special about this?”
At Evelyn’s question, he explained as if he’d been waiting for it.
“Something big is going to happen! Something that will turn your daily life upside down!”
Evelyn calmly said to her excited colleague.
“What about your fortune? How are things going with the Imperial Palace librarian?”
At those words, Paul became dejected.
It seemed things weren’t going well with the librarian he had a crush on.
Leaving the dispirited him alone, Evelyn sat at her desk.
As always, it was a neat space with only necessary items in place.
The arrangement of items was consistent, and her assigned tasks wouldn’t change either.
Just like her daily routine.
Then, someone opened the door to the History Research Institute and walked in with large strides.
A flustered researcher stopped him.
“Who are you? You can’t just come in here…”
“I’m allowed to.”
It was a calm voice without inflection. Unlike the object he was carrying.
Evelyn assumed a visitor had come and paid no attention.
She simply focused on her work.
However, the cold-looking man glanced around and asked.
“Who is researcher Evelyn Hart?”
At the unexpected call of her name, Evelyn looked up.
The man sighed with a slightly annoyed expression, then immediately smiled brightly.
Evelyn blinked at the instant change.
Then she blankly raised one hand.
“There you are.”
He was a man with dark green hair and sharp features.
He set down the heavy object he’d been carrying from his arms.
Thud—
Evelyn’s desk resonated lowly.
The empty space was filled with an enormous flower basket.
Fragrance spread throughout the previously empty desk.
“What is this…?”
She asked, looking at the pile of white flowers.
The man didn’t answer. He nodded lightly and left.
He looked like he wanted to get away quickly.
After a while, the researchers slowly approached Evelyn.
“Evelyn, did this come for you?”
“Who sent it? Family? A boyfriend?”
Paul, sitting next to her, giggled and clapped as if it were his own business.
At that moment, Catherine spoke in a stern voice.
“Everyone get back to work.”
The researchers had to return to their places.
The most confused was Evelyn.
Because it was so sudden.
She looked at the pile of flowers, not knowing what to do.
The basket was full of white hydrangeas.
Though there was no letter or message, she could tell.
That Duke Ashford had sent it.
His confession at the restaurant came back vividly.
He had looked at the hydrangeas on the table and said.
‘You must endlessly persevere until flowers bloom fully.’
‘Yet the reason I continue to seek flowers is to capture this very moment.’
‘I’ll never forget today for the rest of my life. The moment you came to save me.’
Evelyn could understand the meaning of the gift.
The Duke was clearly conveying.
That he still remembered her.
* * *
“Do I really have to run errands like this?”
Julian grumbled to Theo with a face full of complaints.
He was the second son of Count Cox’s family, vassals of House Ashford, and served as Theo’s aide.
Theo, sitting at his office desk, showed no reaction to his irritation.
He only gently caressed the flower petals in the vase.
Today too, the flowers were fresh. The Duke kept flowers unusually close to him.
Though he didn’t seem to have any particular affection for them.
Unable to bear it any longer, Julian shouted again.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“How is Evelyn?”
As expected, he wasn’t listening.
Julian let out a sigh.
“She looked surprised. Her face showed she hadn’t expected a gift at all.”
“Even if she doesn’t know about flowers, I’d like her to at least think of me.”
At those words, Julian furrowed his brow.
What on earth had happened in the North to change him like this?
When he asked the knights, not one of them knew.
He swallowed his pride and asked Vanessa, but she only laughed with a “ho ho-“.
That woman was truly disagreeable. He couldn’t stand Vanessa’s type.
Someone who took everything lightly and acted carelessly…
He spoke firmly to Theo.
“Anyway, get someone else to do this kind of thing. I have absolutely no intention of getting involved in Your Grace’s romantic affairs from now on.”
“Next time I’ll have a letter to deliver too, so keep that in mind.”
As usual, Theo paid no attention to Julian’s words.
“Why does it have to be me?”
“Not just anyone can enter the Imperial Research Institute.”
Julian’s father, Count Cox, served as president of the Imperial Historical Research Society. Thanks to that, he too could gain entry through his family’s influence.
“You could go yourself, couldn’t you?”
To the implication that his status would certainly make it possible, Theo replied.
“I heard it’s proper etiquette to contact a lady beforehand.”
“What kind of grand announcement is that? No, more importantly, who are you having such conversations with!”
“…”
Though no answer came, he could tell immediately.
“Vanessa, that knight?”
She was the only one around the Duke who never stopped having romantic affairs.
“What do you expect to accomplish by taking advice from Vanessa? I’d rather…!”
“Julian.”
“Yes!”
“How much experience do you have with romance?”
“…”
Julian had spent his entire life buried in study and work.
He couldn’t bring himself to argue against the implication that if he didn’t know, he should stay quiet.
He decided to change the subject.
“About the pendant you brought from the North.”
“Right, the item we turned over to the Imperial Palace.”
“It doesn’t seem to be an ordinary object. I hear the clerics have joined the palace mages in studying it.”
The pendant he and Evelyn had found was reported as soon as they returned to the Capital.
The strange circumstances that had occurred were also reported.
The devoutly religious Emperor showed great interest and ordered a detailed investigation, thinking it might be a holy relic.
Because of this, Julian’s trips to the Imperial Palace became frequent.
“Particularly the stone embedded in the center seems to be the subject of research.”
“I see, tell them to handle it as they see fit.”
“They say they need Your Grace’s help.”
“What more do they want me to do?”
Theo wore a bored expression, as if he was getting annoyed.
“Apparently it’s definitely formed by two parts joined together, but they won’t separate. However, you said the two parts rotated in opposite directions.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Could you tell me in more detail how you acted at that time…”
“Including what happened before that?”
Theo thought for a moment, then began to speak.
Julian carefully wrote down his words, not wanting to miss anything.
About what happened that day when they first discovered the pendant.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
