That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 17

—————
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 17

At the same time, the research institute staff focused their attention on one particular place.

Their reactions were divided into two main types.

Either hurriedly moving out of the way, or freezing in place with their mouths agape.

The man paid no mind to the pouring gazes and headed toward his destination.

His unhesitating steps and blazingly vivid purple eyes overwhelmed his surroundings.

Oliver, who had been running errands with documents, spotted him as soon as he turned the corner of the corridor.

“D-Duke Ashford…!”

Then, forgetting all about his work, he ran back to the Ancient Language Interpretation Department.

Opening the door, he rushed straight to Evelyn’s seat.

He said breathlessly:

“The Duke is here…! He came to see you!”

Evelyn’s eyes widened.

She didn’t even have time to think about what Oliver knew and why he was worried about her.

“Wh-where is he now…?”

“He’ll arrive soon! His steps are incredibly fast too!”

At those words, Evelyn shot up from her seat.

When Oliver, who usually walked around the research institute with dead eyes, raised his voice, the researchers also glanced over here.

“I don’t know, just hide for now!”

At her senior’s words, Evelyn wandered around the interior frantically.

There was no way there would be a place to hide in the small research room.

Just then, she heard stirring sounds from outside the door.

She threw herself behind the large bookshelf that was immediately visible.

Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst.

She had wanted to meet the Duke, but absolutely not at her workplace.

As Evelyn tried to steady her breathing, one of the researchers next to the bookshelf spoke to her.

“What’s going on?”

Just as she was about to answer, the research room door opened.

The interior was enveloped in enormous silence.

“Welcome, Duke Ashford.”

Only Oliver managed to greet him with difficulty.

But even he seemed just as tense, as his voice was trembling slightly.

Unfortunately, Catherine was away from her desk on business at this time.

“What brings you here…?”

“My heart is aching, you see.”

The unexpected answer made Oliver’s mind go blank.

“This isn’t a hospital…”

“My doctor told me so. Finding the cause is the top priority for any illness.”

In other words, they were here. The person who had hurt him.

He didn’t know what had happened, but he knew who was involved.

Oliver desperately tried to protect the newcomer.

“I think you’ve come to the wrong place.”

“No, I came to the right place.”

Theo’s purple gaze turned toward one particular spot.

It was the bookshelf where Evelyn was hiding.

How on earth does he know!

Oliver was beside himself with worry.

The Duke smiled leisurely and opened his mouth.

“I simply want to know.”

Evelyn steadied her breathing.

What exactly had he come to confront her about?

Running away to the capital after kissing?

Standing him up all this time?

Daring to ignore a high-ranking noble?

‘There’s so much to be confronted about…’

Should she beg for forgiveness right now…?

‘Please just go back for now…’

She didn’t want to receive this kind of attention from her fellow researchers.

Then, Theo’s words continued.

“What could have disappointed you so.”

Evelyn doubted her own ears.

He wasn’t angry but blaming himself instead?

The Duke continued to speak, as if he knew Evelyn was listening.

“Whatever it is, I’ll listen carefully. I’ll engrave it in my heart.”

The voice echoing through the interior was sorrowful.

Evelyn unconsciously turned around.

She looked at him through the gaps between the books.

His gaze, without even a trace of resentment, was conveyed directly to her.

She lowered her head.

Why was the Duke going this far for her?

Just as pitiful emotions were washing over her.

“So tell me, Evelyn.”

Theo opened his mouth again.

“The reason you abandoned me.”

The tender feelings disappeared in an instant.

‘What the hell is that crazy man talking about!’

Everyone sitting there held their breath at his sorrowful voice.

This was Duke Ashford, who had no interest in the opposite sex, let alone humans in general.

But his current appearance was that of a man frustrated by unrequited love.

Everyone glanced toward the back of the bookshelf where Evelyn was hiding.

Theo could instinctively tell. That the woman he had dreamed of so much was there.

He had made up his mind the moment he secretly overheard Evelyn’s words in the garden.

He would throw his own heart out there to give her certainty.

But even at the Duke’s words, Evelyn didn’t come out easily.

Why won’t she come out? Surely she has feelings for me…

Suddenly Vanessa’s words came to mind. His eyes widened as if he had realized something.

“Don’t tell me, you only wanted my body from the beginning…!”

This won’t do! He’s crazier than I thought!

Evelyn, who had been hiding, hurriedly revealed herself from behind the bookshelf.

If she stayed like this, an even bigger rumor would surely spread.

She made a tearful face at the thought that all the time she had spent trying to sort out her feelings for him had gone down the drain.

When she came running toward him, Theo’s eyes curved gently as if nothing had happened.

The playful look in his eyes disappeared instantly. Only the wronged man remained.

Evelyn whispered urgently, trying to cover his mouth.

“Why are you doing this, really! Coming all the way here…!”

“It’s fine, it’s common for a man to cling to the woman he likes.”

“Even if that’s the situation, you should choose the right place!”

What am I going to do now!

Even if she tried to salvage the situation, it was already too late.

Her superiors were glancing over here with fearful yet curious eyes at Duke Ashford’s appearance.

Theo answered with a truly pitiful expression.

“So you want me to just stay still? When you’ve been avoiding me for two whole weeks?”

“Th-that’s…”

“I really… that night, I gave you my everything…”

Theo placed his hand on his own chest.

Anyone watching would misunderstand that something tremendous had happened.

The researchers were all pretending to focus on their work while eagerly listening.

They exchanged glances with colleagues nearby, concentrating on the Duke’s every word.

An incredible topic of conversation had emerged in the usually quiet research institute.

Evelyn, who had instantly become trash for making a man cry and running away, looked around frantically.

“Let’s go outside and talk, please!”

“Now you’re finally making sense.”

Theo smiled brightly and took Evelyn’s hand.

For having put her in such a difficult position, it was quite an affectionate touch.

Theo hummed a tune, saying it had been so long since they had time alone together.

The small warmth he touched after so long transmitted through his skin.

Only Evelyn was suffering.

‘What am I supposed to say to my seniors later… No, more importantly…!’

Why did you come looking for me in the first place!

What should I do, what should I do…

It was terribly awkward and insanely uncomfortable.

She had to get out of this place first.

Meanwhile, the interior of the research institute was enveloped in silence.

Even long after the two had disappeared, everyone just stood there in a daze.

It was Catherine who broke the quiet.

Having just entered the research lab, she recounted what she had seen in the corridor.

“Just now… that was Duke Ashford, right?”

“Yes, that lunatic…”

It was an unbelievable situation. To think he’d come all the way here.

Moreover, since the Duke had stepped forward personally, they couldn’t protect Evelyn.

“But why our newcomer…”

The other researchers buzzed loudly.

“Why is he acting like that toward Evelyn? Did she really covet the Duke’s body or something?”

“Come on, no way. Is she that kind of person?”

No matter how much they racked their brains, no answer came.

What on earth could have happened between a newcomer researcher from the countryside and the continent’s greatest magic swordsman?

* * *

Evelyn, who was heading to the rest area with Theo, felt others’ attention quite blatantly.

‘I knew this would happen!’

Even though he had simply come to see her, everyone was focused because of his position.

She hung her head low and walked ahead of Theo.

But no matter how fast she walked, it couldn’t match the Duke’s usual stride.

Because of this, to Theo’s eyes, she just looked like she was walking cheerfully.

She must be excited.

He guessed at Evelyn’s mood. The same emotion as his own—somehow it was delightful.

‘What’s this, why does he keep sticking so close?’

She had no way of knowing about the Duke’s long stride. During business trips, he had matched Evelyn’s pace.

When Evelyn quickened her steps, Theo excitedly followed.

“Huff, huff…”

Only Evelyn was suffering.

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