That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. 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 18

Eventually, when she slowed down, Theo naturally followed her lead.

Was this a new game? Theo was delighted just to walk together with her.

At every corridor corner and research lab window, countless gazes clustered together.

Look at that, the Duke is smiling!

Someone made a fuss.

Another person who heard this tilted their head in confusion.

“But he’s smiling all by himself…?”

The woman beside him looked somewhat strained.

Finally, Evelyn stopped walking.

Then she said to Theo.

“Duke, shall we walk a bit apart…?”

“Why?”

“This kind of atmosphere… is burdensome.”

Only then did Theo look around.

When their eyes met, the researchers turned away as if nothing had happened.

But there was no way his sharp senses hadn’t noticed their attention.

He had simply pretended not to know because these things were trivial compared to Evelyn.

“You don’t like it?”

At those words, Evelyn nodded vigorously.

“I want it to be just the two of us…”

She meant she didn’t want to give them fodder for gossip. But Theo, who interpreted it differently, smiled brightly.

His warm gaze turned cold the moment he changed direction.

And with one word from him, everything was settled.

“You all seem rather idle.”

Silence followed after that.

Everyone froze in place.

A moment later, those who came to their senses fled immediately.

They had to hide somewhere out of the Duke’s sight.

This is terrible. Now they’ll be even more conscious of us!

Haha… Evelyn let out a hollow laugh.

She was already looking forward to what kind of rumors would spread.

“Shall we go to the garden? The weather is nice.”

Meanwhile, Theo was making leisurely suggestions.

“Yes, yes… as you wish.”

Exhausted Evelyn answered listlessly.

She didn’t even have the energy to ask why he had come all the way here.

It seemed better to just talk things through and send him away quickly.

Besides, she felt sorry for making him wait for several days.

Eventually, the two sat on a garden bench.

Evelyn let out a small sigh.

She couldn’t think of what expression to make or how to greet him.

Should she apologize first? Or ask how he’d been?

“Evelyn.”

At that moment, Theo called her name softly.

It had been so long since she’d heard her name in his voice.

The Duke’s voice was still affectionate. As were his loving eyes that held only her.

Now that they were alone, she could feel him completely.

The flutter from that day when they kissed came back to her.

It was a small but clear emotion she had felt for the first time.

Perhaps that’s why? Even if she couldn’t be with him, she wanted to keep good memories.

That’s why she had carefully carried home the box containing the handkerchief.

She bought a vase that was ridiculously expensive compared to her salary and kept the flowers he sent until they wilted.

Sometimes she would spend time caressing them for long periods.

With a pleased expression, thinking of Theo’s beauty.

However, the Theo in her mind still couldn’t match the real thing.

‘He’s still so handsome.’

The man before her was maddeningly her type. Regrettably so.

Get a grip, looks aren’t everything!

Evelyn tried to speak calmly.

“…It’s been a while, Duke.”

“…”

“I hope you’ve been well.”

“I haven’t been well.”

Theo’s eyes curved gently.

“I couldn’t sleep or eat properly.”

Come to think of it, his face did look gaunt.

Her eyes instantly filled with worry.

Just like the day she had come to save Theo.

He smiled softly while looking at Evelyn.

“Are you worried about me?”

“…”

Evelyn drew in a small breath.

She hadn’t expected to hear those words again.

Just how much did the Duke remember of their time together?

Or did he keep recalling it so he wouldn’t forget?

She carefully opened her mouth. First, she should apologize.

“You must have been very angry with me all this time, right? How dare I…”

“No need for apologies. Don’t carry any burden in your heart.”

Seeing her fall quiet, Theo continued speaking.

How could I hate you? How dare I.

“I hold no resentment. I simply missed you.”

Evelyn looked at him with surprised eyes.

“It’s okay, unrequited love is always like this.”

He was saying that because he liked her, he could endure this much.

“The one who likes more is always at a disadvantage.”

That’s why I came running here. Because I wanted to see you.

His gentle low voice resonated in her ears.

“I was hoping you could spare me some time today.”

“…”

“You can think of it as charity if you want.”

Evelyn doubted her ears.

No matter how she thought about it, those weren’t words he should be saying to her.

How dare she receive charity from Duke Ashford.

A gentle spring breeze blew.

The flowers filling the garden harmonized with Theo like a watercolor painting.

Should I not have met him?

Even though it was an unavoidable situation anyway, Evelyn felt regret.

Theo’s feelings for her ran deeper than she had thought.

Realizing this fact, guilt welled up inside her.

She shouldn’t have run away.

She should have firmly conveyed her feelings and settled their relationship.

All her avoidance had only made their relationship more ambiguous.

‘Yes, let’s put an end to this today for sure.’

She finally opened her mouth.

“…Just for today.”

At last, permission fell from her small lips.

Even at that, the Duke smiled brightly as if delighted.

* * *

Today too, right at quitting time, Duke Ashford stood in front of the main gate.

The difference was that he was accompanied by a white carriage.

The carriage, made of obviously luxurious materials, bore the family crest prominently displayed.

Before leaving work, Evelyn smiled at Catherine, who offered to go with her, saying it was fine.

Then she expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for looking after me all this time.”

The same went for Oliver.

The two hadn’t questioned Evelyn in detail. Yet they had silently watched over her, worried she might find herself in a dangerous situation.

Seeing the newcomer who looked somewhat relieved, both nodded their heads.

Catherine said one last thing.

“Evelyn, be careful. Don’t get caught.”

She seemed to be thinking of the hide-and-seek incident with the monster.

“…Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Evelyn hurriedly composed her expression and crossed the garden.

The closer she got to the Duke, the more she was overwhelmed by indescribable feelings.

She couldn’t be sure whether this fluttering was from nervousness or excitement.

In any case, it was true that one side of her heart felt relieved.

Because today she had to put an end to her relationship with Theo.

In the distance, she could see the white carriage with the tall man.

‘Good. I should finish the conversation quickly inside the carriage.’

The shorter the time spent together, the better.

As Evelyn approached, Theo extended his hand in front of the open carriage.

Today, the crimson sunset was particularly intense.

His violet eyes mixed with the golden sunset, creating a mysterious color.

Evelyn stared at him as if entranced.

Then she placed her hand over his outstretched one.

When she came to her senses, the carriage carrying them both was already moving.

They had long since left the Imperial Palace and were heading toward the town square.

Flustered, Evelyn hurriedly asked.

“Wh-where are we going?”

“First, let’s have dinner.”

Theo remembered that Evelyn liked delicious food.

Even if it was just a short time, he wanted to give her a moment of joy.

Meanwhile, Evelyn’s eyes shook greatly.

No, she hadn’t planned on having dinner too!

How did things turn out this way?

‘How else! I was enchanted by his face again!’

Oh, Mother!

She was terribly like her mother.

Once again, she had fallen for a man’s face.

Under the golden sunset, his beauty was too perfect.

Let me organize my thoughts, I need to think calmly.

She tried to put on a resolute expression.

“Thank you for the gift last time.”

“I was just keeping my promise.”

“Promise…”

Should she just confess? That she didn’t remember what promise they made after the kiss?

Then the Duke would probably calmly explain and entangle her even deeper.

“Your Grace, would you listen to what I have to say during dinner?”

“I’m always listening to you.”

This time, she was determined to cut things off coldly.

Before long, the carriage came to a stop.

Theo got out first and escorted her.

At his tenderness, Evelyn had to steel her heart once again.

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