That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 2

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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 2

The man didn’t rush her, waiting leisurely for Evelyn to step back.

Catherine pulled her away as she couldn’t take her eyes off the man.

“Come here, Evelyn.”

Only then did Evelyn realize she was blocking the knights’ path.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Fortunately, her outward demeanor appeared businesslike.

So it could be dismissed as a newcomer’s mistake.

Standing next to Catherine, Evelyn looked at the man with curiosity.

‘Why isn’t he wearing armor?’

The man was dressed lightly as if going out for a stroll.

If not for the longsword at his waist, she wouldn’t have known he was a knight.

His attire was free-spirited, contrasting with his ascetic and neat face like a priest.

“That’s how it is… I’ll be going now.”

The researcher who came to deliver the message disappeared like an arrow.

His desire to escape the situation was clearly evident.

Catherine was the first to offer a greeting.

“D-Duke Ashford, it’s been a long time.”

Oliver followed suit with proper etiquette.

“D-D-D-D…”

The man smiled with his eyes at Oliver’s trembling, which was worse than Catherine’s.

However, despite his picturesque smile, cold words returned.

“Still the same.”

Those were the man’s first words.

Evelyn was the one who couldn’t understand this situation.

Why are they trembling like that? Are they enchanted like me?

Or… is it because of his status as a duke?

Evelyn wasn’t familiar with the noble culture of the capital.

She didn’t know how respectfully she should treat high-ranking nobles.

So she tactfully followed her seniors and greeted him politely.

She had to hide her admiration for him.

“It’s my first time meeting you, Duke Ashford.”

“This one is useful.”

Standing next to Oliver, who was chattering his teeth in fear, she looked even more composed.

With her as the last, the duke passed by the researchers with a face that looked bored to death.

The knights also followed their lord with disciplined movements.

The duke who entered the gate slowly tapped the sword hilt.

Then the magic sword trembled its body finely.

“It seems hungry.”

The duke said in a languid voice.

“Try to appease it well.”

A knight beside him answered indifferently.

‘What does that mean? Is it jargon among knights?’

Evelyn rolled her blue eyes around at the incomprehensible content.

Somehow it was a conversation more difficult than ancient languages.

* * *

Near the Northern Monster Mountains, lodging was prepared for researchers and knights.

Since it was provided by the Royal Court, it was as good as a luxury inn in the capital.

Next to the fireplace in the first floor lobby, there were tables for dining.

And there was one large conference room with long sofas arranged around a table.

They would use this area communally and stay in their respective rooms on the second and third floors.

Throughout the walk from the gate to the lodging, the Green Meadows welcomed Evelyn.

Smelling the grass, Evelyn felt as if she had come home after a long time.

Nature made her feel that comfortable.

Though it seemed the two seniors didn’t feel the same.

“Senior, do you have a cold?”

Evelyn asked Oliver, who was still trembling all over.

“N-no! You wouldn’t know, but right now…”

Catherine poked Oliver’s side as he tried to explain.

And she shook her head.

‘Don’t scare the newcomer with unnecessary talk!’

Oliver, understanding her look, closed his mouth.

“But why are we working with the Ashford Knight Order instead of Royal Court knights?”

Catherine explained in response to Evelyn’s question.

“Sometimes monsters with too strong magic power appear. You can tell by looking at the aura of Monster Mountain. When that happens, physical force doesn’t work. You have to counter with the same magic power.”

“Those people are magic swordsmen.”

“Duke Ashford is the continent’s greatest magic swordsman. The knights who came with him are probably the elite too.”

“That’s amazing.”

Pure admiration appeared in Evelyn’s eyes.

“…Amazing indeed.”

In a different sense.

Catherine swallowed her following words.

The characteristic of magic swordsmen was that they could infuse condensed magic power aura into their weapons.

That’s why they boasted tremendous power with each movement.

If it was such great power, it seemed right that it should go to someone prudent, but strangely, magic swordsmen moved impulsively and according to their interests.

If someone suggested a unique game, it had to be carried out immediately.

During a business trip a few years ago, she couldn’t forget how they made loud noises in Monster Mountain for over an hour because they wanted to make a rainbow by emitting colorful auras.

They looked ready to destroy every rock in the mountain.

‘What if they damage the monuments?’

Catherine, who was afraid of what might happen, hurriedly went to find Duke Ashford.

The duke, who was said to kill dozens of monsters with one sword strike, silently smiled gently.

Catherine, completely intimidated by the heavy aura emanating from him, guided him to Monster Mountain.

The duke who arrived looked at his subordinates absorbed in making rainbows and said:

‘Pathetic.’

Everyone stopped moving at the duke’s words. Catherine finally thought he would stop his subordinates.

However, the words that followed made her despair.

‘After yellow comes green. Not blue.’

Aha!

The knights continued emitting auras, saying no wonder it wasn’t working well.

Duke Ashford looked down at Catherine once with an expression asking if that was enough, then leisurely turned away.

They were people you couldn’t even communicate with.

That’s why she always had to watch out for unexpected situations.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason she was afraid.

Catherine, who had been recalling the past, forced a smile and spoke to her juniors.

“Let’s rest a bit and meet at lunchtime. After that, we’ll all have a meeting together…”

The three of them conversed in the second-floor corridor, then went into their respective rooms.

Or rather, they tried to.

“Oh my, there you are!”

A red-haired woman approached them with a refreshing smile.

The House Ashford crest was engraved on her armor.

“Lunch seems to be ready earlier than expected! Let’s eat together!”

As she spoke cheerfully, Oliver and Catherine shook their heads vigorously.

“I was planning to eat later!”

“I’m not hungry yet either…”

The woman opened her mouth with a disappointed expression.

“But meat gets tough and tasteless when it gets cold?”

“I like tough meat the best.”

“Cold meat? My mouth is already watering…!”

The two seniors said this and quickly entered their rooms.

Only Evelyn remained.

The knight looked at the two who had disappeared and chuckled.

She was like a cat toying with a caught mouse.

She turned to Evelyn and asked.

“Do you like it too? Tough and cold meat.”

“No, I like warm and tender meat.”

There was no fear toward the knight order in Evelyn’s eyes.

Intrigued by this, the woman introduced herself.

“I’m Vanessa. I belong to the Ashford Knight Order.”

“Yes, I’m Evelyn Hart.”

“You’re like a rabbit and so cute.”

Vanessa’s eyes sparkled. She immediately grabbed Evelyn’s arm and led her downstairs.

“Let’s go eat some warm and tender meat.”

Will the Duke be there too?

He was the most handsome man in Evelyn’s life.

Once this business trip ended, she would never see that brilliant face again.

‘I should feast my eyes on his face before then!’

On the first floor, the Ashford Knight Order was already seated.

When Vanessa introduced her, everyone’s eyes widened.

“She’s eating with us?”

“Yes, is that not okay?”

As Evelyn hesitated at the unusual atmosphere, Vanessa pulled out a chair for her to sit.

Coincidentally, it was the seat next to the Duke.

‘This is a bit troublesome…’

Evelyn tried to act naturally.

She still wasn’t used to his beauty.

Fortunately, Vanessa continued speaking.

“Of course it’s okay, everyone just avoids us.”

“Why?”

Vanessa put on an extremely sorrowful expression.

“Our well-intentioned actions keep causing misunderstandings…”

“Oh dear…”

Evelyn nodded sympathetically.

“Haven’t you heard any bad rumors about us?”

A large man who was knitting asked. He introduced himself as Victor at the same time.

“I don’t know much about affairs in the capital. I haven’t been here long.”

I see!

Everyone’s eyes sparkled at her answer.

Evelyn decided to chat while she had the chance.

It was a good opportunity not to be conscious of the Duke.

“Will I be able to see the Demon Swordsman’s aura this time? I’m already excited!”

Every time Evelyn said something, they reacted enthusiastically as if finding it interesting.

Evelyn, who quickly became absorbed in conversation with them, didn’t notice.

That the Duke’s gaze was fixed on her.

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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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