That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 21

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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 21

In the end, she stayed up all night with her eyes wide open.

Dragging her heavy body, Evelyn barely managed to get to work.

“What’s wrong with you? Why does your face look like that!”

Her colleague Paul was startled the moment he saw her.

“What do you mean my face looks like that… Isn’t that a bit rude.”

“Oh, sorry. I was just curious why your under-eyes are covered in black, your cheeks are sunken in, and your skin looks rough like it’s about to pop out.”

“…Just say it like you used to.”

Evelyn sat down weakly in her seat.

The ancient language researchers glanced at her.

But seeing her obviously exhausted state, no one could ask her anything.

Evelyn thought this was actually good.

‘Right, unless someone has absolutely no sense of reading the atmosphere, who would talk to me.’

She planned to use fatigue as an excuse and wait until the attention disappeared.

But there was someone right next to her who not only couldn’t read the atmosphere, but had no tact at all.

“By the way, Evelyn! What happened yesterday? What’s your relationship with the Duke!”

If she could, she wanted to shut that chattering mouth.

However, Paul was a man whose mouth would float even if he fell into a fishbowl.

No, maybe he would dive in saying he wanted to have a conversation with the goldfish.

With Evelyn not answering beside him, he spread his wings of imagination.

“Don’t tell me, the person who’s been sending gifts all this time was Duke Ashford?”

Wow, that’s impossible! Really?

His loud exclamation was enough to draw the attention of those around.

She could feel everyone pretending to focus on their work while listening in this direction.

Oh, how do I handle this situation.

Just then, Catherine stopped him.

“Paul, there’s no way the Duke and Evelyn have that kind of relationship.”

“Then what about what the Duke said when he came yesterday? About being hurt because of Evelyn…”

“He’s originally someone who jokes a lot. You know well enough, don’t you Paul? The rumors about him.”

“Ah…”

Paul, who instantly lost interest, dropped his shoulders.

Am I your entertainment? Evelyn wanted to confront him right away but held back with all her might.

She couldn’t disturb the atmosphere in the research lab any further.

At that moment, Paul, who she thought would quiet down, raised his head again.

“Then why did he come looking for you? What did you two talk about in the garden?”

“Grzmrmr…”

Evelyn gritted her teeth. It was a warning that she didn’t know what she might do if he asked just one more question.

But there was no way the tactless Paul could read her murderous intent.

“You say you two have nothing going on, so you can at least tell us why he came looking for you, right?”

The researchers now openly focused their attention on Evelyn.

Everyone seemed very curious about the Duke’s purpose for visiting all the way here.

After all, it would be far-fetched to say he visited the research institute just to play pranks.

“That’s… well, you see…”

Evelyn’s eyes shook violently.

If she remained silent like this, strange rumors would spread again.

‘I can’t think of any excuse…!’

The longer her silence continued, the louder the murmuring grew.

That’s when it happened.

“I have come looking for Researcher Evelyn Hart of the Ancient Language Interpretation Department.”

An unwavering, solemn voice echoed inside.

His footsteps were so quiet that no one had sensed his presence.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance of the research lab.

The old man spoke once more.

“His Majesty the Emperor summons you. Please prepare yourself quickly.”

His attire was not that of a simple servant. The imperial emblem embroidered on his back and the red sash suggested the man’s position.

Coming to her senses, Evelyn hurriedly approached.

“I am Evelyn Hart. May I ask what this is about?”

From the Imperial Palace, and the head chamberlain himself came to find her directly…

This was no ordinary matter.

He calmly explained the situation.

“The situation is urgent, so let me explain in a quiet place. I would also like the supervisor who accompanied the recent business trip to listen as well.”

Catherine showed proper courtesy and guided the chamberlain to the conference room.

Once the door closed, the chamberlain told them it was classified information.

“During the recent business trip, something unusual was discovered in the ancient artifact that Duke Ashford and Researcher Evelyn Hart found together.”

“Are you referring to the pendant?”

“That’s correct. We already informed Duke Ashford, but it’s not an ordinary object.”

He never said anything like that to me?

In fact, Evelyn had been living having forgotten about the pendant.

Just thinking about Theo alone felt like her head would split.

“So when should I visit…”

“You must go right now. Duke Ashford is also waiting.”

“…What?”

Who came, you said?

Evelyn made a stunned expression.

That’s impossible, how am I supposed to face him!

The chamberlain urged her as she stood there dazed.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Ashford, both are waiting! For Miss Evelyn Hart!”

At his commanding tone that seemed to shout ‘If you know, then prepare quickly!’, Evelyn answered in a fluster.

“Just a moment!”

Then she left the conference room and ran to her seat. She quickly put on the uniform that was draped over her chair properly.

The incredibly high ruler of the Empire was looking for her—

Seeing that the chamberlain had come all the way here, this must be no ordinary urgent matter.

Catherine gave the researchers a different reason to maintain confidentiality.

“It seems there was a problem with the interpretation of the gravestone from the recent business trip.”

“Then that’s why the Duke came looking for her?”

At Paul’s words saying he finally understood, his colleagues also went “Ah—” and understood the situation.

Thanks to the chamberlain’s timely appearance, she had found an excuse.

In the end, Duke Ashford became a strange person who threw around silly jokes while he was here on imperial orders to find Evelyn.

Thanks to the bizarre rumors surrounding him, it naturally passed over.

* * *

The chamberlain walked incredibly fast despite his age.

“Are you having difficulty?”

He asked, looking at Evelyn who was falling behind.

“Huff… What? Yes!”

“It can’t be helped.”

The chamberlain walked ahead coldly.

Then why did you ask in the first place!

She felt wronged. She had come to research ancient languages, not to get hired to identify artifacts.

Actually, an even bigger worry than the current situation was….

‘How can we meet again the very next day!’

After the feelings I had when I rejected him…!

She didn’t have the confidence to face Theo right now.

‘Since it’s a business meeting, I should act like nothing happened so His Majesty the Emperor won’t be concerned….’

Wait, His Majesty the Emperor?

Come to think of it, this was a meeting to face the sun of the Empire.

She was going crazy, beyond mad. Cold sweat broke out from the pressure.

This wasn’t a situation a mere researcher could handle.

But it wasn’t like she could avoid it either.

The dizziness continued all the way here.

“Please take a moment to catch your breath. I will inform His Majesty.”

When she looked up at those words, she was in the reception room of the Imperial Palace.

Before opening the door, the chamberlain gave Evelyn time to prepare.

She hurriedly caught her breath and straightened her disheveled hair and research coat.

“Then I will open the door.”

The chamberlain announced Evelyn’s arrival in a monotone voice.

Soon after, the massive double doors opened.

Facing a space she had never even imagined, one that seemed completely unrelated to her entire life, Evelyn gulped.

As she stepped inside, the splendid interior covered in gold didn’t register in her eyes.

Because the gazes of three people focused on her weighed down on her shoulders.

The overwhelming presence they emanated froze her in place.

Plush chairs surrounded a long table, with the Emperor seated at the head, and Theo positioned diagonally to his right.

Across from the Duke sat a middle-aged woman, who also carried a weighty atmosphere.

Evelyn barely managed to compose herself.

A naive mistake from a newcomer wouldn’t be seen as cute in the Royal Court.

Don’t step forward carelessly, and give the desired answer at the appropriate moment.

Stay quiet and then leave.

She recalled imperial palace etiquette and greeted everyone.

The Emperor nodded and invited her to join them.

“I’m pleased you came. Please, have a seat.”

Evelyn approached carefully. Even in that moment, her mind raced quickly.

‘Where exactly am I supposed to sit?’

Should she go to the very end seat befitting her position? But then she wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation….

But she couldn’t sit close to the three of them either.

Evelyn looked around nervously and glanced at the chamberlain.

At that moment, Theo stood up from his seat.

“Sit here.”

Then he pulled out the chair next to his own.

‘No, why is he getting up!’

Theo’s consideration felt burdensome. Why would a Duke attend to a mere researcher in the first place!

“Thank you, Duke Ashford.”

Evelyn smiled with effort and sat beside him.

Then, a surprised voice came from across the table.

“The Duke has better manners than I expected.”

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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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