That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 22

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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 22

It was a woman facing Evelyn.

She smiled refreshingly and continued speaking.

“This is the first time I’ve seen him take care of someone like this.”

Her red hair and wide smile reminded her of Vanessa.

The woman introduced herself to Evelyn.

“I’m Camilla Bell, the Royal Chief Mage. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Evelyn Hart, working at the Royal Historical Research Institute, Ancient Research Interpretation Department.”

“You’re quite intelligent.”

The Emperor, who had been listening to their conversation, smiled kindly.

“I suppose I don’t need an introduction?”

Evelyn let out a social laugh at his joke.

Haha… hahaha…

“Let’s skip the greetings and get to the main point.”

Theo cut through the friendly atmosphere. Though it had only been cordial on the surface.

“It would be better if you explained.”

At the Emperor’s suggestion, Camilla began to speak.

“During the last business trip, the pendant that Miss Evelyn found turned out to be no ordinary object. Especially the stone embedded in the center. That’s why the Royal Mages began studying it in depth.”

“Could you sense magical power from it?”

If so, it could have been a simple magic stone.

‘No, if that were the case, everyone wouldn’t have gathered here.’

Evelyn recalled the memory from that time. How it had unsealed itself and revealed the ancient language.

She had suspected it wasn’t an ordinary object, but it seemed to be quite a serious situation.

Camilla continued speaking.

“All the mages tried to figure out the identity of the stone, but ultimately failed. In the end, even the clerics had to step in.”

“That’s when we discovered it. That this stone possesses both magical power and divine power.”

The Emperor interrupted her words. His red eyes were shining as if in admiration.

Camilla began explaining again.

“Based on the Duke’s situation report, after long analysis with the clerics… we discovered that this is ‘Julia’s Stone.'”

“Julia’s Stone?”

Julia was the goddess who protected the continent. At such a precious name, Evelyn doubted her own ears.

Camilla took a sip of tea and began her story.

“Julia’s Stone is a divine treasure. It’s said to foresee the future that lies ahead.”

“Then what I read was…”

“A prophecy written in ancient language. One that holds the future of the continent.”

Evelyn nodded with a pale face.

Who would have thought that something picked up during a business trip would bring such a great upheaval.

I didn’t accidentally touch something I shouldn’t have, did I…?

Is that why I’m here to be punished?

Camilla continued speaking.

“We’re treating it as a sacred object for now, but we can’t ignore the magical power it possesses, so I, as the Chief Mage, took responsibility for researching it. We also informed the Grand Cleric in the Holy Kingdom. He sent us records about Julia’s Stone.”

“I see.”

What followed was unexpected.

“The Grand Cleric said… that only two people can open this pendant. Duke Ashford and you.”

“Pardon…?”

What is this supposed to mean!

Seeing her surprised expression, Camilla chuckled softly.

“Julia’s Stone is said to imprint on those it first encounters. The conditions for imprinting are two things: blood and voice.”

When the sacred object was first discovered, Theo had picked it up with his injured hand.

The Duke’s blood had awakened the sacred object.

Then, it was Evelyn who interpreted the ancient language that the pendant had poured out.

Julia’s Stone had precisely imprinted Evelyn’s voice as she read its words correctly.

After that, it never revealed itself to anyone else.

In other words, only the uniquely imprinted Theo and Evelyn could handle the sacred object.

Evelyn felt like she was wandering through murky smoke.

The words she was hearing seemed unable to find their place, circling around her instead.

Then, the Emperor set down his teacup.

When the cheerful sound of the teacup hitting the table rang out, Evelyn came to her senses.

As she naturally turned her head toward the Emperor, he smiled.

“Miss Evelyn Hart, you have been given a weighty duty.”

A weighty… what?

A solemn voice continued along with his gentle face.

“You will continue to watch over the sacred object from now on. Together with Duke Ashford.”

It was absolutely the last thing she wanted to hear.

‘Hmm, I want to leave here right now.’

However, there was only one answer Evelyn could give.

“…I humbly accept your command, Your Majesty.”

“You can hear the details from Camilla here. Now go.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Duke, let’s have a chat since it’s been a while.”

The Emperor suggested that Theo stay with him. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Duke Ashford seemed somehow anxious.

Evelyn bowed according to protocol. Just as Camilla was about to follow her out.

“I shall also take my leave now.”

An emotionless voice echoed in the reception room.

Theo lightly dismissed the Emperor’s suggestion and continued speaking.

“Isn’t this a matter concerning the Empire’s future? It would be best to establish countermeasures immediately.”

Together with Miss Evelyn Hart.

At the same time, Theo rose from his seat.

After giving a formal greeting to the Emperor, he moved toward the door.

Though he wore a mask of gentle smiles, Evelyn could sense it.

That he was different from the Theo she had faced yesterday.

Unlike his curved lips, his purple eyes were only cold.

Such was he as he headed in Evelyn’s direction.

The reception room was spacious. There was no need for him to get close to her.

However, Theo approached Evelyn’s side.

His long strides didn’t stop, and he brushed past her just like that.

For a brief moment, their sleeves brushed against each other.

Rustle-

The texture of the fabric wrapping around their arms seemed audible.

That instant felt incredibly vivid.

He opened the door without hesitation and looked directly at Evelyn.

“Let’s go.”

* * *

Camilla disappeared, saying she would leave everything to the Duke.

In the end, Evelyn was left alone with Theo.

Without knowing where they were going, she silently walked alongside him.

What should I say first? How have you been…?

But it hadn’t even been a full day since they’d met. Besides, he couldn’t have been well.

At that moment, a languid voice came from above her head.

“There’s nothing to be anxious about, nothing to be sorry for.”

Evelyn looked up and met his gaze.

“You only conveyed your true feelings, and handling them is my responsibility.”

“…”

“I’m not foolish enough to force emotions.”

Theo bent down to meet Evelyn’s eyes.

They were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“I took your advice to heart.”

“My advice…?”

“To take my time from now on. To seep in slowly and deeply, over a long period.”

Strangely, the gaze that reached Evelyn was intense.

It must be her imagination. By “from now on,” he surely meant with a new relationship.

When Evelyn nodded, he straightened his posture again.

“Let’s be comfortable with each other. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”

His eyes were gentle, unlike at the Imperial Palace.

Evelyn’s heart calmed at Theo’s consideration.

She shouldn’t show this discomfort. It wouldn’t be proper toward the Duke, and it would make work awkward too.

“Thank you, Duke Ashford.”

She smiled brightly at him.

Theo returned the same smile, then walked alongside Evelyn.

“We’re heading to the place with the sacred object now. I’m told to observe it daily from now on.”

“Every day?”

“They say Julia’s Stone hints at approaching great crises. Since we don’t know when it might issue another prophecy, we must watch it constantly.”

“So it appears to warn of impending dangers.”

Wait, I have to watch it even setting aside my own work? Besides, the Duke was surely much busier than she was.

“They said when it glows like before, it’s ready to issue a prophecy. Since we don’t know when that light will disappear, the marked ones must check immediately.”

What a truly impossible stone. Evelyn asked urgently.

“Then do we both have to stay by the sacred object at all times?”

“I suppose so?”

She was dumbfounded by the absurdity.

Who would have thought a pendant discovered by chance would shackle them both.

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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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