That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 23

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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 23

According to the rumors Catherine had heard, Duke Ashford wouldn’t blindly follow even imperial commands.

Mood, situation, interest.

These three things were the main conditions needed to move him.

Even as Emperor, these weren’t easy conditions to satisfy.

The reason the Emperor couldn’t easily get angry was because of the ducal house’s military power.

House Ashford was where the continent’s outstanding mage knights had gathered.

It was also why other nations couldn’t easily touch the Empire.

‘But he accepted this proposal so easily?’

Even though he’d be inevitably tied down by the sacred relic?

A warm voice reached Evelyn, who was harboring doubts.

“There’s nothing to worry about. You just need to focus on your own work.”

“Are you saying I should keep going to the research lab?”

“That’s right.”

“Then what about you, Duke?”

“Well, I suppose I’ll ask for the seat next to you.”

Having dropped that bombshell, he looked at Evelyn’s reaction with amusement.

“Haha… hahaha…”

She let out a dry laugh.

The Duke’s joke had gone too far.

No, she wanted to believe it was a joke.

“Where is the sacred relic?”

Evelyn quickly changed the subject.

“We’re almost there.”

She had thought it would be in the temple belonging to the Imperial Palace, but surprisingly it was located in the Emperor’s palace.

The Emperor’s palace had a prayer hall for praying for the Empire’s well-being.

It was a place the deeply religious Emperor had built with an enormous budget.

‘Do they really just pray here?’

When the door opened to reveal the luxurious interior, Evelyn couldn’t hide her amazement.

In the center, an indoor fountain filled with holy water was operating, and a statue modeled after the goddess was positioned at the very back.

Around the sculpture, precious gems were illuminating the goddess.

‘At this point, even the goddess would feel burdened…’

The Emperor’s faith seemed more impressive than expected.

A priest guarding the prayer hall guided the two of them.

Inside, the pendant Evelyn had discovered was carefully enshrined within a glass case.

Like an exhibit in an art museum, warm lighting was even illuminating the sacred relic.

The royal family seemed to treasure the pendant greatly.

The priest smiled kindly and spoke to Theo.

“I heard the story. You two have decided to visit here every day.”

“What are you talking about?”

At the Duke’s question, the priest became greatly flustered.

“Aren’t you coming to examine Julia’s Stone?”

“I said I’d examine it, but I never said I’d come here.”

The priest’s eyes shook violently, hoping desperately that his prediction was wrong.

“Surely you’re not planning to take away the precious sacred relic…”

However, the Duke carelessly trampled on his expectations.

“What are you doing? Open it.”

“You really want me to take it out…?”

“Did you think I’d leisurely come here every day? To chat with this stone?”

“A stone? You mustn’t speak so carelessly! Repent!”

“I’ll talk later. With Julia’s stone.”

The priest looked tearful.

Someone who spoke like that couldn’t possibly handle the sacred relic preciously.

He tried somehow to stop the Duke by bringing up the Emperor.

“Julia’s Stone currently belongs to the Emperor’s palace. You must receive His Majesty’s permission.”

At those words, Theo waved his hand. At the signal to hurry up and go, the priest called his colleague who was guarding the door.

Before leaving for the Emperor’s palace, he asked the Duke one last time.

“Are you planning to store it at the Duke’s mansion? If it’s going to another location…”

“Well, what should we do.”

Theo’s eyes turned toward Evelyn.

Surprised that he was suddenly asking for her opinion, Evelyn asked.

“What do you mean, what should we do?”

“Do whatever’s convenient for you. The research lab would be better, right?”

“The research lab? You mean my workplace?”

“Yes, I don’t want to interfere with your work.”

What kind of ridiculous consideration is this! Theo’s words about sitting next to her apparently weren’t a joke.

There was no playfulness visible in his eyes. In other words, he was serious…

She instantly imagined it. Sitting side by side with Duke Ashford inside the research lab, receiving everyone’s attention.

‘Wow, how horrible.’

Evelyn forced the corners of her mouth upward.

“You must have so much work to do… How could you come to the research institute every day?”

“It’s fine, I’ll bring the documents I need to handle that day. My aide will come occasionally though.”

The work handled by the Empire’s duke would be no ordinary matter.

He’d handle all of that in front of everyone?

“No, no! It would be better for the sacred relic to go to the Duke’s mansion.”

Evelyn answered hurriedly.

At her words, Theo smiled mysteriously.

“That’s your choice.”

His gently curved eyes combined with his beauty to inspire admiration.

At the same time, it somehow stirred up strange emotions.

Like falling into a swamp made of sweet honey…

“Then I’ll convey that message.”

The priest who had heard their conversation hurried toward the Emperor.

Evelyn organized what she would need to do going forward.

“For the time being, I’ll go to the Duke’s mansion after work. On holidays too. I’ll somehow make time to be with the sacred relic as much as possible.”

They’re giving me extra pay, right? For Evelyn, it meant all her days off would completely disappear.

Moreover, the bigger problem was that she’d have to spend a lot of time with him.

‘To sort out my feelings, keeping distance is essential.’

She still felt like walking on clouds when looking at Theo.

She’d get excited and flutter while also becoming extremely tense, not knowing when she might fall.

The moment she took even one wrong step, the person she’d grab onto was obvious.

After that, an overwhelming storm would come rushing in.

‘I’ll steel my heart and treat this as work only!’

While Evelyn was making a firm resolution, Theo observed her.

Her varied facial expressions were interesting. What she was thinking was obvious.

But Evelyn had walked toward him with her own feet.

Though she didn’t seem to understand the choice she had made herself.

“Evelyn, it would be better to understand the situation more.”

“Yes?”

“His Majesty ordered us to constantly monitor the holy relic. And you chose the Duke’s mansion.”

“….”

At those words, Evelyn’s mouth slowly fell open.

So telling her to always watch the pendant wasn’t just a casual remark?

Just then, the priest who had gone to the Emperor returned.

“His Majesty has permitted moving the holy relic to the Duke’s mansion. He says researcher Evelyn Hart should stay at the Duke’s mansion for the time being and work hard for the Empire.”

“You want me to commute from the Duke’s mansion?”

“Pardon? Instead of research work, you’re to care for the holy relic.”

So even going to work at the research lab was forbidden for now.

It meant she should live at the Duke’s mansion and watch the pendant all day long.

‘Even if he’s the Emperor, this is practically a job reassignment!’

She had come to the capital because she loved ancient languages. She hadn’t suffered through hardships just to observe some stone.

However, she couldn’t protest anything.

Officials and researchers belonging to the Royal Court take an oath to work for the Empire upon joining.

One of those clauses stated that if it concerned national interests, they must follow imperial commands without delay.

Regardless of their assigned position.

The priest continued with a worried tone. Of course, it wasn’t worry for Evelyn.

“We will transport Julia’s Stone ourselves. Please handle it with utmost care.”

“Do I look like someone who would treat it carelessly?”

Yes, very much so.

The priest gave Theo a suspicious look at his words.

* * *

To leave the Imperial Palace, they had to pass through the enormous garden.

As Evelyn headed toward the straight path, Theo caught her.

“Come this way.”

“Is it a shortcut?”

“That too. And it’s full of flowers.”

It seemed like he wanted to show her the flowers.

Following the Duke’s suggestion down the curved path to the right, colorful flowers shone brilliantly.

Rich floral scents lingered around her nose.

Theo matched his pace with Evelyn’s as he spoke.

“You don’t need to worry.”

His low voice continued.

“I wouldn’t stop you from doing what you love.”

So don’t worry.

His languid lips curved into a long smile.

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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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