That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 26

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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 26

The chef who had been drinking tea in the kitchen stood up in surprise.

“What’s the matter?”

“Prepare breakfast immediately. We have a guest, so make it lavish!”

“Understood. What kind of dishes should I serve?”

Hmm. Robert pondered deeply.

The Duke seemed to regard the woman by his side as special, but he hadn’t given specific menu instructions.

That meant even the Duke himself didn’t know her preferences well!

“Bring out everything – meat, seafood, and sweet desserts too!”

For now, they had to prepare various dishes and figure out her tastes.

* * *

As expected from seeing the garden, the Duke’s mansion also had an enormous scale.

‘I won’t get lost looking for the bathroom, will I?’

As she entered the manor with Theo, a vast main hall greeted them both.

At the center of the checkerboard-patterned floor was carved the eagle crest symbolizing House of Ashford.

Four white pillars supported the ceiling, and at the very back, staircases leading upward formed symmetrical sides.

What caught Evelyn’s attention was the painting in the middle of the stair railing.

Inside a large frame, a man who looked exactly like Theo was smiling happily.

The dignified-looking man had his arm around a woman sitting beside him, and between them sat a small boy.

Anyone could see it was a family portrait.

The man looked down at his wife, the woman at her son, both showing their affection generously.

Despite being a painting, the warmth they felt for each other could be felt completely.

Evelyn, who had been captivated by the warmth they conveyed, suddenly came to her senses.

This too would be part of Theo’s private life. She didn’t want to show unnecessary interest.

However, at some point, Theo had been watching Evelyn as she looked at the painting.

When their eyes met, Theo’s lips curved into a long smile.

“Surprised?”

“Yes, yes?”

What was he asking about? The unexpected encounter with people from the ducal house?

But what came from his mouth was something unexpected.

“I asked if you were surprised, by how cute I was.”

“So… that child is you, Theo.”

“That’s right, really cute, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t the kind of question a fully grown adult man would typically ask.

But since little Theo was indeed very adorable—

“Yes, he’s cute.”

She had no choice but to acknowledge it.

Theo, whose childhood beauty had been acknowledged, smiled with satisfaction.

“I’ll guide you to the room where you’ll be staying.”

He strode up the stairs with large steps.

Following behind the Duke, Evelyn cast her gaze at the painting once more.

‘Don’t they usually change to a new portrait when inheriting a title?’

The painting representing a manor usually displayed the dignity of the head of house.

Why was he keeping a childhood painting as it was?

In any case, it wasn’t something she needed to worry about.

“Here it is.”

Theo announced that they had arrived at her room.

At the same time, he opened the door and let Evelyn enter first.

“Do you like it?”

“This is… my room?”

It was more than likeable – it was too generous. Moreover, it was clearly furnished with antique furniture.

Within the white scenery, flowers and lace appropriately made their presence known. As Evelyn looked around the interior with admiration,

“Too small? There are larger places available.”

Theo asked her, who had been silent.

“The duchess’s room is exactly the same size as the head of house’s space.”

Evelyn, focused on the interior, answered absentmindedly.

“Ah, I see.”

Then, understanding his words, she opened her eyes wide.

“What?”

“Just kidding.”

Theo laughed nonchalantly and placed her luggage on the table.

“When you’re done unpacking, let’s meet in the dining room.”

His jokes were always heart-stopping.

They would seem to cross the line precariously, then instantly leave her side.

This way, she couldn’t even question what he meant.

Ah, and…

Theo, who had been about to leave the room, turned around.

With some distance between them, their gazes intertwined.

“Only the two of us live on this floor. You can call for me if you need anything.”

“…”

“During the day, or even at night.”

* * *

Once unpacking was finished, she headed to the first floor to have a meal.

‘But where is the dining room?’

I should have asked earlier! She was so flustered by his last words that she couldn’t say anything.

Saying she could come even at night – didn’t it sound exactly like he was seducing her?

However, Theo’s face had been perfectly calm.

If she asked what he meant, he would probably shrug and ask back, ‘What?’

‘What an incomprehensible person.’

Evelyn shook her head, feeling that she too needed to be more resolute.

Just then, as she wandered around the main hall, a welcome voice reached her.

“Lady Evelyn!”

Vanessa, who had just entered the manor, smiled brightly at her.

“It’s been a while! You still…”

She was about to say she looked like a rabbit and was cute, but closed her mouth.

She couldn’t show casual behavior to the prospective duchess.

“You still look healthy!”

“Yes? You too, Vanessa.”

Though it had been a short time, she remembered her meeting with Vanessa vividly.

Her refreshing personality and confident attitude had been very impressive.

Moreover, she had approached the researchers first and thoughtfully taken care of their meals.

She was definitely a truly kind and sociable person.

Thinking of him, Evelyn smiled at Vanessa.

Vanessa immediately noticed her favorable impression.

‘The future duchess likes me!’

The reason was obvious. It must be because of her dazzling beauty and kind personality.

Vanessa had no idea at all.

That her playful behavior toward the trembling researchers had unexpectedly left a good impression.

“Have you been practicing swordsmanship until now?”

Evelyn asked, looking at her training clothes.

“Yes, I just finished my morning training. I stopped by to wash up!”

“Have you eaten?”

“Of course, I ate until I was stuffed! Oh, I’m also staying in the main building. Thanks to you, Evelyn.”

“Me?”

Evelyn’s eyes widened.

“Yes, as you can see, there aren’t any women around Evelyn’s age. My lord asked me to stay nearby and be a companion.”

To think that far ahead, Theo’s consideration was thoughtful.

“I’m staying on the 3rd floor. If you’re bored, please come visit anytime, Evelyn.”

“Come to think of it, why are you speaking formally to me? Then I should call you Lady Vanessa too…”

“No, you’re a guest! As a knight belonging to House Ashford, I should naturally use honorifics!”

The head of house, the butler, and even the knight. This place seemed to be enthusiastic about welcoming guests.

Vanessa, who had been chatting pleasantly, suddenly looked over Evelyn’s outfit.

“You’re wearing your uniform again today?”

“Yes, since I came to work.”

“Hmm, you’ll be going out a lot from now on, so will you wear your uniform every time?”

What would I need to go out for? Evelyn looked puzzled.

“My lord frequently goes out for business. If you go around dressed like this, people will have questions, won’t they?”

It was something she hadn’t even thought about.

‘So I have to go with him too?’

The researcher uniform was clothing that clearly revealed one’s affiliation with the Royal Court to anyone who saw it.

Just being with Duke Ashford would already draw attention…!

Vanessa secretly smiled as she watched Evelyn fall into contemplation.

“How many dresses do you have for going out?”

“For this season, I have about three.”

“Good heavens! What if they get wrinkled, soaked, or burned? That would be terrible!”

There was no way all three would be ruined at once. Besides, what would cause them to burn?

“It’s practically a forced business trip and you don’t have clothes to wear!”

Oh my, this won’t do!

Vanessa linked arms with Evelyn.

“Where is my lord right now?”

“The dining room.”

Vanessa seemed to know the layout of the manor well and immediately brought Evelyn to Theo.

Upon entering the dining room, appetizers were prepared. Theo was already seated, waiting for Evelyn.

“What’s going on?”

He asked at Vanessa’s appearance.

And he looked at where their arms were linked. The sight of them already linking arms so familiarly somehow bothered him.

“Evelyn has absolutely nooooo dresses at all!”

“What? When did I ever…”

“That’s a serious problem.”

Even Theo made a grave expression.

Why are you acting like that too? You definitely saw my luggage.

With the flustered Evelyn between them, the two exchanged words as if they had planned it.

“You should take responsibility, my lord, shouldn’t you? She’s an honored guest of a ducal house!”

Vanessa put strange emphasis on the word “guest.”

Then she winked without Evelyn noticing.

Seeing this, Theo displayed his sense of responsibility as head of house.

“We should hurry. Preparing for an outing, that is.”

And so, in an instant, a first date that even Evelyn didn’t know about was planned.

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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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