That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 3

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

That’s not what kissing means!

Episode 3

The moment Evelyn was moved by the knights was when they brought up stories of home.

“Adrianne Territory is quite far from the Capital.”

“You must be missing your family terribly right now.”

Those words made Evelyn’s heart swell with emotion.

Though she had left her familiar home and successfully adapted to her job, that didn’t erase her longing for family.

After work, when she entered her empty lodging, she could almost hear the voices of her parents who had always warmly welcomed her home.

Perhaps reading Evelyn’s bitter expression, Vanessa patted her shoulder.

“It’s part of growing up.”

“I’m sure they’re proud of their daughter.”

Everyone offered Evelyn words of warmth as they looked at her.

“When do you miss your parents the most?”

At someone’s question, Evelyn thought briefly. The answer came immediately.

“During dinner time.”

“Dinner time?”

“No matter how busy we were, we always had dinner together. Meals are part of daily life, and my parents believed that time with loved ones should naturally blend into our routine like daily life itself.”

At those words, the Duke’s eyes widened.

‘We must share at least one meal a day as a family.’

A voice buried for so long gently stirred his heart.

The Duke found himself continuously gazing at Evelyn without realizing it.

What stopped his behavior was his subordinate’s voice.

“That’s right, that’s right! Both food and love deepen the more you share them.”

When Victor acted like he knew everything, those around him jeered.

The Duke turned his head away nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened.

Evelyn smiled in the cheerful atmosphere.

‘They seem like good people.’

Having developed a favorable impression of the knights, she expressed her gratitude.

Before she knew it, the Duke was listening to her story again.

He had always been interested in unexpected things.

As usual, he had expected a boring meal with the knights, but he had discovered unexpected entertainment.

And her unexpected words overlapped with someone else’s. A memory buried deep in his heart had surfaced.

Soon, well-grilled meat, salad, and golden bread were placed on the table.

Evelyn, who was cutting her meat, looked around.

“Is something wrong?”

At Vanessa’s question, Evelyn spoke somewhat sheepishly.

“I was hoping the meat could be cooked a little more…”

She preferred meat that was evenly cooked all the way through.

Then, Victor jumped up.

“I’ll help you!”

Shing-

The clear sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath could be heard.

“You said you wanted to see aura, didn’t you?”

As he swung his sword lightly, a blue light enveloped the blade.

Then the aura headed toward Evelyn’s plate.

Sizzle-

“…”

“…”

The meat touched by the aura didn’t just cook—it burned completely black.

Moreover…

Crack-

The plate cracked from the excessive force.

Victor looked at Evelyn in panic.

She would probably be frightened and leave like other people…

The Duke also expected a predictable reaction.

However, Evelyn’s response was unexpected.

“So this is aura! How fascinating!”

“Aren’t you angry?”

“This happened because you were trying to help me. It can’t be helped.”

She spoke calmly.

It was impossible to tell if she was flexible by nature or just naturally dense.

When his expectations were once again proven wrong, the Duke’s eyes lit up.

Unable to watch any longer, Vanessa shouted.

“Please only use those clumsy hands for knitting! Don’t waste them on useless things!”

“What? If I were really clumsy, I couldn’t even knit! I’m so delicate!”

Victor got excited and waved his sword angrily.

Then, with a whooshing sound, powerful aura struck down.

Crack-

The long wooden table where they were seated began to split.

And in an instant, it broke in half and collapsed.

The knights jeered at Victor.

“What are you going to do about my meat!”

“At least bring your bed instead of the table!”

As chaotic situations unfolded one after another, Evelyn’s mind became confused.

Then, the Duke, who had been quiet the whole time, smiled at her.

“Evelyn.”

Remembering the name he had heard earlier, he called Evelyn affectionately.

“Y-yes?”

“Impressive, isn’t it?”

“What is…”

In his hands were two plates.

One held his own meal, the other was Evelyn’s cracked plate.

Evelyn blinked as she watched the Duke smile with satisfaction, claiming he had protected their food in the midst of all this.

“Um… I think there are other things you should be doing instead…”

Evelyn pointed at the fighting knights.

Shouldn’t he stop them?

The Duke looked leisurely in the direction of her finger and stood up.

“Outdoor dining isn’t bad either.”

“Excuse me? I wasn’t pointing at the door, but…”

Without even listening to Evelyn’s response, he headed toward the lodging door.

He tilted his head at Evelyn, who was standing there dazed, with an expression asking what she was doing.

Evelyn stood up as if enchanted.

‘Is this right?’

Evelyn had no choice but to follow the Duke to escape the commotion.

A meal for just the two of them was truly unexpected.

‘I had just barely calmed my heart…!’

In the garden in front of the lodging, a wooden table and chairs were prepared.

The Duke set down his plate and utensils with a leisurely attitude, as if he were in his own home.

The noise from inside could be heard intermittently, but he didn’t seem to mind.

The two sat facing each other, and the man cut the meat on his plate.

The Duke’s movements were neat and proper. He looked like the epitome of a high-ranking noble.

He neatly sliced his meat, then switched it with Evelyn’s food.

Evelyn looked at the Duke with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you taking my meat?”

At those words, the Duke burst into laughter.

“Usually in this kind of situation, wouldn’t you think the man was taking care of your meal?”

But you’re a Duke…

Evelyn swallowed her words. She had heard that one shouldn’t be curious about the actions of high-ranking people.

“Thank you.”

“I can’t let you eat completely burnt meat. Besides, it was my subordinate’s mistake.”

Ah, it wasn’t consideration but cleaning up after his subordinate’s mistake.

“Then instead of saying thank you, I should say I’ll eat well.”

The Duke laughed again, watching Evelyn instantly retract her gratitude.

She asked as if realizing something.

“Are you going to eat the completely burnt meat, Your Grace?”

I feel kind of sorry…

At those words, the man shook his head.

“Of course not. Do you think I’d eat that abomination?”

“Then why did you bring it in the first place?”

She asked about the inefficient behavior.

Why bring something you won’t even eat?

“For form’s sake.”

“For form’s sake?”

To complete the appearance of a meal? Even though there’s nothing edible?

‘Nobles really care about all sorts of things.’

Since it’s come to this, might as well enjoy the view!

Thinking of it as employee benefits made her feel at ease.

Then, the Duke stood up from his seat.

“It’s rather lacking, isn’t it?”

What exactly?

Evelyn’s blue eyes turned toward him.

The Duke pulled out a handkerchief from his chest.

Evelyn thought she was about to witness a scene from the romance novels she’d read.

Noble manners like laying a handkerchief on a lady’s seat.

However, he headed somewhere and came back with the handkerchief rolled up and carefully held.

“Atmosphere is important after all.”

Inside the handkerchief the Duke unfolded were colorful wildflowers.

He carefully gathered the flowers with gentle hands and rolled the handkerchief again.

It looked like a bouquet.

The makeshift bouquet was wedged between the wooden planks of the table.

Like a vase on the table.

The Duke looked at Evelyn with an expectant expression.

What am I supposed to say about this…

It was an absurdly shabby sight.

With a reluctant expression, she said.

“Wow, I almost mistook this for a fancy restaurant.”

Even at the soulless praise, the Duke shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m quite talented.”

Having completed what he called ‘form,’ the Duke quietly watched Evelyn from then on.

Evelyn, who had been chewing her food, couldn’t bear his gaze and asked.

“Would you like a bite?”

“What?”

“Or how about we eat half and half?”

It was a solution she had carefully considered.

This situation was new to the Duke. It was the first time someone worried about his hunger.

Then, the door opened and a lodging employee came in with new food.

“I’m grateful, but it’s become unnecessary.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Then let’s begin the meeting.”

“What?”

It was a sudden change of topic.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————