That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 32

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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 32

 

Charlotte quickly picked up on the subtle tension between the two.

 

‘This is no ordinary situation!’

 

Though they didn’t appear to be in any particular relationship, this was the first time Duke Ashford had personally accompanied a woman.

 

Even if his expression was unreadable, his eyes remained constantly fixed on the woman who came with him. This was surely affection beyond mere interest.

 

Duke Theo Ashford was a recognized power holder of the Empire. And he was still unmarried!

 

Charlotte immediately reached a conclusion. This was a big catch.

 

She couldn’t easily let go of a customer who had walked right in. So she approached the Duke with a subtle smile.

 

“We create catalogs whenever new dresses come out and send them to estates. Of course, customer information is kept confidential.”

 

She was subtly trying to confirm two things.

 

How long he would maintain his relationship with Evelyn, and whether the Duke’s interest in her should be kept secret.

 

Theo immediately saw through Charlotte’s intentions.

 

“Send the catalogs to the manor. And…”

 

Sharp eyes looked at her. Charlotte unconsciously trembled.

 

“I’d like to see them for as long as possible.”

 

At his words telling her not to overstep, she immediately bowed her head. Still, she had no regrets. She had gained an important customer who would be the future Duchess.

 

Evelyn was overwhelmed by the assistants’ attention. With every movement they made, her dress was perfectly arranged.

 

“Are your feet comfortable?”

 

“Yes, they’re comfortable to walk in and pretty too.”

 

She looked at herself in the mirror with wonder.

 

Even Evelyn, who had no interest in fashion, could immediately tell. The sophisticated design and luxurious materials.

 

Having always worn comfortable clothes while running around in fields, she felt unfamiliar to herself.

 

‘But it doesn’t feel bad.’

 

Anyway, it suited her well even to her own eyes. With a bit of exaggeration, she looked like a princess from the fairy tales she’d read as a child.

 

“Shall we go now?”

 

Theo extended his arm. Evelyn hesitated for a moment before linking arms with him.

 

She thought there was no need to overreact since it was just an escort.

 

Charlotte and the assistants came out of the boutique and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

 

Thinking it was excessive kindness for just purchasing one outfit, Evelyn returned the greetings equally.

 

‘Is it because of his status as a Duke?’

 

That was all she could guess.

 

Walking while holding Theo’s arm felt quite stable. It had a firmness that seemed like it would never collapse.

 

“Thank you, Theo. Thanks to you, I got to wear such a pretty dress.”

 

“I’m glad you like it.”

 

Theo’s standard was entirely Evelyn. No matter how nice the clothes might be, if she didn’t like them or they made her uncomfortable, he was ready to discard them immediately.

 

“Is the sacred relic doing well?”

 

Perhaps because of Theo, she too was treating the sacred relic like a person.

 

“Of course, we can never be separated.”

 

Something about those words seemed strange…

 

Before Evelyn could wonder about it, he took out the sacred relic from his chest. As expected, it was without any protective casing.

 

“Carrying it like that makes it look just like a pocket watch.”

 

“Indeed, should I attach a chain to it?”

 

“Like a necklace? Do whatever you want, Theo.”

 

As they conversed and walked following him.

 

Why do we keep walking?

 

Evelyn, who thought they would return to the manor immediately, asked.

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“A teahouse. One full of sweet cakes.”

 

“Do you like desserts too, Theo?”

 

Instead of answering, he smiled. More precisely, he liked Evelyn enjoying desserts.

 

The place Theo guided her to was a teahouse converted from a 3-story house. As soon as they opened the door, lace and frills greeted them abundantly.

 

“How did you know about a place like this? Don’t tell me you’re a regular?”

 

Evelyn asked with giggles. That was because the overwhelmingly lovely atmosphere felt childish even to Evelyn.

 

Looking around, the place was full of young ladies who appeared to be teenagers. They all stared at Theo with curiosity.

 

When a server approached, he left the ordering entirely to Evelyn. She quickly chose two slices of cake and warm tea.

 

Evelyn’s laughter didn’t stop. There were cute decorations and even teddy bears placed throughout the room. Theo smiled as if pleased.

 

“Why are you laughing?”

 

“It doesn’t suit you at all, Theo.”

 

Is that so? Theo shrugged.

 

He didn’t care about other people’s gazes.

 

When he could see Evelyn this happy, what did the location matter?

 

“Is it that bad?”

 

He leaned his upper body toward Evelyn.

 

“Of course, a well-built knight like you…”

 

Evelyn’s lips stopped moving. She stared blankly at Theo who had leaned toward her.

 

Not suited? What nonsense! This man had the kind of beauty that made even excessive decorations seem trivial. Everything felt like a backdrop created for him.

 

Ah, I see. Good looks can even break down prejudices.

 

Evelyn let out a helpless laugh. It seemed better to just change the subject.

 

“Please answer the question I asked earlier.”

 

“How I knew about this place? Vanessa recommended it.”

 

“Vanessa knows a lot of things. Come to think of it, I haven’t greeted the other knights properly.”

 

Among the knights she met during the business trip, she had only met Vanessa.

 

“I should greet them properly next time.”

 

“Do as you wish.”

 

While they were chatting, two slices of cake and matching tea were prepared. Evelyn, who took a bite of the strawberry-topped cream cake, showed a surprised expression.

 

Oh my! It’s really delicious!

 

Eating frantically, an empty plate was revealed. Evelyn, coming to her senses, cleared her throat embarrassedly.

 

Theo said with satisfaction.

 

“Vanessa recommended several places. Places with good atmosphere and places with good taste.”

 

“…So you chose a place with good taste.”

 

“Yes, I did well, didn’t I?”

 

He asked as if seeking praise. Evelyn nodded in admiration.

 

At the same time, she deliberately covered her embarrassment with a bright face.

 

“Yes, it was truly an excellent decision.”

 

She needed to talk about work, even if forced.

 

“How much do you all know about Julia’s Stone?”

 

“We don’t seem to know everything. The Grand Cleric said he’d tell us gradually after finishing his pilgrimage.”

 

“He’s on a pilgrimage?”

 

“That’s what I heard. He’s going with very close priests, so it’s hard to contact him.”

 

“Where did he go?”

 

“Even that is classified information.”

 

It was unknown whether he was praying or doing volunteer work. Evelyn carefully brought up the topic.

 

“Actually… I don’t know much about doctrine.”

 

“I’m the same. The theology I learned as a child was all I had.”

 

“Then may I ask about Julia’s Stone?”

 

“I’ll answer anything I know.”

 

Evelyn asked what she had been curious about.

 

“I was curious about two things. One is why Julia’s Stone possesses both magical and divine power simultaneously, and the other is why it was discovered on Monster Mountain.”

 

She lowered her voice.

 

“In a way… they could clash with each other, couldn’t they?”

 

She was cautious about expressing that mana and divine power were opposites.

 

“I failed to explain something important.”

 

Theo spoke up.

 

“When I was young, I received theology lessons from the Grand Cleric.”

 

Receiving lessons from the Grand Cleric himself… Being from House of Ashford, even their teachers must be extraordinary.

 

Evelyn put aside her surprise and listened carefully to his words.

 

“Long ago, when the gods lived alongside humans. To coexist peacefully with monsters, Goddess Julia herself negotiated directly. As part of the agreement, the goddess had to remain on Monster Mountain for a long time.”

 

In other words, she was essentially a hostage.

 

Theo’s explanation continued.

 

“Naturally, influenced by Julia’s divine power, sacred stones were formed. One of them is Julia’s Stone. When the promised period ended, the goddess left Monster Mountain. The remaining sacred stones became mixed with mana from the mountain’s energy.”

 

“I see.”

 

“For a while, Monster Mountain became a symbol of peace. That’s why we speculate the stone’s prophecy is meant for peace.”

 

He finished speaking, saying that was all he knew.

 

Evelyn pondered deeply, organizing her thoughts.

 

Julia, the goddess of peace and mercy, and even the sacred relic that appeared from Monster Mountain, which was once a symbol of peace…

 

What on earth was going to happen?

 

In any case, she had become deeply involved in this mission. She would have to shoulder an unexpected responsibility as well.

 

‘I need to research Julia’s Stone.’

 

She decided to delve into the sacred relic in order to return to the research institute more quickly.

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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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