That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 34

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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 34

 

At the same time, the Emperor, having finished his state affairs, headed not to his bedroom but to the Prayer Hall.

 

The knight guarding the Prayer Hall familiarly bowed and opened the door.

 

The Emperor of the Solaris Empire was famous for his deep faith. As if representing him, altars made of precious gems and gold were placed throughout the Prayer Hall. It was an excessively splendid sight.

 

“I greet His Imperial Majesty.”

 

The priest managing the Prayer Hall offered his greeting. Despite the late night visit, he didn’t seem surprised at all.

 

The Emperor walked to the innermost area without even glancing at him.

 

A sculpture modeled after the goddess stood under a soft light.

 

The way to recognize a statue of Goddess Julia was simple. It was always carved in the same pose.

 

One hand was placed on the chest, while the other was extended with the palm facing downward.

 

It meant she would watch over all life on this ground with her whole heart.

 

The goddess statue in the Emperor’s Prayer Hall had its face covered. A precious cloth made of gold thread was draped over it.

 

Not many people entered the Prayer Hall, and the occasional visitors thought it was out of respect for the goddess. Because of this, most people except the Emperor had never seen the sculpture’s face.

 

“I wish to pray to the goddess.”

 

The priests, understanding the Emperor’s words immediately, left the Prayer Hall.

 

The Emperor looked at the goddess statue with a dreamy, dazed expression. Then he slowly removed the cloth from above her head.

 

Soon, delicate features were revealed. A familiar face that all citizens of the Empire would recognize.

 

Ah. He let out a groan and muttered with sinister eyes.

 

“I miss you, Empress.”

 

* * *

 

Time passed quickly.

 

Evelyn was able to easily adapt to life at the Duke’s Mansion within just a few days.

 

That was because everyone was uniformly kind.

 

Robert asked the chef to prepare snacks for her every day.

 

Vanessa became Evelyn’s conversation partner, always bringing up interesting topics.

 

The only person she couldn’t become close with was Julian, with whom she only exchanged greetings.

 

After observing the people at the Duke’s Mansion for some time, it seemed there was no one who was close to him.

 

Today, Evelyn’s morning was the same as always.

 

She would wash briefly in the bathroom attached to her room, change into a neat indoor dress, and go downstairs to eat.

 

It had become a familiar routine.

 

She had a habit of looking at the ceiling after waking up and enjoying the soft texture of the blanket.

 

This habit had developed after experiencing the wonderful decorations and good bedding of the Duke’s Mansion.

 

As Evelyn wiggled her toes for a few minutes, she heard a tapping sound at the window.

 

It was rain that had been falling since dawn.

 

‘It’s raining heavily.’

 

Somehow the shadowy sky seemed to make even the Duke’s Mansion feel gloomy. Though that couldn’t really be the case.

 

It was when she got up from bed, finished preparing, and went down to the First Floor.

 

Robert was standing in the center of the railing leading to the Main Hall. He was quietly gazing at the Duke’s family portrait.

 

Evelyn, who would normally have greeted him cheerfully, stopped in her tracks.

 

A distant longing was seeping out from him.

 

Evelyn had not yet experienced a great farewell in her life. But Robert’s earnest eyes made her feel solemn.

 

Then, Robert turned his head. Seeing Evelyn standing awkwardly on the stairs, he smiled gently.

 

“Good morning, Lady Evelyn.”

 

“Yes, good morning.”

 

“You’re going to have a meal with… the master.”

 

Evelyn nodded.

 

He seemed to have something to say as his lips moved slightly. Reading his hesitation, Evelyn waited quietly.

 

After a brief silence, Robert returned to his usual kind expression.

 

“It’s raining quite heavily, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes, I should refrain from going out today.”

 

“Lady Evelyn.”

 

He called Evelyn calmly. The longing from earlier rose to his face.

 

“It seems it will be quite cold today. At times like this, one should stay close to warmth.”

 

“…”

 

“Both Lady Evelyn… and the master.”

 

Having finished speaking, he bowed and went down below the railing.

 

It wasn’t something to say in the Duke’s Mansion, which had magical temperature control devices.

 

‘Does he mean something else?’

 

Unable to understand the meaning, Evelyn looked at the painting. Just like Robert had.

 

The painting was unchanged, filled with warm family love.

 

But was it because of Robert? The smiles of the three people somehow looked sad.

 

“What are you doing there?”

 

Startled by the sudden voice, Evelyn looked for the owner of the voice.

 

“Over here.”

 

Theo, standing in the Main Hall below the stairs, waved his hand slightly at her.

 

“I came to get you.”

 

“Me?”

 

“It’s almost meal time but you’re not coming.”

 

“You didn’t eat first.”

 

“A dining table alone is boring now. Because of you.”

 

“What did I do?”

 

At the same time, Evelyn realized.

 

Could it be that Theo had been lonely all this time?

 

However, the answer that came flying made her sympathy disappear far away.

 

“Watching you is interesting. With that small body, you easily surpass my meal portions.”

 

Now she understood.

 

The glutton’s performance had begun at some point during the usually quiet meal times.

 

How enjoyable it must have been for him to watch.

 

As she went down the stairs, Theo took her hand as if he had been waiting.

 

Even his excessive consideration seemed to be becoming familiar.

 

“Theo.”

 

Evelyn, who was about to ask about the breakfast menu, stopped speaking.

 

His face, which she looked up at, was downcast.

 

As soon as she read Theo’s shadow, he quickly composed his expression.

 

“Do you like my face today as well?”

 

“How can you say such things so casually?”

 

Evelyn responded lightly to his joke.

 

She had no intention of digging into his dark emotions as Theo wanted.

 

Soon they arrived at the Dining Room, and Theo pulled out a chair for her.

 

Evelyn’s eyes widened as she picked up her utensils.

 

“New flowers?”

 

On the Table, the vase was filled with new flowers different from yesterday.

 

“It’s always been like that.”

 

He answered nonchalantly.

 

“It rained really heavily today. So I thought you wouldn’t go out.”

 

She had heard that Theo always personally brought the new flowers for the Table.

 

Did he go to the garden even in this gloomy weather?

 

At that moment, a low voice was heard.

 

“That’s why I went out.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“It felt like the rain was urging me on.”

 

It was an incomprehensible statement.

 

Even more puzzling was the heavy atmosphere surrounding him.

 

Sadness cast over his sunken violet eyes before immediately disappearing, as if he was being mindful of Evelyn.

 

The shadow that briefly passed couldn’t be forgotten from her mind.

 

Suddenly, she remembered what he had said earlier.

 

‘A solitary dining table has become boring now.’

 

He wasn’t particularly interested in plants. She could naturally tell by seeing how he paid no attention to them except when filling vases.

 

Then it must have been a habit formed at someone’s request.

 

Someone who would be delighted by both Theo and flowers.

 

The two remained silent for a while.

 

Only the sound of drizzling rain echoed inside.

 

Unlike when she looked at Robert, Theo’s emotions seemed to be felt completely.

 

Even though it shouldn’t be possible, it felt as if her heart was filled with rainwater.

 

Loneliness was an emotion that made her whole body feel cold.

 

Robert might have already known.

 

That’s why he spoke to Evelyn about warmth. Asking her to comfort him.

 

She touched the flower petals in the vase. Then she drew his attention with a light voice.

 

“You’re completely soaked, aren’t you? Look here, some are left with just bare stems without flowers.”

 

“Don’t you like it?”

 

“It’s pretty terrible.”

 

It was unusually mischievous behavior for her. Evelyn made a playful expression.

 

“But I’ll let it slide since the fragrance is nice. Who else would look after it if not me.”

 

“….”

 

“I’ll look for the vase every morning. Wondering what kind of flowers there will be today, what the fragrance will be like… like that.”

 

She smiled brightly.

 

“So you have to go out to the garden every single day without fail. Got it?”

 

“Evelyn.”

 

His violet eyes trembled finely before regaining their composure.

 

His long eyes that held her drew a large arc.

 

There were times when he felt his habit was meaningless.

 

Since he was now the only one left to see the flowers.

 

But just now, Evelyn had given meaning to his actions.

 

“Now, let’s eat!”

 

She called out brightly.

 

Having rejected his heart, she couldn’t delve into what Theo’s sadness was about.

 

Instead, she decided to fill the empty space of someone who used to look for flowers.

 

…Only while staying here.

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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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