That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 41
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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 41
“Did you see that? Amazing!”
Don’t I have talent?
Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Of course, it would have been absolutely impossible without Theo.
But he pretended not to know and praised Evelyn instead.
“That’s impressive. You could join a guild soon.”
Even knowing Theo’s words were an exaggeration, she couldn’t control her rising smile.
“Some people spin their daggers when they throw them!”
“That’s for long distances. Since we’re at a short distance, there’s no need to spin it.”
There was no way Evelyn possessed such skill. Theo was able to curb her enthusiasm with plausible words.
“Should we try a few more times?”
“Yes!”
Theo approached Evelyn’s side again. As a gentle breeze blew, the fresh scent of grass mixed with Evelyn’s body fragrance tickled his nose.
Theo squeezed his eyes shut tight then opened them at the dizzying sensation he felt for a moment.
He composed his expression to avoid revealing his rising feelings.
After that, the dagger hit the center of the target several more times.
Evelyn believed it was her own skill and looked forward to the upcoming game.
* * *
After some time had passed, Vanessa, Whittaker, and Victor walked over from a distance.
After repeated practice with Theo, Evelyn was filled with confidence.
“Did your practice go well?”
She nodded triumphantly at Vanessa’s question.
Vanessa felt puzzled for a moment.
She had stepped aside to give them time alone together, but somehow Evelyn looked like a victorious knight rather than a woman in love.
Whittaker calmly explained the game rules.
“It’s simple. The closer the thrown dagger’s position is to the center of the target, the higher the score. Each person gets five chances.”
It was a method of competing by adding up the scores of teammates.
“Victor agreed to be the judge. Shall we begin?”
Vanessa smiled refreshingly and placed her long sword on the ground. It was the starting line.
“This distance to the target should be good.”
“Isn’t that too short? It’s not child’s play… Ugh!”
As payment for his unnecessary comment, Vanessa’s elbow struck Victor’s stomach. Discreetly enough that Evelyn couldn’t see.
As he said, the distance to the target was very close. It was the kind of position commonly seen at street festivals.
There was no intention to crush Evelyn’s spirit from the start.
‘She’s going to lose anyway…’
Vanessa chuckled and stepped forward. Today’s goal wasn’t victory for her lord and Evelyn.
“I’ll throw first!”
She threw the dagger without any hesitation.
‘Did she even aim properly?’
Her movement was so quick that Evelyn had reason to doubt.
As confident as she was, the blade tip instantly embedded itself in the center of the target.
Only Evelyn was amazed. Everyone else wore expressions as if looking at flowers by the roadside.
Victor pulled out the sword indifferently and gestured again. As if he wasn’t afraid of flying weapons, he leaned against the target with his arm draped over it.
Or perhaps it was faith in her skill.
After that, Vanessa threw daggers with machine-like precision. All five times hit the center.
“Vanessa… that’s amazing.”
At Evelyn’s admiration, she winked.
‘Is dagger throwing Vanessa’s specialty? What if Theo loses?’
Either way, he was her superior. She worried whether his pride might be hurt unnecessarily.
“Next is my lord’s turn!”
Theo picked up a dagger and approached the designated position.
Just before he raised his arm, he turned his head slightly.
When their eyes met, Evelyn quietly parted her lips.
‘Good luck.’
Theo’s face melted softly as he read her lip movement.
Receiving Evelyn’s encouragement was more heartwarming than he had expected.
Enough that he could repeat trivial games like this every day if he could see this sight.
What should he do.
He briefly pondered whether to meet Evelyn’s expectations or show weakness to choose her comfort.
Then, flames ignited in her blue eyes. She seemed to have a stronger competitive spirit than expected.
Theo chuckled low and straightened his sword. As he threw the dagger with skilled movements, the sharp blade cut through the wind.
With the following dull sound, the dagger settled right in the center of the target.
“Theo!”
Evelyn called out his name in surprise, then covered her mouth again.
In her own way, it was an action to avoid breaking his concentration.
Her delighted expression was addictive. Theo straightened his posture and threw the sword again.
Victor pulled out the dagger embedded in the target and tilted his head.
‘He’s moving slower than usual today?’
Vanessa noticed the same thing.
Theo’s actions had slowed down compared to usual because he was paying attention to his posture. Of course, Vanessa instantly read his intention.
‘He’s doing all sorts of things to look good in front of Lady Evelyn.’
All five daggers settled in the center. Evelyn quietly celebrated to be considerate of her opponents.
“Theo, that’s amazing.”
At her admiration, Theo looked satisfied. He felt like a dog that had fetched a ball, but he couldn’t help it.
Only Evelyn’s praise could lift him up and put him down.
“Next is my turn.”
Whittaker raised his arm to throw the sword but hesitated.
At this rate, it was obvious Evelyn would lose.
‘Should I hold back? It would probably make Lady Evelyn happier if…’
Just as he was about to deliberately hide his skill.
Vanessa slowly approached and patted Whittaker’s shoulder. A chilling whisper reached his ear.
“Don’t go easy.”
“…”
“Play properly…”
Terrifying ventriloquism continued beneath her smiling eyes. Feeling his hair stand on end, Whittaker quickly nodded.
He remembered what Vanessa had said before coming here.
‘Listen carefully. Everything we do is for those two. Whatever the process, there’s only one goal.’
It was their lord’s romantic endeavor.
He didn’t know why they had to win, but he had no choice but to follow Vanessa’s plan.
Having made his decision, Whittaker immediately threw the dagger. He hit the center all five times.
Despite the trivial game, he put on an awkward performance.
“This is quite difficult.”
Someone who says it’s difficult gets scores like that?
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.
Whittaker shouted to avoid her suspicion.
“Now it’s Lady Evelyn’s turn!”
Evelyn took the dagger and stood directly in front of the wooden target.
That’s when it happened. Victor glanced around nervously and moved far away from the target.
Unlike the previous three, his eyes were filled with anxiety. As if Evelyn’s weapon might come flying toward him.
Perhaps embarrassed by this, he stretched unnecessarily.
“Standing around so much is making my body stiff…”
It was just stretching his arms, but why he was moving sideways was anyone’s guess.
Evelyn took a step back and assumed the position to throw the dagger.
‘Relax the shoulders, don’t force it but let it go naturally…’
Her posture wasn’t bad. Now if only Theo would support her from behind…
Oh, right. Theo wasn’t here.
A sense of emptiness washed over her belatedly. Come to think of it, Theo had been with her during all their practice sessions.
Now Evelyn had to face the game entirely on her own.
‘It should be fine… I practiced hard.’
She recalled the sensation from earlier. Theo’s touch on her shoulders and the warmth that had enveloped the back of her hand.
Taking a deep breath, she aimed at the target.
Finally, she extended her arm fully and threw the blade. The dagger flew toward the target just as Evelyn had planned.
Or rather, it tried to fly.
Thud.
“…”
“…”
The dagger landed halfway between the target and Evelyn. Everyone was left speechless at the sight. Even the fallen dagger looked embarrassed.
“What was that?”
Victor’s deep voice rang out. At his innocent question, Evelyn’s face turned bright red.
“Ah, still! You have four more chances left!”
Vanessa hurriedly placed another dagger in her hand.
Theo didn’t spare any words of encouragement, saying her posture was good.
Evelyn wanted to cry out.
Let’s just stop now.
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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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