That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

Even after telling Whittaker about the contents of the tactical manual, Evelyn continued reading the forbidden books.

 

Not only the officially known ancient languages, but also slang and dead languages fascinated her.

 

Each time she learned something new, her notebook was filled to the brim.

 

Even when night fell, her desire to learn did not stop.

 

She took ‘Light and Altar’, the first book she had found, and headed to her bedroom.

 

Initially she had borrowed it because of Whittaker, but now she was reading it purely for her own learning.

 

When she turned on the small magic lamp beside her bed, a gentle light illuminated the book.

 

After leaning her back against the headboard, she drew up her knees and opened the forbidden book. She turned past the faded cover and examined its structure.

 

It was a book with ancient text on the left pages and crude illustrations on the right pages.

 

The very first chapter was about how to offer prayers to the goddess Yulia.

 

There was a picture of people piling white flowers in front of her altar.

 

Then, white light symbolizing peace enveloped the altar and the people.

 

‘So that’s why it’s called Light and Altar.’

 

The book’s title made sense. After that, it showed various methods of offering prayers to different gods one by one.

 

Evelyn frowned as she read through the translations carefully.

 

It was because of the content about offering sacrifices to the god Calimedes. In ancient times, they offered prayers to gods in much more raw ways.

 

But Calimedes was extreme.

 

Everyone was prostrating and worshipping around a brutally mutilated beast.

 

As it went on, more specific and cruel text followed. The content was disgustingly explicit.

 

[God of death, Calimedes! Please grant our wishes.]

 

Calimedes… that was the god who had first claimed the red sacred stone in the unofficial history.

 

‘What on earth do they want from the god of death?’

 

A curse?

 

There were many more gods back then than now.

 

Since Calimedes was a god not even mentioned currently, she had no way of knowing.

 

Then, an illustration painted deep red appeared. It was an altar drenched in blood.

 

[Calimedes desired the color red. We shall not forget their sacrifice.]

 

She examined the old drawing next to the text closely. Soon after, Evelyn’s face hardened rapidly.

 

What was placed on the altar were people.

 

Seeing the people piled layer upon layer, her eyes shook violently.

 

What could they have hoped to gain by sacrificing fellow humans?

 

[Red light is the key to eternity.]

 

The last phrase caught Evelyn’s attention.

 

‘When the red fruit bears, you shall finally walk in eternity.’

 

At that moment, why the Previous Duke’s amulet came to mind…

 

Even Evelyn herself couldn’t understand.

 

* * *

 

Clear sunlight illuminated the library as usual.

 

It was now full spring.

 

Chirping birds and the morning air greeted Evelyn, but…

 

‘I’m tired.’

 

Her condition was not good. So she had been lying face down on the desk the whole time.

 

It was because of the Previous Duke’s amulet that had been floating in her mind last night.

 

She clearly knew it had nothing to do with anything.

 

As Theo had said, the red fruit would symbolize the Previous Duke’s magic sword.

 

Since even worrying about it was disrespectful, Evelyn forced herself to close her eyes.

 

But the blood-stained altar she had seen in the ancient book appeared in her dreams.

 

In a place drenched with fresh blood, people were blindly praying for something.

 

It was an unpleasant nightmare in many ways.

 

‘I should probably rest today.’

 

No matter how much she enjoyed ancient language research, she didn’t want this kind of discomfort.

 

Then, she heard gentle concern from across the table.

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

Theo gently brushed aside her hair as she lay face down.

 

When her pale face was revealed, he examined her carefully.

 

“You don’t look well.”

 

“…”

 

There was no need to unnecessarily worry him. Evelyn came up with a different excuse.

 

“You know, Theo. I’ve been working really hard these past few days.”

 

“I know. This little head of yours has been through quite a lot because of it.”

 

Perhaps enjoying the texture of her curly hair, he still didn’t remove his hand from Evelyn.

 

Being tired, she let Theo be.

 

“So I’m going to rest a bit today.”

 

“Good thinking. Should I have them prepare a tart loaded with fruit? I noticed you enjoyed the sorbet last time…”

 

“Anyone watching would think I’m a glutton.”

 

“…”

 

Theo gave no response. Somehow the mood felt strange.

 

“…Today I’m going to read something other than ancient languages.”

 

“Do you have any books you usually like?”

 

“Well, I like romance novels.”

 

At those words, Theo’s eyes widened then curved into a long smile.

 

“That’s unfortunate. There probably aren’t many of that type here.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. I’m just looking for a book to clear my head.”

 

Evelyn got up from her seat, intending to browse the bookshelves.

 

Come to think of it, she had been so focused on ancient languages that she hadn’t looked at other books.

 

The library was quite spacious, with various books classified by content.

 

Mostly stiff titles like imperial studies, economics, and swordsmanship manuals dominated.

 

The Theo she knew was a free person, unbound by rules. He always approached everything with a relaxed attitude.

 

Unlike his ascetic face, a leisurely smile always resided there. The two harmonized without any sense of discord.

 

Yet when he sat at his desk buried in books and documents, he transformed into a different person. He handled his given tasks cleanly without delay.

 

‘What an interesting person.’

 

Evelyn approached a corner of the bookshelf.

 

Nevertheless, one thing was clear.

 

He was always gentle, at least toward her.

 

When her thoughts reached that point, she shook her head vigorously.

 

Breaking free from her thoughts, Evelyn looked at the books in front of her. Then she discovered an unexpected book.

 

“The Fox and the Girl”

 

‘It’s a picture book?’

 

She had found warmth that didn’t match the stuffy space at all.

 

The fox drawn on the cover was incredibly cute. The fox was dancing as if happy.

 

Evelyn picked up the fairy tale book without hesitation.

 

How cute would the contents be?

 

She immediately went to her desk and placed “The Fox and the Girl” on it.

 

“Theo, look at this. I found a picture book. It must be for children to read.”

 

He smiled at her excited voice.

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

 

“Did you read it when you were young?”

 

Theo reading a picture book – somehow it made her laugh.

 

Theo tilted his head and asked.

 

“Why are you laughing? Isn’t it natural for children to look at picture fairy tales?”

 

“I keep imagining it…”

 

Evelyn burst into laughter again with a “pfft.” It was because she kept picturing not young Theo, but his current appearance.

 

He ran his finger across the picture book with a swish.

 

“After reading fairy tales, Father would show me magic.”

 

“How?”

 

Evelyn’s eyes lit up at the mention of magic.

 

“He could find the page I had opened without looking at it.”

 

“Is that possible?”

 

Theo’s lips curved into an arc as he watched her curious face.

 

“Shall I show you?”

 

Evelyn stared at him as if entranced, then soon nodded her head.

 

“Do it exactly the same. Just as the Previous Duke did for you.”

 

“Alright, you start first.”

 

Theo closed his eyes first. Evelyn opened the fairy tale book, then turned her back in case he might see and flipped through the pages again.

 

A picture was revealed of the fox winking with one eye while holding candy.

 

She closed the book and gently placed it on the desk.

 

“I’ve decided. Try to guess it.”

 

Could he really figure it out? Somehow her heart was pounding.

 

She felt like a child seeing magic for the first time.

 

Theo opened his eyes and laughed out loud seeing her excited state.

 

“As you can see, it’s a picture book so there’s no text. I can only read it as I heard it.”

 

Then he turned past the cover to show the first page.

 

“A fox who went to play in a human village fell in love at the sight of a girl. And he began looking for a way to approach the girl.”

 

Theo, who had been reading the first scene, called to her as if he had forgotten something.

 

“I forgot. You need to give me a hint.”

 

“A hint?”

 

“I find it through the other person’s pulse.”

 

At the same time, he extended his hand over the desk.

 

“Come on.”

 

“…”

 

Evelyn, who had been hesitating, offered her small hand. Theo’s fingers moved up onto her wrist.

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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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