That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 55

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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 55

 

“I dare not presume to guess His will.”

 

“I’ve been praying daily just as you instructed. I’ve donated more sacred funds than anyone else on the continent.”

 

“Sadly, it seems your prayers have not reached the goddess.”

The Emperor’s fingertips trembled at his leisurely attitude.

“What… what should I do?”

 

“Are you drinking the tea properly?”

The Emperor quickly nodded at that question.

“Of course! I purify my body daily with the tea you gave me and offer prayers.”

 

“You’ve done well. Continue doing so. When I go to the Holy Kingdom, I’ll light a candle for Your Majesty at the largest altar.”

 

“That’s not what I want!”

Finally, the Emperor shouted, unable to bear his frustration.

His emotions had been uncontrollable lately. Especially when he was with the Envoy.

The Emperor had revealed everything to him, even giving him his weaknesses. He had long abandoned his dignity.

“The Empress! I miss the Empress! I’m going mad with longing!”

The Emperor continued to cry out loudly for the Empress.

He beat his chest and frantically tore at his hair.

He poured out all the sticky emotions that had built up for a very long time.

Tears streamed down beneath his bloodshot eyes. Unable to control his grief, he clung to the Envoy’s legs.

“You can do it, can’t you! Help me meet the Empress…!”

The Emperor’s faith seemed directed not at God, but at the Envoy.

“Poor soul.”

The Envoy stroked his hair as if treating a child.

Then, infusing a bit of divine power, the Emperor’s eyes lost focus. His mind became hazy.

“You miss Her Majesty the Empress very much.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“I’m the only one who knows your sorrow.”

The Emperor nodded weakly at the consolation filled with laughter.

“So try just a little harder.”

The Envoy rose from his seat.

The Emperor, who had been clinging to his legs, simply collapsed powerlessly on the floor.

“Oh, and what was her name… Evelyn?”

He smiled brightly.

“I do hope she comes to the Holy Kingdom. Along with Yulia’s Stone, of course.”

With those words, the Envoy left the tea room.

As soon as the Envoy departed, several servants followed him familiarly.

Shortly after, a carriage filled with gold left the Imperial Palace.

* * *

Evelyn, who had been strolling through the garden, looked once more at their clasped hands.

It was intense contact for an escort.

Theo likes me…

But he definitely said he would sort out his feelings…

Her head was spinning. She even began to doubt all the hospitality she’d received so far.

‘No, Robert said so too. That it’s a family tradition.’

That kind face couldn’t have been lying.

She stopped walking abruptly. Then she looked straight at Theo.

Theo didn’t avoid her gaze either.

“You seem to have many questions.”

Instead, he smiled at Evelyn with a relieved expression.

Of course, she had countless questions to ask him.

‘Do you still like me?’

She held back the words she most wanted to ask. Because she was afraid of what answer he might give.

If he said yes… how should I treat Theo?

“…”

 

“…”

Conflict flickered in Evelyn’s eyes.

Reading her, Theo felt his chest grow cold.

He thought he’d grown numb, but her rejection always clawed at him.

Finally, Evelyn opened her mouth heavily.

“Please go back first.”

 

“…”

 

“Since I’m at the Imperial Palace, I should stop by the Research Institute. I’d like to greet the researchers after so long.”

She needed to be apart from Theo for a while to sort out her thoughts.

“…I see. I’ll wait in front of the Research Institute main gate.”

Understanding her intention, Theo left first.

Evelyn was starting to distance herself again.

But he had no regrets about his repeated confessions.

As time passed, he fell deeper for her. If it were purely his own feelings, he might have given up long ago.

Evelyn was as bad at hiding her emotions as she was inexperienced with relationships between men and women.

Every time he got close to her, he could feel her nervous breathing. Her eyelashes fluttering rapidly as she didn’t know what to do.

Then when their eyes met, the nape of her neck would turn red.

Even when concentrating on documents, her blue gaze would occasionally touch his cheek. He could tell she was looking at him without realizing it.

Perhaps it was because of his appearance that suited her taste.

It didn’t matter. Whatever it was, as long as it made him seep into Evelyn’s heart.

* * *

After parting with Theo, the troubled Evelyn headed to the Imperial Research Institute.

She was truly fortunate to have come wearing the research institute uniform. She could blend in naturally.

Though it was a short time of just over a month, the ancient language research work had been enjoyable.

As she entered the first floor of the east building, the Ancient Language Interpretation Department immediately came into view.

“Oh my, Evelyn!”

The first to greet her was Catherine, the senior researcher.

“What brings you here? You must be very busy!”

Then she quietly led her to her own seat.

“Nothing’s wrong, is there? No one’s bothering you or anything…”

She seemed unable to let go of her worry about the newcomer.

“No, I’m doing well. Everyone at the Duke’s mansion treats me kindly.”

 

“The Duke too?”

 

“Yes…”

He treats me more than kindly.

Evelyn swallowed her remaining words and smiled sheepishly.

Other colleagues also approached her one by one, offering greetings.

“Long time no see. I heard you’re working on private construction sites?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I heard too. When they dig up the ground and discover unknown gravestones, you interpret the ancient language carved on them.”

 

“We have to follow orders from above, what else can we do.”

 

The seniors clicked their tongues, wondering how she ended up in such misery. They offered unhelpful comfort, saying that newcomers should even seek out hardships.

 

Even Oliver, who was always stern, looked at her with pity.

 

After exchanging appropriate greetings with everyone, Paul was the last to approach.

 

“Evelyyyy…”

 

He patted Evelyn’s shoulder while sniffling. His sincere tears were almost bewildering.

 

“Are you doing this because you’re worried about me?”

 

Is this what camaraderie is? It was the first time she felt moved by Paul.

 

“Phew, what a relief. That it’s you who got selected and not me…”

 

“…”

 

Of course.

 

Evelyn let out a hollow laugh. Paul didn’t care and asked what he was curious about first.

 

“By the way, did you read the letter I gave you?”

 

His eyes, which had been teary, were now filled with excitement.

 

“Letter? Oh, the one you secretly slipped into my notebook?”

 

“Yeah, that one!”

 

“Yes, shall we have a little chat?”

 

Paul nodded happily, saying it was lunchtime anyway.

 

The two headed to the Research Institute Garden where they used to eat sandwiches together.

 

After confirming no one was around, Evelyn shouted loudly.

 

“Are you crazy? How could you put something like that in there without permission!”

 

“Geez, why are you getting angry?”

 

“Do you know what kind of misunderstanding I faced because of you?”

 

“No idea, you should have read it sooner.”

 

Paul showed no signs of remorse whatsoever.

 

Only after being scolded several times did he grasp the seriousness of the situation and try to appease Evelyn.

 

“Sorry, it’s all my fault. What happened?”

 

“It got delivered to the wrong man! As if I had written it!”

 

“That’s great, just tell him you really did confess. That’s how fate works.”

 

If she could, she wanted to rip out that blabbering mouth of his.

 

Paul continued chattering without stopping.

 

“Why? Don’t you like him?”

 

“What?”

 

“That man who misunderstood. Is he really that bad?”

 

“…”

 

“Oh, you can’t answer.”

 

Paul grinned and poked her arm.

 

“You could just clear up the misunderstanding. Why are you getting angry with a red face? Isn’t it because your feelings got exposed?”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“Think about it seriously. Haven’t you felt your heart flutter even once?”

 

“…”

 

No, that’s just because Theo’s face is my type…

 

At that moment, she heard her own voice from deep within her heart.

 

‘Is it really just because of his face?’

 

At first, her heart definitely raced because of his beauty.

 

But the frequency of those fluttering feelings had increased.

 

His languid voice, the warmth that reached her, the gentle gaze directed only at her…

 

‘What is this?’

 

These were emotions she had been avoiding all along.

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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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