That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 56

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

That’s not what kissing means!

 

Episode 56

 

Seeing her confused expression, Paul chuckled mischievously.

 

“Forget it, that’s something to think about later… Let’s just go to the Imperial Library together.”

 

“The library? Why… Don’t tell me you’re still nursing that unrequited love?”

 

Paul’s face darkened at the unexpected attack.

 

“You’re not planning to finally work up the courage to go there together now that I’m here, are you?”

 

Evelyn hit the nail on the head once again, practically twisting it.

 

“Yes… I haven’t seen her for days and I feel like I’m dying of torment.”

 

“What are you going to do there? Finally confess?”

 

“No, just from behind the bookshelf…”

 

Evelyn clicked her tongue. Paul was in no position to tease her.

 

She spoke to her thoroughly dejected colleague.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, stop making that face like you’re dying to see her.”

 

Paul immediately brightened up, stood from his seat, and took the lead.

 

* * *

 

The Imperial Library, which housed all the precious books of the Empire, was quite substantial in scale.

 

Paul skillfully hid behind a bookshelf and peered at the librarian.

 

Evelyn frowned deeply and whispered.

 

“Doing this makes you look kind of…”

 

“Pitiful?”

 

“Disgusting.”

 

Sneaking around and peeping like that.

 

Paul showed a gloomy expression at those words. Then his eyes widened.

 

“That’s her!”

 

A librarian with brown hair and a gentle smile was organizing books.

 

As Paul had said, her sparkling golden eyes were striking.

 

“Beautiful, isn’t she?”

 

“Yes, give up.”

 

Evelyn said coldly. It was beauty that kept drawing her gaze.

 

‘But why… doesn’t she seem unfamiliar?’

 

She tilted her head.

 

Something about those brilliant golden eyes and gentle atmosphere felt familiar.

 

“Alright. Let’s go now.”

 

Paul clutched his chest and turned away.

 

“Good thinking. From her perspective, it would be quite unpleasant, wouldn’t it? Give up on those feelings and focus on your work.”

 

Evelyn gave sincere advice. One-sided affection from a man she didn’t even know… there was no way that would be welcome.

 

Then Paul looked back beyond the bookshelf with eyes full of lingering attachment.

 

“Huh? Where did she go?”

 

However, the librarian had already disappeared.

 

As if no one had been there from the beginning.

 

* * *

 

The place the vanished librarian headed to was below the library, to the Underground Archives.

 

It was where documents that were later designated as forbidden books or scheduled for disposal were collected.

 

Since they were books to be discarded, management was lax, and the place was filled with stale dust and humid air.

 

As she descended the stone steps, the smell of old paper permeated her nostrils.

 

A man emerged from behind the corroded bookshelf.

 

“It’s been a while, Sara.”

 

“There haven’t been any orders from that person for some time.”

 

The man handed Sara a paper densely filled with writing.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor remains the same. Every night he heads to the Prayer Hall, and before sleeping he drinks the tea that person provided.”

 

Besides that, everything about the Emperor was recorded – who he met, how he spent his days.

 

It was information that only someone closest to him could possibly know.

 

“I need to return to the Imperial Palace now. It’s shift change time.”

 

“Understood. I’ll handle this the same way as last time…”

 

“Come to think of it, Sara. That person came to the Imperial Palace today.”

 

“What? The southern pilgrimage is over?”

 

Sara asked in surprise. Her face was filled with rapture as if she had seen a vast light.

 

A mad ecstasy rose in her usually calm eyes.

 

“I want to see that person too…! I want to pay my respects right away…”

 

“Calm down, Sara. You know that’s not possible.”

 

Her face darkened at the words telling her to behave quietly.

 

“If I had known this would happen, I should have become an Imperial Palace Servant like you.”

 

“Your role is so important. Don’t say such things.”

 

The man patted her shoulder.

 

“Sara, your eyes are exactly like that person’s. It means you’ll be put to great use.”

 

At those words, Sara showed a greatly calmed demeanor.

 

Her golden eyes were the most valuable thing she possessed.

 

“Tell me even a little about that person.”

 

“I felt a more intense power than before. That noble bearing was still the same.”

 

“Ahh…”

 

Before long, both their expressions had become dreamily relaxed. As if addicted to something fatal.

 

“I… I’m waiting for that person to fulfill their will. For the day of glory…”

 

The man spoke to the tearful Sara.

 

“It will surely come. There isn’t much time left.”

 

Then he bid farewell and left.

 

The face of the remaining Sara gradually hardened. When she erased her rapturous smile, no trace of vitality could be seen.

 

She sat at the old desk and took out a purple ink bottle from her bosom.

 

She filled her pen with ink and copied the man’s record exactly. The purple handwriting faded and soon disappeared.

 

She put it in her pocket and returned to the Imperial Palace Library, where another librarian asked her friendly.

 

“Where did you go? Let’s eat cookies together later.”

 

“Really? That sounds great to me.”

 

Sara smiled brightly and headed to a corner of the library.

 

It was the theology book section that no one read anymore.

 

She pulled out a book and inserted the paper she had transcribed.

 

The original that the man had given her was scheduled to be burned soon.

 

* * *

 

In the end, Evelyn and Theo couldn’t exchange a single word in the carriage ride back together.

 

Only awkward air lingered around them.

 

“Have you returned home?”

 

Robert politely greeted Theo as he entered the Duke’s Mansion.

 

When Theo didn’t see Evelyn by his side, he asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Is Lady Evelyn in the garden?”

 

“Yes, she said she was going for a brief walk.”

 

What’s going on? Robert’s mustache twitched in surprise.

 

It wasn’t surprising that Evelyn was spending time in the garden.

 

However, his master’s expression didn’t look good.

 

‘Surely the two of them didn’t have a fight!’

 

His anxiety grew, wondering if there might be a problem with his master’s romantic affairs.

 

Indeed, he needed to take a more active approach.

 

‘What have I done as head butler!’

 

It was when Robert was reproaching himself.

 

“Have you finally arrived? There’s something I must report immediately.”

 

A sharp voice came from behind. It was Julian.

 

Theo asked leisurely without even glancing at him.

 

“Is it urgent?”

 

“Yes, it’s extremely urgent. Where on earth have you been?”

 

“Let’s go to the office. To hear a report more important than an imperial command.”

 

As soon as he was separated from Evelyn, Theo immediately became bored. He returned to his usual languid appearance.

 

He too noticed how rational he had become. At the same time, everything around him felt tedious.

 

Evelyn stirred up his heart while also making Theo’s world more colorful.

 

She was someone who had never existed before and would never exist again.

 

As soon as they entered the office, he could see the table and the chairs surrounding it.

 

Theo naturally took the head seat while Julian sat diagonally across from him.

 

Julian hurriedly spread documents across the table.

 

“There was a major fire at Rosea Estate. Because of that, our deal has been disrupted.”

 

“Tell me the details.”

 

“We were supposed to import Dallion Flowers, their specialty, to make perfume. But it seems they all burned up in the fire.”

 

House of Ashford also owned many businesses.

 

One of them was perfume manufacturing, and they had planned to import new materials from Rosea Estate in the south.

 

But an unexpected fire had caused them great losses. By principle, they should hold the merchant responsible for failing to deliver goods on time.

 

“What about casualties?”

 

“Pardon? Of course there were. Their manager also suffered significant damage…”

 

“Forget the compensation and invest instead.”

 

Theo continued.

 

“Dallion Flowers are materials that only grow there. They’re very difficult to cultivate, so only a few can grow them.”

 

“…”

 

“Propose an exclusive contract. Once things stabilize somewhat.”

 

“…Yes, understood.”

 

Julian nodded.

 

Thanks to Theo’s investment, they would be able to get back on their feet.

 

He couldn’t help but know that Theo was giving the merchant an opportunity under the pretext of exclusivity.

 

“But what was the cause?”

 

At the Duke’s question, he made a troubled face.

 

“That’s what’s puzzling. The cause is unclear.”

 

He continued that the Lord of Rosea was putting all his efforts into it, but hadn’t discovered anything.

 

“First, let’s find ways to minimize future losses.”

 

Theo drew on years of experience to quickly seek solutions.

 

Julian also pulled out another set of documents and presented various plans he had thought of.

 

A meeting between just the two of them began.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————