That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 57

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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 57

Meanwhile, Robert anxiously paced back and forth in front of the office, then returned to the main hall, repeating this pattern.

Evelyn still hadn’t returned home.

His master and aide had been inside the office for an hour without coming out.

‘Perhaps she doesn’t want to enter the manor…’

Theo’s face bore deep shadows when he returned to the manor.

It was a faint darkness that only Robert, who had served him for so long, could discern.

If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have been trembling with such anxiety.

Robert eventually went outside and observed Evelyn from a distance.

She too seemed to have deep concerns, as her expression wasn’t bright.

Just then, Evelyn spotted the butler and gave him a faint smile.

“Robert, what are you doing here?”

“I was tending to the garden.”

Wasn’t that originally the gardener’s job?

To Evelyn’s puzzled look, he spoke up.

“It’s cold today. Shall we return to the manor?”

“Yes, let’s go together.”

“Did your visit to the Imperial Palace go well?”

At that, Evelyn hesitantly moved her lips.

Soon she smiled, pretending nothing was wrong.

He wanted to ask what exactly had happened between the two, but a true butler shouldn’t reveal personal curiosity.

Instead, he carefully observed Evelyn’s face.

‘Something definitely happened.’

Her expression was mixed with many concerns.

Then she stopped walking in front of the manor and turned to Robert.

“What is Theo… doing?”

She clearly didn’t want to encounter the Duke.

“His Grace is in a meeting in his office.”

“I see.”

Evelyn, visibly relieved, entered the manor.

And the moment she entered the main hall, she came face to face with Theo emerging from his office.

“…”

“…”

When Evelyn smiled awkwardly, he smiled back as well.

It was the sweet warmth he showed only to her, as always.

Robert and Julian had already disappeared from the scene.

Theo slowly approached Evelyn.

“Weren’t you cold?”

Come to think of it, the outside air had been quite chilly.

“You’re right, it was chilly even though it’s spring…”

“Spring is an unpredictable season, isn’t it? It blooms flowers in full sunlight, then turns cold and harsh.”

Evelyn briefly met his gaze.

His violet eyes held affectionate warmth.

Why hadn’t she noticed this deep emotion before?

No, perhaps she had deliberately avoided it.

Because she didn’t want to face these uncomfortable feelings.

“Evelyn.”

His gentle voice called to her.

“Shall we have some warm tea? We need to chase away the cold.”

She wasn’t sure if he meant the outside chill or the awkwardness between them.

“…Alright.”

Evelyn nodded.

* * *

The place Theo led her to was a small reception room at the very end of the first floor.

It was a space Evelyn had never seen before, having always maintained a regular routine.

Upon entering, she immediately noticed a large window draped with delicate lace curtains.

Flowers swayed gently in the soft sunlight.

“This is the space closest to the garden. Mother loved it here.”

Theo briefly explained while pulling out a chair for Evelyn.

The round wooden table was elegant, with butterfly and flower engravings carved throughout.

After seating Evelyn, he too took a seat across from her.

The small table made the distance between them feel close.

“This is the Duchess’s reception room. Rather than receiving guests, Mother spent her alone time here, reading or doing embroidery.”

Looking around, she noticed embroidered pictures hanging on various walls. The delicate craftsmanship was remarkable.

The soft and cozy atmosphere made Evelyn feel comfortable.

Soon there was a knock, and Robert came in with a tray.

The tea he prepared was always excellent, and Robert was confident in his skills.

That’s why he had carefully prepared the tea, hoping something between the two would be resolved.

As Robert put tea leaves in the teapot and set teacups on the table,

Theo’s voice was heard.

“You may leave it and go.”

Understanding that he wanted to have a quiet conversation, Robert bowed his head.

“Yes, understood. I just added the tea leaves, so you’ll need to wait a bit.”

When he left, silence settled between the two.

Theo spoke first.

“You’re confused, aren’t you? Not knowing how to treat me.”

As expected, he had accurately pinpointed Evelyn’s feelings.

But his next words were unexpected.

“I’m sorry.”

Theo offered a sincere apology. Evelyn looked at him with surprised eyes.

“In the end, I couldn’t hide it. My feelings for you.”

“…”

“It must seem ridiculous. Confidently telling you to feel at ease, then confessing again.”

He had resolved to slowly seep in so as not to surprise Evelyn.

However, he couldn’t contain the emotions that kept bursting forth.

Every time he looked at her, an uncontrollable thirst washed over him.

The unexpected surge of jealousy gnawed at his patience, ultimately leading to a clumsy confession.

“You know, Theo.”

At that moment, a clear voice reached his ears. Soon after, Evelyn honestly shared her thoughts.

“After leaving you at the Imperial Palace, I kept thinking. About what attitude I should take going forward. Because I didn’t want to grow distant from you.”

“…”

Evelyn fidgeted with the empty teacup with a face full of tension. She moved her lips several times, contemplating what to say.

Watching her, Theo comforted her.

“It’s okay, so please speak comfortably. Your true feelings.”

“So many thoughts are rushing in that I can’t organize them.”

Bewilderment and excitement simultaneously consumed Evelyn. She was still wandering within that whirlpool.

“I felt attracted to Theo from the beginning. But I rejected you because the reality that would follow felt overwhelming.”

The hand holding the teacup trembled finely.

“But strangely…”

She squeezed her eyes shut as if embarrassed.

“I keep thinking it might be okay. Because your kind eyes are so consistent, because the time we spend together is enjoyable…”

She had no choice but to admit it. That her feelings for Theo had grown even deeper.

She felt firm skin over the hand covering her teacup. Theo had wrapped his hand around the back of hers.

“You said you were afraid your quiet life would crumble. You said you disliked excessive attention too.”

He reminded her again of that burdensome reality.

Evelyn opened her eyes that had been closed. Right, that was the reason she had fallen for Theo but immediately ran away.

“You still haven’t accepted me. That’s why you were confused. About how to treat me going forward.”

“That’s right. Your confession made my heart flutter, but it also frightened me.”

She hung her head low.

“This is just like before. I’m avoiding you because I’m scared.”

“No, it’s different.”

Theo leaned his upper body toward her and gently lifted her chin with his finger.

“You’re wavering. Because a life together with me seems quite appealing.”

His eyes curved beautifully.

“I’m making an effort. To slowly seep into you. And until you like me so much that you won’t think about reality. So you don’t need to do anything.”

“…”

“Giving you certainty is my job.”

Then he moved far back and leaned against his chair. His gaze still remained on Evelyn.

At his quite confident attitude, Evelyn spoke as if lacking confidence.

“Perhaps I might not be able to overcome the walls of reality.”

He picked up the teapot containing tea leaves. It was an exotic tea set made of porcelain.

“Robert said this. That you must patiently wait until the right time comes to finally taste delicious tea.”

Theo poured tea for Evelyn. The well-steeped crimson color filled the teacup completely.

“I also intend to wait. Until I have the right color and fragrance that suits you.”

* * *

In the end, Evelyn decided to put her mind at ease.

At dinner time, she repeated exactly what Theo had said in a light tone.

“You clearly said it. That I don’t need to do anything.”

“Right, I’m not asking you to decide anything right now.”

“I won’t worry about Theo’s feelings. While I’m here, I’m going to eat comfortably and live well.”

Theo shrugged his shoulders, telling her to be as comfortable as she wanted.

“I should increase my meal portions from now on too.”

“Why?”

“I need to build up my strength. To seduce you.”

Pfft!

Evelyn spat out the water she was drinking.

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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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