That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 58
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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 58
Temptation—it was a word that absolutely didn’t suit Theo.
Regardless, he attended to her as usual, filling Evelyn’s water glass and cutting her meat.
She narrowed her eyes and asked.
“It’s all lies, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“You taking care of me under the pretense of hospitality.”
“Right, who personally cuts meat for their guests? When there are perfectly good knives available.”
“Give it to me, I’ll do it myself.”
“No. I’m in the middle of tempting you.”
Having been caught, Theo became quite shameless. As if he had nothing left to hide, he didn’t even bother mentioning family traditions anymore.
“Shall we take a walk in the garden together this evening?”
“To help digestion?”
“That was just an excuse. I wanted to walk with you, so I made up a plausible reason.”
Evelyn let out a hollow laugh as if she couldn’t believe it.
“How did you endure it all this time?”
“I scraped together a lifetime’s worth of patience.”
“You’ve felt the same way since the business trip? And saying you’d sort out your feelings was a lie?”
Theo nodded without the slightest hesitation.
Evelyn, who had been completely fooled, pressed her forehead.
‘Now he’s really going all out.’
Slowly seeping in, my foot!
“I was in so much pain. I thought my heart would burn up.”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“If you don’t believe me…”
He boldly fingered the buttons of his shirt.
“No! That’s enough!”
That man really seemed like he would unbutton his shirt.
Then Theo immediately resumed eating. As if he never intended to show her from the beginning.
“I’ll have you know I’m a virtuous man.”
A virtuous man… that was truly an uninteresting fact.
Evelyn sighed and changed the subject.
“Tell me the story you couldn’t finish at the Imperial Palace earlier.”
“You want me to confess again? Good. I love you…”
“No, not that!”
She persistently asked again.
“I mean about what made His Majesty’s faith deepen.”
“Ah, you’re talking about that.”
“Did he achieve some wish through prayer? Like recovering from an illness…”
“No, it was after Her Majesty the Empress passed away.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened at the unexpected reason.
It was a well-known fact throughout the Empire that the imperial couple had been deeply in love.
‘Was it that difficult for him?’
She had heard that some people turn to religion to overcome grief.
“But His Majesty’s faith didn’t really show until the year after Her Majesty the Empress passed away…”
“Right, exactly one year later. Before that, he had frequent meetings with the Envoy.”
“It’s related to the Envoy?”
“Originally, they rarely met except for official business. Especially not privately. Then the Envoy visited the Imperial Palace to honor Her Majesty the Empress, and after that, Julia statues were erected everywhere. Their private meetings became frequent after that.”
At first, he expanded the prayer hall in the Imperial Palace and increased donations to the Holy Kingdom.
After about a year of this, commemorative days for the goddess like the ‘Day of Blessing’ were established.
Events involving clerics also began to increase.
Naturally, the power of clerics within the Empire grew stronger.
Theo continued with a crooked smile.
“The nobles speculate it’s all to honor the late Empress. The Envoy always keeps a candle lit for the Empress in the center of the Temple of the Holy Kingdom.”
“For Her Majesty the Empress’s happiness in the afterlife?”
“He seems to be donating excessively large amounts for that purpose.”
Theo seemed to deeply suspect him.
Moreover, he clearly didn’t approve of the Emperor’s behavior.
Fearing that more impious words might slip out if she asked further, Evelyn hastily ended the conversation.
Was there really someone that Theo feared?
Sometimes conversations with him dangerously skirted the edge.
* * *
The next morning, a wagon loaded with goods arrived at the Duke’s Mansion.
“Oh, it’s finally here!”
Robert greeted them with sparkling eyes.
“From beloved classics to the latest trends! I’ve swept up every romance novel available.”
The merchant who brought the books said proudly. While the butler and man examined the transaction records, servants busily carried books to the library.
Evelyn was in the courtyard with Vanessa, and Theo was receiving Julian’s report in his office.
‘Please let these novels bring the two of them closer together…!’
Robert prayed earnestly as he looked at the long list of titles.
Contrary to his worries, the Duke and Evelyn seemed to treat each other as before.
But the comfortable atmosphere was the problem.
‘At this rate, Lady Evelyn will surely only see the master as a friend!’
He needed to quickly plant some excitement in her heart.
He slyly approached the merchant who had brought the books.
“Do you have any?”
“Excuse me? What are you referring to…”
“Romance novels featuring strong knights.”
To Robert, Theo was the continent’s greatest Mage Knight, a source of endless pride.
Though the novel protagonists wouldn’t be able to match even his master’s toes, he needed to find something similar.
“Ah, there’s a novel that’s extremely popular these days.”
The merchant smiled brightly and handed over a thick, dark green book.
「How to Conquer an Innocent Knight」
C-conquer?
Robert blushed at the explicit title.
“This is too blatant…”
“This is what appeals to young people these days! I haven’t seen a single reader who didn’t like it!”
“…Is that really true?”
“Of course, I barely managed to get a copy of something that’s sold out everywhere.”
Robert hurriedly flipped past the cover.
The first male protagonist to appear had a solid build and black hair.
‘It’s the master!’
He didn’t hesitate to carefully hold the book to his chest.
“Good work. You may go now.”
“Yes, please call me anytime!”
The merchant smiled good-naturedly and departed again, pulling his cart.
The butler’s mind raced frantically.
‘I need to show this book to Lady Evelyn right away! How can I recommend it naturally?’
Time was of the essence. He wanted her to feel excitement seeing the male protagonist who resembled his master.
First, he placed the book inside an elegant envelope to pique her interest. He didn’t forget to finish the packaging by attaching a ribbon.
Just then, a servant came running urgently from the distance.
“Head Butler, we have a big problem!”
“What’s the matter?”
“There’s an issue with the stable renovation. The site doesn’t match the blueprints.”
“Where is the stable manager?”
“He got into an argument with the workers and a fight broke out. Everyone’s trying to break it up, but…”
“Oh no!”
Robert rushed to his office and grabbed the original blueprints.
“Let’s go quickly!”
Robert, who seemed ready to head to the site immediately, stopped in his tracks.
“What’s wrong, sir?”
At the servant’s question, he looked around frantically.
Just then, Julian, who was coming out of the office, encountered the butler.
“Oh, Lord Julian!”
Robert approached him as if meeting his savior.
“What’s the matter?”
“Please take this…!”
Robert suddenly pressed the envelope against Julian’s chest.
Bewilderment colored his usually sharp face. Before he could speak, the butler poured out words rapidly.
“There’s no time to explain! It’s a book for you two! Lord Julian just needs to deliver this to Lady Evelyn!”
“What exactly is this…”
“Naturally! So that Lady Evelyn will be interested! She absolutely must read it!”
“You’re telling me not to recommend it outright?”
“Yes, Lord Julian is capable, so you’ll be able to handle it. Well then…!”
The one-sided conversation with Robert was forcibly terminated.
The butler disappeared with nimble movements unbefitting his age.
Julian looked at the book with a troubled expression.
He usually respected sincere and upright people regardless of their status.
The loyal butler Robert, who had served House of Ashford for a long time, was no exception.
That’s why he couldn’t ignore the first request Robert had ever made of him.
It seemed like an urgent matter, so he decided to help the butler.
“Is it a book related to ancient languages?”
The book’s title was hidden by the envelope.
Just then, laughter could be heard from the mansion backgate. It was Evelyn and Vanessa.
A voice echoed in Julian’s mind as he was about to casually hand over the book.
‘Naturally! So that Lady Evelyn will be interested!’
The greatest trial of his life had arrived.
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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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Fjiehd™
So 🥰 cute
Thank you. Bless u 😍😍😍