That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 71

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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 71

Before long, the carriage arrived at the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

The knights, having already received word, politely opened the gates as soon as they confirmed the House Ashford crest.

Now they would have to get out of the carriage, cross the garden, and head to the palace.

Perhaps the light sleep had helped, as Evelyn’s face looked much more relaxed.

Theo got out first and escorted her, taking her hand.

As soon as they entered the garden, chamberlains who had been waiting guided them to where the Emperor was.

“We’ll escort you to the reception room.”

Before departing for the Holy Kingdom, they had to have an audience with the Emperor.

The figures making Evelyn nervous these days were clear.

The Emperor and the Envoy.

The thought of dealing with both of them one after another in a single day already made her tired.

Soon they arrived at the reception room and took their seats in the empty chairs.

Sweet refreshments had been prepared, but she wasn’t in the mood to touch them.

The interior was still filled with religious symbols.

As Evelyn looked at the Julia statue and the scripture verses hanging on the wall, Theo said to her.

“No need to memorize them already.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll see them enough to get sick of them anyway.”

As he said, it would be a sight she’d see plenty of once they went to the Holy Kingdom.

As long as she stayed by the Envoy’s side, she’d have to live in the temple all day.

“That’s true. Then I should eat plenty of refreshments while I can. I won’t be able to dream of sweet food for a while.”

Evelyn, having changed her mind, picked up a cookie from the table and ate it.

Even this tense moment would later become a cherished memory.

She’d probably cry out in the middle of the temple, ‘I should have eaten it all back then!’

“Good thinking.”

Theo nodded with a smile.

As she was savoring cookies in her mouth several times.

A calm servant’s voice came from outside the door.

“His Majesty the Emperor enters.”

Then Evelyn hurriedly put the cookie in her hand into her mouth.

And then gulped down the moderately cooled tea.

The cookie in her mouth disappeared in an instant.

Theo was impressed by her determination not to give up sweetness until the very end.

The two rose from their seats and bowed toward the Emperor.

The Emperor, dressed in splendid formal attire, sat in the seat of honor.

“The work is more overwhelming than expected, isn’t it?”

At the Emperor’s joke, Evelyn showed a social smile. But when she glanced up to look at him, she was a bit startled.

‘Somehow his complexion…’

She couldn’t feel any vitality from the Emperor she faced.

On his shadowed face were sunken eyes. He also looked restless as if addicted to something.

Evelyn deliberately turned her gaze to the teacup to avoid showing it.

The Emperor continued speaking.

“It was an unavoidable choice. The Envoy will be of great help regarding the sacred artifacts. Since it’s for the Empire, please cooperate.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Then, Theo spoke up.

“Your Majesty, your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Gasp!

Evelyn inhaled sharply watching him ask so directly.

The Emperor answered casually in a light tone.

“There’s been a lot of state affairs lately. Even though the Imperial Physician prepared tonic medicine, I’m quite fatigued.”

“Is that so?”

Theo still didn’t take his eyes off the Emperor.

Behind his gentle smile, he was sharply observing something.

“Then how about speaking to the Envoy?”

When he mentioned the Envoy, silence fell.

“…”

“…”

The Emperor said nothing for a while. He merely took a sip of tea.

But Theo didn’t miss the scene of his fingertips trembling finely as they touched the teacup.

Finally, the Emperor asked quietly.

“Why would you seek the Envoy?”

Theo said in a gentle voice.

“You said even tonic medicine doesn’t work. I heard that holy water touched by the Envoy’s hands greatly helps in regaining strength.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Only then did the Emperor lower his guard.

“I’ll be fine with a little rest. It’s because I’ve been overworking lately.”

“That’s fortunate then.”

After that, Theo naturally changed the subject.

When talk of sacred artifacts came up, the Emperor spared no encouragement for the two.

When the conversation was roughly finishing up, he called the Chamberlain.

The Chamberlain, as if he had been waiting, entered the reception room and placed a small box on the table.

“Guide Miss Evelyn to the Gate.”

The Emperor commanded the servant. It meant he wanted to be alone with just Theo.

Understanding his intention, Evelyn rose from her seat first and followed the servant out.

Confirming everyone had disappeared, the Emperor spoke in a secretive voice.

“This is the Imperial pass the Duke mentioned.”

When the box was opened, precious velvet cloth was revealed.

After asking permission, Theo unwrapped the tied cloth. Inside was a small paper envelope.

Inside the envelope, a pass was glowing.

It was a magical tool made by mixing magic stone powder with ordinary paper.

Its solid material and size were like a game card.

“I will treasure it.”

“Yes, use it for the Empire.”

The Emperor spoke anxiously.

“It’s a very precious magical tool. You must not show it to anyone.”

“Of course.”

Having obtained what he wanted, Theo rose from his seat and gave his final greeting to the Emperor.

* * *

The servant who was guiding Theo to the Gate was greatly flustered.

Because his walking pace was incredibly fast.

However, he couldn’t dare ask Duke Ashford to please walk a little slower.

“Huff, gasp…!”

The Duke paid no attention to the servant’s rough breathing.

As if urgently chasing something, he only widened his stride further.

Then the Duke stopped abruptly and halted his steps. His subsequent movements became leisurely.

The servant soon understood the reason.

“Evelyn.”

The Duke smiled brightly as he looked at the woman before him.

“You came quickly?”

“The conversation wasn’t long. I walked slowly, but we met right away.”

The servant unconsciously opened his mouth at the brazen lie.

The woman seemed to believe his words at face value.

“Then let’s go together.”

“That would be good, wouldn’t it?”

The Duke quickly moved close to the woman’s side. Then he took her luggage from the servant who was carrying it.

The Gate leading to the Holy Kingdom was located in the basement of the Imperial Palace.

After descending several flights of stairs, a faint light began to appear.

“You have arrived.”

The Royal Mage greeted them and inserted a white magic stone into a hole positioned next to the Gate.

With a clicking sound, white light spread throughout the Gate, and the mage touched the device like turning a door handle to designate the location.

“The Gate to the Holy Kingdom has been opened. Have a safe journey.”

With the mage’s farewell, Evelyn approached the light.

Perhaps because it was her first time experiencing a Gate, she felt somewhat nervous about the endless light.

At that moment, Theo linked his arm with Evelyn’s.

When she made a puzzled expression at the reversed position of man and woman, he smiled slightly.

“I’m quite cowardly, you see.”

So he needed someone to rely on for a while, he said, letting out a deep sigh.

“Ah, how frightening.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at the Duke’s act of being spoiled.

Only Evelyn noticed his intention.

He had noticed she was trembling and held her firmly.

Evelyn suppressed her laughter and put on a deliberately serious expression.

“Then cling to me.”

“I suppose I must. I’ll have to stick close.”

The mage glanced at them with eyes that seemed to say ‘Why is he acting like that?’

Soon Theo entered the Gate while clinging to Evelyn.

Due to their significant size difference, it was an incredibly awkward sight.

After the white light swallowed them both, the remaining mage stood there dumbfounded and thought.

‘It’s not like a cicada clinging to an old tree…’

No, where would you find such a large cicada? One big enough to cover and overwhelm the tree…

That would be like destroying the ecosystem.

A Sword Mage afraid of Gates?

The mage tilted his head at this unbelievable fact.

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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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