That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 74

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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 74

“Purpose?”

Evelyn looked up at the platform.

In the center of the wooden platform hung red velvet cloth adorned with golden tassels.

Scripture verses were written in the center of the velvet, and at the bottom were three purposes of worship.

1. Confess your sins to Goddess Julia and you shall be forgiven.

2. Serve God with unwavering faith.

3. If your earnest wishes reach Him, God will grant them.

“What’s so special about that?”

Evelyn asked with a puzzled expression.

“As I said earlier, I have no sins to confess. So I’ll have to choose another purpose.”

There was no way Theo would choose the second purpose given his personality.

He wasn’t the type to come all this way just to prove his faith.

“Are you going to make a wish?”

That doesn’t suit him either…

What met her suspicious gaze was Theo’s innocent expression.

What’s with that disgusting mask…?

“It says if you wish earnestly, it will be granted.”

“Yes, you’re quite devout indeed.”

“You’re just realizing that now?”

Just how far does his shamelessness go?

Evelyn was shaking her head when—

“Now leave me alone. I need to pray to the goddess.”

“What did I even do…?”

With those final words, Theo clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.

As if Evelyn had been interfering with his prayers because she wanted to be with him.

‘How absurd!’

In the quiet chapel, all Evelyn could do was pray.

I might as well make a wish too.

She obediently closed her eyes.

‘Please help this matter end safely and quickly. Not only the continent’s future, but my life is at stake too…!’

She desperately wanted to send Yulia’s Stone away as soon as possible.

Her earnest wish grew stronger, even making Evelyn tearful.

‘I want to return to my original life as soon as possible!’

Theo quietly watched her as she trembled, even her hands shaking.

He had been watching with open eyes from the moment Evelyn started praying.

Looking at her face, it was obvious what she was wishing for.

Seeing her, Theo let out a quiet laugh.

Theo straightened his posture again and prayed.

‘Goddess Yulia.’

With the most sincere heart of his life.

‘Since you have chosen us, you must receive compensation as well.’

He silently spoke words that would make Evelyn cry blasphemy if she heard them.

And he addressed the stone statue before him.

‘Please let me spend my entire life with this lovely woman by my side.’

He didn’t know if the goddess would grant his wish.

He only hoped she would lend him her ear, even just a tiny bit.

* * *

“Ah, I’m exhausted.”

Evelyn’s posture became slouched.

She looked ready to lie down on the long bench any moment.

She had confessed her sins and even made wishes, but there was no sign of being let out.

She tried getting up from her seat thinking ‘Maybe they want us to come out on our own?’, but the priests who heard her footsteps only knocked on the door as if telling them to stay longer.

“Very bored?”

Theo asked with a smile.

“People these days don’t attend worship much… I haven’t been either, except for my baptism as a child.”

“So it’s hard to adapt.”

Evelyn let out a sigh.

“Have you been to temples often, Theo?”

“Not often, occasionally with my mother.”

“The Duchess must have been deeply faithful.”

“Very much so. She prayed daily and studied theological texts.”

Evelyn nodded, holding back the question ‘Then why are you like this?’

Theo continued speaking.

“She was frail from birth. When she was carrying me, everyone tried to dissuade her, saying it was dangerous.”

“…”

“But she gave birth safely, and I grew up healthy too. She thought it was all God’s grace.”

The previous Duke had procured all kinds of precious medicinal ingredients for his wife from early in their marriage.

Nevertheless, her congenitally weak constitution didn’t improve, so he opposed having children.

However, the Duchess desperately wanted a child.

After the Duchess convinced her husband and became pregnant, all she could do was pray.

Whether her earnestness reached the goddess, both child and mother were healthy, and the Duchess’s faith grew even deeper.

“That’s why she sometimes took me to the temple. She had me light candles for the family on the altar.”

This made it even more incomprehensible.

Then shouldn’t Theo’s faith also resemble his mother’s?

As if reading Evelyn’s thoughts, he flicked his nose with his finger.

“Do you know what my mother’s last words were?”

“To pray more often?”

“She asked me. Does God really exist…?”

“…”

As Evelyn’s eyes widened, he said playfully,

“I don’t know the reason either, so don’t ask.”

As if she could ask… She didn’t have the courage to delve into such heavy family matters.

Hearing such confession-like stories from the past made her heart feel heavy.

“It’s not particularly a dark story though.”

Theo smiled as if telling her to follow his lead.

Evelyn followed him and lifted the corners of her mouth. Then, to lighten the mood, she grumbled like a child.

“When exactly are they going to let us out? I’ve lived virtuously, so I have no more sins to confess.”

“Count to ten with your mouth.”

“And then?”

“We leave this place. A couple of priests are nothing…”

“Theo!”

“One, two, three…”

Just then, the door opened with a loud knock.

Thanks to their timely appearance, she let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, escape!

Sophia approached them, bringing along one male priest.

“Did you have a good time of reflection? If you didn’t have enough time…”

“Oh, no! I had sufficient conversation with the goddess!”

Evelyn hurriedly waved her hands.

“I see. Then both of you should return to your lodging and rest.”

The word “rest” had never been so welcome.

After encouraging Evelyn and Theo to leave the chapel first, Sophia tidied up the chapel.

Once outside, Theo confirmed no one was around, then handed Yulia’s Stone to Evelyn.

Since it had grown dark, it was her turn to carry the sacred artifact.

Leaving Sophia behind and heading toward their lodging, the two naturally drew close together.

The habit of staying by her side, matching Evelyn’s walking pace, had long since become ingrained in his body.

That’s when it happened.

At a distance where their bodies were close enough to barely touch, something suddenly wedged between them.

When a hard texture touched him instead of Evelyn’s warmth, Theo immediately furrowed his brow.

“What a surprise!”

She also turned around with a startled face.

Sophia was holding a thick book horizontally, creating distance between the two.

“Since the purification ritual is over, I will now treat you both as clerics.”

Then, as if it wasn’t heavy at all, she waved the book with one hand.

“Contact between women and men is strictly forbidden within the temple. It’s fine to walk together, but please maintain this much distance.”

Ho ho ho! Sophia laughed cheerfully.

“At this rate, even seduction will be difficult.”

When Theo’s disgruntled voice was heard, Evelyn jabbed him with her elbow.

What if someone hears…!

“Cleric Evelyn, please move away from Cleric Theo.”

Unfairly, the stern voice blamed Evelyn.

Theo’s eyes curved mischievously.

“Cleric Evelyn, even if it’s difficult, please bear with it a little.”

“What on earth are you talking about…!”

While walking frantically, they had somehow reached their lodging.

With the garden between them, it was time to return to their respective quarters on either side.

Before leaving, Theo spoke in a gloomy voice.

“I was wrong.”

“Wrong about what?”

“The one having a hard time wasn’t you, but me.”

Why is he acting like that.

Evelyn turned her back without hesitation.

Watching her walk away, Theo let out a wistful groan.

Along with a sigh full of regret.

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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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