That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 79

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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 79

Looking at the pitch-black dark sky, the Emperor thought of someone.

Even the moment when he gently caressed her jet-black hair.

A cautious voice reached the Emperor, who had been endlessly gazing out the window from his bedroom.

“Your Majesty, I shall bring you some calming tea.”

“Do so.”

Soon after, a servant brought a tray containing tea.

The place was always the same – the bedside nightstand.

“The Envoy has sent this anew.”

“I see.”

Steam rose gently from the red tea.

The Emperor lifted the teacup to his lips.

Certainly, drinking the Envoy’s tea calmed his mind and body.

His head became hazy, and without any thoughts, he would quickly fall into sleep.

‘Is becoming comfortable really right…’

His fading consciousness swallowed the small doubt.

As his body grew languid, he slowly blinked his eyes.

The red tea reflected his face. His pupils were unfocused, as if addicted to something.

The gaunt face was familiar. His vitality had long since disappeared.

The Emperor muttered weakly.

“I miss you, Empress.”

The endless waiting exhausted him.

“When on earth will I be able to meet you…”

Hoping for another miracle, the Emperor drank the tea.

The first miracle was still vivid.

The Empress was his everything and his only god.

Being the son of a maid, he was a prince in name only.

His presence in the Imperial Palace was faint, and a life of cold treatment from the imperial family was familiar.

The Empire’s national power was weakening day by day.

It was because the previous emperor had indulged in wine and women, distancing himself from state affairs.

Eventually, they reached out to the neighboring Soren Kingdom and invited them for a protection agreement.

That day came like an accident.

He fell in love at first sight with the princess of Soren who visited as part of a delegation.

‘I am Princess Dalia Soren of the Soren Kingdom.’

‘Ca, Carlyle… Solaris.’

‘The garden is quite beautiful. Would you guide me?’

She extended her hand to the 9th Prince who stood awkwardly in the corner.

He was instantly captivated by her spirited attitude and intelligent eyes.

It was the moment Carlyle’s life was completely turned upside down.

She looked at his insignificant self without any prejudice and embraced everything with love alone.

Finally, when Dalia accepted his proposal, he felt incomparable joy.

What she said while looking at the rotting Empire was still clear.

‘Let’s rebuild the Empire together.’

Those words were Carlyle’s hope.

Dalia, who married the 9th Prince despite everyone’s opposition, willingly participated in the bloody war for the throne.

Thanks to her, the insignificant prince Carlyle was able to become the Emperor of the Solaris Empire.

Dalia was his everything. She was both the noble woman he loved and his political ally.

He tried to live cherishing the fortune that came to his bleak life above all else.

But the Empress died of tuberculosis.

All kinds of precious medicines and capable Imperial Physicians were useless.

The Emperor lost the meaning of life after that. He even distanced himself from the Princess who closely resembled the Empress.

Even though the mother of the Empire had disappeared, people still did their jobs and the world continued to turn normally.

They advised him to focus on state affairs instead of longing for the Empress.

One day, while repeating his powerless daily routine, the Envoy came to visit.

He had no choice but to welcome him when he said he came to honor the Empress’s soul.

‘Poor soul.’

The Envoy spoke with a deeply pitiful voice.

Dry tear stains remained on the Emperor’s face where bones protruded from not eating. Shadows filled under his eyes due to lack of sleep.

‘I brought calming tea from the Holy Kingdom. You’ll feel much better.’

‘It’s not necessary.’

‘Your mind must be at peace to pray for her.’

Having no choice, when the Emperor gave permission, a servant brought out red tea.

The tea’s efficacy was better than expected. A murky fog covered his mind and lessened his depression.

Watching the Emperor empty his tea, the Envoy smiled faintly.

Soon after heading to the Prayer Hall, the Envoy recommended that everyone leave so he could concentrate on prayer.

Left alone with the Emperor, he took out a candle from his bosom.

Then he secretly approached and whispered to the Emperor.

A sinister whisper began to penetrate his ears.

‘Pray while thinking of Her Majesty the Empress. And when you open your eyes, a miracle will happen.’

‘A miracle…’

‘This is a joy I give especially to Your Majesty alone. No one but me can do this.’

Normally, he would have been on guard at such suspicious words.

But for some reason, ever since drinking the tea, the Envoy’s voice began to move him.

Somehow, he felt he should trust him.

The Envoy lit the candle and watched the burning moment briefly.

‘I shall take my leave now. May you enjoy a brief miracle.’

‘…’

After the Envoy left the Prayer Hall, the Emperor quietly closed his eyes.

As candle wax dripped, a unique fragrance he had never smelled before lingered at his nose.

Finally, the prayer began.

At first, he started to pray for the Empress’s peace after death, but soon became immersed in memories.

From their heart-fluttering first meeting to the last moment filled with sorrow.

Having finished all his recollections, the Emperor slowly opened his eyes.

‘…!’

And I couldn’t believe the scene before my eyes.

The Empress was kneeling in the exact same position as me, smiling.

I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn’t say anything. My throat was choked up, only able to let out sobs.

The Empress took the Emperor’s hand and said:

‘Don’t be sad. We promised to build the Empire together.’

The Empress’s voice, the words she said every day, even the warmth of her touch—everything was exactly the same. It wasn’t a dream.

There was no way I could forget everything about her. I couldn’t forget.

‘Em, Empress…’

I called out to the Empress with a desperate voice.

Please don’t leave, please stay by my side.

But before long, the Empress began to fade.

Her blurred figure gradually moved further away.

‘Don’t go! Please don’t abandon me here…!’

The Emperor, who had been kneeling, finally crawled across the floor toward the Empress.

When he still couldn’t grasp her, he wailed in anguish.

It was a pitifully desperate gesture.

As agony overwhelmed him, drowsiness followed.

The Emperor, who had fallen into deep sleep, could only open his eyes after a long time had passed.

The Emperor was certain.

That he had met the Empress he had longed for.

The vivid sensation, voice, and fragrance couldn’t have been a dream.

He had personally experienced the miracle the Envoy had spoken of.

The Emperor threw off his blanket and got up.

He shouted at the servant who tried to stop him, telling him to rest more.

‘Call the Envoy! No, I’ll go myself!’

‘The Envoy is still at the Imperial Palace.’

At the same time, the Envoy came to the bedroom, as if he had known the Emperor would call for him.

The two had a long conversation.

It was from that day. That the Emperor began to submit to the Envoy.

* * *

“Haah, I’m tired…”

As the bluish dawn sky brightened, Evelyn wearily got up from bed.

Bell sounds rang from the distance.

It was such a magnificent sound that it was surprising she hadn’t heard it the previous day due to exhaustion.

Breakfast would begin in thirty minutes.

Evelyn decided to take a light walk to wake herself up until then.

After washing up briefly, as soon as she stepped into the garden, Theo was there smiling at her.

“This early, what’s the occasion?”

“I came out to meet you.”

“What if I had been late?”

“It’s fine. Waiting is quite thrilling too.”

Why does he say such things so casually…

Embarrassed, Evelyn cleared her throat for no reason.

The two strolled between the flower gardens, having a conversation.

“I think the Envoy will call for us soon regarding the sacred artifacts.”

“Since he called us all the way here, the Envoy will want to learn about the prophecy together. Though I don’t know what it will contain.”

As they walked while anticipating what would happen next, they encountered a pink flower tree.

It was the flower tree that had reminded Evelyn of Theo.

Looking at the flowers in full bloom, Theo opened his mouth.

“Evelyn, this tree and…”

“I knew it.”

“Huh?”

“You were going to say it resembles me, right? Honestly, every time you see something pink, you always bring up that topic.”

However, the situation Evelyn expected didn’t unfold.

Because Theo looked puzzled as if asking what she meant.

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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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