That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 8

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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 8

Doesn’t that sound like a question you’d ask a woman you’re interested in?

That can’t be it.

Evelyn quickly dismissed her own misunderstanding.

Then what? Is he saying this because he thinks I’ll quit soon?

She had experienced too many things on her first business trip. But that didn’t mean she had any intention of leaving the research institute.

“There’s no such person. And I plan to continue working even after marriage.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Come to think of it, Theo was only the general manager of this business trip, not her superior.

‘Then why did he ask?’

She didn’t dare ask and pondered it in her own way.

During that time, the simple treatment was finished, and Evelyn took out her handkerchief to bandage his wound.

“All done.”

Theo looked at his hand with a satisfied expression.

“You’ve ruined your handkerchief because of me.”

“It’s fine.”

It was just an ordinary cotton handkerchief. She wasn’t particularly attached to material things.

“I’ll give you a new handkerchief when we get to the Capital.”

“Pardon? You don’t need to go that far…”

Meet again?

Her encounter with Duke Ashford would surely end here.

When they returned to the Capital, they would each do their assigned work in their respective positions and live their own lives.

Flustered, Evelyn suddenly realized something.

‘The Duke wouldn’t deliver it personally…!’

Of course he’d send someone!

Her own misunderstanding seemed ridiculous.

The two got up from the rock and walked back down the mountain.

‘Somehow it feels like we’ve gotten closer…’

Evelyn glanced at Theo.

Certainly the distance between them had narrowed.

Moreover, Theo’s arm remained behind her.

As if ready to catch her if she fell at any moment.

After descending the steep mountain and reaching flat ground, Evelyn felt more at ease.

Noticing this, Theo spoke to her.

“Shall we have an interesting conversation?”

“…Yes, that sounds good.”

The Duke’s conversational flow was unpredictable.

‘Does he want me to start?’

She was wondering if she should imitate animal sounds or something.

“Good, first tell me what you like.”

“What I like?”

Is that interesting?

Evelyn racked her brain at the vague question.

“…I like sweet desserts. Especially ones with fruit on top.”

Even at such mundane content, Theo’s eyes lit up with great interest.

As a result, Evelyn had no choice but to reveal all her preferences.

“I find researching ancient languages very interesting. It was also my major subject.”

“Did you find the study itself interesting?”

“That’s part of it, but my professor was a very good person.”

“Was there any impressive teaching?”

Theo’s conversational skills were eloquent. He knew how to continuously draw out conversation.

Evelyn was enchanted and began sharing her stories.

“He said we should study like we’re in love.”

“For example?”

“When you like someone, you only see that person, right? You consistently cast your gaze that way and keep reading the other person.”

Evelyn continued.

“He said studying is the same as people. If your affection cools, it notices amazingly well and closes the door of its heart.”

“So seeing each other often is the answer.”

Do you think so too?

Evelyn nodded at Theo’s question.

“Don’t you think so? The longer you spend time together, the more you become colored by each other.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Remember what…?

‘Don’t tell me he got dating advice from me?’

Thinking that made her feel terribly embarrassed.

She had absolutely no dating experience.

‘Oh, I guess I acted like I knew something!’

It was too late for regrets.

Looking at Theo’s expression, he seemed to be taking it seriously to heart.

No, but why?

It was a completely incomprehensible situation.

His violet eyes wavered.

The mysterious and subtle color never seemed to get familiar no matter how much she looked.

“Let’s hurry!”

Evelyn pretended nothing was wrong and continued walking.

Finally Monster Mountain came to an end, and the village could be seen small in the distance.

Evelyn was very hungry.

Near Monster Mountain were lodging and a gate, and if you walked a bit further, there were the residents’ living areas.

Theo skillfully guided Evelyn.

“You know the geography very well.”

When she expressed admiration, Theo answered.

“Not often, but whenever I come here, I always stop by the village.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s boring. I also like new things.”

She recalled the business trip schedule Theo had mentioned earlier.

First day: monster subjugation, the rest: free time.

It seemed he always defeated the monsters in one day and went on outings.

When they arrived at the village, cute little houses came into view.

Unlike the thoroughly organized gardens of the Capital, this was a scene harmonized with nature.

Vine plants climbed up the walls, and well-dried fruits and flowers hung from the roofs.

It was a simple beauty made of various colors.

The place Theo took Evelyn to was a restaurant converted from a house.

A young couple who appeared to be the owners greeted them.

The small interior was filled with hand-woven tablecloths and vases.

It was a place thoroughly imbued with the couple’s taste.

Theo pulled out a chair so Evelyn could sit.

After they were seated and ordered from the menu, warm tea was served to them.

“We serve flower tea instead of aperitifs.”

The man who appeared to be her husband set down the teacup with refined movements.

Well-dried yellow flower buds released a rich fragrance on the water’s surface.

The weather was gradually getting chilly.

As she sipped the tea, a pleasant warmth spread throughout her body.

When she looked up, her eyes immediately met Theo’s.

‘How long has he been watching me…?’

His violet eyes seemed somehow unfamiliar.

The gaze that had only felt cold was now softly holding a smile.

Since it was still early evening, they were the only customers.

The silence surrounding them felt awkward.

It was Theo who broke the quiet.

“How was your day today?”

It was an unexpected question.

Today? It feels like it ended with nothing but suffering…

Evelyn carefully chose her words.

“It was a new experience. I learned a lot from Your Grace.”

“Is that all?”

Somehow it didn’t seem like the answer he wanted.

“Um… Your Grace’s swordsmanship skills are truly exceptional…”

“I had a wonderful time though.”

“Pardon?”

Does he feel pleasure from destroying monsters?

Perhaps he was stranger than she thought.

“I said it was wonderful. Being with you.”

“…”

Evelyn recalled her actions from today.

Screaming… running around…

‘That must have been entertaining.’

It must have felt like watching a wild monkey.

Finally, the meal was ready.

Theo neatly cut the meat like yesterday and passed it to Evelyn.

“…Thank you.”

“You can’t take your eyes off the flower vase.”

Only then did Evelyn look at Theo.

“I like flowers.”

In truth, she had only been looking at the vase because she had nothing to say to him.

“I see. How are you doing with your homework?”

Homework?

Come to think of it, hadn’t he told her to find out his name earlier?

“Well, it’s difficult. Could you give me a small hint?”

“It’s related to a god.”

“I see… Wow, what a tremendous hint.”

There must be dozens of names related to gods in the Empire.

Evelyn smiled with effort and began eating.

Perhaps due to the arduous mountain trek, her throat kept getting dry.

When her water glass emptied, she reached for the water pitcher beside her.

However, what her fingers touched wasn’t the cold, hard glass bottle.

The Duke had grabbed the water pitcher first, and Evelyn’s hand had landed on top of his.

‘This isn’t some romance novel…!’

If this were in a romance novel, readers would cry out that it was cliché.

Evelyn, who had inadvertently grabbed Theo’s hand, quickly withdrew hers.

“P-please go ahead!”

Theo looked at his own hand as if it felt empty, then said,

“It’s disappointing that it was so brief.”

“Pardon?”

“I told you. I prefer the aggressive type.”

Then he poured water into Evelyn’s empty glass.

“What do you plan to do when you return to the Capital?”

“The same as usual, I suppose. Interpreting ancient languages, researching…”

“Do you like ancient languages that much?”

“Yes, I enjoy it. Some days I’ve been buried in books all day long.”

“Are you saying you’re so busy that you have no free time?”

“It’s not that work is busy… it’s more that my head is filled with ancient languages.”

“Without even small gaps?”

At that question, Evelyn smiled.

“Not to that extent. I do have small moments of leisure.”

Hearing those words, Theo smiled.

“In that case.”

“Yes.”

“Could you put me in those gaps?”

What does he mean?

Evelyn wore a puzzled expression.

Theo’s words continued.

“It would be greedy to ask for every moment. But no matter what kind of day you spend, gaps form in between.”

“…”

“I’m asking you to think of me briefly during those times.”

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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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