That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 85

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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 85

At the name ‘Lionel’, Evelyn immediately turned her head.

He had returned—the close friend of the previous Duke Ashford and someone who shared a deep bond with Theo as well.

The admiring gazes of the priests spoke volumes about Lionel’s standing within the temple.

Among them was Daisy. Each time the petite girl stood on her tiptoes trying to get a better look at Lionel, her twin braids bounced along with her movements.

Just then, Theo approached from the opposite direction.

It seemed he had come out to the garden because of the commotion outside.

Theo spotted Evelyn in the crowd and smiled. It was amazing how he could find her so quickly.

When she pointed toward Lionel, surprise spread across Theo’s face as he shifted his gaze.

Despite this being an expected encounter, his eyes trembled faintly.

Theo’s large frame made him easily noticeable, and upon spotting him, Lionel called out with joy.

“Theo, it’s been so long!”

Lionel broke away from the crowd surrounding him and immediately approached Theo.

“To think you’ve grown so well… You look exactly like your father.”

With an expression filled with emotion, Lionel looked up at Theo and grasped his hands firmly.

Theo also felt the warmth seeping into his hands as their eyes met.

Seeing his softly relaxed face and the slight upturn of his lips, Evelyn could tell.

Theo was welcoming Lionel with his whole heart.

“Have you been well all this time? I was quite surprised when I received the Envoy’s letter. To think you would come to the Holy Kingdom!”

“Thanks to you, I’ve been getting by without trouble.”

At his dependable appearance, Lionel’s eyes reddened again as he gazed at Theo.

Despite the long passage of time, the two treated each other without formality.

Evelyn was amazed by their family-like closeness.

‘They’re much closer than I thought.’

Just then.

From far away, the Senior Priests approached with urgent steps.

“Lionel Priest, this is no time to be leisurely. Isn’t the ‘Day of Blessing’ coming soon!”

“I know. That’s why I returned quickly, isn’t it.”

Lionel smiled warmly and whispered to Theo.

“I’m also a Senior Priest, so I have many duties assigned to me. How about we have dinner outside the temple this evening.”

“You mean eating out?”

“Yes, you know as well as I do that temple food is torture.”

Lionel whispered quietly with a mischievous expression.

“Well then, I’ll see you later.”

Before following the Senior Priests, he addressed the curious gazes around them.

“Fellow priests, Theo is the son of my longtime friend. He’s also a person of deep faith, so please treat him well.”

Only then did the surrounding priests nod their heads.

Even as Lionel departed, he turned back several times to look at Theo.

In response to his affectionate smile, Theo also nodded slightly.

Only after everyone had dispersed did the garden become quiet.

Evelyn approached Theo and said.

“You have the look of someone deeply immersed in memories.”

“Do I look that way?”

The two continued their conversation as they headed toward the forest near the library.

“He was fun and warm. When Father would be away for long periods on business, he would visit the manor instead and teach me various games.”

“For example?”

“We mainly played card games.”

Theo smiled quietly as he recalled those times.

“We decided to go outside the temple for dinner this evening. You should join us too.”

“I don’t think it’s my place to intrude.”

“I’d like you to come with us. I want to introduce you.”

He coaxed Evelyn with his gentle voice.

“You’re sick of temple food too, aren’t you. Let’s have a proper meal for once.”

Theo’s suggestion was tempting. She was at the point of feeling nauseous from the repetitive meals of grass and beans.

“Evelyn, you promised to comfort my younger self. That child wants to have a meal with people he likes.”

“…”

At words she absolutely couldn’t refuse, Evelyn had no choice but to nod.

It definitely wasn’t because of the dining out.

“Before that, I have something to tell you.”

Seeing her serious expression, Theo found a secluded location.

Once they reached deep into the forest, Evelyn told him about Calimedes’ final moments that she had discovered. Including her theory that the Envoy was plotting something related to it.

After hearing the story, shadows fell across Theo’s face.

“Then the next area to be damaged will be the Ashford Estate.”

“That’s right. But I can’t figure out the Envoy’s intentions. What purpose could he have for doing such things.”

“He’s not someone who would easily reveal anything. There must be evidence left somewhere within this temple.”

The Envoy usually stayed at the Holy Kingdom’s temple. There was a high possibility that important records were also kept here.

“Where could that be? The Envoy’s office?”

“We should definitely investigate his office. And also places we haven’t been to.”

His gaze turned toward the distant bell tower.

While they had visited the nearby library countless times, they had never once entered the bell tower.

They said the first floor had a confessional, and if you climbed the stairs, there was a bell at the very top.

At that moment, they sensed someone’s presence from the forest on the opposite side.

Theo stopped talking and led Evelyn away.

“Evelyn, come here.”

Evelyn couldn’t keep up with his pace. Eventually, Theo wrapped one arm around Evelyn’s waist and lifted her up, leaving her dangling like a child.

Even she thought it was quite an undignified sight.

After Theo and Evelyn hid behind a tree, the Envoy appeared with the Senior Priests.

The Envoy headed toward the bell tower, and the remaining Senior Priests followed. Lionel was among them.

“Didn’t they urgently summon Lionel Priest earlier?”

Theo muttered with confusion.

To summon him so urgently only to take him to the confessional…

Something seemed strange.

The two quietly watched the bell tower for several minutes, but the surroundings remained silent.

Evelyn was the first to speak.

“Let’s go to the library. There should be a spot where we can keep watch over the bell tower.”

* * *

As Evelyn had said, from the far end of the library, they could observe the bell tower through the window.

“I’ll bring a book at least.”

Saying it would be too suspicious to just stare out the window, Theo headed to the bookshelf.

Shortly after, he returned with a book containing information about the Solaris Empire.

Based on the distance he had calculated yesterday, he planned to specifically narrow down the expected damage locations within the Ashford Estate.

“There’s a village in the estate where technicians live together. Like Donovan.”

“Is that place in danger?”

Theo nodded.

Evelyn hardened her expression and focused on preparing countermeasures for the future.

She had to worry about the next fire while simultaneously thinking constantly about what was happening in the bell tower.

A low voice reached Evelyn, who kept glancing toward the window.

“Evelyn, turn your gaze away.”

At the sudden words, Evelyn looked puzzled but turned her head toward the book.

Theo pretended to focus on his text while whispering so only Evelyn could hear.

“I’m sensing the exact same presence as last time.”

His lips curved at an angle.

“Someone is watching us.”

At those words, Theo rose from his seat.

“It’s dangerous, so you stay here.”

His movement in pursuing the suspicious figure was unbelievably fast.

“Th-Theo…?”

Evelyn called out to him belatedly, but only an empty seat remained.

Meanwhile, Theo skillfully followed the trail and went outside the library.

Today there wasn’t a single priest in the library, so he couldn’t ask for information about whoever had just left.

Footprints in the grass, sounds of movement, hurried traces…

It was clearly someone inexperienced at surveillance. However, they were quite fast on their feet.

Theo walked slowly through the forest. He planned to pursue them by piecing together the clues the escapee had left behind.

It should definitely be around here…

When he turned the corner of the library, the trail had vanished.

Had they hidden themselves? This quickly?

Theo looked around, but he couldn’t even sense breathing.

He searched every nook and cranny for a while, but strangely found nothing at all.

As if they had evaporated from this place.

Then he heard exhausted panting. It was Evelyn.

She had chased after Theo and found her way here.

He gently rubbed her back until Evelyn’s breathing calmed down.

After a moment, seeing her somewhat settled, he spoke.

“They seem to have hidden themselves here, but I have no idea where.”

Around them were only grass and trees, and the library building covered in vines and moss.

Evelyn also looked around following him, but found nothing.

Frustrated, she found fault with the library for no reason.

“Isn’t this too messy? The interior is clean but the outside is completely covered in green.”

Evelyn, who had been glaring at the outer wall, stopped grumbling.

“What’s this?”

She pulled something from the pile of vines. It was a bright yellow ribbon that didn’t match the damp building.

The owner of the item was immediately recognizable. And the reason the ribbon was caught here was…

“Theo, I think there’s something here.”

As Evelyn pushed aside the vines and spoke, Theo approached and stopped her hand. Then he began ruthlessly tearing through the greenery.

As soon as he cleared away the moss that seemed intricately tangled, several large stems became visible.

When he pushed them aside, a small side door revealed itself.

It had been cleverly hidden by the moss and vines covering the entire building.

“I can faintly sense magic from here.”

Theo said, looking at the door.

“There seems to be a magical lock. They appear to be hiding something quite impressive.”

A gleam appeared in his eyes.

Evelyn wore a cautious expression.

“We can’t enter right away. We don’t know how the situation might unfold.”

“I also have no intention of acting rashly.”

One corner of Theo’s mouth lifted.

“Magic should be countered with magic, shouldn’t it?”

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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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