That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 9

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

That’s not what kissing means!

Episode 9

At this point, Evelyn couldn’t help but suspect.

Could the Duke have feelings for me?

Evelyn raised her head.

Theo’s violet eyes were watching her intently.

It was a completely different gaze from their first meeting.

This went beyond simple affection…

‘No, I must be crazy.’

Evelyn shook her head.

It was an absurd thought.

They had only met a day ago.

Moreover, the difference in status between the Duke and herself was vast.

She let out a hollow laugh at her own delusion.

But she couldn’t help being conscious of the Duke.

‘Anyone would see this as a confession…’

Her throat kept going dry from nervousness, and her movements became unnatural.

Theo quickly noticed Evelyn’s change.

His presence had grown even larger for her.

However, Evelyn’s eyes narrowed sharply in an instant.

“Do you do this with just anyone?”

“What?”

“We haven’t even known each other for a full day.”

“Is that important?”

His confident attitude left her speechless.

Theo continued speaking.

“The time we’ve spent together doesn’t matter. What’s important is the moment.”

“The moment?”

“Yes, like this flower, for instance.”

He gently tapped the vase placed in the center of the table.

White hydrangeas were blooming fully inside the glass vase.

“To reach full bloom, a flower must endure endlessly. It requires careful attention and dedication.”

“…”

“Yet the reason we continue to seek flowers is to capture precisely this moment.”

Theo’s eyes curved gently.

“I’ll never forget today for the rest of my life. The moment you came to save me.”

He could be certain.

This was the moment his life would change forever.

This wasn’t some vague affection.

It felt as if someone had grasped his heart, leaving him with an aching, overwhelming sensation.

Every time he looked at her, his chest fluttered. Warmth filled his entire body.

“All I did was throw a book…”

“That image is vividly etched in my mind. Though there are other reasons too.”

His words continued.

“I enjoy being with you. Having conversations, seeing your expressions change in various ways.”

“…”

“I swear. This is the first time I’ve felt such emotions.”

So it wasn’t an action taken lightly, he said.

“I hope you’ll let me into your world. I too will strive for your happiness.”

“So this is…”

“That’s right, it’s a confession.”

Evelyn became confused by the confession that came rushing like a tidal wave.

“…I’m extremely flustered right now.”

“I understand.”

“We just met today, and I don’t even know your name, Your Grace.”

“I have no intention of forcing emotions on you right away. For now, just as I said… you can simply make room for me in your life.”

The entire situation was overwhelming.

‘I can’t think straight at all!’

Theo left Evelyn to her thoughts.

He liked seeing her so absorbed in her own contemplation.

Just then, the restaurant owner approached.

“We have some excellent wine. May I recommend it?”

“Yes, please!”

Evelyn nodded to break the awkward atmosphere.

She had no confidence she could endure this sober.

She decided to get through the remaining time with a bit of alcohol.

Seeing Evelyn desperately wanting wine, Theo asked with apparent surprise.

“Do you like alcohol?”

“When necessary.”

Soon the wine was prepared.

The restaurant hostess opened the bottle and poured the wine into glasses.

At the same time, she quickly read the atmosphere between the customers.

She and her husband had been quietly eavesdropping on their conversation.

‘We need to help them!’

The romantic couple decided to meddle. Nothing was better than alcohol for advancing a romance.

She quickly recommended a well-aged wine.

Hoping their hearts would connect.

Evelyn watched the red liquid flowing smoothly, then drank it down in one gulp as soon as her glass was filled.

“Another glass?”

After the owner withdrew, Theo filled her glass this time.

Evelyn quickly downed that one too.

“How about slowing down a bit?”

“No, I need a little more.”

She emptied her glass several more times.

Then she let out a long breath.

Her face showed firm determination.

“May I speak honestly?”

“Of course.”

The alcohol gave her courage to refuse.

The problem was that her honesty had also doubled.

“Your Grace, you’re incredibly handsome.”

“What…?”

“You’re my type. Physically speaking.”

“Well, thank you.”

As expected, Theo chuckled softly at the unexpected comment.

The conversation flow was unpredictable.

Whatever it was, if it could capture Evelyn’s heart, that would be good.

Evelyn continued speaking.

“But that’s all there is to it.”

“….”

“Just because I come from a remote countryside doesn’t mean I don’t know how the world works. I understand reality too.”

“Such as?”

“There’s a vast difference in our social status, and our circumstances are completely different.”

“So you don’t dislike me.”

“How could I dislike you? You’re so handsome.”

Once she became honest, her mouth moved without restraint.

Theo shrugged his shoulders as if asking what the problem was.

“Then what’s the issue?”

This person has more of a flower field in his head than I thought.

Evelyn let out a sigh.

“There will definitely be people who look down on us, right? No, there will be plenty of them.”

“Isn’t it fine as long as we’re okay with it?”

“What are you going to tell the people of House Ashford?”

“My parents aren’t around, so that works out well, doesn’t it?”

To say something like that so cheerfully….

Theo said once more.

That it would be fine as long as their hearts were connected.

Evelyn pressed her temples firmly.

Whether the alcohol was stronger than she thought, her body gradually grew warm with intoxication.

Because of this, her judgment began to blur.

Somehow, everything he said with that beautiful face seemed right.

Before she knew it, she was nodding with hazy eyes.

With the last bit of clarity she could muster, she spoke again.

“But I don’t know my own feelings. Whether my heart races simply because you’re handsome, or if it’s romantic feelings.”

“That would be troublesome.”

Theo took away her wine glass.

Evelyn’s hand, which had been about to take another sip, was left empty.

“You should stop drinking. I’ll take you back to your lodging first.”

Think about it again when you sober up. About my confession.

He smiled and tilted the wine glass he had taken, drinking a sip.

“We’ve prepared lemon sorbet for dessert.”

What brought her back to her senses was the restaurant owner.

A refreshing dessert was placed in front of her.

A moment later, when the restaurant owner cleared away the empty bowl, Evelyn looked at the plate with a surprised face.

‘Did I eat all of that?’

It seemed she had completely finished her meal even in the midst of all the confusion.

Her full stomach felt somewhat embarrassing.

The hostess asked the two with a smiling face.

“You’ll become lovers soon.”

“Do we look like it?”

Theo spoke in a pleased voice.

“My husband and I were friends for a long time. Then we suddenly became lovers.”

“How?”

Evelyn showed her curiosity.

“We held hands by chance, and it didn’t feel unpleasant.”

You can tell by touching. Your feelings toward the other person.

At those words, Evelyn asked.

“You can tell just by holding hands?”

Oh, surely not.

The hostess approached her and whispered in her ear.

“Actually, that day….”

Along with the whispering voice, Evelyn’s eyes widened.

“What…?”

She was left speechless at the unexpected words.

The owner winked at her, then spoke to Theo.

“Rather than going straight to sleep, taking a walk would be better. It clears your head.”

“Is there a place to walk nearby?”

“Let me tell you about a good spot.”

The restaurant owner recommended a lake in the nearby area.

Saying they absolutely must enjoy the sunset right now.

* * *

The lake wasn’t far.

The gently blowing breeze carried the fresh scent of water.

As the owner couple had said, the lake with the sunset was incredibly beautiful.

The sky and lake were dyed in warm colors.

The water surface sparkled with golden light, and occasionally falling leaves created gentle ripples.

Evelyn became completely enchanted by the crimson scenery.

“I want to sit down.”

“Don’t you want to walk more?”

At Theo’s words, she nodded.

He laid his handkerchief on the grass so Evelyn could sit comfortably.

Evelyn, still not free from intoxication, plopped down on it.

Theo took a seat beside her.

‘Somehow it feels too close….’

Perhaps because of the confession, the distance between them felt very concerning.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————