That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 96

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. 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 96

“I can see Father laughing so heartily.”
No trace of sorrow remained in Theo as he recalled his family.
His eyes sparkled like a child’s, as if he had returned to that moment in time.
The festering wound had been healed, and so much had changed.
Instead of the piercing ache that gripped my chest, I felt the warm comfort of happiness.
He continued to recite his cherished memories in a joyful tone, and then suddenly, he met Evelyn’s tender smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“How was I looking at you?”
“Like I’m a younger brother you’re proud of.”
At those words, Evelyn laughed aloud.
“Because I’m happy. There’s not a shadow on your face right now, Theo.”
Theo felt it too. Talking about family had never been this joyful before—not since losing both his parents.
Deep in his heart, he knew it was all because of Evelyn.
The two of them continued to face each other and talk for a long while.
Until the bluish dawn broke, exchanging tender affection.
Theo’s heart grew ever deeper.
This moment, spending a long time alone with Evelyn after so long, was sweet beyond measure.
If this were a dream, I would never wish to wake from such overwhelming emotion.
A longing suddenly surged within me—to spend my entire life with her.
It was different from simply confirming my feelings. I wanted to promise to stay by her side and build a future together.
Theo slowly caressed Evelyn’s cheek.
His gaze, brimming with boundless affection, traced her radiant face. Then his voice followed, trembling with warmth.
“Only you understand the weight of the path I’ve walked.”
“….”
“Even as I moved forward alone, I kept looking back.”
His thumb gently brushed across Evelyn’s lips.
“Evelyn, I want to share all the time ahead with you.”
His voice trembled with sincerity.
Evelyn met his gaze quietly.
The affection welling up in her violet eyes threatened to spill over, and her heart wavered….
She could not speak.
The warmth blooming on her cheeks was transmitted wholly through his hand.
Theo whispered softly.
“You are my entire world.”
His lips drew closer, inch by inch. My heart thundered so violently I could scarcely breathe.
At last, soft skin met soft skin. Feeling the warmth of his breath, I closed my eyes.
Though this was not my first kiss, my mind became so hazy I could think of nothing else.
A sensation both rapturous and dizzying erupted like fireworks.
That was when it happened.
Flap!
A bird burst into the Bell Chamber, thrashing its wings violently.
Startled, I pulled away from Theo.
‘Did I… did I just kiss inside the Temple?’
I instinctively glanced around.
Engraved upon the bronze, silhouetted against the breaking dawn, was the image of Goddess Yulia.
Her gaze seemed to ask, ‘What are you two doing?’ and my ears burned crimson.
When had the sky grown so bright?
“Theo, what time is it?”
At my question, Theo checked his pocket watch. It was precisely the hour to ring the bell.
Had we lost ourselves in that kiss, the entire Temple would have overslept because of us.
“Thank goodness! Let’s pull the rope quickly!”
I leaped to my feet and rushed toward the bell.
Theo followed behind me with a displeased expression.
Together, we grasped the rope and pulled with all our strength.
Dong—dong—
The solemn resonance echoed throughout the entire Temple.
After pulling the rope two more times, I deliberately spoke to Theo as though nothing had happened.
“Shall we go have breakfast now?”
Of course, I did not meet his eyes.
Why was this happening? We had already confirmed our feelings for each other, and this was not even my first kiss…!
The intensity of this moment left me weak in the knees.
If I were to look at Theo again… I had no idea what I would do.
I steadied my legs and walked toward the exit.
“I’ll go ahead—please follow at your leisure…!”
But I had to stop immediately.
Right. There was a door.
The stone door that Theo had pushed shut last night stood firm and unyielding.
A door only he could open.
“Theo…?”
I had no choice but to turn back. Forcing a smile, I called to him.
“Would you open the door for me?”
“No.”
His refusal was as stubborn as a child’s.
“What?”
“I find myself reluctant to leave.”
His violet gaze remained fixed on my lips.
“And you keep avoiding me.”
“….”
“What didn’t you like?”
Theo’s expression grew serious.
“Was the angle wrong? Or should I be more gentle….”
Argh! Why is he like this!
There was no malice in his genuinely curious face. Only I was burning with embarrassment.
I raked my fingers through my hair as I spoke.
“I know it’s strange! Kissing because I wanted to, then suddenly running away!”
“It’s not strange. I’ve experienced this before.”
Now that he mentioned it, I had avoided him after our previous kiss as well.
Was he hurt…?
I looked at him carefully. Theo harbored no resentment toward me.
He simply touched his chest with a pained expression.
…Just say you’re disappointed instead.
I squeezed my eyes shut and cried out.
“I’m embarrassed! Because I like Theo even more than before…!”
“….”
Theo said nothing in response to my sudden confession.
As the silence stretched on, I pounded the innocent door with my fist.
“Won’t you open it?”
Only then did Theo open the door. I could hear the rough scraping sound and felt like I might die.
My face had grown even redder than before. Theo’s silence didn’t help.
The moment the exit came into view, I bolted down the stairs like an arrow.
Theo remained standing there in a daze.
A moment later, his lips curved into a smile. Indescribable joy kept spilling out.
She likes me even more than before….
Every time Evelyn reveals her heart, I don’t know what to do with myself.
Right now, I wanted to savor this overflowing happiness to the fullest.

* * *

Shortly after, the Clerics exchanged greetings and filed into the Dining Hall.
The Grand Cleric, seated at the head of the table as always, wore his customary benevolent expression.
“I’m sure you were all quite startled by yesterday’s incident. But as I’ve said, there’s nothing to worry about. Please, set your minds at ease.”
The Clerics nodded at his words.
“Of course, it was merely a minor accident after all.”
Theo’s smokescreen seemed to be working perfectly.
Then, a startled voice came from across the table.
“Oh my, Colin! Have you injured your hand?”
“Haha, I simply had a clumsy fall.”
Watching him brush it off as nothing, Evelyn stifled a laugh.
She’d stomped on him hard enough that his fingers were clearly crushed.
‘If I had my way, I’d do the same to his shoulder.’
But seeing the bandages wrapped around his hand, her anger cooled somewhat.
She was swallowing her laughter at the sight of Colin’s pained expression when—
“Theo and Evelyn must have been quite alarmed as well. It’s my fault for not maintaining the Temple properly.”
The Grand Cleric addressed them both.
“Fortunately, since we were in the Lodging, we suffered no serious damage.”
Theo shrugged his shoulders.
“More importantly, we’re grateful for the opportunity you’ve given us. Since we rang the bell on the Day of Blessing, this year should be peaceful.”
“Indeed. The Goddess will surely grant us fortune.”
“We’re already reassured. We, too, wish to pursue righteousness for Goddess Yulia.”
Theo spoke with steady conviction.
“Because that is the path she desires.”
“…”
The Grand Cleric smiled silently.
Evelyn was eating her soup with that same rotting expression as always.
“Evelyn.”
When Theo called to her softly, their eyes met.
It was the first time their gazes had locked since their lips had touched.
Theo’s eyes curved into a long, playful arc. Then he tapped the corner of his own lips—tap, tap.
In that instant, Evelyn’s face ignited like a raging inferno.
Did this man know no shame?
She was glaring daggers at Theo when—
He handed her a napkin from the table.
“Shall I wipe it for you?”
Only then did she realize he’d been trying to tell her there was soup on the corner of her mouth.
The moment the meal ended, Evelyn was the first to rise from her seat.
As she left the Dining Hall, her ears were still flushed crimson.
Theo made no move to follow her.
He had a different objective in mind.

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