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Chapter 8
“That’s Not What I Meant by Kissing!”
It almost sounded like the kind of question one would ask a woman he was interested in.
There’s no way.
Evelyn quickly erased the thought.
Then what was it? Was he saying that because he thought she would quit soon?
She had gone through quite a lot on her very first assignment. Still, she had no intention of leaving the Institute.
“There’s no such person. And even after I get married, I plan to continue working.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Come to think of it, Theo was merely the overall commander of this expedition, not her superior at the Institute.
Then why did he ask?
She didn’t dare ask him outright and instead pondered it silently.
While she was thinking, the simple treatment was finished. Evelyn took out her handkerchief and wrapped his wound.
“That’s all.”
Theo looked down at his hand with a satisfied expression.
“You’ve thrown away your handkerchief because of me.”
“It’s fine.”
It was just a common cotton handkerchief. She wasn’t particularly attached to it.
“When we return to the capital, I’ll give you a new one as a gift.”
“Pardon? That’s really not necessary…”
Was he saying they would meet again?
Surely this would be the end of her encounter with the Duke of Ashford. Once they returned to the capital, they would each resume their respective duties and live their separate lives.
As Evelyn stood there flustered, she suddenly realized something.
It’s not like the Duke would deliver it personally…!
Of course he would send someone!
She felt foolish for misunderstanding.
They rose from the rock and began walking down the mountain again.
Why does it feel like we’re closer than before…?
Evelyn glanced sideways at Theo.
The distance between them had indeed narrowed.
Moreover, Theo’s arm lingered behind her back—
as if ready to catch her at any moment if she stumbled.
Once they descended the steep slope and reached level ground, Evelyn finally felt some relief.
Noticing this, Theo spoke.
“Shall we have an interesting conversation?”
“…Yes, that sounds good.”
The Duke’s conversational flow was impossible to predict.
Does he want me to start?
For a moment she even wondered if she was supposed to imitate animal sounds.
“Good. Then tell me something you like.”
“Something I like?”
Was that interesting?
Caught off guard, Evelyn thought for a moment.
“…I like sweet desserts. Especially ones topped with fruit.”
Though it was nothing remarkable, Theo’s eyes shone with keen interest.
That reaction made her end up revealing all her preferences.
“I also really enjoy researching ancient languages. It was my major.”
“So you’re interested in studying itself?”
“That too. But my professor was a truly wonderful person.”
“Did they leave you with any particularly memorable teaching?”
Theo’s way of speaking was smooth. He knew how to draw out a conversation endlessly.
As if spellbound, Evelyn continued talking.
“He said you should study as if you’re in love.”
“For example?”
“If you like someone, you can’t help but keep looking at them. You keep your eyes on them consistently, and you continue trying to read them.”
She went on.
“Studying is the same as a person, he said. If your affection fades, it notices immediately and closes its heart to you.”
“So the answer is to keep looking at it often.”
Do you think so as well?
At Theo’s question, Evelyn nodded.
“Isn’t it? The longer you spend together, the more you become influenced by each other.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Remember what…?
Surely he’s not taking romantic advice from me?
The thought made her terribly embarrassed.
She had absolutely no experience in romance.
Ah, I shouldn’t have pretended to know anything!
But it was too late for regret.
Judging by his expression, Theo seemed to be taking her words very seriously.
Why on earth?
She couldn’t understand the situation at all.
His violet eyes flickered.
That mysterious, subtle color was something she could never quite get used to.
“Let’s go!”
Feigning nonchalance, Evelyn continued walking.
At last, the Monster Mountain came to an end, and a small village appeared in the distance.
Evelyn was extremely hungry.
Near Monster Mountain stood the lodging and the gate. A little farther on lay the villagers’ residential area.
Theo guided her skillfully.
“You really know the area well.”
When she expressed her admiration, he replied,
“I don’t come often, but whenever I do, I make sure to stop by the village.”
“Why?”
“Because I get bored. And I like new things.”
She recalled what he had said earlier about the schedule.
The first day: subjugate monsters. The rest: free time.
It seemed he always defeated the monsters in a single day and went out afterward.
When they arrived in the village, quaint houses came into view.
Unlike the meticulously arranged gardens of the capital, these homes blended naturally with their surroundings.
Vines climbed the walls, and dried fruits and flowers hung from the rooftops.
It was a simple beauty composed of many colors.
Theo led Evelyn to a restaurant that had been converted from a house.
A young couple, who appeared to be the owners, welcomed them.
The small interior was filled with handwoven tablecloths and vases.
It was a place brimming with the couple’s personal taste.
Theo pulled out a chair for Evelyn.
After they sat and placed their orders, warm tea was served.
“We serve flower tea instead of an aperitif,” the man, presumably the husband, said as he set down the cups with careful movements.
Dried yellow flower buds released a deep fragrance on the surface of the water.
The weather had been gradually turning chilly.
As she sipped the tea, a pleasant warmth spread through her body.
When she lifted her head, her gaze immediately met Theo’s.
How long has he been watching me…?
His violet eyes felt strangely unfamiliar.
The sharp gaze that once seemed cold now carried a soft smile.
Perhaps because it was still early evening, they were the only guests.
The silence surrounding them felt awkward.
It was Theo who broke it.
“How was your day?”
The question came out of nowhere.
Today? It felt like nothing but hardship…
Evelyn chose her words carefully.
“It was a new experience. I learned a great deal from Your Grace.”
“Is that all?”
It didn’t seem to be the answer he wanted.
“Well… Your Grace’s swordsmanship is truly exceptional…”
“I had a wonderful time.”
“…Pardon?”
Did he feel pleasure while destroying monsters?
Perhaps he was stranger than she had thought.
“I said I enjoyed it. Because I was with you.”
“…”
Evelyn recalled what she had done today.
Screaming… running away…
I suppose it could have been amusing.
It must have felt like watching a rampaging monkey.
At last, the food arrived.
As he had the day before, Theo neatly cut the meat and passed it to Evelyn.
“…Thank you.”
“You can’t seem to take your eyes off the vase.”
Only then did Evelyn look at him.
“I like flowers.”
In truth, she had only been staring at the vase because she had nothing to say to him.
“Are you doing your homework well?”
Homework?
Ah—hadn’t he told her earlier to find out his name?
“I’m not sure. It’s difficult. Could you give me a hint?”
“It’s related to a god.”
“I see… Wow, what an incredible hint.”
There must be dozens of names in the Empire related to gods.
Evelyn forced a smile and began eating.
Perhaps because of the exhausting hike, her throat kept drying out.
When her glass emptied, she reached for the water bottle beside her.
But instead of the cold, hard glass she expected, her fingers met something else.
The Duke had already grasped the bottle—and her hand overlapped his.
This isn’t some romance novel…!
If it were, readers would call this cliché.
Startled at suddenly holding Theo’s hand, Evelyn quickly pulled back.
“Y-you go first!”
Theo looked at his hand as if it felt strangely empty.
“That was too short. I’m disappointed.”
“Pardon?”
“I told you. I prefer someone who’s proactive.”
He then poured water into her empty glass.
“When we return to the capital, what do you plan to do?”
“The same as always. Decipher ancient texts, conduct research…”
“You like ancient languages that much?”
“Yes, I enjoy it. Some days I’ve been buried in books from morning to night.”
“So you’re too busy to have any free time?”
“It’s not that I’m busy with work… It’s just that my head is filled with ancient languages.”
“Not even the smallest gap?”
At that, Evelyn smiled.
“Not to that extent. I do have a little room to spare.”
Hearing that, Theo smiled as well.
“In that case.”
“Yes?”
“Could you place me in that gap?”
What did he mean?
Evelyn looked puzzled.
Theo continued.
“It would be greedy to ask for every moment of your life. But no matter how your day goes, there are always small gaps in between.”
“…”
“When that happens, I’m asking you to think of me for a moment.”
