Chapter 10
It’s Not What You Think When I Said Let’s Kiss!
At that moment, a gentle breeze brushed against Evelyn’s cheek.
“Okay.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a lake like this in the Adrian Territory too. Wildflowers bloom around it, and the sunset lingers over the water.”
“Do you miss your hometown?”
“I always do. The fields where I used to run around… my family.”
Before, she hadn’t realized.
The moments spent laughing with her family, the forest that welcomed her so familiarly, the comfort of home—she had thought they were all things that would always be there.
Even as she busily adapted to a new environment, she would sometimes grow melancholy thinking about home.
I should forget it and focus on work…
Theo shook his head at her words.
“There’s no need to forget.”
He continued,
“You left home because you wanted to become a better person. Just build new experiences on top of your old memories.”
That was how one grows without losing oneself.
“……”
Evelyn looked at him silently.
Theo didn’t offer empty reassurances. He simply comforted her in a calm, steady way.
Perhaps it was because she was tipsy, but his words resonated deeply.
As she gazed quietly at him, Theo asked,
“What are you thinking about?”
“…My homework.”
“I see. You promised to figure out my name by tonight.”
Their eyes met.
Evelyn looked straight into his violet eyes.
Unlike their first meeting, they were now filled with warmth.
“What a strange day.”
Being confessed to by someone whose name I don’t even know.
Theo let out a small laugh.
“Still not sure about me?”
“I don’t know. What should I do?”
Maybe it was the sunset, but her eyes shimmered.
Then, Evelyn placed her hand over the back of Theo’s.
Startled by the sudden warmth, his eyes widened.
“I heard you can tell like this…”
Her pronunciation was slightly slurred from the alcohol. She must have been recalling what she’d heard at the restaurant earlier.
“…And? Do you know now?”
Theo’s voice grew lower.
She shook her head slightly.
“There is one more way…”
“What is it?”
Evelyn remembered the restaurant owner’s words.
‘When we kissed, I knew. That this was the person I would spend my life with.’
Golden light from the sky settled over Theo’s face.
Evelyn blinked slowly.
Everything around them felt still.
The calm lake, the soft breeze brushing their cheeks, the occasional chirping of insects…
After staring at him for a long time, Evelyn slowly leaned closer.
At that moment, she could see only him.
His status, his position—none of it came to mind.
Their faces drew closer.
Theo didn’t avoid her.
He quietly waited for Evelyn, anticipating the touch to come.
Touch—
At last, their lips met.
Evelyn had lightly kissed him.
“……”
“……”
This time, Theo didn’t look surprised.
His darkened gaze fixed on her.
Tightening his grip on her hand, he asked,
“And now?”
They were still close enough to feel each other’s breath.
“Are you certain about me now?”
There was a faint edge of impatience in his voice.
His violet eyes seemed to pierce through to her lips.
Unconsciously, she touched her own lips with her fingers.
The kiss had been brief.
Only a moment—but she tried to recall the sensation.
When Evelyn remained silent, Theo studied her.
“It’s okay. Be honest.”
Even so, he felt uneasy, afraid she might give a negative answer.
Theo let out a quiet, self-mocking breath. He wasn’t used to being swayed by someone else’s reaction.
“Honestly…?”
Evelyn began slowly.
“Yes.”
What answer would she give? Theo smiled, trying not to show his tension.
But her reply once again defied his expectations.
“It was so quick, I’m not sure. Should we try once more…?”
“What?”
Theo burst out laughing.
Evelyn looked at him, not understanding why he found it funny.
When his laughter subsided, he gently caressed her cheek.
“Have you had too much to drink?”
“No… I don’t think so…”
“You’re sure? You can’t forget this moment.”
His voice turned serious.
“The first time can pass. But after that, you’ll have to take responsibility.”
“……”
“For what it’s worth, I’m very innocent.”
What is he even saying? Evelyn blinked.
Theo tapped his own lips lightly with his finger.
“You only do this with the person you’re going to marry. Understood?”
Evelyn nodded without thinking.
Satisfied, Theo murmured softly,
“I’ll permit it. My lips.”
As if she had been waiting, Evelyn pressed her lips to his again.
This time, a little longer.
There was nothing particularly romantic about it.
Her lips pressed against his firmly, like stamping a seal.
Theo pulled back slightly and looked at her tenderly.
Brushing her pink hair behind her ear, he said,
“How about leaving it to me?”
“……”
For a few seconds, Evelyn felt his gentle touch.
Leaving what to him?
Her thoughts grew hazy.
She liked his gentle hands. His low voice. The warmth of being so close.
“…Okay.”
At last, permission slipped from her lips.
Theo cupped her face in both hands.
Then he softly captured her lips.
A dizzying, intoxicating sensation spread through her.
Before she knew it, she was falling helplessly for him.
‘I don’t remember anything after that!’
Evelyn clutched her head.
She couldn’t remember what happened after the kiss…!
This was the worst possible situation.
That morning, she had woken up feeling surprisingly refreshed.
As she stretched, the fog in her mind seemed to clear.
Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, she remembered she was on a business trip.
Then the events of the previous day began returning to her one by one.
They had gone on the trip together, encountered monsters, and she had ended up alone with the Duke…
“…I’m insane.”
Everything with him flashed through her mind.
The things she had said so honestly. The reckless things she’d done while drunk…!
“I’ve lost it. I’ve completely lost it!”
She punched the innocent pillow.
Alcohol was truly terrifying.
‘No… was it really just the alcohol?’
It wasn’t only the wine she had been intoxicated by. It was his face, the atmosphere, the kiss…
She had been enchanted by all of it.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—she didn’t remember everything.
But one thing was certain.
She had kissed him.
The problem was that she couldn’t remember what happened after.
Anxiously, Evelyn bit her nails.
What happened…? What did I say afterward?
And the Duke…? No, more importantly, did I even make it back here properly?
Then she remembered telling him he was handsome.
‘This stupid mouth of mine…!’
How could she dare tell the Duke that at least his face was her type!
How absurd must that have sounded? She wanted to cry.
Suddenly, she grew afraid of her own mouth.
What if she had kept babbling nonsense after returning to the lodging?
What if she’d blurted everything out to the other researchers?
Her heart pounded wildly.
It felt like it might leap out of her throat.
Just then, someone knocked on her door.
Startled, she shouted,
“W-Who is it?!”
When the door opened, it was Catherine.
“Why are you so jumpy? Is something wrong?”
“N-No! What is it?”
Evelyn quickly got out of bed and hurriedly straightened herself.
“It’s fine. Go back to sleep. You must’ve been exhausted yesterday.”
“Yesterday…?”
“Yes. You came back in the Duke’s arms. They said you fainted from shock.”
“Oh…”
Evelyn scratched her cheek awkwardly.
At least it seemed she had slept soundly without spouting nonsense.
“Anyway, you wanted to say something…?”
“Oh, right. I’m heading back to the capital now.”
“Already? The trip lasts until tomorrow.”
“The monsters’ movements were suspicious. I need to report it quickly.”
“And the others…?”
“Oliver, the Duke, and the knights will return according to schedule. I’m the only one going ahead.”
So you rest well and come back later.
At Catherine’s words, Evelyn’s mind grew complicated.
If everyone else was staying… that meant she would have to remain with the Duke.
Her face turned pale.
The massive blunder from the previous day resurfaced.
Even if she couldn’t remember anything else, she was certain of one thing.
She had kissed him first.
Twice.
‘But the Duke didn’t refuse.’
And he was the one who confessed!
Her thoughts were in turmoil.
Should she just accept his feelings like this?
Was it really as simple as he said?
‘What about my own heart?’
Were her feelings certain enough to promise a future?
Balanced on the precarious edge of emotion, Evelyn’s thoughts spiraled into a maze.
