A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Scoundrel

“No, not at all. Of course not. I was just caught off guard… that’s all.”

Bernard muttered in a voice that had turned noticeably cold. He tightened his grip on his cane.

The Duke cared as much about appearances and dignity as he did about keeping his family’s twisted affairs hidden from the public eye.

Moreover, Marcella Betenard wasn’t just his estranged mother—she was also a former queen with enough influence to impose restrictions on him.

“I thought there was some other situation. Well then, wait here. Emeline and I both need to pack our things.”

Leaving those words behind, Marcella gently guided Emeline up the stairs.

Bernard’s furious gaze followed their retreating backs.

Perhaps he knew deep down that his methods of discipline were seen as abusive by others, he remained silent. Emeline nearly let out a scoff.

At that moment, Marcella added, “Emeline, I hear Bernard often punishes you in absurd ways. I’ll stay with you until you’re safe.”

She patted Emeline gently, as if to say she could be trusted. Then she sighed, as if baffled by how someone with such rotten values could be her own son.

Emeline felt a warm sense of emotion stir within her.

After always living with people like Bernard and Antony, it was unfamiliar—even overwhelming—to have someone stand up to protect her.

She took a moment before speaking sincerely, “Thank you, Grandmother…”

And she didn’t miss the chance to further solidify Marcella completely as her ally.

Emeline smiled, her reddened eyes folding gently. “It’s the first time anyone besides my mother has taken my side at home, so I’m so happy… I’ve been so scared, but with you here, I feel truly safe.”

“Oh dear… that wretched Bernard.”

Emeline gently embraced Marcella’s arm. Marcella patted the back of her hand reassuringly.

In truth, someone as wise and perceptive as Marcella might have realized that Emeline was intentionally showing vulnerability to strengthen their bond.

But what Emeline had learned from spending time with her over the past few days was that Marcella was endlessly generous to those she approved of.

Perhaps, having lived ahead of her time—reforming laws and viewing the world differently—Marcella recognized a kindred spirit in Emeline.

“Once the servants have packed everything, let’s head out again. You should say goodbye to your mother, too.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Marcella spoke in a firm tone, as if she couldn’t bear to leave Emeline alone with Bernard for even a moment.

To that, Emeline smiled brightly.

Just knowing she had even one person on her side made it feel like so much had already changed.

She had no doubt this would be the decisive move that would tilt her fight with her father completely in her favor.

***

The carriage carrying the three of them traveled toward Elvarto in long silence.

Occasionally, Emeline and Marcella’s warm conversation broke the stillness.

Bernard, sitting across from them, clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched.

‘I worked so hard to keep them apart, and now Mother’s going to meddle in everything. That damned old woman… And I still need to find a way to salvage the broken engagement.’

Nothing had gone right since the accident at the Edelroa exhibit.

More and more people kept showing up to interfere and ruin everything he worked for.

Zenon Trancium, who somehow managed to win over his daughter, and that stubborn, senile Marcella, who pursued absurd ideals and meddled in everything.

‘No… come to think of it, everything started going downhill the moment that Zenon Trancium scoundrel returned to Elvarto.’

Ever since he showed up, his daughter—who had been getting along just fine with Count Renier—got caught up in a scandal with that delinquent, and a string of disgraceful incidents followed.

Whatever misfortunes befell his daughter inevitably tarnished Bernard’s own reputation.

Come to think of it, wasn’t Zenon Trancium at the scene when the accident occurred at the exhibit?

‘I should’ve gotten rid of him then and there… Made sure he never dared show his face in Elvarto again!’

Just as he had told Emeline earlier, Bernard had already contacted newspapers, claiming that everything that happened at Edelroa was the work of the malicious Trancium.

But for some reason, not a single article had been published.

He had confirmed that the largest newspaper was owned by Zenon Trancium, so he hadn’t contacted them—but it was suspicious that the others also refused to report it.

At first, he had received responses from various outlets expressing interest in conducting an interview. But before long, one by one, they began backing out, saying it would be difficult to publish anything.

Bernard had no idea why. How dare they refuse his request?

‘Nothing is working out, absolutely nothing!’

He worried that even the projects he had been investing effort in might fall apart.

It really did seem like Zenon Trancium was behind it all, sabotaging everything. That bastard was more infuriating than the Marquis of Trancium himself.

‘I just hope he doesn’t ruin the new defense company investment too. I heard the company’s CEO has been meeting with members of the royal family and high-ranking officials, so he’s bound to request a meeting with me eventually.’

If Zenon Trancium’s scandalous reputation rubs off on him, it could jeopardize everything.

No, perhaps it already had.

He had boasted that, through that investment, he would soon establish ties with the major bank owned by Count Renier.

But now, thanks to that bastard, the engagement between Emeline and Count Renier had completely fallen through!

This company had even drawn rare interest from their ally, Lunalini, prompting discussions about a new trade relationship.

‘I have to get rid of Zenon Trancium somehow and put Emeline back together with Count Renier.’

While Bernard was lost in thought, the carriage came to a stop in front of the townhouse in Elvarto.

As unpleasant as his relationship with his mother was, Bernard still offered to escort Marcella from the carriage, given her royal status.

Then he turned to Emeline, who followed behind, and said, “Let’s go inside and have a word, just the two of us.”

He had been unable to finish their conversation in Hilbert because of Marcella’s interference.

Even if Emeline had discovered the truth about the forged letters and shown some resistance, he believed he could still coax her back.

With a bit of discipline, she would return to being the proud, obedient daughter he remembered.

But before he could even begin, Emeline replied, “If it’s about the engagement, I’m not interested, Father.”

“What? Not interested?”

“I already told you four years ago—I had someone I’d promised to marry. And you were the one who broke that promise. Don’t expect me to go along with a new one as if nothing happened.”

“Emeline Delzeier! I told you that under no circumstances would I allow anything with Trancium. And now you’re bringing up marriage with that worthless man again?”

Forgetting Marcella was right there, Bernard flushed red with fury.

Thinking again that Zenon Trancium was the cause of all this made his blood boil.

“I told you everything I did was for your sake. As a daughter, you should listen to your father. Are you really going to throw away your dignity and status because of that man?”

“I never needed any of that to begin with. It was all your greed. I have nothing more to say, so I’ll be going inside now.”

Emeline offered Marcella a respectful bow and climbed the stairs.

Before, she would have stood still and waited quietly until Bernard gave her permission to go.

Seeing how much she had changed, Bernard felt a flush rise to his face.

Finally, he lost control and shouted, “Emeline, have you lost your mind?! Why are you all just standing there? Bring her back here right now!”

Bernard barked at the servants who were frozen in confusion.

The entire house descended into chaos.

But the noise was silenced when Marcella brought her cane down hard on Bernard’s foot.

“Bernard! With a guest standing right here, you show such disgraceful behavior. You act as if royal decorum means nothing, and yet you think you have the right to lecture that girl?”

Bernard let out a short groan at the sudden blow.

Marcella looked at him with thinly veiled disgust and said, “Pathetic. You will personally show me around—where I’ll be staying and the key areas of this residence. That is the proper way to treat a royal guest.”

“……”

“What are you standing there for? Start the tour.”

With a click of her tongue, Marcella prompted him, and Bernard finally obeyed.

With a face seething with barely restrained rage, he began to walk.