A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: How Do You Feel?

Emeline glanced down at the commotion downstairs but turned away and headed to her room.

‘I’m glad Grandmother is here.’

Truthfully, Emeline hadn’t expected her to be this helpful.

If she hadn’t been there, even if Emeline had stood her ground, she would’ve suffered Bernard’s punishment regardless.

‘Not that it matters, I’ll have a title in a few days anyway.’

Since receiving Antony’s letter, Emeline had anticipated Bernard’s arrival and had already instructed Benica to arrange a proxy acquisition of the title.

Whether Bernard would back down because of that was uncertain, but that was only a concern in a world without Marcella Betenard by her side.

Right now, Emeline had Marcella as a reliable ally.

‘It’s different now. That’s why I can succeed.’

Once back in her room, Emeline calmly sat on the sofa. Her bedroom, unchanged even after all this time, felt strangely familiar.

Letting out a sigh at the odd feeling of tension melting away, Emeline noticed a letter placed on the table.

‘That seal…’

Emeline picked up the letter and checked the sender.

The envelope, in a subdued color, bore the name Mathis Renier.

She already knew from Bernard that Mathis had accepted the breakup.

There was no reason for someone to send a letter after a breakup had been finalized, so it must have been sent at the same time as his decision.

‘He probably didn’t know I wasn’t home, so he sent his reply here.’

She opened the letter with composure. It even carried his usual cool and neat scent.

Expecting nothing but formality, Emeline began reading.

But she was met with something unexpectedly personal.

The opening confirmed that he accepted the breakup, as she’d assumed—but further in, came something surprising.

[Your request for a breakup—I’ve accepted after much deliberation.

As you said, I don’t think I can understand or accept you directly.

From the moment you spoke, I was already calculating how this would affect my future gains and losses.

You, who feel nothing for me, seem to know me this well, while I barely knew anything about you. I had no choice but to step back.

Now, the connection between you and my family is officially over.

If you’re willing, Miss Emeline, I’d like us to remain good friends.

You said your dream was to attend university. If you become the first woman admitted, I’ll have to brag to others that you’re my friend.

After all, I accepted the rather unreasonable demand for annulment. I’m due at least that much benefit, don’t you think?

I won’t deny that I feel some resentment.

But setting that aside, I’m also curious to see if you can achieve the impossible.

I’ll be watching to see how much Zenon Trancium supports you.

I hope he’s not some scoundrel who steals someone’s fiancée only to abandon her.

If that happens, I’ll leave a place open for you to return—though I doubt you’d come back.

This wasn’t the kind of letter I intended to write. But with how much I’ve been burned by Zenon Trancium, the criticism slipped out.

Before I knew it, I realized that his bank, owned by the Trancium family, overtook even mine and secured the top share in the banking industry.

Reluctant as I am, I’ll sincerely wish you and that man well.

And my desire to remain friends is genuine, so please consider it.]

Reading the firm and refined closing, which was so like Mathis himself, made Emeline smile faintly.

It was hard to tell whether the letter was very much like him or not like him at all. A mixture of his usual gentlemanly tone and an unfamiliar lightness.

‘Now that I think about it, this might be the first real letter we’ve exchanged.’

Until now, they had always written through servants or scribes.

That had been Emeline’s habit as well, and judging from the handwriting and tone, it was likely the same for him.

‘But to remain friends…?’

He had said if she became the first female student, he’d boast that she was his friend, but…

In truth, it meant he would be willing to defend her name in what could be a socially controversial situation.

‘Hah… He really is incomprehensible. He accepts the breakup fearing I’ll be a stain on his name, yet offers protection as a friend.’

Even if it was just polite phrasing, it was a deeply kind thing to say.

Unlike when she first opened the letter with a blank expression, a soft smile now formed at the corner of Emeline’s lips.

She pulled Mel, who had been perched on the sofa arm, onto her lap and gently stroked her.

The cat had been meowing complaints ever since Emeline returned, scolding her for leaving.

As she caressed Mel’s head affectionately, Emeline thought:

‘Back then, it felt like the whole world was against us, but now, if it feels like so many things are supporting us… Could that just be my wishful thinking?’

Could we, just this once, have a different ending?

After petting her cat for a while, Emeline finally began to write a reply to Mathis Renier.

The ripeness of summer that filled her whole being only made her heart swell more.

Just like around this time four years ago, during the days when everything about them had been suppressed, and when they whispered love in secret.

That day’s dream of love now felt like it was on the verge of blooming, tickling her heart with anticipation.

***

It had been a few days since Emeline returned to the Delzeier townhouse.

Whenever Bernard might pick a fight, she invited her friend Angel to the mansion or spent time with Marcella even for the smallest reasons.

Then Bernard, just as he would come looking for Emeline, would back off again—his expression twisted in frustration.

‘For now, he’s tiptoeing because of Grandmother, but who knows when he’ll suddenly try to arrange a new engagement for me.’

As she dressed lightly for a walk, Emeline narrowed her eyes.

Purchasing a title wasn’t something that progressed quickly.

She exchanged letters often with Zenon through Benica, but he seemed busy on many fronts.

Of course, that didn’t mean his responses were curt or rushed—not at all.

[Miss you so much. Should we meet in our dreams?

Honestly, I see you in my dreams all the time, but since it’s not really you, Emeline Delzeier, you look about one percent less pretty.

It’s seriously upsetting… It makes me happy at first, then suddenly disappointed.

Still, once this is all over, I’ll complete my title inheritance and be able to come see you properly.

So tell me… where should we hold our wedding?]

His letters arrived so consistently that it was hard to believe he was even busy.

Reading them, his cheerful chatter seemed to echo in her ears, making her smile naturally.

Just then, Emeline dismissed the maids who had been brushing her hair.

Benica, who had been handling the title purchase in her stead, entered the room—her face brighter than usual.

“Miss! The timing couldn’t be more perfect—the deal is finalized.”

Benica handed her the completed documents. Emeline skimmed over them, the corners of her mouth lifting.

Then Benica whispered another important piece of news into her ear and smiled even more.

“Everything wrapped up at just the right moment, didn’t it?”

“It really did…”

At Benica’s reassurance that she could now feel at ease, Emeline nodded lightly.

Suppressing her excitement, she stepped out of the room. She was about to go on a walk with her grandmother and planned to talk with her a bit more.

But as she descended the stairs, Emeline halted—someone was waiting for her below.

“Emeline, perfect timing. Let’s have a proper conversation with your father today.”

Holding his sharp cane, Bernard narrowed his eyes and stared sternly at her.

After pausing for a moment, Emeline descended and stood before him. A quick glance told her Marcella hadn’t come down yet.

‘It’s fine.’

Moments ago, she had received the finalized title documents from Benica.

There was no longer any reason to fear him.

“Yes, Father. Is there something you wish to discuss?”

“Hah, you seem so carefree. After all you’ve done, you stand so boldly in front of me. Don’t you understand that my loss is your loss, and your disgrace is mine?!”

“…Loss? Disgrace? I don’t know about that.”

Emeline scoffed coldly.

The Duke scowled at her insolence and was about to lash out—

When someone rushed over and called for him.

It was one of Bernard’s aides.

Noticing Emeline nearby, the aide lowered his voice and whispered something to the Duke.

The instant he heard it, Bernard’s eyes flew wide open.

Despite the aide’s effort to speak quietly, Bernard bellowed in shock, “What are you saying?! That the defense company’s owner is Zenon Trancium…?! That can’t be!”

“Would you like to see this…?”

The aide, pale and rattled, cautiously handed him a special edition.

Emeline casually glanced over the headline.

The paper detailed Zenon’s title inheritance and the vast businesses he had developed so far.

As she quietly rejoiced and admired his success, Emeline glanced at her father.

The Duke stood there, mouth agape, dazed in disbelief.

The defense firm he had been so keenly investing in was truly owned by Zenon Trancium.

His eyes scanned the paper in shock before he suddenly turned to his daughter.

Emeline offered him a subtle, triumphant smile.

She had already heard the news from Benica, along with the title document.

Calmly, she spoke, “Father, you always judge people by what you want to see. But your daughter should be the one to truly observe you from every angle, don’t you think? So, how do you feel right now?”