A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Baron Basilk

Bernard’s eyes widened in an instant.

Emeline was approaching with Marcella.

He had clearly instructed the butler to ensure that news of Zenon Trancium’s visit did not reach Emeline’s ears.

He couldn’t tell whether the butler had disobeyed, or if his daughter—who had lately been defying him at every turn—had somehow figured it out herself.

‘Hah, and what is this now?’

Bernard gave a dumbfounded scoff as he looked at Emeline.

A maid following behind her was carrying a large suitcase.

Realizing instantly what that meant, Bernard’s eyes filled with rage.

She had clearly become so influenced by Zenon Trancium that she was about to cross a line that must never be crossed.

“Emeline Delzeier!”

Furious, the Duke ignored Zenon Trancium and strode toward Emeline.

When he blocked her path, Emeline stopped as well.

Perhaps because they now stood face to face in the summer heat, Bernard’s face was redder than usual.

Even though the former queen, who had always restrained him, was nearby, Bernard raised his voice without hesitation.

“Have you gone mad? You came here to meet Zenon Trancium? With luggage in hand, no less?”

“In my situation, this seems like the natural course of action. Wasn’t it you who always taught me to act based on profit and loss?”

“Seems you two planned this. How perfectly timed! Does betraying your father feel good?”

He looked ready to hurl his cane in anger.

Emeline stared at him coldly and answered calmly, “It was my brother who told me. That Zenon Trancium came and was meeting with you.”

“What? Antony would—!”

“You’re the only one who doesn’t think this situation is wrong.”

Emeline gave him a chilling warning and shifted her gaze to Zenon, who stood behind.

He stood in the shade near the gate, dappled with broken rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Their eyes met, and Zenon smiled gently, unfitting for the tension around them.

His ever-refreshing gaze quietly encouraged her.

‘…Yes. I can do this.’

Bolstered by his silent support, Emeline turned her gaze back to her father.

In the past, she would have been terrified in such a situation. But now, Zenon gave her a sense of peace.

It was just like Zenon Trancium.

With him, it felt as though failure was never an option.

Emeline composed herself and spoke coldly, “I’m sorry, Father, but if you won’t approve of me and Zenon, then I’ll leave this house and go with him.”

“Emeline! Are you saying you’ll run away from home?! Unbelievable. And you, Mother, are helping her with this? You’re all out of your minds. Don’t you know what kind of man that delinquent is?”

“Hmm, to think you know something even your daughter doesn’t. You must have quite an interest in me, Your Grace.”

“Silence!”

Zenon tried to add a few words, but Bernard’s thunderous scolding silenced him.

Emeline smiled inwardly at his reaction. It was satisfying, like scratching an itch.

Meanwhile, the Duke barked more threats.

“Emeline, have you forgotten that you’re an unmarried woman? An unmarried daughter cannot act freely without her father’s permission! You are not to take a single step out of this house!”

“No, Father.”

With a firm expression, Emeline held out a document she had brought.

Bernard’s gaze fell to the paper in her hand. It was a certificate proving that Emeline had purchased the title of Baron Basilk.

“I am no longer just a daughter of House Delzeier. I am also Baron Basilk. According to the kingdom’s law, even an unmarried woman who holds a title is recognized as an independent legal entity.”

“What… what did you say?”

“To put it simply, you no longer have the authority to control my future.”

Emeline offered a cool, polite smile—kind in tone, yet as sharp as a blade.

Bernard, visibly doubting her words, nervously looked to Marcella.

She said nothing, only stared sternly at him, as if waiting to see how he would respond.

Realizing that her silence was not a denial, Bernard’s face turned pale.

He looked again at the document Emeline had extended, then shouted furiously, “Emeline! How dare you defy me like this?!”

He snatched the paper from her hand. In an instant, it tore in his grip, the pieces scattering across the ground.

The Duke screamed, his face red as if he’d been standing under the blazing sun all day.

“This is invalid. You’re not going!”

“Oh my… what a shame, Father. That was only a copy.”

“What?!”

“Having been raised under your teachings, do you really think I’d be so careless?”

With a serene smile, Emeline walked past him.

Bernard’s voice exploded in outrage, but she paid him no mind.

Her light steps, freed from all burdens, finally stopped before the person she had longed so much to see.

With a smile brighter than ever, Emeline lowered her blue eyes and said, “I’ve been waiting, Zenon.”

Zenon let out a low laugh at her sweet words. In his clear green eyes was a sincere affection.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have made you wait even a second.”

“You already made me wait four years, didn’t you?”

It wasn’t the right time for such a joke, but they both laughed without hesitation.

With a gentle lift of his lips, he respectfully extended his hand to her.

“This time, I’ve come to take you. Let’s go together.”

Wherever it may be. Even if it were to hell, or the heart of tragedy.

“Yes.”

She happily took his hand. Their joined fingers interlocked tightly.

The moment they finally stood together felt like a dream. Emeline was sure the overwhelming emotion she felt now was also reflected in his heart.

Holding Zenon’s hand, Emeline turned back. “Thank you for all your help, Grandmother. It was brief, but I’m grateful. I’ll come visit again soon.”

“Yes, take care until then.”

“You too, Grandmother. And… Father. I believe the day will come when you let go of your prejudice and understand me. If not… then that would be unfortunate.”

Now that she had given up on Delzeier and taken Zenon’s hand, if he never changed, they might not see each other again even as family.

“Emeline, dear, are you serious about this? Please, just think again—”

“Yes. I’m serious. Please take care of yourself, Father.”

Emeline firmly cut off his words. The clarity of the boundary she drew clouded Bernard’s defiance.

Before turning away, Emeline looked up at a window in the mansion. Through the wide-open frame, Antony was watching them.

Her father and Antony.

People who had struck her down so harshly—still hard to forgive.

But Antony had changed. He had offered her a small but meaningful help.

Emeline recalled their conversation just before she left the house.

“If you go now, there’ll be no coming back.”

“I know.”

“…I’m sorry, Emeline. For what happened four years ago. And for leaving you alone before that, not stepping up.”

“……”

“Take care.”

Even now, she still felt a chill at the resentment, but if Antony’s heart had changed, perhaps Bernard’s would someday too.

If that day came, and the changed Delzeier household welcomed her back…

‘No. That’s unlikely.’

Even if it did happen, it wouldn’t heal the wounds of the past. There would be no forgiveness.

At best, she might feel a bit of relief at finally being acknowledged.

Emeline turned her back, brushing away the faint feelings that remained for her family.

Deep eyes, waiting for her gaze, met hers. Eyes that would look only at her for a lifetime.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Emeline took Zenon’s hand and climbed into the carriage.

As the door closed and they prepared to depart—

Moments later, the door opened again, and Zenon cheerfully called out to the Duke of Delzeier.

“Since we’re about to become family, I’ll come again soon to greet you properly!”

“What?! That… that shameless brat! Who said you’d become family?!”

“Take care of yourself, Your Grace!”

Bernard, fully riled up by Zenon’s words, roared in fury. The carriage departed, unfazed.

“You bastard! Bring back my daughter right this instant!”

His voice was so loud, it reached them even at a distance.

Alone in the carriage with Zenon, Emeline let out a short laugh at what he’d just done. The refreshing joy in her laughter lingered long.

Such freedom and release.

Perhaps because it had been so long since she felt this kind of relief, her emotion slowly shifted into a quiet swell.

“Really… I don’t even know where to begin scolding you.”

Trying to hold back her welling feelings, Emeline joked. Zenon gave a soft smile and replied with eyes full of certainty.

“I only said what was obvious about our future.”

Her eyes widened briefly, then she smiled faintly.

Her heart swelled gently, beating in a steady rhythm.

An obvious future. Not a single word of it was wrong.