A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Paradise

The place Emeline arrived at with Zenon was one of the villas owned by the Marquis of Trancium.

During their conversation in the carriage, they had agreed that if they went to the Trancium mansion, Duke Delzeier would surely come and cause trouble.

So they stopped at a mid-sized villa located about an hour from the capital.

At Winderbilm, where the greenery outnumbered the buildings, a cool and deep scent of grass brushed past whenever the breeze blew.

Emeline stepped down from the carriage holding Zenon’s hand.

Yellow roses blooming along the villa’s outer wall greeted them warmly. The entrance, shaded by large trees, was cool and pleasant.

As Emeline looked up at the villa’s view, Zenon asked, “Would it be alright to stay here together for a while?”

“Yes, I like it.”

“I’m glad the place I like also pleases you.”

He slid his fingers between hers and laced them together. Zenon smiled gently, his eyes crinkling, and lightly swung their clasped hands like a playful boy.

“But honestly, I had a feeling you would.”

His actions, his flushed face, even his voice all seemed to shout ‘I’m so happy!’ and Emeline could barely hold back her laughter.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Not wanting to let go, they held hands tightly and passed through the brightly blooming yellow roses and garden trees into the villa.

Startled by Zenon’s surprise visit, the villa staff rushed out—and their eyes widened at the sight of the woman with him.

Zenon introduced Emeline smoothly.

“This is Miss Delzeier, my long-time friend and someone I love dearly.”

He seemed unaware of how such a statement might shock the villa staff.

Emeline flinched as well when she heard Zenon casually confessing his affection.

Suddenly, all eyes were on her, and the weight of their stares felt overwhelming.

From the subtle, complex expressions on their faces, they were clearly thinking about the infamously bad relationship between the Delzeier and Trancium families.

Emeline jabbed Zenon in the side with her elbow as if telling him to fix the situation.

Only then did Zenon revise his words.

“Oh, I guess ‘friend’ was just my misunderstanding.”

Emeline gave him a puzzled look.

‘What is he even saying…’

Realizing his additional comment was no help at all, Emeline finally stepped forward to add a few words.

She explained that they met a few times at the academy, which led them to grow close and continue their relationship.

‘…Why am I even explaining this?’

That thought crossed her mind as she wrapped up.

What was certain was that Emeline wanted to make a good impression on those connected to Zenon—as long as they had a good relationship with him.

She was then guided by the now-smiling villa staff to the guest room. Zenon’s bedroom wasn’t far.

“Miss, shall I place your things over here?”

Benica, who had left the Delzeier mansion to follow Emeline, asked as she set the luggage near the dressing room. Emeline nodded.

“Yes, please do.”

“Certainly, miss. I’ll also arrange the bedroom furnishings to your convenience.”

“Thank you. And thank you for coming with me.”

At Emeline’s sincere gratitude, Benica paused. Then she responded with a graceful smile.

“It’s I who should always be thanking you, miss. I’m glad to see you’ll finally be at ease.”

Emeline smiled back at her maid.

Benica, who had been a great help to her, had chosen to leave the Delzeier mansion to stay by her side.

In honor of that loyalty, Emeline planned to keep her close.

‘Zenon said he’d be speaking with the villa staff and told me to rest until dinner.’

Emeline slowly walked around the bedroom.

Perhaps because the villa was quite old, the room had a vintage atmosphere.

Rather than feeling outdated, it was charming, and impressively well-kept and clean.

She brushed her hand along the green wallpaper etched with white lace patterns, then looked out the window.

The chirping of mountain birds and the refreshing breeze drifted in through the open window.

The modest, peaceful scenery put Emeline at ease.

It felt like she had arrived in paradise.

***

Emeline had dinner with Zenon, who returned just in time for the meal, and then took a bath before going to bed.

It was her first night at the Trancium villa.

The staff who assisted with her bath were kind.

Perhaps still curious about her relationship with Zenon, they cautiously asked a few questions about him.

‘Even though I’m a daughter of the Delzeier family, they don’t seem to mind me being with Zenon.’

Even if they did, it wasn’t as though they could do anything about it—but she had expected at least a hint of resentment.

Though this was just a villa, it still belonged to the Trancium family, and the Delzeiers had been at odds with them for a long time.

‘Still, with Zenon now the Marquis, that perception will probably start to change.’

Zenon, having inherited the title, said he intended to clean up the mess his father had left behind.

The first thing he planned to do was withdraw his support for the second prince.

‘Since the biggest conflict between my father and the former marquis was political, Zenon’s announcement should remove one of the obstacles to improving our families’ relationship.’

While Emeline was thinking about what lay ahead, one of the villa staff by her side spoke up.

“If you don’t need the water reheated, we’ll take our leave now.”

“This is plenty. You may go.”

The attendants gave a polite bow and exited.

Listening to the soft drip of water from somewhere, Emeline closed her eyes.

‘I feel so at ease…’

Just being away from home brought such peace. It finally felt like she could breathe.

Soaking in the warmth, she lingered for quite a while before finally rising from the tub. Water splashed and humid heat spread through the air.

Rather than calling for the staff again, she stepped out alone, wrapped in a robe.

As she let out a languid sigh, soaked in fatigue—

She met eyes with someone sitting on the parlor sofa.

She froze. Zenon grinned.

After staring at him for a while, Emeline finally opened her mouth.

“…Don’t tell me you barged into a lady’s room while she was bathing?”

“She’s a lady, sure, but also the woman I love. And we’ve already seen everything there is to see. Four years ago, no less.”

“We also didn’t see anything at all during the four years since then… Ah!”

While Emeline was countering his point, Zenon stood up and scooped her into his arms.

Startled, she let out a short scream and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Smiling as if he found her reaction adorable, Zenon looked at her with pleading eyes and said, “Don’t scold me tonight. Just come here, please?”

“You really are…”

Surrendering to his sparkling gaze, Emeline quietly nestled into his arms. Zenon looked down at her with deep and tender affection.

Emeline gently raised her hand and stroked his cheek. Zenon tilted his head into her palm as if he had been waiting.

The hair brushing against her fingertips, his soft smile revealing his teeth—it all made her heart melt with a ticklish warmth.

Zenon set her down on a white iron chair by the window.

On the small table in front of them sat a bottle of fine wine and two glasses. A plate of beautifully sliced peaches accompanied it.

“What is all this?”

Emeline looked over the table, puzzled, and glanced at Zenon.

Instead of answering right away, Zenon popped the cork and poured two glasses.

He handed her one filled with deep red wine, then spoke brightly.

“Emeline Delzeier, it’s a bit late, but congratulations on taking charge of your life.”

Surprised by the unexpected toast, Emeline’s blue eyes widened.

Though startled for a moment, joy gradually filled her gaze.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to celebrate it.”

“It’s practically my problem too.”

His reply came so naturally that Emeline laughed aloud.

It was so much like something he had said in the past.

“But it is. Emeline Delzeier’s problems are as good as my own. That’s why I’m suggesting this. You want to go, but someone else is stopping you.”

He hadn’t changed at all. Zenon Trancium.

At least, not when it came to what was in his heart.

The crisp clink of glasses rang out.

As if to make up for all the time apart, they chatted without pause. Emeline wished this moment would last forever.

Then, the peaceful mood was broken when she accidentally knocked over her wine glass. Red wine spilled across the table.

Zenon’s eyes widened slightly at her mistake, then quietly studied her face.

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and covered the spreading liquid, then rose and approached her.

“Emeline Delzeier, are you drunk?”