A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 110

Chapter 110: How Cute

“At the time our families were cooperating, I also interacted frequently with Lord Trancium, so we naturally grew close. But things ended up going the opposite way.”

What followed would have been easy enough for them to guess.

Emeline continued with a forlorn expression, “I thought we had parted ways for good and would never be together again. But while he was studying abroad, he returned having earned the qualifications my father had supposedly demanded.”

“Ah…! You mean the recent matters involving Lord Trancium that have attracted attention.”

“Yes. He also renounced his support for the second prince upon inheriting his title and even forged another connection between our kingdom and an allied nation.”

Emeline began listing off everything Zenon had achieved since his return.

She wanted to remind them that Zenon wasn’t just free of flaws, but now an important figure interacting with the royal family.

Ah, and of course she also mentioned that their previous fiancés had been arranged by their families.

“So all of that was what His Grace demanded of Lord Trancium?”

“Not exactly word-for-word, but my father pointed out his shortcomings, and he returned having achieved even greater things.”

“My goodness… Lord Trancium is truly…”

The noble ladies, absorbed in Emeline’s account, couldn’t help but express their admiration for Zenon.

Their eyes also revealed deep sympathy.

‘Just the reaction I expected.’

The tale of star-crossed lovers from feuding families was always enough to turn heads, even among passersby.

She had made enough emotional appeal.

Emeline moved to the main point. “Since he had come so far, I thought my father might finally allow us to meet. And both my brother and my grandmother supported us.”

“Your grandmother…?”

“Oh dear, I referred to her too casually. I meant Her Majesty, the former queen.”

The former queen. At the mention of that name, everyone’s expressions shifted instantly.

“But my father didn’t give his approval, and my brother said he’d try to earn it himself, so he suggested I stay with Lord Trancium for a while. Thanks to my brother and Her Majesty’s help, I was able to leave home for a short time.”

Again, a few subtle lies were mixed in, but there was no way they would know.

“Then the kidnapping… wasn’t true?”

“Kidnapping? As a daughter, I couldn’t just leave home recklessly, so I said my goodbyes properly to my father before I left.”

Emeline glanced around at the guests seated around the table.

Eyes wide, they quickly looked away and began piecing things together in their minds as soon as she finished speaking.

So, Emeline and Zenon Trancium had been falsely accused in a preposterous article about a kidnapping…

The Young Duke and the former queen were on Emeline’s side.

The Duke of Delzeier had unjustly obstructed their relationship and even resorted to absurd actions—like that false article.

And that’s not all.

Zenon Trancium had recently succeeded in an international trade deal with Lunalini and was now connected to the royal family.

In many ways, Zenon’s current position was extremely strong.

“Ah…”

Someone let out a breath of disbelief.

They couldn’t help but realize it.

If they returned now and tried to curry favor with the Duke of Delzeier by doing as he wished, it would surely backfire.

Lady Donner, having quickly done the math, looked at Emeline with pity. “It must’ve been such a hard time for you. It’s really difficult to believe. I had thought you had poor relations with Lord Trancium and a close one with Lord Renier…”

“That was how my father intended things to appear. But now, I plan to reveal the truth to the world.”

Emeline smiled faintly.

It was then that someone, sensing the increasingly uneasy atmosphere, changed the subject.

“But if Lord Trancium is someone you truly hold in your heart, he must treat you very well,” Angel said with a curious tone.

The others, also curious, began adding their own comments.

“Indeed, he must be quite different from the rumors, right?”

“Actually, when he denied the scandal entirely in an old interview and said there was only one person in his heart, I did think he seemed like a romantic type.”

“Ah, that’s right! I thought the same thing too. And if Lady Delzeier is stepping forward like this, it really must be true.”

Before they knew it, their perception of Zenon had completely shifted.

Just a few dozen minutes ago, those wary gazes had been hesitant even to step foot in the villa. Now, they had softened with goodwill.

Those who frequented high society were easily swept up by rumors.

Had Emeline not added her explanation, Zenon’s malicious rumors would have become his first impression.

She couldn’t suppress the bitter feeling.

They didn’t know Zenon, who gifted her a worn-out book he had read countless times as a sincere token of apology.

Nor did they know how he, despite approaching her with another purpose, had expressed pure admiration upon recognizing the dream she quietly held.

That thought alone left a bitter taste in her mouth.

To think that everyone only saw him in a light so far from his true self.

“Huh? Over there, isn’t that Lord Trancium?”

While Emeline was lost in thought, someone behind her spoke.

Having unconsciously lowered her head slightly, she straightened up at the voice.

Looking back, she saw Zenon striding confidently toward the gathering.

With his tall frame and brisk steps, he quickly approached.

Whether he had made a conscious effort or not, his slicked-back blond hair sparkled like a jewel in the natural light.

Emeline found herself unable to look away from someone she saw every day.

Perhaps it was because, as he walked, his eyes were fixed solely on her, never once glancing at the other guests.

It was only after locking eyes with Emeline that Zenon finally looked around at the others present.

“I hope I haven’t intruded on your gathering, ladies. If I have, please accept my apologies.”

At the smile that accompanied his gently curved eyes, quiet gasps were heard around the table.

As if accustomed to it, Zenon lowered his long lashes and looked back at Emeline.

His lightly rolled-up shirt sleeves contrasted with his fully buttoned collar, giving a subtly refined yet incomplete impression.

“Emeline.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

He delayed his reply, then took the light shawl draped over one arm and placed it on Emeline’s shoulders.

Only after wrapping her in the outer garment did Zenon give a small smile.

“It felt a bit chilly since it rained the day before. I brought this in case you got cold.”

“…Thank you,” Emeline replied, a little taken aback.

For a moment, she wondered if he was doing this for show in front of the guests—but Zenon’s eyes remained fixed solely on her.

His gaze wasn’t dramatic enough to seem calculated. It was simply sincere.

And so, she immediately realized.

He really had come all this way with a shawl just in case she might feel cold.

Even while going to such lengths, dressing neatly from head to toe, perhaps worried he might somehow interfere with her plans.

Forgetting the guests were watching, Emeline gave a small chuckle, just as she usually did.

‘I wonder when I’ll ever get used to your thoughtfulness.’

With the clear sky overhead, it felt as if even time had stopped.

If not for the gentle breeze brushing through Zenon’s blond hair, she might have believed it completely.

After locking eyes with him for a moment, Emeline made a suggestion. “Since you’ve come all this way, want to stay a little while?”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“It’s fine.”

Surely the others here would feel more regret if Zenon just turned around and left quickly.

‘And if Zenon solidifies this moment, the rumors will spread even faster. Hearing about it and seeing it firsthand are entirely different.’

Every plan needed a strong start.

To land the final blow she would deliver soon, this beginning had to be flawless.

As Emeline finished her calculations and turned back to Zenon, she caught a glimpse of his expression.

In his eyes was a mix of nervousness and subtle excitement about meeting her friends.

Suddenly, her heart jolted like an untethered horse.

“How cute.”

She blurted it out before she could stop herself.

Only after seeing Zenon’s curious expression did she realize she had spoken her thoughts aloud.

“……”

Realizing what she’d done, Emeline’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She could feel the guests’ eyes turning to her.

She quickly turned her head and addressed them. “If it’s not too much trouble, would it be alright if he joined us?”

She said it as casually as possible, but the red tint on her face was obvious.

Behind her, Zenon bit his lip to stifle a laugh.

Emeline, focused on him, didn’t notice that the other ladies watching them had begun to smile, too.

“Of course. Let’s enjoy this together.”

Led by Angel, the guests welcomed him warmly.

With one more person added, the gathering became even livelier, and the cheerful chatter continued for a long time.