A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Hollow Hatred

Emeline lightly inhaled and exhaled.

The lukewarm air of summer, which now felt dear, filled her lungs and warmed her heart before drifting away.

It was a lazy stroll outside the mansion after lunch.

Bathed in the sunlight that bleached the world in white, she fell into contemplation.

‘Since the last gathering I hosted, the stories about me and Zenon seem to be quietly spreading.’

They weren’t widely known yet, but even that much was a worthwhile outcome.

‘The story about the kidnapping is certainly sensational, but our side isn’t exactly weak.’

Had she been an outsider, she wouldn’t have believed they were lovers.

But if multiple accounts started surfacing simultaneously, claiming the two weren’t involved through a kidnapping but were actually in a relationship, curiosity would be inevitable.

‘Even if the influence isn’t massive, it’s fine. As long as the rumor lingers in the capital.’

Because the moment the truth burst forth, it would serve as a striking revelation.

As Emeline mused with a relaxed smile, something light suddenly landed on her head, casting a shadow.

The sunlight that had been glaring into her eyes was blocked, and a shadow fell over her face. It was a wide-brimmed hat, elegantly curved in white.

Recognizing the unexpected intruder who had interrupted her moment, Emeline turned her head.

Sure enough, her gaze met a pair of earnest green eyes watching her.

“Too much sun will hurt your eyes.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of that.”

“Everyone said that where I studied abroad. Don’t you usually carry a parasol anyway?”

That was because she disliked the sting on her skin, but if one thought about it, it was the same as what Zenon had said.

The hat didn’t completely obstruct her view, so Emeline merely raised her hand and adjusted it neatly.

It had already been several times now that they had gone on walks outside the mansion without even a single attendant.

People they passed occasionally recognized them as nobles and greeted them deeply, often looking at the pair as if they were married.

Then if someone happened to ask directly about it, Emeline would flusteredly and awkwardly try to deny it.

Zenon, on the other hand, with a face that looked absolutely delighted, would affirm it before she could even respond.

‘Who knows how long this peace will last…’

Because of the outrageous stunt her father had pulled, things had been hectic lately.

These occasional walks were the only moments where she could truly empty her mind.

‘It really is nice.’

Such simplicity and peace were things she had never thought of before.

Just as Emeline lifted her head again to look at the tree-lined path bursting with green—

“This is random, but…”

“Yeah?”

“I want to see the cat you’re raising.”

“…Mel?”

“Yeah, Mel. I see you still call him by that name.”

“Well, names aren’t something you change on a whim. I mean, you can’t just call him Potato one day and then Onion the next. Since you called him Mel from the start, he only responds to that name now.”

When Emeline responded logically, Zenon quietly stared at her.

She hadn’t even scanned his eyes, but she could instantly tell what that look meant—’Cute. Beautiful.’

Zenon was the kind of person who would look at her like that even when she just breathed. Even sometimes when she said something harsh.

‘No, actually, he’s always been like that… No matter how much I scolded him, his skin was thick enough to take it all.’

But that didn’t mean he was someone who never got hurt.

If you really looked closely, you’d find a surprisingly fragile side curled up deep inside him.

When everyone seemed to blame him, he would grow self-deprecating and cover it up with even more boldness.

And when he thought Emeline’s heart had drifted away, that miserable, self-mocking smile he had worn looked as though it might collapse at any moment.

The confidence he always wore so brightly might have been a shield to protect that vulnerable part of himself.

“Besides, you’re the one who named him. How could I change it?”

“…Every time you say something like that so suddenly, I get butterflies.”

Zenon looked as if he had taken a direct hit from her offhanded comment.

Emeline found him so adorable that she burst into laughter.

When she reached up to pat his head, Zenon leaned down to come closer under the shade of her hat.

“How can people not know about us? Just one look at the way I look at you should give it away.”

The subtle smile on his lips held a trace of mockery, as if to say those who hadn’t figured it out were complete fools.

Emeline calmly looked into his eyes, then at his blinking lashes and curved lips. Then, she chuckled.

“True. It is strange that they didn’t know.”

Why hadn’t she realized his sincerity back then, even while looking into those eyes?

Just as there had been a hint of resentment in his gaze back then, Emeline had also been blinded by hollow hatred.

If only she had been a little more honest with herself, if only she had faced him directly instead of avoiding him—maybe she could’ve known.

Emeline gently traced his lower lip with her index finger.

His lips seemed to fall slightly, then curled up again as if he couldn’t help it.

The smallest change in his expression felt as sultry as a ripe summer peach hanging from a tree.

With that, she withdrew her hand and spoke, “Mel is with my brother for now. Once we’re married and settled into our own home, we can bring him with us.”

Back to the earlier topic. Still, Zenon didn’t seem flustered and instead smiled as though the word “married” was all he’d heard.

“Mel would be surprised if his environment kept changing.”

Zenon extended a firm arm and wrapped it around Emeline’s waist, pulling her closer as they walked side by side.

“We should head to the capital the day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“Should we book a hotel? Or go to our townhouse?”

“Well, your house will probably be watched closely for now. It might be better to go to the marquisate after the banquet.”

“True. I’ll prepare a hotel, then.”

Zenon moved the hand that had been around Emeline’s waist. His long fingers brushed over the ring on her fourth finger, then covered the back of her hand and held it tightly.

As the gentle breeze blew, they met each other’s gaze and smiled.

Their leisurely walk continued.

***

They were scheduled to depart for the capital the day before the banquet.

After arriving at a hotel in Elvarto, they were busy preparing for the next day’s event.

Somehow, word had spread that Zenon was staying at the hotel, and business-related visitors began seeking him out.

Since it was mostly unplanned, Zenon didn’t particularly welcome it.

But more than that, it was troubling for Emeline.

‘I’ve heard that rumors about me and Zenon actually being lovers are starting to spread little by little in the capital… but the kidnapping story my father spread was so intense that most people still treat it as nonsense.’

Whether one or the other, both were hard to believe.

Come to think of it, wasn’t the kidnapping story far more ridiculous?

Even if it came from the Duke of Delzeier himself, what would someone like Zenon have to gain from pulling such a stunt?

‘Do they really believe the kidnapping? Or are they just drawn to the scandal and want to believe it?’

Either way, with guests constantly seeking Zenon, Emeline had been confined to their room the whole time and had only just managed to see him.

“You’re here?”

As soon as she entered his room, Zenon greeted her warmly and came over.

Emeline nodded and then said, “I didn’t think you’d be this popular even with men.”

“Sorry. I guess it’s because I’ve been away for so long… Still, I’m glad nothing happened to you.”

“You said you weren’t busy.”

Emeline grumbled without realizing it.

There was concern over Zenon’s workload and a hint of resentment over constantly having him snatched away by others.

Feeling like she had just complained, Emeline quickly adjusted her expression to appear nonchalant. But there was no way the perceptive Zenon would miss that.

He chuckled and suddenly wrapped her in his arms with the force of a bear.

Startled, Emeline barely managed to keep her balance.

“You do realize you’re heavy, right…?”

She scolded him, standing firm under his weight.

For some reason, Zenon laughed. The way this bear-sized dog of a man clung to her made his laughter reverberate through her.

Then, out of the blue, Zenon asked, “Emeline Delzeier, are you jealous?”

“What?”

Emeline blinked in disbelief.

Then, after just a few seconds, she added defensively, “There’s no one to be jealous of, so why would I…”

“You were jealous that I was meeting guests all day. Weren’t you?”

He gently let her go and looked down at her with a playful glint in his eyes.