A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Weighing Love

Recognizing the voice, Benica handed off the task of fastening Emeline’s robe to another maid and approached the door to respond.

“Marquis, the young lady has just finished her bath. However, she has fallen asleep…”

Zenon remained silent for a moment, then spoke just as Emeline had finished adjusting her robe.

“Would it be alright if I came in?”

“Pardon?”

A look of disbelief briefly crossed Benica’s face. It wasn’t just her; the maids carefully assisting Emeline looked equally flustered.

Entering a lady’s bathroom?

And at a time when she had only just stepped out of the bath and was still dressed in only a robe.

‘They may be close, but…’

Even among family, this would be considered improper.

Though his request was shocking, Benica exchanged glances with the other maids for only a moment before responding with a composed voice.

“You may come in.”

At least Emeline had put on her robe, and the maids had securely fastened it.

Although it was startling for an unmarried man to enter a woman’s bath chamber, the two of them had been sharing a room at the villa.

More than anything, he wasn’t the type to take advantage of a sleeping lady.

At Benica’s words, the ornate bathroom door opened, and Zenon stepped inside.

The attendants straightened their posture and bowed their heads.

Zenon looked around the steamy bathroom, then spotted Emeline sitting loosely in a chair while a maid applied oil and dressed her.

He walked toward her.

Emeline’s damp hair fell over her bowed head, and her slow, steady breathing revealed she was sound asleep.

Zenon gestured for the maid supporting her to step aside, then gently lifted Emeline into his arms.

Her limp head fell softly against his chest.

Looking down at her face now so close to his, he said, “You’re all dismissed.”

The maids bowed and quietly left her room in unison.

Following them out of the bathroom, Zenon spotted Emeline’s nightgown prepared nearby and approached it.

With every movement, he felt her gentle warmth and the pleasant scent clinging to her.

Her body, loosened from soaking in warm water, was so soft it seemed to melt in his arms.

He laid her down gently on the nearby sofa and, with a soft touch, began to remove her robe.

In a voice free of any ill intent, he whispered, “Sorry, just for a moment.”

It was the sort of task a servant might do, yet Zenon didn’t hesitate to dress her himself with great care.

Every time his hands brushed her skin, the heat made the back of his hand feel feverish.

He saw her every day, kissed her lips, and touched her, yet it never felt routine. His heart pounded so hard it felt like the ground beneath him might shake.

Seeing her bare skin beneath the open nightgown stirred a wicked temptation to tease her.

But Zenon didn’t want to act so forcefully with Emeline anymore.

Finally buttoning her nightgown with meticulous care, he let out a quiet sigh.

He then brought a dry towel and gently dried her hair before carrying her to the bed.

‘…She seemed affected by what I said earlier.’

As he sat beside her and looked down at her sleeping face, Zenon recalled the day’s events.

He slowly swept her hair back and caressed her forehead.

‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

Zenon knew what kind of person Emeline was.

She had become skilled at hiding her inner self and had spent her whole life concealing her feelings, so expressing them didn’t come easily. He understood that well. Still, because Emeline so rarely expressed herself first, and because Zenon was someone who showed love openly, he had carelessly taken it the wrong way.

He liked how she always welcomed him without hesitation, but when she showed affection first, it moved him in a way that went far beyond simple happiness.

Looking down at her as she slept soundly, Zenon opened his mouth.

“I don’t want to pressure you.”

“……”

“It’s okay if I love you more.”

He knew that what he saw on the surface wasn’t everything.

He just wanted to be loved by her. And even if his love was far greater than hers, he would still be okay with it.

There was no need to weigh love between them.

Because this was a relationship he had fought years to earn—no matter how lacking Emeline’s feelings might be compared to what he expected, Zenon had no intention of ever letting her go.

‘So I really shouldn’t have said that.’

It felt as if he himself had weighed their love on a scale and demanded balance. Zenon sighed in self-reproach.

Rubbing her cheek lightly with the back of his hand, he pushed away the lingering thoughts.

He wanted nothing more than to hold Emeline and fall asleep with her in his arms, but she had to begin preparing early the next morning for the party.

He couldn’t risk shocking the attendants who would come into her room.

‘Even at the villa, the caretakers asked if we should consider using separate rooms.’

Zenon frowned slightly, displeased.

‘We’ve promised to get married, so what’s the big deal?’

He was already scouting out wedding venues.

Honestly, he had even gone so far as to think of names for their future children.

Finding the notion outdated, Zenon stood up.

With gentle movements, he kissed Emeline’s forehead and cheek before quietly leaving her room.

***

Emeline was woken at dawn by Benica.

Though she had endured thorough pampering from the maids just the day before, she again underwent the entire process of grooming, makeup, and dressing.

Throughout it all, her mind was overloaded.

‘I should’ve talked to Zenon yesterday… but I fell asleep…’

Letting out a sigh, Emeline thought of him again and again.

Would she have a chance to speak with him about it today?

There wouldn’t be much time between the hotel and the venue, and once at the banquet, they’d be busy with other matters.

‘If I finish getting ready early, maybe I can go see him…’

With that thought, she glanced at the clock, but she finished her preparations just in time.

“Ha…”

She stared listlessly at her reflection in the mirror, beautifully adorned.

Naturally, numerous maids had been involved in preparing her for the banquet. The result was presentable.

But the flaw was that she had found no time to talk to Zenon.

Wearing a blue dress, she finally left the room.

Zenon was already waiting outside in the hallway, leaning against the wall.

Adjusting his white gloves, he looked up. Upon seeing her, a radiant smile lit his face.

The blue flower boutonniere that matched her dress stood out almost as much as his handsome appearance.

He stepped forward and took her hand.

Though this was the first time they’d seen each other today, he skipped a formal greeting.

“You look beautiful.”

“…You too.”

“You think I’m beautiful?”

“I mean you look handsome.”

Zenon’s lips curved with satisfaction.

Emeline looked at his expression. As expected, he seemed completely at ease.

Seeing that, her heart briefly sank.

Then, trying to shake it off, she reached out and laced her fingers with his.

It was something he always did. Just mimicking that action was enough to make her feel embarrassed.

“……”

She could feel Zenon freeze subtly. Suppressing her fluster, Emeline led him toward the stairs.

She also pretended nothing had happened and said, “We’ll be late at this rate. Let’s go.”

“…Yeah.”

A quiet chuckle accompanied his reply.

The two of them, hands tightly clasped, exited the hotel and boarded the prepared carriage.

They had deliberately chosen a hotel at a moderate distance, so it didn’t take long to reach the palace.

‘The banquet is being held at the secondary palace.’

Adjusting her posture, Emeline placed her hand lightly on Zenon’s arm as they reached the banquet entrance.

They were not particularly early.

From beyond the large doors, where the social gathering was already in full swing, came the noise of a bustling crowd.

‘It’s the first time I’m appearing publicly with Zenon as his partner.’

No—perhaps this was the first time they were ever so openly affectionate in front of others.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Perhaps sensing her subtle breath, Zenon spoke.

“…Okay.”

“You’re not scared, right?”

“What’s there to be scared of…”

“True.”

After a brief exchange of words and laughter, they instructed the palace attendant to open the door.

The servant stationed there pushed the heavy door open with force.

In that instant, the air shifted, filled with a flurry of mingling perfumes.

This was a scene Emeline had grown used to over many seasons of high society banquets.

Emeline stepped into the hall with Zenon.

Perhaps because they arrived after the party had already begun, their entrance drew immediate attention.

Scanning the room once, Emeline offered her usual composed smile.

While clinging to Zenon’s arm, who looked more magnificent than ever.

“…Gasp.”

Someone audibly gasped.

Just as expected.

The atmosphere instantly grew chaotic.