A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: That Guy

This time, Emeline’s expression grew very strange.

Though she quickly composed herself and maintained a calm exterior, inside she was still filled with vague suspicion.

Antony had never really paid her much attention.

Recently, he had shown a little concern, but she figured that was only within the limits of his sight.

And now, saying he was curious about how she was doing and coming all the way to the Trancium mansion?

Having always felt slighted by her brother, Emeline could no longer hide her discomfort at his sudden change in behavior.

“Did you inform Zenon too?”

“Yes, the butler who received the young master said he would inform the marquis.”

“Alright. Then let’s go.”

Since Antony was technically her guest, she couldn’t just leave him unattended in the drawing room.

After instructing Benica to guide her, Emeline followed her to the drawing room.

There he was, lounging comfortably against the back of the sofa and drinking tea, as if he were in his own home.

‘…Is he really the man who was once from a rival household?’

And that cat, Mel, sitting calmly next to him, was no less surprising.

Just as Emeline looked at them with a face full of disbelief and approached—

The cat turned first, recognized her, and leapt up from its seat.

Standing on the sofa, Mel began crying out with high-pitched meows.

‘Where have you been? Why are you living in another house!’

Emeline immediately grasped the meaning behind the scolding tone and grew sheepish.

Lifting his head to follow the cat’s gaze, Antony looked at Emeline.

“You’re here?”

Only after enduring the cat’s silent reprimand did Emeline manage to reply.

“What brings you here, Brother?”

“Didn’t you hear? I came to see how you’re doing.”

“…It’s strange that you’d come all this way just to check on me.”

“What’s so strange? Just accept it.”

At his brazen and relaxed insistence, Emeline let out a resigned chuckle.

Without another word, she sat across from Antony.

Strangely, just seeing him behave like his usual self put her more at ease.

It made him feel a little less unfamiliar.

As soon as she sat down, the cat trotted over from across the sofa and climbed primly onto her lap.

Letting out a deep sigh, Emeline relaxed a bit, but Antony broke in.

“…Seems like you’re settling in well?”

“There’s nothing lacking here. The staff are kind, and Zenon’s here too…”

“Where is that guy?”

The moment Emeline mentioned Zenon’s name, Antony cut her off and asked coldly.

Emeline narrowed her eyes at him. “‘That guy’?”

“Your boyfriend.”

“Zenon’s busy today.”

“Boldly took you away and now he’s busy?”

Antony made no effort to hide his irritation, slightly furrowing his brow.

‘…Of course.’

Zenon had acted relieved, saying Antony didn’t seem to dislike him, but there was no way Antony Delzeier didn’t dislike Zenon.

He might’ve softened recently, but there was a time when he had blindly followed their father and looked down on the Tranciums just from hearing the ‘Tr’ in their name.

‘When did Brother ever earn the right to meddle in my happiness…’

Emeline was somewhat dumbfounded by his attitude.

After all, he had once been one of the greatest obstacles to her happiness.

Still, because he had done a fair amount to help her recently, she didn’t make a fuss.

And he had, at least once, offered her a sincere apology.

Stroking the cat in her lap, Emeline replied in a composed tone, “He’s just busy today. Until yesterday, he wouldn’t leave my side for a second.”

“……”

“…Why do you look even more annoyed?”

For some reason, Antony seemed even more displeased to hear Zenon was clinging to her.

But rather than keep grumbling, he shifted to another topic.

Unfortunately, it was one Emeline welcomed even less than the last.

“Emeline, Father wants to see you. He keeps asking me about you.”

“……”

“At least write him a letter.”

“Don’t tell me… that’s what you came to say?”

Emelin furrowed her eyebrows as if she finally understood his intentions. But Anthony looked rather displeased.

“No. Why would I bother doing that? Why would Father leave me to do something he would have done to a servant? I just came to see if you were really doing well.”

“……”

“If you don’t feel like contacting Father… then don’t. Do as you please.”

Finishing casually, Antony lifted his teacup again. He truly seemed unconcerned whether she wrote to their father or not.

‘Is he serious?’

Emeline silently studied him.

As the conversation dwindled and silence settled in, another person entered the drawing room.

It was Zenon.

Upon entering, he glanced at Emeline once, then walked over to Antony.

He greeted him politely. “I heard the Young Duke was visiting, so I rushed to finish work. I’m glad you’re still here.”

“Good to see you, Marquis Trancium.”

Antony set his teacup down and fixed his eyes on Zenon as he took a seat across from him. As if he’d been waiting for him.

Folding his hands and resting them on his knee, Antony said, “I recall saying we’d meet again. It seems that day is today.”

He gave a calm, composed smile.

Earlier, when a servant from the duke’s mansion had come to retrieve the cat, and Antony—who happened to be home—had been with Mel, the two had met.

Taking that opportunity, Antony had come with him to the Trancium mansion.

Though checking on Emeline had been one purpose, meeting Zenon Trancium had clearly been the other.

Without hesitation, Antony got straight to the point. “Marquis Trancium, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you alone. Could Emeline step out?”

“What? Brother, what are you even saying…”

“I don’t mind.”

Just as Emeline frowned at her brother’s absurd request, Zenon unexpectedly accepted.

Startled, she turned to him in disbelief, but Zenon gently reassured her. “I’ll finish the conversation quickly and call you back.”

His kind tone offered comfort, but it was also a clear dismissal.

Emeline looked between Zenon, who was smiling gently, and Antony, who gazed back at her with a rather indifferent face, then reluctantly stood up.

From their eyes alone, she could tell they wanted her to step away.

“…Alright. Have a good talk.”

In truth, Emeline had no reason to stop Zenon from talking to her brother.

From Zenon’s perspective, it probably seemed appropriate to have a serious conversation with her family.

‘Zenon knows Antony has apologized to me and helped me a few times…’

Even so, Emeline couldn’t help feeling uneasy about their face-to-face meeting.

No matter how much Antony Delzeier had changed, she still feared he might try to drive a wedge between her and Zenon again.

‘But Zenon is even smarter than me, so what am I worrying about?’

The door to the drawing room closed behind her.

For a moment, Emeline found herself trapped in foolish worry, but she quickly brushed the thought aside.

Trauma could be vicious—it only took the slightest shake for it to seize control of her vulnerabilities.

With a calm face, Emeline headed toward her bedroom. She thought she might as well get some studying done.

But just then, her path was unexpectedly blocked.

“Miss Emeline?”

A stranger called out to her.

When Emeline stopped and looked at her, the maid approached and bowed deeply.

“I’ve come from the Duke Delzeier’s residence.”

Emeline’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘…From the duke’s residence?’

Had she come along with Antony?

She doubted it for a moment, but soon nodded calmly.

Then, as if urging her to continue, she looked at the maid, who held something out to her.

“Please accept this.”

Emeline’s gaze briefly scanned the wind-dried maid before dropping to the item she held out.

Her eyes flickered with curiosity.

‘…A letter?’

It was a wine-colored envelope, with no sender’s name written on it.