A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Have You Lost Your Mind?

“Oh my, who do we have here! Meeting Your Grace on such a joyous day makes the heat just vanish, hahaha.”

Emeline turned her head towards the voice. Her eyes narrowed slightly. A man with a stout figure and a hearty laugh was pushing his way through the crowd.

‘…Count Fendine?’

He was the man who, under the theme “capital is the true order of the world,” had harassed a newspaper company until he got an interview published. With his unabashed obsession with wealth, it wasn’t surprising that Count Fendine was a staunch ally of Marquis Trancium. In fact, he was one of the marquis’ closest confidants.

Rumor had it that after joining hands with the marquis, his dealings flourished, and he began a new, prosperous life.

It looked like a raven had appeared among the flock of pigeons.

‘Being on the marquis’ side means he is opposed to my father.’

Their rivalry wasn’t just because the hostile duke and marquis supported different successors to the throne; it was also a clash of personal pride.

Whatever Duke Delzeier undertook, Marquis Trancium would step in and sabotage it.

One prominent example was the numerous incidents where the artists backed by the duke were soundly defeated by those supported by the marquis.

“Oh, you brought your daughter as well. It’s an honor to meet the lady. I’ve heard nothing but praise about her.”

“I had no idea you held my daughter in such high regard. Thank you for your kind words,” Bernard responded to Count Fendine without showing any displeasure, instead smiling gracefully.

The count’s small eyes narrowed even further as he continued, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. “There is something I’m curious about, though.”

“What might that be?”

“I understand that the lady is a well-bred young woman, but I’ve heard that she has an unusual obsession with her studies… Isn’t that a bit odd? It’s good for a young lady to study, but there are limits, aren’t there?”

As if puzzled, the count stroked his double chin and continued in a dubious tone, “It almost seems as though… she has her eye on things she shouldn’t. A bride’s virtue is in her ability to support her husband. It wouldn’t be that she’s trying to follow the path meant for men, would it? Perhaps I’m mistaken.”

Now, his gaze was no longer on Duke Delzeier but had shifted to Emeline, who he considered an easier target.

Though her lips maintained a smile, her eyes grew colder.

So that was his plan—to approach confidently, only to pick a fight. And, of all things, he brought up the subject Emeline was most sensitive about, instantly chilling her mood.

She had to tread carefully; one wrong step, and she could face her father’s wrath for becoming the subject of gossip.

Maintaining her smile, Emeline responded, “Oh my, if my focus in class has led to such misunderstandings, I regret it deeply. It’s only because I couldn’t ignore the enthusiasm of my instructors. My father blessed me with keen intelligence, and I thought it would be disrespectful to my teachers to get answers wrong on purpose when I knew them.”

Using the count’s provocation as leverage, Emeline flaunted her diligence and character.

Bernard patted her shoulder once again, proudly showcasing her. It seemed that Emeline’s response had pleased him.

Bernard joined the conversation, smiling. “The misunderstanding is understandable. However, my daughter is extraordinarily talented in many areas, and her concentration and comprehension are part of that. She has been exceptional since childhood—much like me.”

Emeline, as described by Bernard, was a perfect young lady, born with no flaws.

The surrounding nobles agreed, mentioning Emeline’s skills in flower arranging and embroidery.

Contrary to the count’s attempts to belittle her, Emeline’s image solidified as a “flawless, perfect young lady.” Count Fendine’s expression turned sour, and he soon changed the subject.

“Ahem, is that so? You must be proud of such a diligent and kind-hearted daughter, Your Grace. My own daughter shares many of these traits, which is why…”

As if unwilling to back down without making his point, the count tried to bring up his daughter.

Emeline interjected, “Ah, you’re referring to Lady Fendine. She isn’t in attendance today, is she? Hearing you mention her makes me wish to meet her. Would it be alright if I invited her to join my friends’ gathering sometime?”

Count Fendine’s face hardened noticeably.

Inviting a rival to their circle was akin to publicly shaming them, even if it wasn’t explicitly stated. But if a noble of higher status sent an official invitation, it wouldn’t be easy for them to decline.

“Well… My daughter couldn’t attend today because she isn’t feeling well. It seems her recovery may take some time… Perhaps we can discuss this another day.”

The once-confident Count Fendine was now visibly flustered and quickly retreated. Emeline scoffed quietly. Men like him supposedly excelled at business? As soon as Count Fendine left, criticism of him rippled through the crowd.

And Zenon Trancium, who was among such people, was now her rival.

“Truly lacking in dignity. To cross such a line with petty remarks in front of so many people—it’s no surprise they flock together.”

“Supporting the Second Prince, that libertine, speaks volumes about their standards.”

Bernard nodded, clearly displeased. “I’m so used to their constant interference that it no longer surprises me. No matter how fine the clothes, vulgarity cannot be concealed.”

His words dripped with disdain.

Hearing her father’s words, Emeline smirked subtly, careful not to show it openly.

‘To think he had the nerve to claim we were friends…’

She looked around. The Marquis Trancium family had yet to arrive.

She was born cloaked in nobility, while he was born cloaked in vulgarity. How could two people so different ever be friends?

***

The birthday banquet reached its peak when the king, the guest of honor, arrived and made a toast.

After presenting their tribute to the king, Emeline left Bernard’s side to mingle with her friends.

“Shall we head over there to try the food? I heard the chef preparing the dishes for His Majesty’s birthday banquet today is world-renowned.”

“Oh my, that sounds delightful.”

At the suggestion from Lady Philia, the young ladies, including Emeline, looked intrigued. Despite their efforts to watch their figures, it was rare for young ladies to dislike delicious food.

People often found it surprising, but Emeline would always taste anything that looked appetizing—she simply ate in moderation.

The group exchanged pleasantries with other young ladies as they made their way to the tables set up on one side of the banquet hall to sample the food. The chatter and excitement from the banquet’s atmosphere were unending.

“Debutante season is almost upon us. Does anyone have someone in mind for a partner?”

“I recently met the second son of Count Julian… Oh, he was so handsome.”

“I’ve been reading about Mr. Lloyd in the newspaper lately, and he seems like such a gentleman—but I heard he already has a fiancée…”

“But if we’re talking about the best suitors, it has to be Lady Delzeier’s elder brother! I heard he got into the prestigious Robelque University with top marks—a place that’s nearly impossible to enter.”

Emeline’s expression momentarily twisted, as if she had stepped on a landmine, but she quickly masked it.

Whenever the name of the university she longed to attend was mentioned, or her brother who already studied there was brought up, Emeline felt uneasy.

He was someone who had obtained everything she wanted, without any constraints. They were siblings, born and raised in the same household, yet they were so different.

Fortunately, the topic of her brother soon passed.

“Lady Delzeier, do you have anyone in mind?”

“Yes, we’re curious.”

With her friends’ attention on her, Emeline smiled. She didn’t know if her opinion would ever be considered when it came to her future husband, but she joined in the conversation.

“Ah, I…”

“Hello.”

No one expected the sudden intrusion of a different voice.

Emeline, who had been leading the group, turned around, startled.

She felt a sense of foreboding as she turned her head and saw someone standing in front of her.

A mischievous smile adorned an incredibly handsome face, with neatly styled golden hair.

Unlike his usual self, Zenon Trancium was dressed in an impeccably tailored tailcoat, smiling with his eyes crinkled in delight. Attention instantly focused on him. Emeline stood there, momentarily stunned, not even realizing the smile had vanished from her lips.

The unthinkable had happened.

…Had he lost his mind?