A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Save My Daughter

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“You’re finally smiling.”

“I spent weeks getting approval to use it as the wedding venue. Of course, I’m in a good mood.”

Zenon leaned back against the seat of the carriage, his face looking light and unburdened. The bustling scenery outside passed quickly by the window.

‘By now, Emeline must be meeting with His Grace.’

Though he still worried for her, he suppressed his unease.

Everyone had said it would be fine, so feeling this nervous made him feel like something was wrong with him.

Just then, Zenon and his attendant Robert’s carriage passed by the Edelroa Exhibition Hall.

Zenon glanced at the proud structure before turning his head away.

“What’s next on the schedule?”

“You’re scheduled to meet with Count Conlanche.”

“Ah.”

Zenon frowned openly, clearly displeased at the thought of the old man trying to wring him dry.

Every time they met, the Count bombarded him with criticism, largely because he had been close with the previous Marquis Trancium.

Zenon had overturned everything Lance Trancium had built for the family, and for that, the Count never held back his disapproval.

“Let’s wrap it up quickly and come back.”

“Yes, of course.”

“That’s the last thing for today, right? Why are there so many places to stop by since morning?”

“That’s all for today. But there’s more work tomorrow.”

As Robert began listing the next day’s schedule, Zenon let out a weary sigh.

Their carriage had already gone well past the exhibition hall.

Zenon was skimming through a folder Robert handed him, but his gaze wandered back outside.

Between the buildings they passed, a flower shop caught his eye, its front filled with vibrant blooms.

There, he saw a pure white and elegant flower that looked just like Emeline.

“Stop the carriage for a moment.”

“Pardon?”

“Quickly.”

Robert’s eyes widened in confusion but still obeyed, bringing the carriage to a stop.

At a shopping district several blocks from the exhibition, Zenon jumped off and disappeared in a flash.

He vanished so quickly in the midday sun that Robert didn’t even have time to follow.

Soon after, Zenon returned with two large bouquets in his arms.

“What’s all that? Surely you’re not giving those to Count Conlanche—”

“…Are you crazy?”

“Then what are they for…?”

“They’re for my beloved wife.”

“You’re not even married yet…”

At Zenon’s words, as he showed off the brilliant white flowers, Robert doused his excitement with cold water.

Zenon shot him a sharp look, then tossed the other bouquet to him.

“And what’s this one?”

“For Emeline’s father. I need to win his favor.”

“…You do remember you’re on your way to meet Count Conlanche, right?”

“Ah, I’m canceling that.”

“Excuse me? I must have misheard.”

“It’s not that important anyway. The old man’s probably furious about me marrying Emeline. I hate when people meddle in my affairs.”

Except for Emeline.

Zenon added with a sly grin, and Robert looked stunned.

He couldn’t believe the audacity. But then again, when had Zenon not been audacious?

“Turn the carriage around.”

Robert reluctantly gave the order to the coachman.

Their carriage turned and began heading back toward the Edelroa Exhibition Hall.

Zenon, gazing at the bouquet, looked quite pleased.

Today was the day he finally secured the wedding venue Emeline wanted.

So rather than let his excitement be spoiled, he decided to bring her flowers instead.

And charm Duke Delzeier a little, too, and get acknowledged as a son-in-law.

‘If I barge in suddenly, His Grace will probably say I have no manners… So I’ll wait outside until Emeline comes out.’

Formulating his plan, Zenon took in the familiar scenery they had just passed.

In the distance, the exhibition hall’s towering roof came into view.

Suddenly, Robert flinched and asked sharply, “Did you just hear something?”

“No?”

Zenon replied indifferently, lowering his head to fill his vision with the large bouquet in his arms.

A subtle smile tugged at his lips.

He imagined Emeline’s reaction when he suddenly appeared and handed her the flowers.

And then it happened.

Suddenly, beyond the carriage, the sound of confusion erupted, followed by a heavy, thunderous crash.

Startled by the commotion, the carriage jolted to a stop.

The carriages in front had already come to a halt, blocking the road. Outside, people rushed about in a panic.

“What was that sound?”

Zenon and Robert were both frozen in shock at the deafening crash.

It sounded exactly like something collapsing.

It was louder than the sound he had heard when he saved Emeline from the falling statue.

Startled stiff, Zenon suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He lifted his gaze toward the view outside the carriage window—just moments ago, he had been looking at that very same scene.

The massive building that should have been standing at the corner had vanished as if it were a lie.

More precisely, only its pillars or frame remained.

A breath escaped him in a mix of shock and disbelief.

The lush bouquet of white flowers fell limply from his hands.

“Marquis?”

“……”

“M-Marquis!”

Ignoring Robert’s calls, Zenon threw open the carriage door and jumped out.

He pushed past people heading in the opposite direction and ran back the way they had come.

His heart pounded loudly.

The road was clogged with stationary carriages and pedestrians.

It might have been his imagination, but it felt like dust from the debris lingered in the air.

Just like that day when he saved Emeline.

‘No. It can’t be, Emeline…’

He couldn’t bring himself to imagine what situation she might be in. All he could do was mutter vague denials.

He desperately wished someone would stop him and say it wasn’t what he feared.

But his frantic run continued, until at last, he reached the exhibition hall.

A dense, acrid dust brushed against his nose.

A few nobles, likely those who had exited the building earlier, stood in fear, staring up at the structure.

His steps, which had been slowing, came to a complete stop.

The sound of his harsh breathing and pounding heart drowned out all the surrounding noise.

He couldn’t hear anything anymore.

All he could see was the horrifying sight of the once grand and artistic building, now half-collapsed.

“……”

Part of the structure had crumbled, leaving only the skeletal frame. The grotesque image was so surreal it felt like it had drilled a hole through his head.

Then Zenon suddenly remembered what he had said to comfort her that morning.

“Nothing big will happen. You made this decision, so it’s meaningful, and it’ll turn out the way you hope.”

Instead of saying that, he should have stopped her more firmly.

His stunned mind slowly began to turn.

For a moment, his vision blurred with despair, then cleared again—only to be clouded once more by an indescribable emotion.

His breath, which had been stuck, started to tremble.

“Just as I respected your decision because I believe in you, you should believe in yourself too.”

“Okay. I believe in myself.”

“Good girl.”

He wanted to punch himself for smiling and saying such things.

He should have stopped Emeline. He should have held her back.

Instead, he said the right words and let her go.

‘Emeline… It’s not, right?’

Tell me it’s not true. Please.

Please…

With a dazed mind—uncertain whether he was still sane or not—Zenon pushed through the crowd and rushed inside the building.

People screamed.

His chaotic mind began to clear as he bit down hard on his lip.

Waiting for the rescue team would take too long.

‘You’ll be safe. You will. I believe in you.’

With desperate conviction, Zenon moved.

The collapsed building was practically a shadow of ruins. The prestige it once held had vanished in an instant.

As he inhaled the smoky air and tried to go deeper—

He saw a familiar figure.

He froze momentarily, then sprinted over.

“Your Grace…!”

Duke Delzeier lay limp, seemingly unconscious.

Zenon checked his condition, then quickly hoisted him over his shoulders.

The exit wasn’t far. It wouldn’t take long to get him out.

Running out of the building, Zenon urgently handed the Duke over to nearby people and guards.

Fortunately, he didn’t appear to have any severe external injuries.

“Please take care of His Grace for a moment.”

Just then, the Duke seemed to regain consciousness and slowly opened his eyelids.

Blinking several times, his fading gaze lit up the moment he saw Zenon.

“Marquis Trancium…”

A cracked voice called his name.

Before Zenon could respond, the Duke grabbed his clothes.

Then suddenly, he began to weep.

Frozen in surprise, Zenon stood still as Bernard clung to him, crying out desperately.

“Marquis, please… Save my daughter… Emeline is in there… I beg you with everything I have. Please, save my daughter…”