A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Night of the Yacht Party

Emeline was born into the esteemed Delzeier Ducal House, where royal blood ran and dignity was paramount. Raised to pursue perfection from a young age, she became the darling of society, admired by many.

But Emeline’s life, for all that it had given her, was much like a gilded cage. In her quest to become the perfect bride, she was even deprived of pursuing her own interests in learning.

Her tedious life, dictated by her father’s strict rules, was carefully crafted in this manner. This morning, she recalled what her father had said before leaving.

“You’ll be attending the yacht party with Count Renier tonight. I trust you’ll be on your best behavior. The Renier family bank is valuable, and I believe you understand why this marriage must come to fruition.”

While she was in the midst of being dressed by her attendants, she lifted her head to gaze into the mirror. Sleek black hair, cold blue eyes like the sea, and a refined, elegant face. Emeline had dressed more beautifully than usual as she prepared to meet her fiancé.

Tonight, at the party, she would make their engagement public.

‘Tonight, after this is over, I’ll finally start to forget about Zenon Trancium.’

Determined, Emeline recalled the dream she had and frowned. The feel of that rude and shameless man—his lips and fingers tracing her skin—still made her skin crawl.

With a sigh, Emeline tossed away her lingering thoughts as soon as her preparations were complete and left the room without regret. Just in time, the man who was to accompany her was waiting outside.

“You’re early, Lord Renier.”

Emeline approached the man with a blooming smile, her expression one of genuine delight. The man, having spotted her, smiled back.

“I was so eager to meet you, Miss Emeline, that I arrived in haste. I hope I haven’t intruded upon your time.”

“Not at all. You haven’t.”

With a gentle response, Emeline took his hand and climbed into the carriage.

Mathis Renier—the man who was now officially her fiancé. Though their engagement had a romantic label, their relationship was anything but love. It was simply a transaction between families for mutual benefit.

Yet, this arrangement wasn’t entirely undesirable for Emeline. His family was reputable, ensuring her own status and dignity. Mathis Renier was also known for his reasonably good personality and looks. According to her father, it was uncertain if he could fully understand ‘her unusual nature,’ but at least he seemed amenable.

As the carriage approached the yacht, anchored and waiting, Mathis suddenly spoke as though something had just occurred to him.

“By the way, Miss Emeline, are you familiar with the  Marquis Trancium’s second son?”

“…Marquis Trancium’s second son?”

Another familiar title for Zenon. For a brief moment, Emeline couldn’t hide her surprise, but she quickly composed herself. The political tensions between Delzeier and Trancium were well-known, and any reaction from her could have caused a problem.

“I do know him. We were classmates…”

“Ah, I see. I heard that he will be attending Count Bruno’s yacht party today with his fiancée. He has been abroad for four years for his studies.”

Emeline’s eyes widened involuntarily. Zenon would be attending the same social gathering she was to attend with Mathis—and with his fiancée, no less.

“He’s notorious for being a shameless womanizer. You would do well to be cautious around him.”

Mathis gave her a warning in a calm voice. Emeline forced a smile, her lips trembling slightly as she nodded.

Her first love, whom she had not seen in four years.

Emeline looked resolutely at Mathis.

If this meeting was inevitable, then perhaps this strange coincidence was an opportunity. An opportunity for her to declare that her past meant nothing.

After all, the reason for attending tonight’s party was to make her engagement public.

Emeline quietly studied Mathis. His chestnut hair was slicked back in a neat style, exuding elegance and arrogance. He had an innate sense of propriety and a noble demeanor akin to Emeline’s own.

He was practically the complete opposite of Zenon Trancium.

Zenon had been reckless and undignified, entirely lacking in aristocratic grace.

‘You will erase him from my heart.’

Resolute, Emeline fixed her gaze on the approaching party venue, visible beyond the carriage window.

***

Once aboard the opulent yacht, the heart of the party in full swing, those who recognized them greeted Emeline and Mathis warmly.

“It has been quite some time, Lady Delzeier, Lord Renier. There have been rumors of your engagement recently, and seeing you both together, it must be true.”

“Yes, Miss Emeline and I have been getting along very well,” Mathis replied with a conventional smile, glancing towards Emeline. She too put on a demure, shy expression.

As prominent members of the young aristocracy, they received much attention and interacted with many of the guests. While casually surveying the area, Emeline grew curious.

‘I heard the ship was about to set sail. Is he not coming?’

Among the many people on board, Emeline could not see the person she was looking for.

After another scan of the crowd, she steadied her thoughts.

‘Perhaps this is for the best. Not seeing him would be the cleanest conclusion.’

Emeline lightly tugged on Mathis’s arm, seeking a distraction from her thoughts. He immediately turned his attention to her, leaving his conversation behind.

“What is it?”

“I wish to see the sea up close.”

“Then let’s move away from here.”

Mathis readily ended his conversation partner’s presence and led Emeline towards the railing of the deck. Emeline was relieved as she followed him, heading towards the fresh sea air.

Suddenly, a commotion rose from behind them. Curious, Emeline turned to look.

Arriving fashionably late, the last guests to join the party made their appearance on deck. It was a couple—making their grand entrance as though they were the main characters of the night.

The moment she recognized one of them, Emeline’s heart sank.

A man escorting Lady Fendine, his fiancée.

He swept his gaze lightly over the surrounding crowd before flashing an impeccable smile, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

“Oh my…”

Even the women who had previously criticized him for his scandals all held their breath in unison at that moment.

His golden hair was swept back with a high part, as striking as his vibrant eyes and sharp features. Though he carried an appearance of a nobleman raised in a strict household, his constant, faint smile gave off a strangely casual impression.

There was an inexplicable charm about the contradiction that made him even more captivating.

Emeline couldn’t take her eyes off his familiar face—one she hadn’t seen in four years. Her lashes trembled, betraying her unease.

“It’s been a while. Even though it’s only been three days, it feels like a month. Didn’t you miss me? I could hardly sleep because of you.”

Memories intruded upon her without warning. She saw his gentle smile, blooming along his beautifully sculpted lips.

“You know… I just kept thinking of you. I wanted to see you.”

His voice from the past echoed in her ears. Her heart began pounding, as though she had been transported back to that very moment.

Just then, his gaze, sweeping around the crowd, stopped on her. For a split second, his eyes seemed to narrow.

Startled, she quickly looked away.

Was she imagining it? Or had he really looked at her?

Trying her best to appear unaffected, Emeline hurriedly urged Mathis. “My lord, let’s ignore that and go.”

“Of course.”

Moving away with Mathis, Emeline tried to calm her racing heart with the cool breeze.

Yet, Zenon’s influence was present wherever she went, as infamous as his scandals.

Not long after, she overheard a conversation from beside her.

“Lady Fendine is so lucky. I heard she will be attending the Elvarto Opera House with Lord Zenon next week.”

Emeline’s ears perked up as she absentmindedly sipped her champagne, listening in.

“Oh my, isn’t next week when that famous romantic play is opening?”

“Yes, they’re going on the first day of the show. My fiancé, Hereff, says those sorts of plays are tedious and refuses to go.”

“My husband is the same. Lord Zenon certainly knows how to win a woman’s heart. It’s so romantic…”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to be a little aloof than to be surrounded by so many scandals?”

“That’s true… But with a face like that, I think it would be worth it at least once.”

The ladies, waving their fans, laughed heartily together. Listening to them, Emeline scoffed inwardly.

‘Once, you said such plays were ridiculous…’

The same man who went from person to person, stirring up scandals, was now seemingly sincere with his fiancée?

A true romantic of the century, indeed.

Unlike her, who had struggled for four years, there he was, living just fine.

Emeline emptied her champagne glass and glanced over in his direction, curious to see just how well Zenon and his fiancée were getting along.

Just as she turned her head, their eyes met—perhaps by coincidence.

A pair of dark green eyes stared back at her from across the crowd, his gaze unwavering. His fiancée stood beside him, chatting cheerfully, but Zenon’s eyes, without a trace of his usual smile, were fixed on Emeline.

After a moment of stiffness, Emeline quickly averted her eyes.

Why was he looking at her?

She felt uneasy.

Mathis, noticing her discomfort, asked, “What is it?”

“Oh… It felt like someone called for me. But I must have been mistaken.” Emeline deftly changed the subject.

Some time passed, and as Mathis was busy with other guests, Emeline looked in Zenon’s direction again. Perhaps driven by her earlier discomfort, she turned her head unconsciously.

And there he was again.

This time, his fiancée, Lady Fendine, was nowhere in sight. He stood with one hand in his pocket, a cigar between his lips, his gaze fixed directly on her.

It wasn’t a coincidence; it was too direct, too deliberate. His eyes bore an intent that made Emeline shudder.

Her brows furrowed slightly. It was almost absurd.

He was the one who had left her, and yet here he was, staring at her with such dark eyes.

‘What, do you regret it now? Or are you hoping to toy with me again if I show even a hint of lingering feelings?’

The thought brought an involuntary scoff to her lips.

Impulsively, Emeline reached out and grabbed Mathis’s arm. He, understanding the gesture, promptly ended his conversation.

Emeline glanced briefly at Zenon before lifting her gaze.

‘Sorry, Zenon. If you received my letter, you should know. And if you still want to confirm it with your own eyes… well, I have nothing to hide.’

With a soft smile, Emeline stepped closer to Mathis, looking up at him affectionately.

“Lord Renier, I heard there will be fireworks soon. I think it would be the perfect moment to announce our relationship.”

With everyone’s eyes focused on the display, they shared the same objective—to perfectly reveal their engagement.

Emeline continued with a gentle smile, “Will you kiss me then?”