A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: A Strange Feeling

As summer break and graduation loomed closer, Emeline began to develop a growing sense of doubt.

The early summer, which had felt like a gentle spring, was now giving way to stifling heat. Around that time, people from the Marquisate of Trancium began visiting the Duke of Delzeier’s estate.

Emeline couldn’t understand what she was seeing.

It appeared as if there was some sort of exchange between the families.

‘What’s happening here?’

An exchange between the Duke of Delzeier and the Marquis of Trancium?

Emeline had asked her father about it during one of their rare moments together, but his response was, “It’s nothing important, so don’t worry about it.”

Sitting in her study room, Emeline’s pen came to a stop as she remained lost in thought.

She sensed that something significant was approaching.

‘It doesn’t seem like just a simple reconciliation between the families.’

Reconciliation between their families? Even a passing dog would laugh at such an idea.

The bad relationship between the two families was partly due to their opposing political stances.

With the crown prince’s position already established, the Marquis of Trancium fervently supported the notorious second prince, who had a reputation for his indulgent lifestyle.

One reason the Marquis was so criticized was his poor judgment.

Yet, because the gap between the crown prince and the second prince was substantial, it was essentially a settled matter.

The problem lay in the Marquis emboldening the second prince, who became increasingly arrogant, behaving like a tyrant.

This was why the Duke of Delzeier loathed the Marquis of Trancium, challenging him at every turn, leading to the irreparable rift between them.

Emeline narrowed her eyes and turned the page of her densely filled notebook.

It was then that she heard a knock at the study room door.

With a calm expression, she lifted her head.

At that moment, the door slowly opened, and a man with neatly combed hair peeked inside.

“Hello.”

After shyly greeting her, he glanced around the room before speaking again, “May I come in? You said I could, sometimes.”

“I said you could only use the study room when you really needed it.”

“Well, I really need it right now.”

With a playful smile, Zenon Trancium stepped inside.

Emeline glanced at him disapprovingly before lowering her head again.

‘What was I thinking?’

It had been the day Emeline took the top spot, pushing Zenon aside, when she allowed him to continue using the study room.

Even she couldn’t quite understand why she made that decision.

Perhaps her vigilance against him had dulled. She hadn’t been able to refuse when Zenon asked again that day.

Of course, it was conditional—only if all the other study rooms were occupied.

Zenon, dressed neatly, took the seat across from Emeline.

She sighed softly and turned the page of her book.

From across the table, she could hear Zenon taking out a book, the rustling of its worn pages as he flipped through them.

While listening to him, Emeline tried to focus on her own work, but she couldn’t help glancing his way now and then.

She couldn’t understand why she was sneaking looks at him. Yet, her gaze slowly moved over to him.

His rolled-up sleeves revealed his strong arms, and his large yet elegant hands held the worn textbook.

Zenon Trancium, who always seemed playful, was not as carefree as he appeared.

Like Emeline, he studied diligently, striving to achieve what he wanted.

Then, his hand, which had been moving, suddenly stopped.

Zenon let out a quiet laugh. “Your gaze is quite intense. I can’t concentrate with such an enthusiastic observer.”

“…I was just curious about what you were studying.”

It was the truth, but somehow it felt like a poor excuse, as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

Zenon rested his chin in his hand and smiled innocently.

Feeling uncomfortable, Emeline hastily changed the topic.

“Now that I think about it, since we’re here, let me ask you something. Recently, people from your family have been visiting my estate frequently. Do you know anything about that?”

It was a hastily thought-up question, but it happened to be something that had been on Emeline’s mind.

Zenon pondered for a moment before replying nonchalantly, “It seems my father wants to invest in the new business venture your father is working on.”

“…Is that true?”

“It’s not finalized yet. It seems like my father is willing to put in a significant amount compared to the other investors, and they’re working out the details.”

The unexpected direction of this news left Emeline speechless.

The Duke had often talked about his business plans in a roundabout way to Emeline, so she was somewhat aware of what he was working on.

When her open mouth finally closed, Emeline spoke again, “Why would the Marquis want to invest in my father’s venture, given their bad relationship?”

“If he let personal grudges interfere, do you think my father could’ve gone from being a commoner to becoming the Marquis of Trancium?” Zenon responded lightly.

Maybe that was the simplest conclusion, as he said.

Now, it was her turn to question herself, as the daughter of the Duke of Delzeier.

Why had her father accepted the investment and been negotiating with the Marquis?

Why was the Duke, who had always told her to maintain dignity and not stoop to disgraceful behavior, associating with the disreputable Marquis?

“There’s no room for pride when money is involved.”

Zenon added at that moment.

Perhaps he meant it as an additional explanation regarding the Marquis, but Emeline felt a growing sense of confusion.

Just as the Marquis reached out to the family he had always been at odds with because of money, could her father also be shaking hands for such a reason?

It was her father who had always emphasized royal decorum and propriety.

His choices were always right, and everything he did deserved respect. From the moment she was born, Emeline had been taught to look up to him, and he was the foundation of her life.

And now, to accept a massive investment from someone he had so deeply despised, to completely change his stance as easily as flipping a hand?

Just a month ago, he had told her not to associate with their family.

‘…Maybe he has another reason.’

Emeline believed that her father wouldn’t act like this purely for the sake of money.

Recalling his strict teachings, she tried to convince herself.

At that moment.

A tapping sound echoed as something struck the window.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Emeline turned her head to look at the window. Zenon also looked that way, mumbling in confusion.

“A cat?”

There, a young kitten was pawing energetically at the window.

Seeing the kitten, Emeline let out a reflexive sigh. “Here it is again.”

“Is that a cat you know?”

“No. It just shows up here sometimes. I fed it a few times, and now it keeps coming.”

When Emeline explained indifferently, Zenon got up from his seat.

He approached the window and opened it. Soon, Zenon returned to his seat, holding the kitten in his arms.

Emeline looked at the scene with a puzzled expression.

Zenon, who was now sitting and stroking the kitten expertly, suddenly laughed.

“It looks like you.”

“What?”

He kept laughing as he petted the kitten.

The little black-furred kitten, which looked like it was wearing a tuxedo, rolled over on its back, seemingly enjoying Zenon’s touch.

The kitten’s sky-blue eyes looked up at Zenon.

Was he saying it resembled her just because of the black fur and blue eyes?

“Get that cat out of here.”

Emeline reached out to send the kitten away, but at that moment, the kitten turned its head toward her, its eyes suddenly narrowing as it hissed.

Emeline’s hand froze in mid-air. Zenon burst into laughter as he watched.

“See? It really is like you. Just now, that look was exactly like how you look at me.”

“When did I ever…?”

“Every single day.”

Emeline, with an irritated look, glanced from Zenon to the kitten. Though she didn’t show it, she felt a bit hurt by the kitten’s behavior.

‘I’ve been feeding it all this time…’

It acts affectionate to strangers, but hisses at her every time they meet? Emeline frowned and turned away. She felt a bit foolish for having brought cat treats in her bag.

From across the table, she heard the purring of the kitten and Zenon’s quiet laughter.

“The more I look at it, the more it resembles you,” Zenon muttered while scratching the kitten’s chin. “It’s cute.”

At that soft word, Emeline felt a strange sensation.

It was like something heavy had suddenly settled inside her. He wasn’t even talking about her.

“Can I name the cat?”

“It’s not my cat. Do whatever you want.”

“Alright then, Mel.”

Hearing the familiar nickname, Emeline looked up. Zenon was gazing gently at the kitten.

“Mel” was a nickname her mother used to call her when she was little.

Unaware of this, Zenon spoke warmly to the kitten, “Hello, Mel.”

Emeline felt a peculiar mix of frustration and unease. Overwhelmed by an emotion she couldn’t quite name, she quietly turned the page of her book.

After a while, Zenon placed the kitten on the desk and remarked, “Now that I think about it, you’re not wearing your glasses today. You usually wear them when studying.”

“I left them at home.”

“Then you can’t see well. Want me to read for you?”

“What? No, I…”

Realizing his intention, Emeline hurriedly tried to refuse, but Zenon had already moved next to her.

When she looked at him in disbelief, Zenon grinned mischievously, moving closer to her side.

“Where were you reading?” Zenon asked in a quiet, low voice.

His hair brushed lightly against her cheek and ear, tickling her skin. Emeline, suddenly stiff, felt slightly dizzy. Her heartbeat pounded throughout her entire body.

How long did he plan to keep playing around?

Zenon, now seemingly serious, began pointing out and reading passages from her book.

Suddenly, he snickered, “Emeline Delzeier… Why is your heart racing so much?”

“What are you talking about…? That’s not mine!”

Emeline snapped back urgently, practically jumping in her seat, which made Zenon chuckle.

“Then is it my heartbeat?”

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, Emeline frowned deeply. She tried to push him away, irritated by his teasing.

Just then, Zenon, who had been pointing at the lines in the book, lowered his hand and gently covered Emeline’s hand.

“Well, I guess it could be my heart.”

Startled, Emeline held her breath. Zenon didn’t stop there; he bowed his head slightly and rested his forehead on her shoulder.

“…It’s a pity. Graduation is soon. After seeing you every day, I’ll miss you if I can’t anymore.”

There was sincerity in his murmuring voice. Emeline, who had been about to say something, ended up closing her lips.

‘After graduation, there won’t be any more situations where I’m alone with Zenon Trancium.’

It was supposed to be something she looked forward to, but her heart felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton.

Emeline unconsciously bit her lip.

Suddenly, Zenon laughed again. “No, it really seems like it’s your heartbeat. Is it because of me?”

“What?”

Feeling as if she had been doused with cold water, Emeline snapped out of her daze and pushed Zenon away.

“Stop saying weird things. It’s because I hate it. I’m startled—disgusted! Didn’t I say I hate being touched?”

Zenon turned his head, trying to stifle his laughter.

“If you’re going to interrupt my studying, then leave. Don’t come back.”

Emeline glared at him, practically kicking him out of the study room.

‘Annoying Zenon Trancium. He was worse than me…’

Only after her surroundings grew quiet did Emeline slump into her seat.

…Graduation.

Because of what he had said, she couldn’t focus on her studies.

If she felt lonely, would it just be her imagination?