A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Goal

The Preliwood Academy that Emeline attended held its graduation during the summer.

Unlike the smooth days of the past, the last semester, with all its overlapping events, ended quickly. Before she realized it, graduation had arrived.

‘Now, I won’t have to see Zenon Trancium anymore.’

She thought this with a sense of relief, but on the other hand, there was also a sense of emptiness.

She couldn’t understand why. More than half of the emotions Emeline had been feeling lately were confusing.

‘Get a grip. This is just the beginning.’

Now Emeline had to prepare for the entrance exam to get into university.

She didn’t know how long she could keep deceiving her father, and even putting her name on the list of candidates seemed like it would be a major issue, but she had no intention of backing down.

She had studied relentlessly, even bearing the guilt of deceiving her father, all for this purpose.

She couldn’t give up on her dream, the first thing that made her feel excitement and longing.

‘The law banning women from entering university was clearly abolished by the late king.’

However, the long-standing customs of the past lingered, and no women had yet enrolled. The atmosphere still tabooed higher education for women.

That fact scared her, but Emeline remained steadfast in her preparations.

It was about ten days after graduation.

An unexpected guest arrived at the duke’s estate.

Emeline, who had been idly doing embroidery in her room, was summoned by the duke and went down to the first floor.

‘Why is Father calling for me?’

Halfway down the stairs, she spotted her father facing two other people on the floor below.

Emeline recognized one of them and froze in place, unable to finish descending the stairs.

“Emeline, come here quickly.”

It wasn’t until Bernard called for her that Emeline managed to pull herself back together. Though flustered, she maintained her composure and approached her father’s side.

After bowing politely, Bernard smiled and patted her shoulder. “This is my daughter. I heard she went to the same school as your second son. Emeline, greet them.”

Bernard urged her without any further explanation.

But she quickly understood. The business that Zenon had told her about had now become a reality right before her eyes.

Emeline politely greeted Marquis Trancium and straightened herself. Her gaze then met that of the man standing next to the marquis. His bright green eyes, like sunlight filtering through leaves, met hers, and he smiled quietly.

“My dear, our family might become quite close with the Marquis of Trancium in the future, so I hope you get along well with his second son.”

“Yes, Father, I will.”

When Emeline answered obediently, the duke laughed heartily and bragged lightly to the marquis about his daughter, saying how well she listened to her father.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar scene, and it was something that should have made her feel proud, but Emeline only wore a faint smile, subtly averting her gaze.

Knowing that Zenon knew her secret, she felt as though her father’s praise exposed even more of herself to him.

“Well then, why don’t you two have a chat?”

After moving to the parlor, Bernard and the marquis left, saying they had important matters to discuss.

Now, only Emeline and Zenon remained in the parlor.

Zenon, who had been sitting on the sofa opposite her, relaxed his posture, leaning back heavily into the seat with a sigh.

“I tried to be as polite as possible since your father was here. How did I do?”

Instead of exchanging pleasantries, Zenon asked her abruptly.

As Emeline calmly raised her teacup, she gave her honest opinion. “I wish you’d act like that all the time.”

“That’s the highest praise, thank you.”

“It means you don’t usually meet even basic standards.”

“…Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

Zenon let out a deflated sigh at her criticism.

His dispirited reaction made Emeline chuckle softly.

That perceptive man couldn’t have truly taken so long to understand her words. He was likely just trying to ease the awkward atmosphere between them.

Soon, Zenon straightened his posture and smiled brightly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you since graduation. It’s been hard for me to hold back how glad I am to see you.”

“…Really? I don’t particularly feel the same.”

Emeline turned her head slightly to look away. The truth was, she wasn’t entirely unhappy to see him. Just enough that it didn’t show.

Despite her somewhat cold response, Zenon skillfully shifted the topic without showing any displeasure.

“I never thought I’d visit your house. My cheek still stings from being slapped by my father for getting too close to you.”

He twisted his lips in frustration.

Emeline sympathized with him to some degree. Until recently, her father had also been on high alert, harshly criticizing the other family.

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

Suddenly, Zenon’s words from before came to mind.

But could her father truly be the kind of man to abandon his principles for money?

Emeline still couldn’t believe it. The image of her father, who had always been righteous and stern, felt unfamiliar.

“They’re not just investors. It seems they’ve agreed to become business partners.”

“…I see.”

Feeling increasingly troubled, Emeline lowered her gaze. Her dark eyelashes cast long shadows downward. Zenon, who had been watching her quietly, suddenly changed the subject.

“Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve seen you not studying.”

With his usual playful smile, he picked up a neatly sliced peach from the refreshment plate with a fork and took a bite.

The clinking of the utensils made Emeline glance at him unconsciously.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and his glossy, pinkish lips curved cheerfully. For no apparent reason, Emeline found herself fixated on them.

His usually light-red lips seemed even more pronounced now that they were glistening.

It felt like a sweet scent was wafting from somewhere. Was her head affected by the heat?

Zenon’s smile slowly faded, and he tilted his head curiously. “What are you looking at? You’re looking at me, but…”

His eyes and mouth soon carried a mischievous grin.

Realizing the odd situation too late, Emeline quickly searched for a response. “At home, I have to be careful about appearances.”

“Oh, so my guess about your secret wasn’t wrong after all. You pretended it wasn’t true.”

When she hesitated, flustered, Zenon laughed aloud. “You’re often flustered in front of me.”

Emeline, momentarily caught off guard, drew in a sharp breath and glared at him.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Everyone knows how perfect and composed Lady Delzeier usually is.”

Emeline closed her mouth.

Zenon, smiling at her, asked, “Doesn’t your father care about your high grades?”

“…Not particularly, at the moment.” Emeline sighed and reluctantly answered.

Since Zenon had already figured it out, there was no point in hiding it anymore. Much to her dismay, Emeline had to admit Zenon Trancium’s observational skills.

A secret she thought she would keep to herself forever was now shared with Zenon Trancium of all people.

The small solace was that Emeline also knew a few of his secrets. At least it wasn’t a complete loss.

In a low voice, Emeline shared a bit more of her hidden thoughts. “If I bury myself in academics, I’m seen as a liability to the family, but if I simply excel in my classes and behave well, I’m seen as an ideal young lady. As long as I play my cards right, I can make myself look like the perfect lady.”

The ability to support her future husband, her talent with musical instruments, her obedient demeanor, her attentiveness—all of it.

She could easily present herself as a woman perfect in every way.

Her father was already doing that.

He might have been adding some embellishments, but thanks to Emeline’s tireless efforts and convincing performance, he genuinely believed it.

He’d praised her countless times, boasting that his daughter was more obedient and capable than anyone else.

Zenon, who had been quietly listening, picked up the teapot. He refilled Emeline’s empty teacup, as if to suggest she calm herself.

Then, wearing a somewhat serious expression, he set down the pot and spoke, “Your father probably didn’t accept it that way from the start.”

Zenon knew Emeline studied in secret late into the night and maintained excellent grades in all the cultural lessons deemed necessary for a lady at school.

He met her eyes and asked, “What’s your goal that makes you go this far?”

Emeline hesitated. Could she even say this out loud? What reason did she have to confide her long-held dream to him?

He might dismiss it as an unrealistic fantasy, just like her father. Or perhaps he’d mock her, like the other boys jealous of her grades.

So, it was better not to say anything.

That was the right choice…

“I want… to go to university.”

The words slipped out like a dam breaking, with no time to take them back.

Even though her thoughts had filtered through, her voice was barely a whisper, like that of an ant.

Imagining that Zenon might ask her to repeat herself, Emeline wanted to bite her tongue.

Why couldn’t she keep quiet? Why had she let her mouth run like that?

But Zenon didn’t ask her to repeat it. Instead, he looked at her quietly for a while, and then finally responded.

A short laugh escaped his lips.

…A mocking laugh?

Seeing his expression, Emeline felt as if she had been pushed off a steep cliff, her heart sinking rapidly.