A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Magnanimous One

At the somewhat intense statement, Mathis seemed momentarily doubtful of his own ears. However, he soon smiled in agreement. After all, wasn’t the reason they were attending this party to make their relationship public?

Society had been slowly recognizing and accepting love marriages. The negative perception surrounding it had long since subsided, and the two of them intended to act out their ‘spotless love’ rather than present their relationship as a mere transaction. It drew more attention that way, allowing them to beautifully package the transaction between their families.

Mathis willingly cupped Emeline’s cheek, leaning into the act. He added playfully, “Interesting. Then what about right now, just before the fireworks start?”

“Anything works for me.”

As long as they could make their relationship public.

Having received her affirmation, he smiled and leaned down. His lips, cold from the chilly breeze, met hers warmly. They started a kiss devoid of any heat, unable to feel any of each other’s warmth. However, the lips that touched created friction easily.

At that moment, a loud noise erupted overhead, followed by the burst of fireworks. The colorful lights scattered across the night sky and illuminated them from above.

Emeline, who had been exchanging a dry kiss, opened her eyes slightly, shifting her gaze over Mathis’ shoulder. Zenon Trancium was there.

His blond hair shimmered with the flickering lights in the sky, but he paid no attention to the noisy spectacle. Emeline, noticing his unwavering gaze in their direction, deliberately wrapped her arms around Mathis’ neck, deepening the kiss.

Seeing the romantic scene of a kiss beneath the fireworks, people looked at them tenderly. Yet Emeline inwardly scoffed.

‘It’s as amusing as your game, isn’t it?’

The last thing she saw was Zenon extinguishing his cigar in an ashtray, and with that, Emeline closed her eyes. She focused on the kiss, feeling a surge of exhilaration.

Until the heat of the fireworks eventually died down.

***

The flourishing party had, in the blink of an eye, deepened into night. The deck of the yacht, which would dock only by morning, had gradually quieted, and Mathis had headed downstairs to discuss business with Donald, the count and magnate.

It might seem like neglect toward his fiancée, with whom he had shared a kiss earlier, but it was Emeline who had refused his offer to escort her to her cabin. Still slightly drunk, Emeline stayed on deck, looking at the few people still drinking before turning her head.

The dark sea entered her view. She smiled bitterly as she listened to the waves crashing gently in the silence.

‘It’s a bit bittersweet.’

It was a thought about the kiss earlier. Though it had been an act, she hadn’t expected a kiss with her fiancé to leave her so indifferent.

The faint smile on her lips slowly faded. Truth be told, no one else could make her feel as deeply as Zenon Trancium once had.

With a long sigh, Emeline closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the waves. That was when a heavy warmth settled on her shoulders. The cold was blocked, and soft fabric wrapped around her exposed arm.

Surprised by something suddenly covering her, Emeline, who had been enjoying the cool sea breeze, looked back, and a weak, amused laugh escaped her lips.

It seemed Mathis Renier had returned and put his coat over her.

Emeline turned around with a bright smile. “Lord Renier, I told you not to worry about me…”

But her gentle words came to an abrupt halt as soon as she saw who it was. Emeline’s eyes widened reflexively, her mouth agape.

Before she could even process what was happening, the man took a step closer. Even as the distance between them narrowed, he didn’t stop until he leaned in and grasped the railing.

Emeline was suddenly trapped between his arms. Her eyes shook violently.

Just as she remembered, sharp green eyes met hers.

“It’s been a while, Lady Delzeier.”

The voice she had longed for. The voice that had once whispered words of love to her.

Emeline stared at him, bewilderment clouding her gaze. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether this was a dream or reality.

Contrary to his casual greeting, Zenon, who had appeared before her without warning, had no hint of a smile on his face.

“Zenon…?”

Dazed, she called his name, and Zenon reached out to her. His hand, warm in stark contrast to the cold breeze, touched her ear. It was an unreal sensation.

His thumb softly stroked the small rim of her ear. Then, suddenly, the warmth pressed inward.

When the pressure increased, Emeline stiffened in shock. Her sensitive spot was being stimulated, and she tensed involuntarily.

Emeline came to her senses.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

She snapped sharply in warning, and Zenon’s brows furrowed in response. He opened his mouth after mouthing a few words, as if choosing what to say. This time, he spoke in a low voice, adopting a more formal tone.

“It seems that Lady Delzeier isn’t happy to see me.”

Only now did Emeline notice his fiercely angry expression.

She couldn’t believe it.

Who was he to speak of her not welcoming him? He had abandoned her without so much as a reply to her letters. He had even taken a fiancée while studying abroad, without a care.

“Step away from me.”

Emeline glared at him with a defiant gaze, and Zenon let out a short, bitter laugh. Then he spoke in a chillingly sharp voice, “You’re still as stubborn as ever, Lady Delzeier.”

He continued in a tone that sounded almost threatening, his gaze cold and menacing. “Did you really think I’d give up on you because of a few lines in a letter?”

“What?”

“Or did you think I’d be tormented by your boasting of that esteemed lover of yours?”

Emeline hesitated, momentarily at a loss.

His sharp green eyes, glaring at her, were filled with a seething anger she couldn’t quite put into words. She should have been the one to express her anger. Yet he stood there, acting like he was the victim.

Emeline, stunned into silence, slowly furrowed her brows.

‘What does he want from me?’

Could it be that he’s suddenly regretting it now that she’s with someone else? Or perhaps he simply can’t stand to see her living well.

After all, he was the one who had torn her life apart.

As she grew angrier and prepared to push him away, Zenon spoke first, cutting off her chance to respond.

“You seem to have had some fun trying to abandon me all this time, Lady Delzeier,” he spoke with labored breaths, his lips curling into a twisted smile.

Emeline, struggling to understand his words, opened her mouth. But Zenon didn’t kindly offer an explanation. Instead, his tone turned sinister.

“But what should I do? I can still appear in your perfect world whenever I want. At every happy moment. I can intrude freely and ruin it.”

His hand pressed harder against her ear again. Emeline winced instinctively, her eyes narrowing as Zenon leaned in closer, continuing his whisper.

“You will have to compensate for every one of the wounds you’ve inflicted on my heart.”

As you know, I’m not that magnanimous.

With those harsh words, he used his other hand to grip her chin tightly.

“What… are you…”

Emeline barely managed to speak, her words tinged with both confusion and displeasure. But her lips were abruptly swallowed by the warmth of his.

It all happened so fast. Emeline gasped in shock, freezing.

Hot breath invaded her parted lips.

Emeline finally realized what was happening.

‘…Is he insane?’

Rolling her eyes around to see if anyone was watching, she began to resist him. But the more she resisted, the closer Zenon pressed against her, holding her chin firmly.

Emeline’s gaze naturally shifted toward Zenon, and the moment their eyes met, she froze.

Dark anger lurked in his gaze, even more intense than hers.

A pained groan escaped from between their fiercely clashing lips. His tongue invaded Emeline’s mouth, and the mingling wet sounds were mortifying.

The kiss that suddenly crashed upon her was almost violent. Gradually, her breathing became ragged.

Emeline tried repeatedly to push him away, but her strength was not enough to fight his off. Slowly, her strength faded.

Though it had been four long years since they’d last seen each other, Zenon still knew how to find her sensitive spots and tease her.

Losing herself to the overwhelming sensation, Emeline frowned, catching a glimpse of his still-handsome face.

‘You’re the one who left me with harsh words, and now this? What are you doing?’

Unbearable humiliation and anger surged within her.

Still playing these ridiculous games.

Still treating her like this.

Consumed by rage, Emeline bit down on his lips with all her might. The taste of blood filled her mouth.

Zenon flinched, pulling away from her lips. The cold air touched her, and she gasped for breath, her expression twisting.

Smack!

A sharp crack echoed as Zenon’s head snapped to the side. Gritting her teeth, she glared at him, her breathing trembling like a sob.

‘How much of a fool do you take me for to do this?’

Frozen, Zenon slowly turned his head back. He lightly touched his right cheek, which had turned red from the slap.

Tears welled in Emeline’s eyes as she panted heavily.

After a moment of silence, Zenon let out a small laugh.

“A strong answer.”

“Are you playing games with me right now? You’re the one who did all this, Zenon Trancium!”

“Yes. It’s my fault for being so reckless. You even have a lover now…”

As his words trailed off, his gaze sharpened.

But that was all. Zenon took a step back.

His darkened gaze remained fixed on Emeline. Though he stood there silently, there was an unfathomable depth to the emotions radiating from him.

Zenon murmured weakly, “You must still think I’m easy.”

“…What?”

Zenon, who had been so violent just moments before, gently tucked her hair behind her ear without a word of apology.

Staring at her with dark eyes, he soon turned away without another word. His figure slowly receded into the distance.

Emeline, who had been standing there dazed, let out a hollow laugh. Suddenly drained of all energy, she leaned weakly against the railing.

Crazy bastard…

Emeline wiped her lips roughly with the back of her hand, listening to the erratic pounding of her heart. Her flushed lips gradually cooled. As a chill washed over her, she finally stopped moving.

Slowly lowering her hand, Emeline let out a hollow breath. It felt as though a fierce storm had just passed.

‘Unpleasant…’

She felt disgusting. Her body, which had flushed from his touch, the way her heart pounded idiotically, she hated it all.

She hated that she had once again been swept up helplessly by him. Like one summer day four years ago, when she had first met him.

Now, only the soft sound of the waves lapping at the yacht echoed on the once-again silent deck.

Emeline closed her eyes tightly, trying to escape all the sensations that tormented her.