A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Paper Airplane

Summer deepened further, and the heat warming her head gradually became a familiar part of everyday life.

And between Emeline and Zenon, a significant change had taken place.

“My lady, the young lord of Trancium has come to visit.”

Hearing the news of his arrival, Emeline sprang up from the tea table. Her lips curved into a smile before she could contain it.

Realizing she might be showing her excitement in front of the servant, Emeline quickly composed herself.

“Really? I should go down quickly then.”

Feigning nonchalance. Acting as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Putting on a calm expression once again, Emeline followed the servant out of the room.

But what would it matter if she showed that she had grown a little closer to him?

Bernard seemed to want Emeline to maintain some level of connection with Zenon.

He must have been receiving reports about their frequent meetings, yet he hadn’t reprimanded Emeline for it.

Upon reaching the drawing room where Zenon was waiting, Emeline entered with the servant and greeted him.

“Hello.”

She deliberately spoke in a calm voice, devoid of emotion.

Holding Zenon’s gaze for a moment, Emeline then instructed the servant who had accompanied her to leave.

Since Emeline never liked having someone attend to her at all times, there was nothing suspicious about her request.

Once the servant left and they were alone, Emeline’s indifferent expression softened as she approached Zenon.

“Zenon.”

As she softly spoke his name, Zenon’s face lit up with delight.

He, too, had been feigning indifference until the servant had left.

“Hello, Emeline.”

A bright smile spread across his lips.

The way he had pretended his father had pushed him here seemed quite impressive; now he looked like a puppy waiting eagerly for its owner.

Their relationship had changed on the day they kissed in the fields behind the Marquis Trancium’s mansion.

The day they kissed in the fields of the Trancium estate, their relationship had changed.

That day, had anyone seen them, they might have called it almost violent as they rolled around the field, kissing each other.

When she thought about that moment, Emeline wanted to hide in embarrassment.

But since Zenon had confessed to her at that moment, it had become a memory she could never erase.

“I must have liked you all along. I like you, Emeline.”

Even impulsive actions were ultimately born of emotion. At least the irrational things they had done stemmed from such feelings.

When she heard his confession, Emeline responded without even thinking.

“Yeah, me too. I like you.”

From the moment the delighted Zenon embraced her tightly, the two began their relationship.

One more secret had been added between them, a secret they hadn’t shared with anyone else.

“I missed you.”

“…Me too.”

Zenon intertwined his fingers with Emeline’s, holding her hand.

Still unfamiliar with their relationship, Emeline shyly averted her gaze.

But she couldn’t help feeling disappointed not to see his face, so she quickly turned her eyes back to him.

He smiled mischievously and pulled on her hand.

Emeline let out a small yelp as she found herself on Zenon’s lap in the blink of an eye.

After a moment of stunned silence, Emeline finally understood the situation and laughed.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a reward for how well I’ve controlled myself while missing you.”

Zenon’s eyes gleamed playfully. Emeline chuckled but then narrowed her eyes.

“What about my consent?”

“I’ll work hard to persuade you. I’ve been so restless, missing you.”

“You know we saw each other just two days ago, right?”

“Well, it felt like I hadn’t seen you in three years… I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day.”

Zenon hugged Emeline tightly and rested his head on her shoulder as if whining. Feeling his sullen mood, Emeline couldn’t help but let him be.

“It tickles.”

She shivered as his breath touched her neck and shoulder. The warmth on her skin, as well as the tingling feeling deep in her chest, rose steadily.

Emeline raised her hand and gently stroked his hair. Zenon let out a pleased sigh and hugged her even tighter.

Their heartbeats were pounding equally fast, with neither trying to outpace the other.

When she felt his nose brush along her neck and shoulder, Emeline tensed up.

“You smell nice.”

“…Don’t be such a creep. Stop it.”

“…Did I sound like a creep?”

“Very much.”

Only then did Zenon lift his head from Emeline’s shoulder. He looked a bit disappointed, but when their eyes met, his expression relaxed.

Zenon, smiling, suddenly asked, “Do you want to go see the fireworks tonight?”

“Fireworks?”

“Yes, there’s a fireworks show tonight in the central square. I want to go with you.”

He looked at Emeline with longing eyes, but she couldn’t give him a favorable answer right away.

“…Fireworks mean it’ll be at night, right? I’m not allowed out after evening.”

“By your own will?”

Emeline’s lips hesitated. She was unsure for a moment, but then her reply came out, as firm as if there had never been any doubt.

“No.”

“Do you want to go with me?”

“…Isn’t that obvious?”

Every time he asked, Emeline was reminded of the reality that she couldn’t act freely, which dampened her spirits.

How strange it was—following her father’s wishes had once felt so natural that she was indifferent to any restrictions unless they involved her studies.

A clear voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Then let’s go.”

“…What? I told you I’m not allowed.” Emeline waved her hand in disbelief.

Zenon’s head tilted slightly. “It’s not your choice, and you want to go, so you should go. Why care about others?”

He spoke with a carefree look, as if nothing could tie him down. He looked as though, with just enough determination, anything was possible.

Emeline, looking at him, replied in an unsure voice, “But there’s no way to explain going out alone with you at night, and wandering around at night is…”

“Secretly,” Zenon added softly.

Emeline’s thoughts froze at his words. Her gaze, which had been sinking downward, slowly rose to meet Zenon’s again.

Secretly?

Was he saying they should sneak out?

“You’re… saying this like it’s not even your problem…”

“But it is. Emeline Delzeier’s problems are as good as my own. That’s why I’m suggesting this. You want to go, but someone else is stopping you.”

Zenon smiled at Emeline. Though his tone might have seemed light, there was undeniable seriousness in his gaze.

“We won’t get caught. I’m good at this kind of thing. And if we do get caught… just say Zenon Trancium, that scoundrel, dragged you along.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t help it—I wanted to see you so much, even at night.”

Zenon shrugged. Emeline looked at him in disbelief for a moment, then saw the sincerity in his eyes and let out a small laugh.

It was absurd.

Sneaking out at night without her father’s permission? With Zenon, of all people?

It was truly absurd, but…

“As long as we don’t get caught.” Ignoring the warning bells in her mind, Emeline answered.

Zenon smiled joyfully. “That’s a great idea, Emeline. I’ve really wanted to go with you—thank you.”

“…You really are unstoppable.”

“I know. But aren’t you excited for the fireworks? Just thinking about going with you makes me so happy, I’m already thrilled.”

His ingratiating charm was as persistent as ever.

Emeline couldn’t help but give in to him.

“I suppose so.”

***

As night fell, Emeline made an excuse to the servants that she was going to sleep early and locked her door tightly. Then she snuck into her dressing room and changed clothes.

Zenon said he would come soon, but… how exactly was he planning to get here?

Dressed in inconspicuous outdoor attire, she sat at her desk, lost in thought.

Is this really the right thing to do? Is this even okay?

After seriously contemplating for a while, Emeline sighed.

Just then, a breeze blew in through the open window.

Emeline’s eyes moved absentmindedly to the fluttering curtains, then widened as she stood up.

Something had flown into her room in the wind and landed on the floor.

She approached it, blinking in confusion.

‘A paper airplane…?’

It was something she’d only folded a few times as a child, now flown into her room.

Suspecting she knew who was behind this, Emeline picked up the paper and looked up.

Soon, she spotted someone sitting in a tree close to her window.

When their eyes met, Zenon smiled brightly and waved his hand.

Emeline stared in disbelief before her expression turned to shock.

Had he… climbed the tree?