A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Special

Emeline found herself standing in front of her father’s office, wrestling with her thoughts. Anxiety was welling up inside her. But there was no other way to solve this problem.

“It’s okay. He’s not home right now,” Zenon whispered, sensing her nervousness. Emeline managed a nod and, with trembling hands, turned the doorknob to her father’s office.

She instinctively shut her eyes. Sneaking into her father’s office to steal something—something she couldn’t have imagined doing under normal circumstances—was now becoming a reality as soon as the door opened.

Not wanting anyone to see them, Emeline quickly pulled Zenon inside the Duke of Delzeier’s office.

“The mail is piled up over there,” Zenon said, pointing to the desk after glancing around the room.

There was a substantial stack of letters, probably due to her father’s week-long absence.

Emeline approached her father’s desk and began sorting through the stack of mail.

Her heart pounded as if she were committing her first theft. Perhaps that was exactly what this was.

Halfway through the pile, she found a green envelope marked with the seal of Robelque University.

After a brief hesitation, Emeline grabbed the letter in a rush.

Her hand trembled with the immense feeling of guilt, but there was no other way to pursue her dreams. Her desire for her dreams was so strong that she forced herself to push the letter into the pocket of her skirt.

When she turned back to Zenon with a complicated expression, he patted her head reassuringly.

“It’s okay.”

“…Yeah.”

“It’s not like you’re hurting anyone. You’re just trying to do what you want to do. It’s the people who’d criticize you for that who are wrong.”

Zenon frowned, as if it was the world that was at fault for standing in Emeline’s way.

It wasn’t that her actions were wrong; it was the situation that forced her into such actions that was the problem.

Emeline slowly let her expression relax at his reassurance. There was always something strangely empowering about Zenon’s words. Whenever he spoke his mind, there was conviction in his eyes.

Perhaps it was that confidence that gave Emeline the strength to keep moving forward.

“You think differently from others,” Emeline said, marveling at the way her dreams, which had always been dismissed, were now being supported.

Zenon smiled, his lips curling. “Does that make me weird? In that case, you’re weird too.”

“No, you’re special.”

Emeline smiled without hesitation. Whether it was the people trying to stop her who were strange or Zenon’s way of thinking that was unique would only be known in the end.

If she gave her best and the world still held her back, then it would be the latter. But if she saw the light, it would be the former.

Zenon watched her bright smile with a gentle gaze, then intertwined their fingers and held her hand.

“Now that we have the letter, shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

They had to leave quickly, as the butler could come into the duke’s office at any moment.

Just as they were about to leave, they heard a commotion from outside.

They both froze at the same time. Muffled voices and footsteps were approaching.

‘Who’s coming?’

Alarmed, Emeline gestured for Zenon to stay quiet and listened to the noises outside.

Moments later, Emeline’s face went pale.

A trembling voice slipped from her pale lips. “My father is back.”

“What? He came back suddenly?” Zenon asked, flustered. But Emeline had no time to answer. She quickly looked around, searching for a way out.

If they stayed here, they would surely be found, and much would be exposed.

Even if the letter from Robelque University wasn’t discovered right away… The fact that she was in his office with Zenon while he was away would undoubtedly raise suspicions.

The Duke of Delzeier, of course, did not appreciate Emeline acting without permission. In the worst-case scenario, he might even confiscate the letter after interrogating her.

‘No, what should I do…?’

Emeline was torn.

Should they try escaping through the window?

But her father’s office was on the third floor—falling from that height would only cause more trouble.

Should she make an excuse?

But what excuse, and how?

Her mind went blank, unable to think of any solutions.

“Is Antony coming back?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I see. We’ll discuss it later. As you can see, we have a guest.”

Hearing the conversation outside grow closer, Emeline’s breath caught in her throat.

“Emeline.”

It was then that Zenon tugged on her arm.

He gestured with his eyes toward a narrow wardrobe at the back of the room. Emeline’s eyes widened in surprise.

But just as she heard someone stop in front of the door, she pulled Zenon with her into the wardrobe.

They barely made it inside before the office door opened.

Emeline covered her mouth to stifle her breathing. Her heart pounded. Behind her, she could hear Zenon’s heart beating just as fast.

Squeezed into the tight wardrobe, their bodies pressed against each other, Emeline sat leaning back into him.

Her hands began trembling from the tension, and she took a slow, deep breath to calm herself.

At least having Zenon right behind her helped alleviate her fear.

Emeline’s feet pressed against the wardrobe door, so she scooted back a bit. At that moment, she heard a low sigh above her head.

“It’s… too cramped.”

“…Just hang in there a bit longer.”

“Emeline, can you stop leaning back any more?”

“The door’s hitting my feet, I can’t help it.”

“Ha. Then at least stay still… okay?”

A hot sigh brushed against her ear and cheek.

Soon, Zenon’s strong arms wrapped loosely around Emeline as if to hold her steady. His forehead rested on her shoulder.

His unusually warm body heat seeped through her thin clothing.

Just as Emeline was about to whisper, confused by the heat, she flinched at her name she heard from outside.

“Where is Emeline right now?”

“The Young Lord of Trancium visited a few hours ago, so she is probably with him.”

“I’m overlooking this for now, but I’m worried that she’ll pick up bad habits. Anyway, I understand. You may go.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, and let Emeline know that I’ve returned once I am done with my business concerning the Marquis.”

Listening to the conversation between the butler and Bernard, Emeline sighed internally. She didn’t know who the guest with her father was, but it was clearly someone related to his business.

It seemed like they would be stuck here for a long time…

Emeline gently stroked Zenon’s head resting on her shoulder and whispered, “Zenon, are you uncomfortable?”

Something had seemed off about him for a while now. Zenon let out a long sigh before replying.

“…If we stay a bit longer, I’ll be fine.”

“It’s not serious, is it?”

“Probably not… You must be uncomfortable too, so don’t worry about me.”

“If that’s the case…”

In the midst of their whispers, a woman’s sharp scream suddenly broke through.

Emeline froze and looked toward the door.

What on earth was happening outside?

She could hear small items clattering to the floor.

“Your Grace, I didn’t think you’d be so hasty.”

A woman’s teasing voice followed, and Emeline narrowed her eyes. She couldn’t place who it was, but the voice sounded familiar.

Emeline blinked, unable to understand what was happening. Suddenly, Zenon’s arms around her tightened.

A moment later, the conversation outside made Emeline freeze in shock.

“He probably doesn’t have any idea where you are sitting with your legs spread. Right now, he’s probably mindlessly calculating accounts, thinking about you, without even knowing you’re right in front of me.”

“Isn’t that so, Your Grace… Ah, you really know how to excite me…”

The woman’s voice gradually grew irregular, her words punctuated by gasps.

Emeline, unable to believe what she was hearing, went pale.

The sound of someone hungrily sucking on something, high-pitched moans of excitement, and ragged breathing filled the air. There was the creaking of a desk, muffled groans, and a woman’s cries…

The realization of what those sounds meant hit Emeline like a blow to the head.