A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Family’s Prestige

A faint tremble could be heard in the voice.

The sudden appearance of Emeline’s only brother, Antony Delzeier, was quite unexpected.

After seeing him again after a long time, Antony still boasted the same jet-black, neatly kept hair and the cool, piercing blue eyes that resembled their father.

“Was someone here?”

“What do you mean, brother?”

Emeline forced a natural smile and put on a composed expression. But inside, her chest tightened with anxiety.

Surely, he hadn’t seen her with Zenon, had he?

Antony, however, spoke with a hint of curiosity in his voice, “I thought I heard something.”

“Heard something? By the way, when did you arrive? It’s been a while.”

Sensing that he hadn’t seen anything, Emeline acted nonchalant, pretending as though nothing unusual had occurred.

“I arrived earlier. But I heard you were asleep—why are you outside?”

Antony, who was much taller than Emeline, glanced toward the tree she was standing in front of.

Flustered for a moment, Emeline stepped closer to him, widening the distance between herself and the tree.

She spoke calmly, “I just woke up and decided to take a walk. I couldn’t fall back asleep. Oh, by the way, Father is away on business for a while.”

“I know. I sent word that I was returning home, and he replied that he’d be back soon. Said we should have a party since I’m back.”

“…Really? Lately, Father hasn’t been in good spirits, and yet he wants to throw a party…”

“What could be more important than me? I’ve returned.”

Antony smirked as if stating the obvious.

Throughout the conversation, Emeline was plagued with discomfort.

Although they had grown up in the same household, Antony was much freer than Emeline. His confidence was unshakable. He had entered the university Emeline longed for without any obstacles.

Whenever she was with him, Emeline felt small and insignificant.

Realizing her expression was darkening, Emeline forced a smile.

“Anyway, I’ll head back in now, brother. It’s getting cold at night. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.”

Though Emeline initiated the farewell, it was Antony who turned away first.

Watching him walk ahead, Emeline began to follow once there was some distance between them.

She bit her lip lightly.

‘He doesn’t seem to have noticed anything… It looks like he let it go.’

Recalling the curious look on his face, she reassured herself that he hadn’t noticed anything significant.

Emeline tried to shake off her sharp tension, focusing on optimistic thoughts.

***

The next morning, Emeline, still uneasy, wrote a letter and went outside.

Using the excuse of taking a solo walk, she dismissed the servant following her and approached the tree she and Zenon had designated as their secret spot.

‘We just decided to exchange letters here yesterday… Will he have received it by now?’

Although she doubted he’d see the letter anytime soon, Emeline tucked it into the hollow of the tree after ensuring no one was watching.

She pushed it in deep enough that it wouldn’t be visible from the outside.

‘Brother might suspect something… I should tell Zenon not to come for a few days, just in case.’

With no other way to communicate, she had no choice but to rely on the tree.

Staring at the tree with worried eyes, Emeline eventually turned away.

The following day, Emeline returned to the tree and noticed a letter she had never seen before tucked in the hollow. Her eyes widened slightly.

It wasn’t the letter she had left.

Unlike the pale beige stationery she used, this envelope was a deep green, faintly visible in the tree’s crevice.

Half surprised, half delighted, Emeline’s face lit up.

Just as she bent down to retrieve the letter, a voice spoke behind her.

“Here again?”

Startled, Emeline froze mid-motion, then turned her head awkwardly. Upon seeing who it was, she straightened her back and turned toward him.

“…Brother Antony.”

Emeline’s heart jumped at his sudden appearance. She tried to remain as calm as possible, staring at him steadily.

Why did he keep appearing out of nowhere? His actions gave Emeline chills.

Hands in his pockets, Antony looked up at the large tree she had been staring at.

He spoke softly, “The tree Mother planted in front of your room has grown so much.”

“…It has.”

Antony left that nostalgic remark hanging and fell silent.

Hoping he wouldn’t notice the hidden letter at the tree’s roots, Emeline clasped her hands tightly together, her discomfort evident.

After a while, Antony spoke again, “I’m sure Mother would support whatever you want, Emeline. Just like before, and even now.”

His words seemed to hint at something, causing Emeline to freeze.

As she silently stared at him, Antony continued, “But Father is a little different. You know that, right? Honestly, I think you should follow Father’s wishes.”

“…Why are you saying this? When have I ever not followed Father’s wishes?”

“Of course. I’m just giving you some advice. You’re an adult now, so don’t entertain childish ideas. Things that might tarnish the family’s prestige—don’t do those kinds of things.”

Emeline’s eyes wavered with shock. Antony was still gazing at the tree.

‘Did he really… see something that day?’

As she swallowed nervously, Antony turned his head.

His piercing blue eyes, so similar to their father’s, looked straight at her with a faint smile.

Emeline struggled to suppress her trembling. She opened her pale lips to say something, anything.

But Antony’s smile grew deeper, and he let out a laugh.

“Why do you look like that? Like someone who’s committed a crime. I heard from a friend that you pretended not to know about your engagement in front of others because you didn’t want to marry the Marquis of Hanover’s eldest son.”

“……”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell Father about something like that. Who cares? That guy’s such a loser anyway. I’d hate it too if I were you.”

Antony shook his head, frowning.

Listening to him, Emeline’s stiff expression began to relax as she blinked.

‘Was he talking about something else all along…?’

Antony smirked, noticing her reaction.

“But still, what can you do? He’s the one Father chose. Don’t cause too much trouble. Actions that disgrace the family’s prestige… That would be problematic.”

“When would I ever do such a thing?”

Antony chuckled silently, then turned away. As he slowly passed by her, he spoke, “Let’s have some tea. I’ll be out of the house tomorrow before Father returns, so I’ll be gone for a while.”

“Where are you going?”

“Meeting some friends. You know how many people need me.”

His reply carried a tone of exasperation. Emeline, who had been standing still, moved to follow him.

After a brief tea time with Antony, Emeline returned to her room with Zenon’s letter.

‘Good thing he doesn’t seem to know anything…’

Seated at her desk, she unfolded Zenon’s letter and couldn’t help but chuckle as she read.

[Then I guess we won’t be able to see each other for a while. I’m already having trouble sleeping at night because I miss you…

Oh, I don’t think I can take it anymore. Could you pick a day for me? Tell me when I can see you again.

That would make things so much easier for me to endure. Even while writing this letter, I can’t stop missing you.]

Reading his reply, Emeline couldn’t help but smile and chuckle softly.

After some thought, she picked up her pen and began to write her response.

[How about three days from now?

Today, I found out my brother will be out of the house starting tomorrow. That timing should work.

He’s usually so busy, and he’s never been all that interested in me, so I’m sure he’ll be preoccupied with his own affairs.

Still, just in case, make sure to be careful when you come.]

She placed her letter in the hollow of the tree, just as Zenon had suggested. Despite only a day’s absence, she was already looking forward to seeing him again.

Although a small part of her felt anxious, she trusted that Antony wasn’t particularly interested in her activities and rarely interfered. That reassurance helped ease her nerves.

‘I can’t wait to see Zenon.’

With that thought, Emeline returned to her room and began arranging flowers, hoping the day would pass quickly.

***

Later that day, Emeline scanned the newspaper with a discerning eye. Articles speculating about the failed business dealings between two noble families caught her attention.

Given that these families had formed an alliance despite their differing political views, the dissolution of their partnership was creating significant ripples.

Some reports suggested their relationship had deteriorated so severely that reconciliation was now impossible. Growing irritated, Emeline finally set the paper aside.

‘It’s almost time for Zenon to arrive.’

She stood and began pacing in front of the terrace.

The room’s lights had been turned off not only to feign sleep but also to help conceal Zenon’s presence in the darkness.

As she stared intently at the moonlit terrace, something caught her eye—a paper airplane.

It was their unique means of communication, something only the two of them understood.

Though it bore no writing or markings, it was more meaningful than anything else. It signified that Zenon had arrived to meet her.

Emeline’s face brightened, and she hurried to the terrace.

‘Zenon…!’

As soon as Zenon spotted her, he swiftly climbed up to the terrace.

The moment they met, they clasped hands and quickly stepped inside her room.

The curtains fell into place with a soft rustle, ensuring their private space remained untouched, not even by the moonlight.