A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Opportunity and Deprivation

Emeline couldn’t even remember how she made it back home the previous night.

Her heart had been in turmoil, and even after lying down, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. By the time morning arrived, she had spent the entire night wide awake.

Fatigue weighed on her as she sipped tea, frowning slightly.

‘What’s wrong with me? I know Zenon isn’t that kind of person.’

What she had seen yesterday must have been a situation that appeared misleading but was, in truth, nothing at all. Perhaps she had even imagined it, given it was nighttime.

Lately, her eyes had been strained from studying late into the night for her exams.

‘Today is an important day. Get a grip.’

She had to secure her father’s permission for her relationship with Zenon.

Bernard Delzeier returned to the ducal residence around lunchtime. As they were set to dine together, Emeline joined her family at the dining table. Her father, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, greeted them warmly.

“It’s been a while, everyone. Antony, how have you been? Seeing you at home truly warms my heart.”

Though he still seemed burdened by his business affairs, Bernard’s face lit up immediately upon seeing Antony. Emeline glanced at him in disbelief.

“I’ve been doing well, of course. Being your son, I adapt and thrive wherever I go, don’t I?”

Antony grinned as he joked, twirling the glass in his hand and smiling so broadly that dimples formed on his cheeks.

“Let’s eat first. You must be exhausted from your trip back home.”

“…Yes, please eat, Father. I made sure the meal was prepared with your favorite dishes.”

“You two are truly a comfort to me.”

With Bernard tasting the food, the meal began. Emeline remained tense, unsure when Antony might bring up the topic she dreaded.

It was only after the meal had concluded, as they sipped tea, that Antony spoke as though something had just occurred to him.

“Oh, Father, I recently came across some incredible news.”

Emeline sensed the moment had arrived. She clenched her fist under the table.

If she couldn’t express her intentions here and convince her father, her life would inevitably take a path she didn’t want.

She had to convey her love for Zenon and endure whatever came.

Determination flickered in Emeline’s gaze as Antony furrowed his brows slightly, his smile still lingering.

“Do you know why I, someone who rarely comes home even during breaks, am here? It’s because of something a professor told me. I was so shocked that I had to come back.”

However, Antony’s words were not what she had anticipated.

Antony glanced at Emeline briefly before addressing their father.

“It seems Emeline has applied to take the entrance exam for my university. Did you know about this, Father?”

“What? What are you talking about, Antony?”

“When I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe my sister had applied. But the professor showed me the list of candidates, and there she was—the first female applicant in our university’s history.”

Antony’s gaze, which had been on his father, shifted to Emeline, his lips curling into a faint smile.

Her entire body froze as if struck by lightning.

Emeline’s face grew so pale that she could no longer maintain a calm façade. Her wide, shocked eyes quivered relentlessly.

Observing her ashen complexion, Antony asked in a mockingly soothing tone, “Emeline, Father seems unaware of this. Why were you on the list of exam candidates? Tell us the truth.”

“W-what are you talking about, brother? It must have been a mistake…”

“Come now, Emeline.”

Antony cut her off sharply, rendering her trembling voice useless.

“Did you think I wouldn’t check? I saw the letter requesting the family’s confirmation for the application, complete with Father’s seal.”

Emeline struggled to respond.

“That’s… brother…”

“Oh, is this about Zenon Trancium? It seems he’s also taking the exam.”

Her eyes filled with distress.

At such a critical moment, when her mouth refused to form words, in such a dire situation…

Her fearful gaze turned to her father. His face had grown harsher than before, his expression cold and severe.

“…Why is that boy’s name coming up?”

“Because I saw Zenon Trancium sneaking out of Emeline’s room at night. In the middle of the night. No matter how you look at it, they don’t seem like they’re just friends…”

“Emeline!”

At that moment, Bernard roared in a thunderous voice. Even the servants standing at a distance flinched instinctively.

With a fierceness unseen before, Bernard’s expression hardened as he shouted at Emeline.

“Are you out of your mind? You’re meeting Zenon Trancium? And at night?”

“F-Father…”

Emeline barely managed to speak. Overwhelmed by shock, she hurriedly tried to organize her thoughts.

Though the timing had come much earlier than expected, her goals regarding university and her relationship with Zenon were things she had intended to reveal eventually.

She had known that this day would arrive.

Her body trembled, her breath unsteady, but Emeline forced herself to speak.

“Zenon and I… We love each other. I love him very much… We’ve even promised to marry…”

“You’ve gone mad. Completely mad!”

Clang!

A cold metallic object flew past Emeline and struck the table before bouncing off. It was the gold teaspoon that had been resting next to Bernard’s teacup just moments ago.

“You have a perfectly suitable match already chosen for you, yet you meet with a man like him! Do you have any idea how much damage his family’s actions have caused us? The Marquis withdrew all his support, and all the effort I invested is now on the verge of collapsing! And yet, you want to marry that scoundrel? You’ve set your heart on a rake and intend to disgrace this family?”

As the torrent of his rage poured over her, Emeline stared at him in disbelief.

It was his actions that had ruined their collaboration, yet he spoke as if he bore no responsibility. Did he truly feel no guilt?

Was that why he regarded her as yet another enemy who had humiliated him?

Emeline trembled with anger. “How can you say such things to me, Father…? Do you really believe I’m the one who almost brought shame to our family?”

“Emeline, how dare you speak to Father like that,” Antony interjected, reprimanding her. 

Emeline ignored him and met her father’s gaze head-on. Her tear-filled eyes brimmed with frustration, fear, and desperation all at once.

“Zenon was the only one who ever listened to my dreams. The dreams both you and my brother mocked. He’s the first person who ever told me they were wonderful and supported me. I can’t live without Zenon…”

“Emeline!”

Bang!

The duke slammed his hand against the table.

Glaring at her with a menacing expression, he spoke in a low, growling voice, “Do you not realize that your actions are tarnishing this family’s name? You’re associating with a vulgar man of common blood? I will never permit Trancium. This discussion is over.”

Bernard glanced toward the servants standing in the background.

“Take Emeline upstairs immediately and ensure she doesn’t leave her room for the time being.”

Emeline’s eyes widened in shock. She instantly understood what he intended.

Panic filled her gaze.

“F-Father! Please, just give me one chance. Next week…”

Next week was the entrance exam for Robelque University. Being confined at home meant she wouldn’t be able to take it.

Tears welled up in Emeline’s eyes as she knelt, ready to plead with everything she had.

“Please, Father. This has been my dream since I was a child. I’ve studied tirelessly, every single day without rest. Please… Please don’t do this to me…”

Her long lashes trembled, and tears fell in rapid succession.

This was her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a goal she had dreamed of achieving. Zenon had supported her and promised to meet her there.

She couldn’t lose it.

Antony suddenly interjected, his face a mix of confusion and amusement.

“Emeline, are you talking about the entrance exam? If that’s what you mean, I’m sorry, but you’ve already been disqualified.”

Emeline froze on the spot.

“W-what… do you mean?”

She turned her head toward him, her hands frozen mid-prayer.

By then, two servants had approached and grabbed her by the arms. Even as they held her, Emeline didn’t resist. She was too stunned.

“You didn’t get Father’s permission. Without it, you’re not considered an independent member of society, so you can’t act on your own. I’m sorry.”

What…?

She couldn’t take the exam?

As the shock set in, Emeline stood motionless. The servants gently began to lead her away.

Unable to say or do anything, Emeline allowed herself to be dragged along, powerless.

It felt as if the world was collapsing around her, the sound of its destruction echoing faintly in the distance.