A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Lex Talionis

“Ah, you arrived early.”

Emeline approached Mathis, who was leaning against the carriage, with unhurried steps.

The way she strolled, light and relaxed, was reminiscent of a pleasant summer breeze. The hem of her pale green dress, perfect for the vibrant summer season, fluttered gently.

“Miss Emeline.”

Mathis, who had been standing in the shade of a tree beside the carriage, noticed her arrival and stepped forward to greet her. He gracefully lifted her gloved hand and placed a kiss upon it, a gesture executed with practiced ease.

“There was a bit of an unfortunate incident recently. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”

“Not at all. I was admittedly a bit surprised, but the correction article was published swiftly. That reassured me. On the day the article was released, His Grace the Duke even sent a letter assuring me it was all false and that I shouldn’t worry.”

“I’m relieved to know it didn’t cause you much distress.”

Since this was her first meeting with Mathis after the scandal, Emeline had expected their conversation to be somewhat cumbersome.

However, as their discussion quickly wrapped up without issue, she felt a sense of relief and smiled.

Just then, as Mathis observed her smile, he spoke in a low voice, “Still, it would have been better if you had personally written to me about it, Miss Emeline.”

There was a subtle hint of disappointment in his tone.

Emeline hadn’t anticipated Mathis expressing such emotions, and she was momentarily caught off guard. Their relationship had always been formal, so she had assumed this conversation would follow the same pattern.

“I’m sorry, Lord Renier. I was so shocked by the false article that I didn’t even think of that. I’ll be sure to do so next time.”

Emeline offered a soft smile to placate him. Before long, Mathis nodded in understanding.

With their conversation concluded, they boarded the carriage together.

Their destination for the day was a small, picturesque greenhouse located in a secluded part of Elvarto.

As soon as they arrived, Emeline scanned the surroundings. Because of its remote location, few people were wandering through the greenhouse.

She felt relieved. The fear of unexpectedly encountering Zenon Trancium again had been weighing on her, but thankfully, he was nowhere in sight.

With a lighter heart, she strolled through the greenhouse alongside Mathis.

Unlike the outdoors, which was filled with the overwhelming scent of roses in the summer, the greenhouse carried the fresh fragrance of various other plants. Emeline found it refreshing, as if she could finally breathe freely.

“Now that I think about it, we are attending the social party at Lady Henburton’s estate together, correct? A messenger will likely arrive at your residence tomorrow.”

“A messenger?”

“Yes. I selected a dress that I thought would suit you well. I hope you’ll like it.”

“Oh… Thank you. If it’s from you, Lord Renier, I’m sure I’ll love it.”

Emeline let a faintly shy smile grace her lips.

Mathis gazed at her for a moment before suddenly asking, “By any chance, do you have someone in mind—aside from our engagement? A romantic interest or a lover?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Emeline halted and lifted her head to look at Mathis. Her gaze moved past his sharp jawline and straight nose before landing on his cool, golden eyes.

Emeline let out a small chuckle, deliberately revealing her surprise.

“Such an abrupt question. I must admit, I’m a bit flustered.”

Lightly covering her mouth with her fingertips, Emeline studied his expression, trying to discern his intentions.

Mathis merely returned a faint smile, silently waiting for her answer.

‘Is he asking because he suspects something from our last meeting? Or is the scandal still bothering him?’

Emeline slowly opened her mouth to respond. “No, there is no one. The only person I have is you, Lord Renier. As you heard last time when I met Lord Trancium, no one fits my ideal type as perfectly as you do.”

She tightened her hold on Mathis’s arm just slightly. At the same time, she flashed a bright, affectionate smile—one so sweet that no one could resist.

As expected, Mathis, who had been observing her closely, let a smirk play at his lips.

However, upon closer look, it wasn’t the kind of smirk that signaled he was swayed by her charm. Instead, it seemed more like the satisfied expression of someone who had confirmed a suspicion.

With a gentle smile, Mathis reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. As his fingertips brushed against her skin, Emeline studied his face.

‘I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but… he seems pleased with my answer.’

It felt as if his doubts about her connection with Zenon Trancium had been eased.

Riding the momentum, Emeline spoke softly, “Lord Renier, may I call you by your name? I think it would be nice if we became a little closer.”

Mathis’s eyes flickered with intrigue at her suggestion.

“Of course. I would be honored.”

With a composed smile, Mathis reached out and took a handful of her silky hair.

Her ebony-black hair spilled over his hand, cascading gently. He politely lowered his upper body and lightly pressed a kiss to her hair.

For a fleeting moment, Emeline froze. In that instant, she saw another person overlapping with the man before her.

Someone who had once taken a handful of her black hair, inhaling deeply as if to imprint her scent into his memory.

Quickly regaining her composure before Mathis could notice, Emeline loosened her stiff posture. To mask the shadow darkening her face, she forced a radiant smile.

“Thank you for allowing me, Mathis. Calling you by your name makes me feel even closer to you.”

Then, adding a touch more playfulness, she leaned her head against his arm. The crisp yet rich scent of his cologne, reminiscent of deep woods, tickled her nose.

‘Mathis Renier, you are essential for me to erase Zenon Trancium.’

So she could not afford to lose Mathis Renier over something as trivial as Zenon Trancium.

As the lively sound of the fountain’s cascading water filled the air, Emeline maintained her serene smile.

***

“This is the dress he sent, isn’t it?”

Scanning the dressing room, Emeline picked up the outfit she had received as a gift not long ago.

“Yes, miss.”

“Dress me to match it well.”

Soon, Emeline would be attending a party at the Henburton estate, and under the careful hands of her attendants, she was elegantly adorned.

The dress Mathis had sent was an exquisite white gown, adorned with gold embroidery and pearls. It was stunningly beautiful—luxurious without being excessive, carrying just the right amount of elegance and refinement.

As expected of a man highly praised in many circles, his taste was impeccable.

Once her preparations were complete, she stepped outside and saw Mathis waiting for her. Having seen him frequently in recent times, Emeline was starting to find his presence quite comfortable.

Mathis glanced at her attire and smiled. “You wore the dress I gifted you. As expected, it suits you perfectly.”

“And you look wonderful as well.”

His outfit matched her gifted dress so well that it seemed as though they had been intentionally coordinated.

Emeline smiled in satisfaction.

‘Lady Fendine is expected to attend, meaning I’ll likely run into Zenon Trancium at the party.’

Seeing how Mathis had coordinated their outfits, she found it even more pleasing.

The Henburton estate, where the party was to be held, was about a twenty-minute carriage ride away.

Upon arrival, they saw guests lined up in pairs, presenting their invitations. Even at a glance, the number of attendees seemed larger than expected.

Naturally so—on top of Emeline and Mathis’s attendance, rumors had spread that Zenon Trancium would also be there. Those who had received invitations would hardly want to miss the event.

After presenting their invitations, the two stepped into the grand banquet hall of the Henburton mansion.

The moment they were recognized, Cecilia, the daughter of the Count of Henburton, hurried toward them.

“Thank you for making the journey, Lady Delzeier, Lord Renier!”

With joy brimming in her eyes, Cecilia spread her arms in welcome.

After exchanging polite greetings, Emeline spoke, “Lady Henburton, I heard that Lady Fendine will be attending today’s party.”

“Ah…”

Cecilia looked flustered. Her eyes darted around briefly before she answered, “Yes, Lady Fendine persistently requested an invitation… I’m sorry for not consulting you first.”

“There’s no need to apologize. You are the host of this gathering; there was no need to seek my approval.”

Emeline responded with a bright, cordial smile, her eyes curving gently.

However, Cecilia was well aware that beneath Emeline’s pleasant demeanor lay a subtle reprimand.

Most of the attendees at this informal social gathering were supporters of the First Prince—nobles who maintained close ties with the Duke of Delzeier while keeping a cautious distance from the Marquis of Trancium.

Yet, inviting a young lady from a family openly aligned with the Marquis of Trancium?

On top of that, her fiancé was none other than Zenon Trancium, the second son of the Marquis himself.

Because Cecilia had extended an invitation to Lady Fendine, the event had garnered even more attention than before.

With a soft ‘tap,’ Emeline lightly struck her palm with her butterfly-embroidered white fan and asked in a sweet tone, “Has Lady Fendine arrived yet?”

“No, not yet…”

“She’s rather late. Surely she wouldn’t stir up all this anticipation only to not show up?”

“Mm, that would be rather awkward. But I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Lady Fendine was quite eager to meet you, Lady Delzeier.”

“Me?”

Emeline slightly narrowed her eyes before her expression smoothed over. The brief glimmer of doubt on her face quickly melted into a serene demeanor.

“How surprising. What a coincidence, really. I had something I wanted to discuss with Lady Fendine as well…”

Before she knew it, a bright smile had settled on Emeline’s lips.

After all, that man had said so himself.

My fiancée doesn’t know anything.

If that was the case, wasn’t this an excellent opportunity to send a warning?

Just as Zenon had tried to interfere with Emeline’s engagement, she could just as easily threaten his own.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.