A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Side Story 1

Side Story 1: A Book Instead of a Star

Just after luncheon, a guest arrived at the Trancium marquisate. They had come to see Emeline.

She had been waiting early and greeted the visitor with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Mathis. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me.”

With neatly swept-back chestnut-brown hair, he approached Emeline. Smiling softly, he pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand.

Emeline quietly observed him. He was still a man of cold, refined features and poised, noble manners.

When he stepped back with polished grace, Emeline said kindly, “Please, follow me.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Marchioness Trancium?”

“It has. I think the last time we saw each other was a few months ago.”

Though they had once been engaged through an arrangement between families, they now maintained a pleasant friendship after the annulment.

[If you’re willing, Miss Emeline, I’d like us to remain good friends.

You said your dream was to attend university. If you become the first woman admitted, I’ll have to brag to others that you’re my friend.

After all, I accepted the rather unreasonable demand for annulment. I’m due at least that much benefit, don’t you think?]

That’s what Mathis had written in a letter exchanged during the annulment.

He had agreed to support Emeline’s admission even at some cost to himself.

‘And he really did come to congratulate me…’

Though the bouquet and handshake he offered as congratulations had been intercepted with a cold smile by Zenon.

Regardless, Mathis Renier had become someone Emeline could open up to—next to Angel, he was her closest friend.

She was truly grateful for that.

Though Emeline had become a public figure by walking a path unlike that of ordinary women, true friends were few and far between.

Many regarded her with unease, perhaps seeing her as somehow different from themselves.

“Hard to believe it’s already been that long.”

“I’m already in my second year at university. How have you been?”

“So-so. And you, Marchioness?”

“Oh, my life hasn’t changed much. I go to school, spend time with my husband…”

“And you’ve been reading and studying constantly, I’m sure.”

“Yes.”

At his familiar reaction, Emeline smiled faintly.

Once, he had looked at her as though he couldn’t understand her. Now he responded as if it were second nature.

Mathis Renier respected Emeline.

“This way.”

She led him to the reception room that had been prepared in advance. The attendants, having made ready, poured tea into their cups and withdrew.

“Would you like to try this? My husband and I brought it back from a recent trip.”

Emeline offered him a traditional dessert from another country, but Mathis declined politely, saying overly sweet things didn’t appeal to him.

After a few sips of tea, he said, “By the way, I was quite surprised. To think the student Professor Stold has taken such a liking to lately is none other than Marchioness Trancium. Life really is full of surprises.”

Mathis wore his ever-polite smile.

This was the very reason their meeting had been arranged after so long.

He had also been one of Professor Stold’s cherished students. Since they attended the same university, it had led to this pleasant reconnection.

“I was surprised too. When you said you heard about me from the professor, I was completely caught off guard.”

“Technically, that makes you my junior. Have you visited the fountain garden behind the university? I think you’d like it.”

“I have. In the fall, the path is lined with red leaves—it’s really beautiful. My husband and I often walk there.”

“…Is that so?”

Mathis gazed quietly at her and smiled. He simply listened to her words.

After several exchanges, Mathis tilted his head slightly in curiosity. “Come to think of it, the Marquis isn’t around. He’s usually not one to tolerate seeing you and me together.”

“Ah, my husband stepped out for a bit. He asked me to greet our guest and have tea with you first, so I think he’ll be back soon.”

“That’s a shame. Can’t even have a quiet chat with a friend.”

“Does my husband’s concern seem excessive to you?”

“No, it’s not excessive. If he hadn’t taken the trouble to let me see you, I’d have gone to him demanding an explanation.”

“Oh my… So you actually approve of my husband’s behavior? I thought you’d dislike how involved he is in everything.”

“Of course I dislike it.”

He spoke in a tone laced with mischief, squinting slightly.

“You might not know this, but I always have to get the Marquis’s permission before meeting you. Otherwise, that man…”

“That man?”

When Emeline prompted him to finish, Mathis looked momentarily flustered.

“Forgive me. That slipped. I meant your husband.”

“Well, it’s alright. Still, I suppose I should be grateful for your efforts in visiting me despite the trouble. Or, how about next time you come with my brother? Then you wouldn’t need permission, would you?”

“…How naive. If that were the case, I’d have to get permission twice. Once from your husband. And another from your brother.”

“Huh?”

“Now I’m beginning to think you said that on purpose to mess with me.”

Emeline burst into laughter at the end of the exchange. At her cheerful laugh, Mathis joined in.

When the laughter died down, Mathis composed his expression and looked at her.

Just then, it grew noisy outside. Zenon seemed to have returned.

Mathis paused, as if listening for a moment, then spoke with a faint smile, “Marchioness Trancium.”

“Yes.”

“Miss Emeline.”

“…Yes, go on.”

Since her marriage to Zenon, Mathis had naturally begun addressing her differently without being asked.

So when he suddenly reverted to her former name, Emeline found it odd.

Mathis looked at her, the smile on his lips fading.

“To be honest, I regret it.”

“Regret what?”

“I wonder what would have happened if, back then, I had chosen the book instead of the star.”

Emeline flinched at his wistful words.

She immediately understood what he meant.

“I always wish for your happiness, but do you also wish for mine?”

“Of course.”

“Then… between a sturdy book and the stars in the night sky, which one could you give me as a gift?”

“Even if it’s impossible, I would do my best to pluck a star for you. One day, I will bring one to you.”

It was a conversation they had shared during their engagement.

That very exchange had made Emeline turn away from Mathis completely. Whatever flicker of expectation or hope she had for him—

She had extinguished it entirely.

And now, he was saying he regretted his answer from that day.

Emeline didn’t know how to respond to Mathis.

Seeing the smile slowly disappear from her face, Mathis gave her a gentle one of his own.

“But I also acknowledge that I was never worthy to stand beside you.”

“……”

“Even if I went back in time, I don’t think I could have understood you. Even if we had the same conversation hundreds of times, I think I would have made the same choice.”

Emeline quietly listened to him. He didn’t seem to be saying it to hear an answer.

More like someone trying to finally let go of what had long lingered in his heart.

“Miss Emeline, please don’t react to what I’m about to say.”

“…Alright.”

“Though I never truly knew you deeply, I believe I loved you, at least for a while.”

The sudden confession caught Emeline off guard. But as he had asked, she didn’t show it.

Instead, she carefully watched his peaceful expression. Despite his vague wording—”for a while”—his gaze held no hesitation.

All of his words were in the past tense.

Emeline hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. Mathis responded with a slight smile.

After a brief, awkward silence, Zenon entered the drawing room.

“It’s been a while, Lord Renier.”

“Indeed, it has. The weather’s gotten nicer, hasn’t it?”

“I’ve been traveling a bit recently. Had I known we’d be meeting, I would have brought a gift for you. A shame.”

“What needless trinket were you planning to send me this time?”

“Needless trinket? How harsh. Did you not like what I gave you last time?”

“I stuffed all of it in the storage.”

“Haha, what a joke. I must’ve sent at least six things—all of them?”

“Of course.”

The moment the two men shook hands, they exchanged banter with smiling faces, though it was impossible to tell if they were getting along or feuding.

Watching them with a bewildered look, Emeline let out a sigh. “Enough, both of you. Sit down.”