A Summer With Bitter Rivals - What If Side Story 1

What If Side Story: Marriage with a Rival (1)

*’What If Side Story: Marriage with a Rival’ takes place after graduation and presents a storyline separate from the main plot.

Right after Emeline graduated, a second storm swept into her life.

The first, of course, had been Zenon Trancium.

Unfortunately, the second storm also involved that very man.

“Emeline, you will marry Zenon Trancium.”

The second incident, which struck without warning, was the fact that she was to marry him.

“…Father, what did you just say?”

Emeline asked again in a polite tone with a faint smile, as though she had misheard.

In truth, she had heard clearly. But she thought it far more likely her ears were faulty than that her father would ever say such a thing.

The Duke of Delzeier, seated stiffly in his office chair, neatly set his pen aside and looked at Emeline with grave eyes.

The sweltering afternoon sunlight poured behind him like a blinding flash.

“You must marry Zenon Trancium by next month. Talks with their family have already begun.”

“This is… rather sudden, Father.”

Normally, she would never object to her father’s words, but this time, there was no avoiding it.

After all, of all people, it had to be the Trancium family.

‘The Marquis of Trancium’s house is at odds with ours.’

Besides, Emeline had just recently been locked in a constant battle with him over top rankings at Preliwood Noble School.

He was her rival.

Though her face showed no reaction, her mind was in complete chaos.

“I know this may feel sudden. I, too, am displeased at the thought of being tied to such a vulgar family, but there’s no choice.”

As if expecting her surprise, Bernard spoke in a coaxing tone.

“We’ve been considering joining hands with the marquis for some time. All they want is noble blood, and we want them to withdraw their support for that debauched Second Prince.”

Emeline quickly understood.

In other words, her father and the Marquis of Trancium had struck a deal.

“We have a duty to set an example for other noble families. Sacrifice is inevitable.”

And the one to bear that sacrifice was none other than herself.

“…So that’s how it is.”

The Delzeier family might gain temporary disgrace by aligning with Trancium, but in return, they’d earn a lifelong heroic reputation.

Emeline, after a brief pause, smiled. “If that is the will of our house… then I will marry him, Father.”

After all, marriage must serve the benefit of the family.

Even if she didn’t like her partner, going along with it was the right thing to do.

“Emeline, how admirable you are. I’m truly proud of you.”

As if she had made a grand decision, Bernard let out a booming laugh and praised her.

Emeline forced a smile in return.

Her head felt especially cloudy, but she had already spoken her answer.

She couldn’t take it back.

“I’m happy to be of service to your plans, Father.”

As the heat of summer deepened, so too was the marriage between Emeline Delzeier and Zenon Trancium decided.

***

Emeline sat on her bed, brushing her hair alone. After a long while, a deep sigh escaped her lips.

Outside the window, the dark sky was filled with sharp, shining stars. Even the cicadas had gone quiet.

The hand holding the brush gripped it tightly.

“Ha…”

In the end, she set the brush down, her expression serious. All her efforts to calm herself since earlier had failed.

“Why is time moving so fast?”

Clasping her hands together nervously, Emeline shifted her gaze. She even began biting her nails—something she never did.

It had already been four days since her father had told her to marry.

And tomorrow, she was to meet Zenon Trancium. As her official fiancé…

‘He was the one who first sent a letter requesting to meet.’

She knew they’d meet face to face one day, but she didn’t expect him to reach out so soon.

That day, Emeline had been calmly enjoying the summer breeze, sitting by the window doing embroidery.

“Miss, a letter has arrived from the Young Lord of the Trancium House!”

She couldn’t describe how shocked she was. It had been less than two days since she heard the marriage news.

She accepted the letter with a restless heart.

Though she had come to terms with the marriage relatively easily, she was still mentally unsettled.

‘He must’ve had a ghostwriter send a formal letter…’

There was no other way he could have sent a reply this quickly.

…That assumption was completely wrong.

It had been a true shock.

He had written, by hand, an absurdly sentimental letter that made her question her eyes.

Emeline was quite familiar with Zenon Trancium’s handwriting.

Naturally—after all, they had once studied together in the same study room.

‘Good grief, what is this…’

After reading just a few lines, Emeline turned her head away in shock.

Goosebumps rose and her face twisted in a grimace, yet she couldn’t help but marvel at the skillful writing—it was ridiculous.

At first, she had held the letter neatly in both hands. But at some point, she was holding it by just two fingers.

‘He must be insane…’

In any case, after receiving that letter and setting a date to meet him, Emeline had been troubled ever since.

As she recalled everything, Emeline collapsed back onto her bed.

From her tilted vision, she saw the thin summer blanket.

Staring blankly at the edge of it, she pressed her lips together.

‘Is he really unfazed by all this?’

She couldn’t understand how he had sent such a calm and polished letter.

‘I’m still confused even now.’

What unsettled her most was the fact that she didn’t entirely hate the idea of this marriage. It baffled her.

Why?

She was fully aware that Zenon Trancium was an infuriating man who had snatched the top spot from her more than once.

Yet she didn’t find this marriage dreadful at all. In fact, she was so nervous about seeing him tomorrow that she was practically pacing.

‘How am I supposed to face him like this?’

After stewing in thought for a while, Emeline frowned.

She sat upright on the bed again, displeasure written across her face.

‘Why am I even worrying about this? Zenon Trancium didn’t look troubled in the slightest.’

He had sent that smug letter with ease, while she was here alone, in pieces. It felt unfair.

Suddenly, Emeline stood up, walked over, turned off the light, and returned to bed. Then she lay down firmly, as if resolved.

Once the room quieted, she could hear the insects outside.

Lying in the dark, Emeline blinked slowly and exhaled.

‘…It’s been two weeks since I last saw him, hasn’t it?’

They hadn’t met even once since graduation.

“Congratulations on being top of the class, Emeline.”

The memory came flooding back—the day she had reclaimed the top spot and faced him.

Zenon, despite losing his position, had offered her a pure smile and voice, utterly free of jealousy.

That day had been so clear that the sun looked hazy in its brilliance. The scent of roses on the breeze had tickled her heart.

As if still standing in that place, Emeline’s mind grew hazy.

Eventually, she drifted into a deep sleep.

The next day, Emeline left the mansion with a white lace parasol.

She had dressed with more care than usual, and no one could deny she looked stunning.

‘He said he would come to our estate.’

Heading to the gate to greet him, Emeline stopped and waited.

She took a few deep breaths.

‘No need to be nervous. Just act like always…’

Before she could finish the thought, the Trancium carriage stopped before her.

She tightened her grip on the parasol.

Forcing on a calm expression, Emeline looked toward the carriage.

A man stepped out at a relaxed pace and, upon spotting her, gave a curious look.

But unlike usual, he didn’t seem to be smiling.

‘What’s going on?’

Puzzled, she closely observed Zenon as he approached.

He didn’t approach with his usual playful tone, nor did he wear his characteristic cheerful smile. He seemed almost upset.

Emeline, briefly caught in confusion and doubt, quickly came to her senses the moment he stood facing her.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

Emeline feigned composure and extended the back of her hand.

She didn’t want him to know she had been up all night worrying over this marriage.

Zenon, wearing a light brown vest and a slightly darker brown tie, looked at her face and then took her hand.

‘…Somehow, he looks neater than usual today.’

Emeline waited silently as he brought her hand to his lips. Her eyes remained fixed on his unusually captivating face.

Just as he seemed about to lower his head to kiss her hand, Zenon’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Then he changed course. Instead of kissing her hand, he tugged on it.

Emeline’s eyes widened. “What are you doing…”

As he closed the distance between them, Zenon stepped under her parasol. Startled by the sudden move, Emeline’s mouth fell open.

Even though he ducked his head, the edge of the parasol just barely brushed the top of his hair.

Emeline stared at him in stunned silence before blurting out, “A-are you insane? The servants are watching us from behind…”

The uninvited guest who had suddenly invaded her shade grinned shamelessly.

Dodging the parasol that was messing up his hair, he leaned in even closer with a smile. “Forgive me. The sun felt especially harsh today. Would it trouble you terribly if I stayed like this a little longer?”

His words, teetering between courteous and inappropriate, sparkled with mischievous charm.