A Summer With Bitter Rivals - What If Side Story 2

What If Side Story: Marriage with a Rival (2)

“…You’re seriously saying that.”

Emeline barely managed to respond. With him leaning in even closer at such a short distance, she had no choice but to pull back as well.

Unfortunately, with her hand still caught in Zenon’s grasp, she couldn’t move far.

They were still close enough to feel each other’s breath, close enough to see the fine details of his eyelashes.

Emeline felt incredibly awkward at the unreasonably close distance.

“Please just… back off. People are watching.”

“Didn’t you hear? You know it too.”

“Know what…”

“That we’re engaged.”

He smiled as he whispered, like he was sharing some amusing secret.

Just moments ago, he’d seemed unusually quiet—serious, even. Now, Emeline felt completely duped.

“So what? Don’t tell me you’re acting like this just because we’re engaged?”

“Of course not. Considering how hard it was for me to even get you to accept me as a friend, acting like a fiancé would just annoy you.”

Zenon leisurely analyzed her, and Emeline narrowed her eyes.

“You’re right, it is annoying. So do me a favor and keep your distance.”

She responded plainly, then added after a moment of realization, “And you’re not my friend yet.”

“I’m not?”

“I never said I accepted you as a friend. And if you were, you wouldn’t keep pushing boundaries and ignoring my wishes.”

“…That’s fair.”

For someone who wanted to be her friend, Zenon could only nod in reluctant agreement.

Emeline gave him a look that clearly said, Then back off now.

Instead, Zenon just smiled. And rather than stepping away—

“But… I don’t think we need to be friends anymore.”

“What?”

“If we’re engaged, haven’t we skipped past the friendship stage?”

“……”

“Come on, Emeline Delzeier. We’ve known each other forever, and you still haven’t accepted me as a friend.”

“…Why is that my fault?”

When Emeline gave him a look of disbelief, he raised his brows. Apparently, he was the one who felt wronged.

“We’re getting married next month. We’re going to spend our lives together. You should at least start seeing me as your fiancé.”

“……”

As the words flowed effortlessly from him, Emeline was rendered speechless. He said it like it was nothing, but her cheeks grew hot for no reason.

Zenon lifted his hand and said, “Oh, and this.”

He brushed a strand of black hair from her hairpin and smiled. “The reason I got close.”

Then, without hesitation, he stepped back. The sunlight hit his blond hair that had been shaded a moment ago.

“Shall we go inside? Like I said earlier, the sun’s awfully strong today.”

Only then did Zenon begin to act more formally, stepping beside her as if just now realizing their surroundings.

Emeline touched the hairpin he had fixed and let out a breathless laugh.

Despite all her nerves, Zenon was the same as always.

No embarrassment, just his usual boldness, teasing, and carefree smiles.

‘…We’re not anything special. Even if our families arranged this marriage, nothing’s really changed…’

It was simply a reminder of the obvious, yet Emeline felt oddly out of sorts.

‘…Why do I feel like this?’

As they made their way to the parlor, the two ran into Bernard. Zenon greeted him with perfect manners.

Emeline, who had always thought him incapable of politeness, was genuinely surprised.

Zenon’s etiquette was flawless.

“If you knew how to be that polite, why didn’t you show me sooner?”

Once they reached the parlor, Emeline muttered sulkily.

The servants quickly brought refreshments and left, giving the engaged couple privacy.

Zenon, now seated across from her, chuckled. “I didn’t want to act formal around you. Wouldn’t that be strange for us?”

“You never showed any manners in the first place. Of course it’d feel weird now.”

“You’re so cold. It’s because your first impression was so different. I didn’t have a choice.”

Zenon pouted dramatically, though mischief clearly danced in his tone.

When Emeline gave a small laugh, he smiled too.

“So, how do you feel?” Zenon asked as he poked a slice of peach on his plate with a fork. When he bit into the soft flesh, juice glistened on his lips.

A sweet aroma filled the air.

Emeline stared at him, dazed for a moment, then finally replied—albeit a beat too late.

“What do you mean, how do I feel?”

“We weren’t exactly on good terms before graduation, and now we’re engaged. My cheek still hurts from the slap I got from my father for hanging around you.”

Zenon touched his perfectly healed cheek. Emeline was about to respond with a small laugh but paused.

‘…Wait.’

How was she supposed to say she didn’t really mind it?

How could she explain she’d been losing sleep lately thinking about the marriage?

‘What does he think about our marriage?’

She stole a glance at him while choosing her words.

Despite all this upheaval, Zenon looked exactly the same as usual. As if none of this was a big deal.

In the end, Emeline couldn’t speak the truth and muttered softly instead.

“…Of course I’m not thrilled.”

“Why not? I’m handsome. Even people who curse me can’t spit on this face.”

“You don’t really think I’m that shallow, do you?”

“Is it because I’m not gentlemanly?”

Emeline didn’t answer. She simply closed her mouth, hoping he’d understand on his own.

‘Am I the only one taking this marriage seriously…’

It stung more than she expected to be the only one feeling unsettled.

That was when Zenon, who had been watching her closely, suddenly stood up.

Noticing his movement, Emeline flinched. “What are you doing? Why are you coming over here?”

“Maybe I’m not a gentleman, but I wanted to show you I have other charms.”

He moved to the seat beside her, smiling.

Facing Zenon at such close range, Emeline found herself unsure what to do. Eventually, she averted her gaze and said, “I don’t know about charm, but… you’re insufferable. Right, you even sent me that weird letter?”

“Oh, that. Did you enjoy reading it?”

“…It was shocking.”

“I thought carefully about what kind of letter would change your expression. Letters like that are supposed to leave an impression.”

“Well, mission accomplished. I was so dumbfounded I read it twice. Maybe put some sincerity in it next time instead of just joking around.”

“I was sincere, though.”

“Sincere about wanting to mess with me?” Emeline scoffed.

Zenon tilted his head like he didn’t understand why she thought that. “No, I wrote it sincerely. It just happened to line up perfectly with all the things that annoy you.”

Whether it was serious or a joke, he suddenly leaned in closer.

His pure, deep green eyes captured her delicate face, and he smiled.

“I don’t really mind. That our relationship’s changed.”

“…I get it, now move. Why are you always getting so close? There’s such a thing as personal space, so…”

Emeline, overwhelmed by his intense gaze, grabbed his shoulder. Her head was spinning, and her cheeks were burning.

Zenon chuckled from just inches away. “Why are you rambling? That’s not like the Emeline Delzeier I know.”

“……”

“Could it be you’re finally starting to see me as a man?”

“What?”

“At first, you treated me like I was some rock on the ground. Not anymore, huh?”

A grin played at Zenon’s lips, and his eyes sparkled with subtle expectation.

It was the usual playful look he always gave her.

This time, however, Emeline couldn’t bring herself to smile.

Not even understanding why she felt this way, she replied in a quiet, slightly dejected voice, “You’re my rival. Not someone I can see as a man. I was rambling because… you’re overwhelming.”

Clenching her fists, Emeline looked at him sharply.

Then, as she used to, she spoke coldly, “If you understand, then move.”

Instead of backing off immediately, Zenon looked closely at her face. His eyes held a strange tension, as if registering her chilliness.

Then he lowered his head.

The already narrow space between them grew smaller.

So close their lips could’ve touched—Emeline recoiled in alarm.

“W-what are you doing…”

His breath flowed toward her, strangely sweet.

Seeing her flustered, Zenon smirked. He whispered provocatively, “Emeline Delzeier, if this is too much for you, what’ll you do at our wedding? We’ll have to kiss then…”

At the slow, deliberate words, Emeline froze. Caught in tension, she instinctively looked away—only to glance back at him again.

As if he had seen straight through her, Zenon tilted his head slightly and said, “Want to practice?”