A Summer With Bitter Rivals - What If Side Story 8

What If Side Story: Marriage with a Rival (8)

Love at first sight?

She was already surprised that he had personally visited her parents to greet them, but to say something like that?

‘Our first meeting was the worst… and he says it was love at first sight?’

She had suspected Zenon of cheating on an exam and confronted him. Zenon had easily won the argument and mocked her, telling her to try harder.

Soon after, she decided to take what he had said to her mother as typical Zenon Trancium-style sweet talk.

Emeline quietly watched her parents converse warmly.

They looked like two people in love. No, they clearly were.

‘Will Zenon and I… never be like them?’

It was ridiculous.

She had thought she would treat marriage with indifference and just go with the flow—and yet, here she was, wishing for something special with her partner.

As she pictured a future with him, Emeline asked in a quiet voice, “When are you leaving for your trip?”

“We plan to leave in about a week after some preparation.”

“Then I’ll stay in Hilbert for just a few days.”

Lillie blinked in surprise and looked at Emeline. “Is there a reason? Did something happen?”

“No. What could have happened to me, Mother? I’ve just been exhausted from the wedding preparations and the marriage itself, so I thought I’d rest. I already got permission from the marquisate,” Emeline responded smoothly, as though reading from a prepared script.

Lillie nodded at her composure. It seemed plausible enough. She asked again, “How long are you planning to stay?”

“Hmm…”

Emeline opened her mouth slowly.

She had only intended to stay a day or two, but something completely different came out.

“I’ll stay here for a week too.”

***

Perhaps because the sea breeze lingered in Hilbert, the summer air was surprisingly cool.

Having already spent four days here, Emeline had a light breakfast and went out for a walk.

‘By now, Zenon must know I’m away from home.’

Emeline had expected to return after just a day or two, but now that she was staying a whole week, he might be caught off guard.

Or maybe he would just accept it and greet her with his usual attitude.

With that playful smile, cracking a few jokes as always.

A crack formed in Emeline’s composed expression.

‘Zenon Trancium… what am I even doing out here because of you?’

More precisely, it wasn’t because of him—it was a matter of her own heart.

She had never imagined that someone as calm and rational as herself would act out of spite like this. It was outrageous behavior.

‘No… this isn’t spite—it’s something I need for what lies ahead.’

She intended to suppress and sort through her feelings as much as she could while staying here before going back.

She didn’t want to cling to emotions she couldn’t get back.

She didn’t want to be the only one taking their relationship differently when the other saw it as a mere formality.

Emeline passed the gate, walking along a path lined with lovely yellow roses in bloom. She planned to take a brief stroll outside.

‘If I remember correctly, there was a quiet, decent-looking bookstore near the market street.’

The streets of Hilbert were beautiful. Roses blooming in clusters along the white-walled fences of surrounding buildings were a sight to see.

Enjoying the breeze as she walked, she eventually arrived at the marketplace.

As soon as she reached the bustling area, something snagged at her foot. It was a newspaper someone had tossed aside.

She stopped and looked down at its contents.

[Amid much attention, this year’s top entrant to Robelque University is…]

It was an article about admissions to the prestigious university Emeline had wanted to attend, splashed across the front page.

With so many elite students competing to enter the school, interest in the top admits was always a hot topic every year.

‘Looks good.’

She had given up on applying this year due to wedding preparations.

Zenon was the same. He had been busy with the wedding and heir training and said he was aiming to take the entrance exam next year.

‘I want to take the exam someday too…’

Emeline’s expression darkened.

Now, the one she needed permission from wasn’t her father—it was her husband.

It wasn’t just that she was passionate about studying or had a strong academic drive—she also wanted to enter university.

If Zenon found out about this, he might find it strange.

He might understand the desire to study, but going as far as university? He might think it was excessive.

He could scoff and teasingly say it was out of the question.

“……”

Emeline raised her head and walked past the spot. Her mind felt ice-cold.

The bookstore was just a bit further into the market street. After a short walk, she found a small two-story shop.

The scent of paper already seemed to tickle her nose, making her heart race.

As she pushed open the door, a bell with a golden bird rang softly.

“Welcome.”

She gave a slight nod at the greeting from the elderly shop owner.

To him, she likely looked like a noble lady stopping by out of curiosity.

Emeline gave a quick glance at the first floor, lined with famous poetry and novels, and then headed upstairs. There, she found shelves filled with academic books.

Her eyes lit up as she browsed the bookcases.

After wandering the small bookstore for some time, Emeline discovered a book to help prepare for the entrance exam to Robelque University and picked it up.

She opened it, fully absorbed, when she sensed someone stepping onto the second floor.

She paid no mind, even as another customer passed by.

But then, someone trapped her with an arm against the bookshelf.

Sensing something strange, Emeline lifted her head.

“Hello, honey.”

At the low, gentle voice, her eyes widened.

The one who had suddenly come too close and blocked her side without manners was Zenon Trancium.

Her eyes blinked in bewilderment.

For a moment, she thought she was mistaken.

“Why are you…”

“The person I thought would be gone for just a day hasn’t returned for four. How could I not come? I heard you’re staying in Hilbert for a whole week.”

Zenon’s eyes held a hint of irritation. His tone was blunt and sulky.

He must have already stopped by the Hilbert villa and learned of Emeline’s whereabouts.

The slight edge in his expression softened into something closer to hurt.

Zenon quietly studied her face before speaking, “Emeline, seriously?”

“What did I do?”

His face made her waver, but Emeline answered calmly, pretending not to notice.

“If you’re going to be gone that long, you should at least tell me.”

“You weren’t home. And as I recall, I did leave a note. I also got permission from your family.”

“A note?”

Zenon’s eyes, which had been settling down, sharpened again.

He raised his other arm and blocked the space beside her.

Now she was completely trapped.

“That note saying you’d be gone for just a few days? You could’ve told me directly when we met. Especially if you planned to stay in Hilbert for a week.”

At his frowning words, Emeline grew even more upset.

Who had left first with just a scrap of paper?

Anger rising, she glared coldly at him. “I was originally planning to stay just two days.”

“And then?”

“Once I got here, I felt like staying a week. I needed time to think quietly.”

Her voice held a trace of scorn, and the warmth on Zenon’s face vanished.

It was a look she had never seen before.

It wasn’t quite the anger of someone upset by her sudden absence.

He looked angry, yes—but it wasn’t overly irritable. There was clear disapproval, but no disbelief.

His complicated feelings seemed to have twisted deep within him.

Zenon stared down at her, then opened his mouth. “Was it something you couldn’t do beside me?”

Emeline scoffed.

To reflect on her feelings—next to him?

When he was never even around?

She had left a note and walked out, all to give him a taste of his own medicine—and it seemed to have worked.

But it wasn’t satisfying. If anything, it felt even more miserable.

“Next to you…”

Just as she began to speak bitterly—

Zenon suddenly pressed his lips against hers.

In an instant, everything she meant to say was swallowed by his mouth.

Startled, Emeline grabbed his shoulders.

She tried to push him away, but he only pressed closer, deepening the kiss.