I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 11

“Well, I don’t really mind…”

As her initial shock subsided, Eve’s mind began working quickly. This wasn’t a matter of not caring—it was actually a situation that could work to her advantage.

“Then proceed with it.”

The Count turned his head indifferently, giving her a silent but polite dismissal. However, Eve had no intention of retreating just yet.

“Do we not need to sort out the details now?”

There were many things to discuss, such as when the divorce would be announced within the household, how the documents would be handled, how their separation would be presented to society, where Eve would live afterward, and when she would need to leave the mansion.

“I’ll send for the butler. You can speak to him about the specifics.”

The Count had clearly made arrangements for that. With that settled, Eve decided to step back for now.

“Understood. In that case, I would like the settlement to be paid as soon as the documents are finalized.”

“Very well.”

Having received confirmation on the most important matter, Eve left the Count’s room.

***

After the sudden notice of their contract’s termination, Eve returned to her room, clutching her racing heart. Her behavior seemed strange to the maids, who watched her anxiously. To avoid their prying, she used the excuse of wanting to retire early and dismissed them. Alone in the darkness without lighting a candle, Eve lay in bed, thinking deeply for hours on end.

100 million gold? Her annual allowance was 24,000 gold. Occasionally, she earned an additional 5,000 gold after accompanying the Count to parties. Over the past three years, Eve had indulged in hobbies and generously supported her family, all while building up a respectable amount of wealth. And now, she was about to receive an additional 100 million gold.

‘Did the Hound family always have this much money?’

Although she had lived a luxurious life over the past three years, she hadn’t realized it was to this extent. Based on the conversations she overheard at the rare banquets she attended and the articles she read in prominent newspapers, the Hound family was one of the top five wealthiest in the Empire.

Through the butler’s help, Eve had also learned that the Count owned several profitable estates and mines scattered throughout the Empire. His sporadic investments always yielded significant returns.

“So, he really is going to give me 100 million gold?”

Her hands trembled at the thought of such an unimaginable sum. At that moment, she felt like kissing her husband’s “true love” for giving her the chance to live a life even more comfortable than before! The Count had spoken so decisively that there was no way he would go back on his word. Filled with delight, Eve allowed herself to dream of a happy future.

‘I guess staying in the capital might be a bit inconvenient. Rumors will surely spread, and without the Count to protect me, it might be best to leave.’

Living in her sister Cynthia’s estate and doting on her niece or nephew sounded like a perfect life. She wouldn’t have to do anything but be the wealthy aunt, and the thought alone was thrilling. Moreover, after the divorce, she wouldn’t have to spend her nights alone anymore, living in isolation.

Knock, knock.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted Eve’s thoughts about her post-divorce life. She blinked in surprise.

Who would come to see her so late at night, just before midnight? The Count’s mention of sending the butler came to mind, but the butler she had known for three years wasn’t the type to visit her at such an hour, even on the Count’s orders.

“Who is it?”

There was no response. Eve frowned, preparing to ask again, when the door silently opened. Someone had entered without her permission. Even though she was soon to be divorced, Eve was still the Countess of Hound.

‘How dare they act like this already?’

Whether it was the butler or not, Eve had planned to scold the intruder, but her words caught in her throat when she saw who stood in the doorway. She had never imagined he would come to her at this hour. Standing there was none other than Azazel Hound Seratine, her husband’s eldest son—one year older than her and, legally, her son.

The young Duke of Seratine, who resembled his father, Count Hound, once called the most beautiful man in the Empire, was said to make many young ladies’ hearts ache.

With short, radiant blonde hair, a smooth forehead, sharp eyes, a perfectly straight and attractive nose, and a well-defined jaw, his clear, almost glowing blue eyes were especially striking.

Now that she thought about it, Azazel’s return to the estate was expected around this time. However, he had never come to see her personally before. As Eve stood there, stunned, Azazel entered her room as if it were his own. It wasn’t until the door had closed that Eve, using the skills she had honed over the past three years, managed to put on her façade as a “kind and gentle stepmother.”

“What brings you here?”

Though Azazel was older than Eve, legally, she was his mother, so she made sure to speak in a way that asserted her authority. This was only possible because Azazel had granted her permission to do so.

His full lips parted, and in the same cold manner he always directed at Eve, he spoke with a sweet voice.

“What do you think of me?”

Eve, unable to understand his question immediately, smiled awkwardly and asked, “Sorry, Azazel. I don’t think I heard you correctly. What did you say?”

“I heard you’re getting divorced from my father.”

“What?”

“How about marrying me?”

There was no mistaking his soft tone—it wasn’t a joke. Moreover, they weren’t close enough to make jokes. During the past three years, their only interactions had been the awkward meals they occasionally shared.

Eve narrowed her eyes and looked at Azazel. Though he wasn’t smiling, his eyes gleamed with amusement. Eve swallowed a sigh and, with a tired expression, spoke while staring at him.

“Azazel, I know I wasn’t the mother you wanted, but there’s no need to mock me like this.”

Azazel’s eyes narrowed at Eve’s response. Just as Eve had matured since their first meeting three years ago, so had Azazel. Even with just a slight furrowing of his brow, he now appeared more dangerous and sharp. Eve tensed up. The Azazel she knew was indifferent to nearly everyone except his father, the Count of Hound, but he often cast uncomfortable glances in her direction as well.

Though Azazel had been the one to act rudely first, Eve Jenna, soon to return to her status as a baron’s daughter after the divorce, was in no position to scold her stepson. Already on edge from the sudden change in atmosphere, Eve flinched when Azazel abruptly stepped toward her.

To her surprise, her reaction seemed to amuse him. For the first time since they had met, Eve saw him smile. The once sharp lines around his eyes softened, and his lips curled into a perfectly smooth, beautiful smile. Eve found herself staring, mesmerized by his strikingly handsome face.

Even without being told, anyone could see that his looks surpassed the handsome of Count Hound. Yet, Eve had never admired him, as the Azazel she knew was emotionless, except when expressing contempt or hostility towards his father, Count Hound. Though she had acknowledged his handsome, she had never marveled at it.

‘It’s not just his face… it’s his whole aura…’

As she stared at him, mesmerized by his almost otherworldly beauty, she suddenly realized how close his face was to hers. She tried to step back, but Azazel grabbed her arms and whispered softly.

“Why do you think you’re not someone I would like?”

His voice, laced with emotion, had a strange allure, as if it could ensnare anyone who heard it. Ignoring the tingling sensation in her ears, Eve fought to maintain her composure as she replied.

“…Because you’ve always looked at me like you hated me.”

Azazel smiled slightly and nodded, his nose brushing against hers due to their proximity. As Eve tried to step back again, Azazel gripped her arms tighter.

“That’s right. I hated that you were my mother.”

Though this wasn’t surprising, as Eve had known for a long time, their current closeness was so overwhelming that she hurriedly responded.

“Yes, I know that. So, could you let me go now?”

“You knew? Then did you know this too?”

“Ah!”

Eve gasped as his hot hand slid boldly under her thin slip. The same hand she had admired for its beauty during their shared meals was now sliding beneath her slip, touching her between her legs. At that moment, Eve realized she was wearing only a thin slip.