I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 18

No sooner had Eve’s carriage left the Hound estate than the news began to spread throughout the capital. Within a matter of hours, every major publication in the city was buzzing with news about the Count of Hound’s divorce.

“Count Dane Hound, Divorced Again After 3 Years!”

Similar headlines flooded the papers, as if they had been waiting for the news. Despite the divorce being handled quickly and discreetly, and despite the Count and the butler ensuring that no rumors would spread, word traveled at an unusual speed.

By the end of the day, the entire capital knew about Eve and the Count’s divorce.

***

Eve’s new residence, located on the outskirts of the capital, was a mansion splendid enough to satisfy even her heightened tastes after living as the Countess of Hound. The servants in the new mansion were still unfamiliar with their new madam, but under the capable guidance of Anna, Gina, and Lina—the three maids Eve had brought with her—they were slowly settling in.

However, despite these efforts, Eve wasn’t in the best of moods due to the public’s interest. The butler had promised to keep things quiet, but as soon as Eve left the Hound estate, news of her divorce from Dane quickly spread, stirring up the entire capital.

Sitting in a plush chair under the large window, where sunlight poured in just right, Eve read a newspaper with visible displeasure, crumpling it with all her strength. She couldn’t understand why people were so interested in other people’s lives. All sorts of stories were circulating, and the article she had just read had completely fabricated a tale of her undying love for Count Hound.

It was the third day since Eve had moved into the new mansion. While she had avoided newspapers after the divorce, this morning’s letter made her reluctantly pick one up. Her maids had remained quiet, perhaps to avoid upsetting her, but after receiving that letter, Eve knew she needed to understand how things were unfolding outside.

Eve turned her gaze to the letter resting on the small glass table. It was from Count Hound, the instigator of this situation, referencing the odd terms of their divorce. He must have known how the public was reacting, yet he still contacted her, asking for a meeting, showing no concern about what further rumors might spread because of it.

‘Is he shameless, indifferent, or just oblivious as usual?’

Normally, Eve would have brushed off any rumors or stares directed her way, but that was back when she was Eve Hound. Unlike the prestigious Hound family, the name of the country nobility “Jenna” held no power to shield her from the capital’s prying nobles.

Shaking her head at the worst-case scenarios she imagined, Eve considered that it might have been Count Hound who leaked the news. If he was getting closer to a new woman, he would have wanted word of the divorce to spread quickly.

‘I understand, but it’s hard to be sympathetic when I’m the one facing the fallout.’

Eve glanced at the pile of letters that had been building up over the past three days, which she had been ignoring. None were from high-ranking noble families, but even as Lady Jenna, they were not letters she could simply disregard. This was an experience she had never encountered while she was Countess Hound.

‘Don’t people have anything better to do?’

In noble society, issues like these couldn’t be solved simply with money. She already missed the days when, despite the public’s interest, she could afford to withdraw from social life. But there was no time to regret what was already lost. Pushing the pile of letters aside with her foot, Eve called for a maid.

It was time to start getting ready for her meeting with Count Hound, considering the time they had arranged. Meeting him again would likely stir up even more rumors, but Eve believed that the matter would resolve itself within a few days. After all, the Count had divorced her for the sake of his true love. It wasn’t Eve but the Count who drew attention. Once he started his new relationship, the public’s interest in her would fade away.

***

The meeting place with Count Hound was a well-known dessert café in the capital, and as expected from its reputation, it was bustling with people. Given the current situation, it was far from an ideal location for a private meeting.

‘How thoughtless.’

As Eve stepped out of the carriage, gathering her dark navy dress in one hand, Anna quickly opened a parasol to shield her face from view. Since there was no family crest on her attire, it wasn’t necessary for commoners to recognize her, but there was no harm in being cautious. As Eve approached the café, a servant from the Hound family standing outside greeted her.

“Greetings.”

Eve hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should speak casually like before.

“Where is the Count?”

Although she was no longer the Countess of Hound, she was still a noblewoman.

The servant bowed deeply and replied, “He is inside.”

Eve glanced through the glass door into the café.

“There’s… no one here.”

She had expected a bustling crowd given the café’s popularity, but the place seemed empty.

“Yes, the Count rented out the entire café.”

It wasn’t surprising. For the extravagant Count Hound, this was nothing unusual.

“Well then, can I bring Anna inside with me?”

“Yes, of course.”

At Eve’s nod, Anna swiftly closed the parasol and opened the glass door for her. Eve walked into the café and scanned her surroundings. Spotting the familiar back of the Count in the center, she walked towards him at a steady pace and greeted him.

“Good day, Count.”

The Count’s face brightened at the sight of her but quickly turned to a frown.

“I told you to call me Dane.”

Though they had discussed this before, Eve had come to fully understand in the past few days what it meant to no longer be Countess Hound. Despite the fact that the Count was her ex-husband, there was now a stark difference in their social standing. Eve, now a mere baron’s daughter, had no right to protest even if the Count reprimanded her for informal speech. Though he had once been her husband, the vast social gap between them meant she had to show respect.

Yet, it seemed his stubbornness had not changed. Eve decided to acquiesce for the time being.

“Very well, Dane. May I take a seat?”

“Of course, please sit.”

With Anna’s assistance, Eve sat down and was finally able to take a good look at him. His hair was neatly combed back, and his attire was sophisticated, but there was something different about him.

The face that always seemed so lively and youthful now appeared worn and tired. Even so, with his naturally handsome features, the shadows under his eyes gave him the look of a scholar deep in thought.

“You look a little worn out.”

At her comment, Dane rubbed his chin awkwardly. “I’ve had some things to look into. Still, don’t I look as handsome as ever?”

With his chin held high, he wore his beauty with confidence. He carried himself with the attitude of someone who was certain that he was always attractive, no matter the circumstances. While he wasn’t entirely wrong, Eve had no desire to humor him, so she ignored his self-praise and asked.

“Aren’t you busy? You could have canceled the appointment if that were the case.”

Though she didn’t care to see him, she phrased her words in a way that made it seem like concern for his well-being. His fatigue was evident, despite his attempts to hide it.

Dane shook his head lightly. “I wouldn’t miss this. After all, it’s to meet you.”

She didn’t understand why he insisted on keeping the appointment, even though it was clearly taking a toll on him. Meeting her would only cause more trouble for both of them, yet here he was, exhausted and still clinging to the plan.

“Didn’t the news of the divorce spread too quickly? Meeting like this isn’t going to help the situation either.”

Eve hadn’t fully believed the butler’s promise that he would control the flow of information, but she hadn’t expected the rumors to spread this fast.

“Rumors always follow, so there’s no need to worry about it.”

“Is that so?”

Eve smiled out of habit, but inside, she was anything but reassured. She wasn’t worried about him—she was worried about herself. She barely managed to suppress a frown, knowing that she was no longer in a position to criticize his selfishness.

At that moment, Dane’s gaze drifted down to her shoulders. Since she was wearing a halter-neck dress that left her shoulders exposed, it was natural that his eyes would be drawn there. Sure enough, Dane began to speak, his attention still on her bare skin.

“You’re still as beautiful as ever. Especially those shoulders.”

He admired her pale skin and the slight angularity of her shoulders with keen interest.

“Thank you.”

“How have you been?”

“Just adjusting to the new mansion. And dealing with all the letters that keep pouring in.”

Eve was tempted to make a more indirect complaint, but she figured being upfront about her frustration would be more effective. Knowing Dane’s tendency to overlook things, she suspected he hadn’t even realized how much of an inconvenience he was causing. As she expected, Dane’s expression showed surprise.