I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 22

“People will definitely talk about this.”

However, Aeshath remained unbothered. “Attention always follows. There’s no need to be concerned.”

Eve forced a smile, trying not to let her sharp annoyance show. Was it possible that she and Dane had shared more similarities than she’d realized when they were married? Aeshath’s carefree attitude was remarkably similar to his.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Yes, quite the surprise.”

“Fate seems to have brought us together.”

“I suppose so.”

Though their connection through Dane felt more like a joke than fate, Eve simply laughed. But the next words out of Aeshath’s mouth weren’t as easy to brush aside.

“I hear you get along well with Azazel? He told me a bit about you.”

“He spoke about me?”

“He mentioned you’re too good for Dane. Honestly, I think you’d suit me much better than him.”

Eve had liked Aeshath before realizing who she was. But now that she knew the woman’s true identity, it was a bit more complicated. Yet Aeshath didn’t seem fazed by Eve’s connection to Dane.

“We’ll be seeing more of each other, so I’m sure we’ll grow closer.”

“You really want to spend time with me?”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

Though Aeshath smiled, her words seemed sincere. Eve sighed quietly, but before she could respond, a servant from the Seratine household approached and bowed to Aeshath. After a brief exchange with the servant, Aeshath turned back to Eve.

“It seems my carriage has arrived. They’ve come to pick me up. Would you mind receiving them on my behalf?”

“Pardon?”

Why on earth should she greet the servants of House Seratine? It wasn’t as though Aeshath had missed the incredulous look on Eve’s face, but she simply smiled.

“I’d like to speak with the artist who painted this piece. Maybe even set up a meeting.”

“…Wouldn’t it be better if I accompanied you?”

“I’d prefer to talk to the artist alone. That person there, is she the one who painted this?”

Aeshath pointed toward Rose, who was approaching them, and Eve nodded, caught off guard.

“Yes? Yes.”

“Then I’ll go ahead. Please take care of the rest for me. You said you got along well, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean—”

Before Eve could finish her sentence, Aeshath had already headed toward Rose, leaving Eve standing there in a daze. Someone called out to her from behind.

“Lady Jenna?”

The voice was familiar, but hearing herself addressed as “Lady” felt strange. The person speaking was someone Eve had never expected to use such a title for her. She forced a smile as she turned around to face them.

“Young Duke Seratine.”

Azazel’s golden hair gleamed, and his blue eyes sparkled like a clear lake. He was as beautiful as ever, but today it wasn’t his appearance that drew Eve’s attention. Her gaze was fixed on his lips—lips that had once whispered devilish temptations, offering her pleasure. As memories of his moist tongue hidden within those lips surfaced, a tension built in her lower abdomen.

Eve was just as unsettled as Azazel. She hoped that the fleeting sensations she felt were safely hidden beneath her composed exterior. Thankfully, Azazel seemed mindful of others’ eyes, greeting her with his usual, expressionless face.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has.”

Eve spoke more formally to Azazel, separating this moment from their previous encounters. In truth, her overly respectful manner was a way to distance herself from the memories of that night.

Azazel was the young Duke Seratine and the son of Duchess Seratine standing just a few steps away. Noticing Eve’s formality, Azazel narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing toward Aeshath, who was engaged in conversation with Rose.

“It seems you’ve been spending time with the Duchess.”

His dry tone eased some of Eve’s tension.

“It just turned out that way.”

“It looks like it might take a while. Shall we take a walk?”

It was a simple suggestion. His face, though as sculpted and beautiful as always, remained impassive. Despite being familiar with his appearance, Eve couldn’t let her guard down. As she hesitated, Azazel mentioned Aeshath.

“The Duchess has a keen interest in art, and the artist seems eager as well. I doubt they’ll finish any time soon. Rose, is it? The painter you’re sponsoring, correct?”

It surprised Eve that Azazel knew about her sponsorship. The thought that this situation wasn’t entirely coincidental began to gnaw at her.

“Did you know I was sponsoring this artist?”

What Eve really wanted to ask was if he had known she would be at the exhibition today. But with so many eyes watching, she couldn’t ask outright.

Azazel’s lips curled into a smile. “I did recommend this exhibition to the Duchess. But I had no idea you’d both end up here at the same time.”

His smile, though pleasant, only made Eve more suspicious. That faint smirk felt ominous. Reading her wary gaze, Azazel’s smile deepened.

“Since you’re familiar with the exhibition, would you mind showing me around?”

Though it seemed unlikely, Eve worried that he might bring up that night in front of others. It would be madness, but over the past few days, Eve had learned from her encounters with the Hound family just how unpredictable people could be. It was better to distance themselves from the crowd.

“Follow me.”

Eve signaled to Anna not to accompany them, and Azazel dismissed his servant as well. She led him away from the bustling exhibition toward a quieter corner. As they passed around a pillar, nearing the end of the exhibit, there was not a soul in sight. As they walked, Eve considered how best to approach the conversation, but Azazel spoke first.

“You look even more beautiful today.”

As soon as they were out of earshot, his expression softened, and he smiled, clearly enjoying himself. His smile, which transformed his entire demeanor, reminded Eve of Aeshath.

Without reacting to his compliment, she replied blandly, “Thank you for the compliment.”

“I see you met with Count Hound.”

Eve stopped in her tracks and looked up at Azazel. “Why are you so interested in my personal life?”

Azazel also stopped and took a step closer to her. “Isn’t it natural, since I’m fond of you? And lately, I haven’t had to make much of an effort to hear news about you.”

So in the past, he had made an effort to hear about her. Eve’s face stiffened at the thought.

“It seems meeting the Duchess wasn’t a coincidence after all.”

“Of course it was. It was just a coincidence.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that?”

Despite Eve’s skepticism, Azazel smiled gently. Although he wasn’t someone who smiled often, his expression seemed as carefully crafted as a painting.

“Eve.”

“That’s not an appropriate way to address me, young Duke.”

Though her words weren’t meant to be humorous, Azazel’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

“We’ve already done inappropriate things. Surely, calling you by your name isn’t a big deal.”

Azazel stepped closer, but this time, instead of retreating like before, Eve tilted her head slightly and met his gaze. They were so close that she could feel the faint scent of him in the air. Lowering his head, Azazel whispered affectionately, his voice as gentle as a lover’s.

“We’re no longer mother and son, and isn’t there a certain bond between us?”

Azazel’s face was shadowed as he stood close enough to trap her in his arms. Eve looked back at his striking features, pretending to be unaffected.

“I wouldn’t call it a bond.”

“Wasn’t I the one who’s come closest to you, more than anyone else?”

Azazel reached out, his hand gently cradling Eve’s small chin and pale neck. Eve turned her head away, avoiding the kiss Azazel was leaning in for, while pushing against his chest. She could feel the firmness of his muscles beneath his clothes. Rather than resisting, Azazel stepped back when she pushed him.

“Let’s be clear, young Duke Seratine. I don’t want to do this with you anymore.”

“And by ‘this,’ you mean?”

“Stop playing word games. I was caught off guard last time, which is why things went that way….”

Azazel gently corrected her in a low voice. “Not caught off guard—overcome by desire.”

His soft certainty filled Eve with a sense of defeat.

“…Yes, I lost control for a moment and did something foolish. But I won’t let it happen again.”

Azazel, clearly noticing her hesitation, leaned in, his voice smooth and coaxing. “Why is it foolish to desire something? Everyone has something they want.”

Eve was exhausted. Did neither father nor son have any sense of restraint?

“What kind of mother would desire her son that way?”

Azazel raised his hand, pointing at himself. “There’s at least one son here who desires his mother. Of course, you’re not my mother anymore.”

Silence fell between them. They stood motionless, staring into each other’s eyes. From a distance, Aeshath’s loud laughter rang out, startling Eve and making her take a step back.