I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 25

“What’s the exact schedule?”

Eve, feeling tired, handed over the invitation. The content of the letter was simple, but at the same time, it gave her a headache. It wasn’t just an invitation to stay overnight at the Seratine villa; it was clear, from the previous conversation, that both the Duchess and Azazel would push for what they wanted.

The Count read through the invitation and handed it back to Eve. “This seems manageable.”

Eve frowned. His response came too easily, making her doubt if he fully grasped the situation. Even though she had only been in the capital for three years and knew he was more familiar with the ways of the nobility, Eve couldn’t help but ask.

“You understand how much gossip will spread if people find out that you and I stayed at the Seratine villa for a night, right?”

The rumors about her and Dane would be nothing compared to the new gossip that would emerge. It would be scandalous for Count Dane Hound to spend a night at his first wife’s villa, shortly after divorcing his fourth wife. The news would be more sensational than anything that had been written so far, and it would undoubtedly draw more disapproval from the Emperor.

Dane let out a small laugh at her question. “Of course. I’m well aware.”

“And knowing all that, you’re still so willing to go with me? Are you in your right mind?”

Eve’s reaction was one of disbelief, but Dane merely shrugged. “You asked me to come along, didn’t you? Besides, rumors always follow us. It’s something I’m used to. There’s no need to worry.”

In fact, Dane seemed more concerned about Eve’s convenience than his own.

“There will probably be more rumors linking the two of you than me.”

That was exactly why she had made the suggestion. People would be far more interested in the Duchess Seratine than in an insignificant baron’s daughter. Eve had been frustrated by all the attention and torment from those connected to him recently, so she had suggested it out of spite. To her surprise, Dane accepted the idea so easily that Eve, who had meant it as a half-joke, felt a twinge of guilt.

Dane brushed off her confession lightly. He had probably seen through her motives the moment she brought it up.

“I’m sure Aeshath considered that when inviting me as well. The Emperor might cause some trouble, but that’s nothing new for me.”

His relaxed smile made him seem different than before. He fully understood the situation, knew it would be uncomfortable, but shrugged it off as if it were no big deal. Eve could tell that his calm and experienced demeanor had come at a cost—he must have endured a great deal over the years to become so poised.

A man constantly in the public eye probably hadn’t always been this nonchalant. Eve felt guilty for using him while ignoring his feelings. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse his help, feeling even more guilty because of it.

“I’ll properly host you next time as a way of thanking you.”

“Sure, that sounds good.”

“Though, when I say ‘host,’ it’ll just be a dinner at my mansion.”

Dane smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Meeting at the mansion sounds even better. Make sure to prepare well.”

As the memory of his earlier, not-so-funny joke resurfaced, the gratitude that had filled her heart started to deflate like a balloon losing air.

“…It’ll be a luncheon.”

“Hm? Sure. Anytime works for me.”

Dane responded casually, without much thought. Whether it had been a misunderstanding or if he had meant the same thing as before, Eve wasn’t sure, but she didn’t fully trust that easygoing expression of his.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Was he referring to the trip to the villa tomorrow, or to the luncheon at the mansion afterward? Eve didn’t know which, but either way, her response was the same. She raised her teacup and gave Dane a sidelong glance.

“Don’t expect too much.”

Whether at the villa or the mansion, what Dane was hoping for wouldn’t happen. Never. At Eve’s stubborn remark, Dane’s thick eyebrows furrowed as he burst into laughter.

***

Dane stayed at the mansion late into the night. He emptied several cups of lukewarm tea, seemingly in no hurry to leave. It looked as though he had expected to stay for dinner. The problem was that Eve hadn’t prepared a dinner for him.

“Dane. I’m sorry, but we can’t have dinner together.”

“Why not?”

Eve hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. “I thought you’d leave immediately once I mentioned going to the villa with me. I didn’t expect you to stay in such a good mood.”

Dane smiled slyly. “You don’t know me very well.”

“It seems that way. So, how about heading home now?”

“I don’t mind eating anything.”

Looking at Dane today, Eve had no doubt that he meant it. But as the host, she couldn’t allow that.

“Please help me save face.”

At her request, Dane finally rose from his seat. “Well, since you promised to prepare a meal for our next meeting, I’ll leave it at that.”

It felt awkward to have asked for such a favor without properly hosting him, so Eve found herself seeing him off at the front door, something she hadn’t done even during their marriage.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need. I have preparations to make as well.”

“It was rather sudden, wasn’t it?”

“Well, what’s more important is that I get to see you tomorrow. I’ll be here on time.”

Before getting into the carriage, Dane lightly kissed Eve’s hand.

“Thanks for agreeing to this ridiculous request.”

“No need to thank me.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

After their brief farewell, Dane climbed into the carriage. Eve watched as the carriage disappeared from view before turning to the servants.

“Prepare for tomorrow. The Count will be joining us at the villa.”

Eve rubbed the back of her hand absentmindedly as she returned to her room.

Chapter 3: The Change in Relationship

Upon returning to his mansion, Dane gave instructions to his butler regarding the schedule for the following day, then retreated to his office to go over the documents on his desk. For the past three years, since discovering that a third party had interfered in his bedroom matters, Dane had launched an investigation. Who had sent a woman into his bedroom without his knowledge?

The first time his night with Eve was interrupted, Dane had sent her away and, after satisfying his desires, asked the woman lying in bed, “Who sent you to this bedroom?” The woman replied that she had received a letter bearing the Hound family seal.

Of course, Dane hadn’t believed her. Though he often spoke and behaved casually, Dane was the head of the Hound family and was not naive. He naturally verified whether one of his mistresses had overstepped. But upon investigation, the letter was found to be genuine, with the exact date and time written on it—exactly how nobles would typically summon courtesans.

The butler, who had cared for Dane like a son since his own father, the previous Count, had been cold and distant, thought that the letter had been sent by Dane himself and scolded him. But Dane had been left speechless when he saw the letter.

Only a few people in the household had access to the family seal, and he believed that Eve was the only one who could have sent such a letter. Reflecting on the strange conditions outlined in their marriage contract and the conversations they had had in the bedroom, Dane had concluded that Eve had peculiar preferences.

She had told him that there was no need to have children if her offspring couldn’t be heirs, and she had insisted on using contraception. He hadn’t understood why she wanted to avoid having children, even though having a child would increase her power. But once he realized she had voyeuristic tendencies, everything made sense.

After their marriage, she hadn’t bothered him, and Dane had come to appreciate that. Respecting her peculiar tastes, he had decided not to correct the butler’s misunderstanding.

Of course, the idea of having sex solely for someone else’s eyes was slightly humiliating, but there was something oddly exciting about Eve’s curious gaze as she watched him on the bed, her amber eyes gleaming with interest. That strange, detached arrangement wasn’t entirely bad.

He had been drawn to her beauty, intrigued by her unusual tastes, and surprised by her disinterest in his personal life. Her artistic sensibility had impressed him, and despite coming from a humble background, she had managed the Hound household efficiently. The sight of her flushed cheeks as she watched his every move with those glowing eyes had made his heart flutter.

Her presence at social gatherings, where she remained poised despite the judgmental gazes of others, had impressed him further. His young wife had become a woman he couldn’t ignore for many reasons, and over time, all those reasons combined to make him fall for her.

It was then that he realized he was no longer content with their previous arrangement. That’s why he had chosen divorce—to start anew. But after they had parted ways, the truth that had eluded him came to light, and it was unbelievable.

After conducting various investigations, Dane had finally received the results that very morning, just before his visit to Eve. The seal on the letter had been genuine, so Dane had expanded his investigation in a different direction. The only people who could freely use the seal were himself, Eve, and the butler. After a thorough inquiry, the butler was cleared of suspicion.

At the time, the only other person who had access to the mansion, could freely use the seal, and was difficult to track within the Hound household was none other than:

‘Azazel Hound Seratine.’