I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 42

“Yeah, I saw something really scary. That’s why I’m a little tired.”

“It’s more than a little. You should go home and rest. Shall we stop by your mansion first?”

“I can’t do that. I’ll take you home first and then head back.”

Eve sighed. “It seems like you’re really tired because of me, so let’s postpone the meal we promised.”

“It’s fine.”

“We won’t cancel the lunch since it’s for paying you back. But I think you should get some rest.”

“Do I look that bad?”

Instead of answering Dane’s question, Eve decided to reschedule. “How about moving the lunch two days later?”

“Is that an invitation to dinner?”

He was all talk. Eve gave a faint laugh.

“Do you really want to do that with that half-dead face? It’s lunch.”

Dane nodded, looking disappointed. “It’s good not to rush. Fine, two days later.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, you seem to have gotten quite close with Aeshath.”

“Yes, it seems so. Yesterday, you didn’t seem to be on bad terms with Azazel either.”

“Azazel?”

For a moment, Dane’s face darkened. But within the blink of an eye, he returned to his usual expression.

“Yeah, we can’t just keep fighting.”

Eve ignored the odd feeling and responded, “…Right. I’ll send the formal invitation for the lunch tomorrow.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Just then, the carriage stopped. They must have already arrived at her mansion.

“You look tired, so let’s part ways here today. You really need to rest.”

“…I suppose if I keep pushing myself, I’ll just end up worrying you. Alright.”

“Take care.”

“Yeah, you too. Rest well.”

Feeling relieved that Dane didn’t insist any further, Eve bid him goodbye and stepped out of the carriage.

After sending the carriage off, Eve received greetings from the servants as she entered the mansion. Perhaps due to her guilt over Dane’s tired state, the exhaustion she felt grew heavier. Her chest felt tight.

***

Back at the Hound estate, Dane, who hadn’t slept properly for two nights, dragged his weary body to bed. Staring at the elegant ceiling, Dane thought of Eve, who had been having tea with Aeshath. Eve, who had no idea about Aeshath’s true intentions, had been smiling, pleased by the kindness shown to her. To protect Eve from being hurt, Dane needed to deal with Azazel’s feelings as quickly as possible.

“Azazel…”

His son, who was often said to resemble him in appearance.

Unlike his other children, Azazel had been separated from him just a few months after birth, so Dane didn’t feel particularly close to him.

It was a shameful thing to admit, but Azazel felt more like the Emperor’s grandson than his own son. However, it seemed that Azazel also felt the same, as they had never shared a true familial bond. If Azazel had truly thought of him as his father, he would have let go of his feelings, even if he had developed emotions for his stepmother.

“Damn it…”

Dane swallowed the curse rising in his throat. It was too shameful and dirty a story to speak aloud.

Aeshath, who had matured with age, was an honest and sincere person, but when it came to her only son, there was no telling how she might react. That was why Dane planned to have a serious conversation with Azazel.

If Azazel truly liked Eve, he would need to let go of those feelings for her sake. If Azazel didn’t back down, Dane might have to involve Aeshath, though he didn’t want to go that far. He didn’t want to put Eve at risk.

In his mind, the best solution was for Eve to choose him. If Eve became his wife again, Azazel wouldn’t dare touch his stepmother.

***

After Eve and Dane left the villa, Aeshath finally turned to face Azazel, who had only now shown his face.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Azazel’s expression was softer than usual.

Aeshath said, “I’ve decided to leave the dagger as is. Isn’t it better for me to hold onto it?”

“And the other one…?”

“I’ll get that too. Don’t worry. Do you think I’d do anything that would cause you trouble?”

After a moment of silence, Azazel slowly nodded.

“I’ll be leaving in an hour, so take care of whatever you need to.”

Having said what she came to say, Aeshath left the villa and went to find Rose, offering her encouragement before encountering one of the servants waiting for her on the way back.

“I’ve received a report from the servant attending Count Hound yesterday.”

“What report?”

“They didn’t say what it was, but apparently the Count has lost something.”

A heavy silence fell between them. The servant, sweating nervously, waited for Aeshath’s response. No matter how kind a master might be, a Duchess was an unattainable figure for servants of common origin.

Aeshath finally spoke after a long pause. “No other orders have been given?”

“No, but they mentioned that he seemed quite angry.”

Aeshath frowned. Just then, Azazel appeared behind them. Aeshath waved the servant away after locking eyes with Azazel.

Once they were alone, Aeshath asked, “Why?”

“I’ll meet with the Count personally.”

“Does it have anything to do with the report I just received?”

When Azazel gave a small nod, Aeshath frowned even more. “Was it your doing?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Then handle it. Don’t cause any trouble.”

Aeshath openly expressed her displeasure. Without another word, Azazel brushed past her.

Aeshath watched Azazel’s back with an unusually cold gaze. Moments later, as he climbed into the carriage leaving the villa, Aeshath’s eyes returned to their usual gentle, soft expression.

***

The next morning, after returning to her mansion, Eve skimmed through the city’s newspapers. Despite all the recent commotion, there wasn’t a single article about her. It seemed the media, which even the Hound family couldn’t control, had been suppressed by higher powers.

‘Aeshath, or perhaps someone even higher.’

Whatever the case, it was a relief for Eve. Satisfied, she set the papers aside, and the servant standing behind her, Anna, spoke excitedly.

“It’s a relief that all the articles have disappeared, my lady.”

“Yes, it seems the Duchess of Seratine has used her influence.”

Even if it had been orchestrated by the imperial family, Aeshath’s influence would have played a role.

“Will you continue to build your relationship with the Duchess?”

“It’s just how things turned out. She’s become Rose’s patron. We’ll likely keep in touch while I’m staying in the capital.”

Eve glanced at Anna as she asked, “Are you worried?”

Anna answered honestly, “Yes, a little.”

It was true that for a noblewoman from the countryside like Eve, mingling with high-ranking nobles carried certain risks. She could be discarded at any moment, used and humiliated without anyone to turn to for help.

But Eve found Aeshath to be easygoing and pleasant. Despite the age difference, they had much in common. Aeshath was down-to-earth and modest, making conversations with her enjoyable. And the power to control public opinion was, admittedly, very appealing.

“She’s not spending time with me out of bad intentions, so it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

“By the way, how was the mansion while I was gone?”

“I dismissed a few loose-lipped servants. Would you like a detailed report?”

Eve shook her head. “No, I’m sure you did well. Keep up the good work.”

After that, she received a report on the details of her lunch appointment with Dane and ordered her bath to be prepared.

While the bathwater was being drawn, Eve finished her light breakfast and entered the bathroom, refusing any assistance. As she took off her slip, the marks on her private areas were still vivid. As long as those marks remained, there was no way she could let anyone attend to her bath.

Eve sank into the warm water. Just as she was about to relax against the tub, the warmth of the water made her sensitive nipples tingle. She hadn’t noticed it before due to her soreness, but now that she was aware, it was hard to ignore.

Eve frowned as she ran her hand over the still-swollen flesh between her legs. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any serious issues, but it wasn’t something she could show to anyone right now. It would be disastrous if it got worse.

***

Later that afternoon, an unexpected guest arrived at Eve’s mansion.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

Azazel’s excuse was a letter bearing the seal of the House of Seratine. After Gina closed the door and left the drawing room, Azazel set down his teacup and began speaking.

“The mansion seems busy.”

The floor where Eve stayed was relatively quiet, but the first floor, which Azazel had passed through, was bustling with servants preparing for Dane’s arrival. Unfortunately, some of the servants seemed to harbor false hopes.

“It’s just lunch, yet they’re making such a fuss. It seems some of the servants still miss Dane.”

“If you need new staff, feel free to tell me anytime.”

“That’s not a funny joke.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“Forget it. I’ll be leaving soon anyway. I don’t want to deal with the hassle.”

And what would make her trust Azazel enough to let anyone he recommended into her mansion? Before he could continue, Eve quickly changed the subject.