I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 43

“By the way, you handled things quite neatly.”

“That’s because the Emperor stepped in.”

It seemed Aeshath wasn’t the only one involved.

“Thanks to that, I’ll be able to spend the remaining days before leaving the capital in peace.”

“You have about 20 days left, right?”

Eve nodded lightly and, after a moment of hesitation, asked the question she had been wanting to ask ever since she saw him.

“Aeshath didn’t catch on, did she?”

“Hard to say. We tend to respect each other’s privacy.”

In other words, he didn’t know.

Azazel asked in a soft voice, “Don’t you want to be caught?”

Why is he stating the obvious? The answer to that was crystal clear.

“Why are you asking something so obvious? Do you not know what a secret affair is?”

“Got it. I’ll have to try harder, then.”

“At what?”

Azazel casually changed the subject.

“I’ll come by tomorrow evening as well. Unofficially, of course.”

How childish. Eve let out a faint laugh, but Azazel was as shameless as ever.

“So, send me off quickly.”

His brazen attitude should have been annoying, but for some reason, it seemed endearing.

Eve opened Aeshath’s letter to hide her expression. The letter suggested she visit the villa to discuss preparations for the exhibition. It was a little surprising, considering she had only recently returned from the villa and was being invited again.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you can decline.”

“Hmm?”

“You can decline her, just like you did with me. She won’t make a fuss about it.”

“No, I think I’ll check on how Rose is doing anyway.”

More than that, Eve didn’t mind seeing Aeshath. If it weren’t for her relationship with Azazel, she would have been even more eager to accept the invitation. Eve put the letter away.

“I hope the exhibition gets a good reception.”

“It will. Everyone will be eager to make a good impression. But shouldn’t you pay more attention to the person right in front of you?”

“To you?”

“Yes, aren’t you curious about me?”

It was unexpected. Eve frowned slightly and asked, “Are we in a position to ask personal questions?”

“I don’t know. This is a first for me too. So, aren’t you curious?”

She was about to shake her head, not wanting to give him an opening, but Azazel spoke first.

“Since you might not know what to ask first, I’ll start. My hobby is swordsmanship.”

“Swordsmanship?” Eve tilted her head, imagining his ivory skin and sweaty knights.

“My swordsmanship skills tend to be overshadowed by my looks.”

“Didn’t know you could joke.”

“Yes.”

Azazel’s confident expression reminded her of Dane. Eve chuckled.

“You look like you don’t believe me.”

Eve remembered the well-sculpted muscles that had revealed themselves during their intimate moments.

“Well, your body is different from your face.”

Though, to be fair, his body was as beautiful as his face, so it wasn’t entirely different. Eve quickly pushed the memory of that night out of her mind.

“But you’re not very well known. If you’re really good, word usually gets around.”

“No need to tell others.”

“Still, don’t men usually talk about these things in their circles? It comes up sooner or later.”

If they talked enough, personal hobbies were bound to come up eventually.

“And people always seem to flock around you.”

Azazel calmly replied to Eve’s puzzled look, “Do I need to discuss such things with them?”

Most high-ranking nobles at least exchanged formalities with each other. It was a matter of courtesy. But to say there was no need? He really lived life on his own terms.

“Must be nice to have such high status.”

“It’s not all-powerful. There’s still the imperial family. But the one you should really avoid if you don’t want trouble is Count Hound.”

The Emperor’s grandson was in no position to talk like that. Eve scoffed and decided to ask something more pressing.

“Come to think of it, when did you start liking me?”

Her stepson may not have known his place, lusting after his stepmother, but at the same time, he was the heir to the Seratine Dukedom, one of the most privileged men in the empire. Why was he so obsessed with her?

“When we first met, you didn’t seem interested in me at all. You only showed interest after you learned my name.”

“Let’s just say it was love at first sight.”

That wasn’t an answer.

“Do you like the name Eve? You seemed to react differently after hearing my name.”

“Did it seem that way?”

The moment she brought it up, the memory of that day came rushing back. Looking back now, Azazel hadn’t been particularly close to his father, so it wasn’t surprising that his father’s fourth marriage didn’t shock him. But he had been visibly shaken.

“Wasn’t it because you were angry at Dane when you suddenly stormed out?”

Azazel had started acting differently after hearing her name. It was as if he had realized who she was…

“I’ll tell you the full story later.”

Eve asked with an annoyed look, “When?”

“When you open your heart to me more.”

“Then I guess I’ll never know.”

She didn’t care enough to push for answers, so Eve changed the subject without hesitation.

“What’s that? My gift?” She pointed to the small frame lying beside the letter.

Azazel, pouting slightly, answered dutifully, “It’s your portrait.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m asking. Why do you have it?”

The portrait was of a 19-year-old Eve, painted by her parents to introduce her to potential suitors. How had it ended up in his hands?

“I had set it aside, but I figured it’d be safest in your hands now.”

“What do you mean?”

Azazel set down his teacup and replied with ease, “The Count had taken it.”

“What?”

Eve’s face turned pale.

“He took it, but I retrieved it. So, even if he doesn’t know about us, he’ll know I’m interested in you. It’s going to get more complicated from here.”

This wasn’t something that could be brushed off so lightly. Now that the Count knew Azazel had feelings for Eve, it wouldn’t take long for him to figure out the rest. As if reading her thoughts, Azazel shook his head.

“He hasn’t figured out our relationship yet, so don’t worry.”

Her head throbbed. This wasn’t the time to ask why he thought that.

“How did it come to this…?”

“I didn’t expect that man to sneak into his own son’s office like a thief. He must have been furious.”

“Furious?”

Azazel had said the Count didn’t know about their affair…

“Oh, he only just realized that I’m the one who’s been sending women to him for the past three years.”

Eve’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

Azazel grinned slyly. “I told you, didn’t I? I’ve been trying to protect you.”

Eve stared at him blankly and muttered, “That was really you?”

“Yes.”

Azazel nodded proudly. It was such a ridiculous story that she didn’t even feel angry. Instead, worry began to creep in. He was even crazier than she had imagined.

Eve asked hesitantly, “How did you know when we’d share a bed?”

Azazel’s smile turned sharp. “The Count treated you like a Countess, and when the lord and lady share a room, the servants naturally become busy.”

“Why go to such lengths?”

Azazel smiled as he replied, “I think I’ve said something similar before, but I’ll tell you when you come to like me more.”

Eve snorted and pushed his hand away, but Azazel didn’t seem to mind.

“I can’t just throw away your portrait, so please keep it.”

She didn’t want to risk anyone else finding it in Azazel’s possession. As she took the portrait, Azazel lamented.

“It feels like I’ve lost one of my treasures because of my rat-like father.”

Eve didn’t bother to respond, and Azazel drooped his eyes, putting on a sorrowful expression.

“Won’t you comfort a son cursed with a wretched father? Leave your mark on me.”

His blue eyes, glistening like jewels, were beautiful, but she wasn’t about to fall for his obvious ploy. Eve nonchalantly grabbed Azazel’s right hand.

“Want me to stain your nails? Right here?”

Azazel blinked in surprise, then looked down at his fingers. “What’s that?”

As a man, it wasn’t surprising that he didn’t know. Eve pulled his well-shaped fingers closer to her.

“Our estate was poor, so the girls didn’t have much to decorate with. When we were young, we’d crush flowers and leaves, tie them to our nails before bed, and by morning, the color would have seeped into our nails.”

His nails, like their owner, were neat and pretty.

“It was similar to the color of my hair, so I liked it. What do you think? Wouldn’t it remind you of me?”

Of course, he wouldn’t like it. It was something little girls did to pass the time, so she figured he’d refuse. But, once again, Azazel defied her expectations.