I Became My Son's First Love - Chapter 44

“Not bad. I’ll give it a try.”

Azazel’s eyes were filled with nothing but affection for Eve as he spoke.

“…Are you really going to do it?”

Despite her hesitant question, Azazel didn’t retract his words.

“It’ll be a nice way to think of you. I like the idea.”

“People will criticize you if they see it.”

“Like you said, having a high status is helpful in times like this.”

So, he really was going to do it. Eve muttered in disbelief, “You’ve lost your mind.”

Azazel just laughed, and Eve, feeling exasperated, grabbed his hand as if to protect his nails from his absurd plan.

“I’ll think of something else, but not that.”

Honestly, she didn’t care much about being criticized by others. What worried her was Aeshath noticing Azazel’s reddened nails and asking questions.

Despite her objections, Azazel smiled serenely. “I’ll find the flowers first. My mother might have some.”

Eve wanted to end the conversation. If it went on any longer, she was sure Azazel would show up with red-stained nails.

“You should leave now. If you stay too long, the servants will start to get suspicious.”

Azazel looked disappointed but didn’t resist Eve’s suggestion.

“You’re terrible at lying, but that’s kind of cute. Alright.”

As Azazel stood up, he bent down again.

“At least allow me this.”

“What? Mmph—”

Azazel grabbed Eve’s cheeks and kissed her. His tongue slid into her parted lips, wrapping around hers with a practiced ease. It was only after a long while that he pulled away with a soft smacking sound.

Eve frowned. “Now I have to fix my makeup.”

It wasn’t just Eve’s lipstick that had smeared. His handsome face was also smudged with her lipstick.

At her remark, Azazel leaned in again. “Care to wipe it off? Here’s a handkerchief.”

He tapped his chest, where the handkerchief was, looking annoyingly cute. Eve pulled out the handkerchief and wiped his lips, not forgetting to scold him.

“You’re always causing trouble.”

Undeterred by her scolding, he tucked the handkerchief away carefully in his inner pocket before leaving the drawing room with a polite goodbye. Eve, exhausted, sat back down, and soon after, Gina knocked and entered the room.

“My lady?”

Eve stared at the spot where Azazel had been sitting and sighed.

“I thought I was a composed person.”

“Pardon?”

She found herself thinking that his unruly behavior was adorable—she had to admit she had been taken in by his looks. Instead of explaining, Eve left the room without responding to Gina’s curious look.

***

As Eve strolled through the garden, which had been given extra care today, she spotted a carriage approaching the gate and straightened up. Dane stepped out of the carriage and walked toward her, embracing her casually.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

Though unexpected, it wasn’t the first time, so Eve lightly returned his embrace before leading him into the dining room.

“The servants have worked hard preparing this.”

“And you?”

Accustomed to his playful teasing, Eve casually flipped her hair back over her shoulder.

“Aside from making sure I looked pretty, there wasn’t much for me to do.”

Her cheeky reply made Dane burst into laughter. Embarrassed, Eve looked away. Fortunately, the appetizers were served quickly.

“Doesn’t it taste familiar?”

Since the mansion and the staff had once belonged to the Hound family, it was only natural. At her question, Dane smiled faintly.

“Yes, it’s quite good.”

His face, which had looked so tired before, seemed to have improved, thanks to the rescheduled lunch.

“You seem well-rested?”

“Yes, there’s nothing like being at home.”

“You’ll have to take care of your health now. You don’t recover as quickly as when you were younger.”

Dane deliberately made a sulky face at her thoughtless remark.

“I’m still in my prime.”

Eve stifled a laugh. Dane sighed lightly, then smiled as he joined in the laughter.

“You’re a bit cheeky today, aren’t you?”

Eve pretended not to hear and called for a servant. Once the food had been served and the servants had left, Eve broached the subject.

“How many times are left?”

“My, how cold of you, bringing this up as soon as we’re alone.”

“I’ll pretend the last time didn’t happen.”

Dane seemed surprised. “You were planning to meet me again?”

“You were only trying to help me, after all.”

Eve sipped her water as if it were the most natural thing in the world and studied Dane’s face. Just as Azazel had said, Dane might have noticed Azazel’s feelings, but it seemed he didn’t know anything beyond that. For now, it was safest to act as usual while keeping the agreement intact.

After a brief pause, Dane replied, “Could we postpone until next week? Let’s meet next Monday.”

“Alright.”

“If anything comes up, contact me, like you did this time.”

Eve put down her fork and looked at him. While she had benefited from the situation, Dane had undoubtedly attracted the Emperor’s attention.

“Aren’t you in trouble because of this?”

“He’s always had his eye on me, so you don’t need to worry. Did you clear your schedule this week because of me? If so, I apologize…”

“Don’t worry. I’m meeting with Aeshath tomorrow about the exhibition.”

“…Well, showing that you’re close with Aeshath is a good move.”

Despite his words, Dane’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Since you have the Emperor’s attention,” he added.

The fact that the Emperor knew about her made Eve smile awkwardly. “The Emperor’s attention… That sounds scary.”

“Is there anything you’re scared of?”

“Of course.”

Eve recalled the one time she had seen the Emperor as the Countess of Hound. Even at over eighty, his imposing presence was worthy of his title as the Lion of the Continent. The term “elderly” didn’t suit him; he was more of a seasoned veteran, still vigorous and commanding.

“Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for you.”

Dane’s tense expression softened at Eve’s sincere words. He smiled wryly. “It was just youthful arrogance. He has every reason to dislike me.”

As far as Eve knew, his falling out with the Emperor had been due to his conflict with Aeshath.

“When I was young, I wasn’t afraid of anything. I didn’t realize how wrong I was… With people constantly praising me, I thought I was the best.”

Hearing him speak like that, with a face so similar to Azazel’s, made Eve feel strange. Pushing that aside, she asked, “Do you regret the past?”

“I’ve reached an age where I have to take responsibility for my actions. And since I hurt others, it’s only right that I bear the consequences.”

It was a surprisingly mature answer. But before Eve could be impressed, Dane abruptly asked a question without any warning.

“Azazel visited you yesterday, didn’t he?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

Thankfully, she had imagined this scenario in advance and was able to answer calmly.

Dane, speaking as if it were no big deal, replied, “Someone like him is always under watch.”

“He delivered a letter from Aeshath and mentioned the newspapers.”

Dane’s expression remained as calm as ever, and if it weren’t for Azazel’s hint, Eve wouldn’t have suspected that he had noticed anything. Despite his carefree behavior, Dane was very much a nobleman, raised in a prestigious family.

“You seem closer to Azazel since the divorce.”

Though his words carried weight, Eve didn’t feel the need to acknowledge it.

“Yes, we seem to meet more often.”

“Perhaps it’s because you’re around the same age? Azazel seems quite comfortable with you.”

“Does he?”

“You’re family, so it makes sense.”

“Dane, is there something you want to say?”

Dane hesitated for a moment, then took a sip of water before finally speaking. “If someone else were to approach you now, what would you do?”

“In what way?”

“In the same way I did.”

“It depends on who it is.”

“Depends on who?”

“If they’re good-looking, their status isn’t an issue, and they don’t care about my past, I wouldn’t necessarily turn them down. But why are you asking?” Eve narrowed her eyes on purpose.

“It just seems like a lot of people are interested in you.”

Eve scoffed. “Well, I do get letters.”

“…What?”

Eve responded sarcastically, “Do you think all the letters I receive are just friendly inquiries? Objectively speaking, I’m in my prime. I’m pretty, young, and of low status—a divorced woman. There are plenty of men who’d like to have some fun. Isn’t that what you’re asking?”

Dane’s face darkened as he gasped. “No, that’s not what I meant. I overstepped.”

When Eve said nothing in response, he apologized again.

“I’m really sorry.”

“…Let’s just enjoy dessert.”

This would be enough to stop Dane from probing for a while. Eve pressed her lips together to hide her smile as she rang the bell, calling the servants back into the dining room.