I Became My Son's First Love

Chapter 58

"This is the first Count Hound. He was a reaper on the battlefield, known for his significant contribution to the founding of the empire. 'The Hound of Hell'—a fitting name, don't you think?"

Eve took a closer look at the portrait of the first head of the family.

"I used to think he was a great and admirable figure, but I was wrong."

Dane turned back toward the bookshelf and, without hesitation, pulled out a book. Then, he looked straight at Eve.

"This story isn't just about Azazel. It's deeply connected to our entire family."

Dane hesitated for a moment before asking, "It might be a truth too difficult to handle. Do you still want to know?"

"Yes, I want to know. Besides, you think I should know, don't you?"

Dane's face twisted in guilt. "Yes, I'm sorry, but I believe you need to know the truth, and the dangers lurking around you."

Dane, who had been staring at Eve as if trying to read her thoughts, finally spoke again, "Our Hound family made a pact with 'him' to revive our family's fortunes, and in return, we surrendered our humanity."

Was this the answer she had been waiting for? Even though Eve had somewhat expected it, her heart began to race, possibly due to the gravity in Dane's tone.

"Who is 'he'?"

Dane's lips moved several times as if the answer was too terrifying to say aloud. After a long pause, he finally replied, "We call him a demon."

A demon. It was exactly what Eve had anticipated. She barely held back a smile. This wasn't a situation to laugh about, but why did it feel so amusing? As she suppressed the urge to smile, Dane misunderstood her silence and handed her the book he was holding.

"You may not believe these records, but I do."

Eve flipped open the bookmarked page, displaying the reaction of an ordinary person who might not know what to think.

"Why?"

Dane smiled crookedly as he watched her point to a passage in the book.

"Because I've manifested the symptoms."

It was a passage describing symptoms passed down through the generations in the Hound family. Eve held her breath.

"It happened after I met Azazel. His eyes changed color. When I saw his turquoise eyes, my memory of everything afterward completely disappeared. That's when I started going through these records, and I discovered the truth. I finally found the name of the demon that the first head of the family made a pact with."

Eve already knew the answer. Dane, his face filled with anguish, squeezed his throat before forcing out the name.

"Azazel."

"Azazel, is that correct?"

The same name left both their lips at the same time. Dane, startled, looked at Eve cautiously and asked, "Do you think I've gone mad?"

Most people wouldn't believe such a story. A demon? Who would easily believe that such a creature existed?

"...If there's no other proof."

Dane nodded as if he understood, though he smiled bitterly. He glanced around, searching for something, then turned and walked toward his desk.

"These records could be false, and the name could be a coincidence. After all, only the head of the family knows the name."