I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 29

The library of the Argentine dukedom was large enough to be divided into three departments.

The first one where many books of all kinds were stored was accessible to everyone working inside the mansion, whereas the other departments were private.

As he reached the second department where the Duchess’ books had been stored alongside the ones needed for Jonas’ education, Zachary found his son where he had predicted, but his wife was not around.

“Father!”

Jonas got up from his seat and ran to his father to hug him upon noticing him.

“Are you alone?”

Zachary carried Jonas in his hands and walked to the table where his seat was.

“No. Mother was here with me just a while ago…We even drew together, look.”

“…That’s quite a messy drawing.”

Zachary said as he lowered Jonas back on his seat.

He would’ve tried to slip a compliment if his son’s drawing skills were anywhere near decent but that wasn’t the case.

“Right? I thought so as well but mother said that it was good enough.”

Jonas smiled mischievously.

“She’s quite convincing at lying too.”

Zachary gently pinched his son’s nose as if to reprimand him for calling his mother a liar.

“Jonas”

“…It’s true though”

Jonas mumbled regrettably.

‘He’s gotten more attached to her’

Even though he didn’t say it clearly, Zachary recognized the emotion held in his son’s eyes.

The lack of affection he had was slowly being filled.

After coming back from the war, Zachary believed that the attention he gave his son along with his nanny’s care were sufficient for Jonas to grow up well.

After all, it wasn’t unusual for children of nobility to spend little to no time with their parents as Zachary had, and he grew up just fine.

It was only after witnessing his change of attitude which became more suitable for a 6 years old child, that Zachary came to realize how much his son needed his mother.

“By the way, where did your mother go?”

Zachary asked as he pulled a chair and sat next to his son.

“She said that she will be looking through some books while I finished the assignment Mr. Harold gave me.”

He knew that the level of education his son was receiving was too advanced for his age. However, Jonas never fell back in his classes, and his teachers praised his high intellect. Hence, Zachary thought it best to maintain the current rhythm.

Zachary patted his son’s head proudly as if to encourage him.

“I heard a lot of praise from your teachers, let’s see how true it is.”

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After briefly checking on his work, Zachary left his son behind and headed further inside the library.

Initially, he was surprised to hear the butler’s report on his wife’s recent activity.

Because he worried that she would collapse again due to her unstable mana, Zachary ordered Dylan to keep a close watch on the Duchess.

However, not only did she recover, his wife became even livelier than before.

She spent a great deal of time in the library and the garden and repeatedly approached their son until he became comfortable with her.

Sometimes, she would even meddle in the kitchen asking the chef for dishes he had never heard of, or escort her maid downtown.

It was a welcome change that his wife became more interactive, but she had unstable mana.

More so, Zachary was still wary of the increasing number of Maghulls despite putting his most trusted knight by her side.

Following Dylan’s report, the Duke ordered a copy of all available books at the stores she frequented and had them placed at the second department of their library where she could comfortably read them.

The rest of the library only contained his work documents, books about magic and history of the kingdom, or books in various fields that were of no interest to a young woman.

Thinking so, Zachary became even more interested in what she would be looking for in there.

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History, theology, philosophy, economics, and even art…

Books of all fields of interest were found in the Argentine library.

Erna walked through the bookcases in a pleasant mood.

After coming back to her body, this place became sacred for Erna, who found pleasure in books.

Not only for her amusement but to potentially resume her job as a teacher.

If she could adjust her knowledge to Rasmodia’s standards, Erna believed that she had a high chance of being accepted into Ludemia academy.

However, today, Erna discovered even greater pleasure.

Magic.

Even if she couldn’t find any clues about the reason she switched souls, Erna felt happy simply by reading about magic.

“It seems you have broadened your field of interest while I was away.”

Erna jumped in surprise at the breath that tickled her ear.