I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 32

While his hand hugged her waist, Zachary looked through the rest of her novels.

“To the future you.”

“The light in your eyes.”

Because mature-themed books would usually be stamped with a red sign, Zachary already knew what she read was mere childish fantasy.

Yet one by one, he recited the titles in a questioning tone.

A smile lingering on his lips.

It was too bad that he couldn’t see the expression she had as he teased her, but the feeling of her face buried in his chest was strangely pleasant.

“A Lady’s Diaries.”

As Zachary continued reading, a small fist landed on his chest.

“You must’ve been really lonely.”

“Ya!”

Finally, Erna let out a frustrated shout as she raised her head.

The black eyes looking down at her were curved in a smile, anticipating her actions.

‘What is wrong with you?’

She complained silently.

It was difficult enough to keep him from hearing her heartbeat as he hugged her closely.

Listening to those cheesy titles coming out of his mouth only made it louder.

“What’s wrong with wanting to know my wife’s preferences?”

Unconcerned by the frown on her forehead, he asked, wearing an amused expression.

“The fact that you’re 7 years late for that.”

✰✰✰✰✰

As the words unwittingly escaped her mouth, Erna felt slightly bitter about it.

Zachary did indeed deserve a scolding, but the truth was, she didn’t mean her words.

Without even realizing it, Erna started feeling more comfortable that Zachary was never close to Charlotte.

Discreetly, she even liked that he never attempted to get to know her before.

When she admitted that vague feeling which couldn’t be defined, Erna felt slightly disappointed in herself.

Staring into his black eyes, she silently reminded herself of her reality.

The duke of Argentine was by no means an affectionate husband, and the fact that he was acting friendly with her now might as well be a passing whim.

More importantly, Erna Argentine was a character who was destined to die young, while the duke was to marry someone else.

With a bitter feeling, Erna decided to erase all futile thoughts that might have creeped in without her permission.

‘Let’s not be swayed by momentary kindness.’

Regaining her composure, Erna breathed with a lighter heart.

But…

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

His face no longer smiling, Zachary stared blankly into her eyes.

“Am I wrong?”

Ignoring her questioning gaze, he then dropped the book on the table with a sigh.

Perhaps he didn’t even think it was worth answering.

As he did, his eyes passed by an unusual title.

‘In contrast to ignorance.’

✰✰✰✰✰

“Is that a novel as well?”

His voice sounded slightly curious as he asked.

‘You’re not even going to make an excuse…?’

Erna turned her head where pointed.

“ …No.”

With his arm relaxing its grip, she took the chance to wriggle out from his embrace.

The warmth of his hand could still be felt where he held her.

“It’s nothing important.”

Despite her answer, Zachary picked up the book curiously.

“Wouldn’t this be too boring compared to all the action you’re reading?”

Sarcastically, he said as he flipped through its pages.

While organizing the books he had scattered, Erna blurted out without much thought of his sarcasm.

“It’s a good base to learn from. I want to be a teacher.”

For a moment, even she felt surprised at her blunt statement.

She wasn’t yet sure of her decision and only thought of it as a way to spend her time meaningfully.

Perhaps then, she wouldn’t feel like she had lived 8 years in vain.

As for her living expenses after divorce, Erna had received a small piece of land on her coming-of-age birthday from her parents.

Although the land wasn’t fertile, it was large enough to be sold for an amount that would allow her to live well for the rest of her life.

It wasn’t as though she would be living on the streets if she decided to leave her parents’ house.

Thus, Erna didn’t need a job.

Regrettably however, that wasn’t the problem in her statement.

In the world she lived in, no matter how honorable or respected a job was, it would still be considered vulgar for a noblewoman of high status such as herself to practice it.

‘Although the world of the novel was much more liberal in that regard, it could be because it was set in the distant future…’