I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 45 Part 1

When he came out of class, Jonas was pleased to find his mother waiting for him by the door.

Before he could greet her however, his teacher interrupted first.

“D-Duchess?”

Startled by the unexpected visitor, Baron Fred unwillingly called out.

When Erna approached the two of them, Baron Fred collected himself and greeted her, wondering if something was wrong.

“My greetings, your grace, Duchess of Argentine.”

‘Why would she come all the way out here?’

As she greeted back with a nod, the baron silently noted her beauty.

Since the building where Jonas’s classes were being held was outside the main mansion, Baron Fred had only seen her a few times from a distance.

But facing her up close made a completely different impression on him.

Even as she stood calmly still, she exceeded a noble air of elegance.

But more than that, the Duchess of Argentine was dazzlingly beautiful.

As she blocked the sunlight with her back, a shadow was cast over her purple eyes, making them stand out even more.

Her skin was as white as the winter snow and her hair, skillfully tied up in braids, appeared to be as soft as silk.

The baron traced the few hair strands sliding loosely along her neck line.

Around her delicate slim neck, The Duchess wore a necklace of pearls that blended beautifully with her skin.

Unconsciously, The Baron thought that the Duke was quite the lucky man.

Maintaining a cool composure, Erna gave him a cold stare as she slightly knitted her eyebrows.

The Baron who became conscious of his wandering eyes, was momentarily amazed by her cold yet calm purple eyes.

He corrected his behaviour and politely asked for the reason she came over.

“Ahem! Is there something you would like to inquire about, your grace?”

“There’s nothing of that sort, Baron.”

Though she politely addressed him, Erna’s tone induced arrogance.

“I only came to escort my son. You may be excused.”

Feeling the discomfort in her tone, the Baron lowered his head in a greeting and quietly left.

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Unlike her earlier cold demeanor, a smile soon blossomed on her face as Erna was left alone with Jonas.

“Moth-eung!”

Before Jonas could greet her, his mother had already taken his cheeks in her hands, and lovingly showered him with kisses.

One on his forehead, another one on his eye, nose, and lots on his cheeks.

Embarrassed by her actions, Jonas brought his hand over hers in an attempt to release his cheeks from her grip.

But he couldn’t do so.

Her hands were so warm.

Her expression as well.

It made him feel like he was the most important person in her life.

Jonas knew he wasn’t.

Perhaps it was because of all the whispers he heard about how the Duchess was only using him.

Or maybe it was a belief the child made up on his own, after how she treated him in the past 6 years.

Nonetheless, Jonas didn’t want to lose that affection.

Even if he was a mere means for the Duchess to keep her title.

Or a passing whim she would soon become tired of.

Jonas loved her lie.

Because his mother lied so beautifully that he wanted to believe her.

As long as she stayed with him, he was willing to forgive her for her previous mistakes.

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When his face had turned completely red, Erna smiled with satisfaction and released his cheeks after giving him a slight pinch.

“What brings mother here?”

While rubbing his now peach colored cheeks, Jonas spoke with a grumpy expression.

“Did you truly come here just to escort me? I’m not a child, you know.”

Despite saying so, Jonas was actually very happy to see her.

But her answer was not something he would have expected.

“I missed you.”

The purple iris shook at her words.

“Come on now. Lunch is already being served as we stand here and I’m really hungry.”

Wearing a warm smile, Erna reached her hand towards her son, gesturing for him to hold it.

Wearing a familiar blank expression that didn’t suit his age, Jonas looked alternately between his mother’s face and her extended hand.

He thought that he might have misheard her.

‘I miss you.’

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that if he hadn’t come across those words in books, Jonas wouldn’t have known what it meant.

Though his father was indeed a loving parent, he was not one to verbally pronounce it.

And his nanny on the other hand only encouraged to grow strong and calm like his father.

As for his mother.

Well, Jonas never came close to wishing something similar from her.

Yet now, she was the one who had said such heavy words so casually, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

Some lies were too cruel to be forgiven.