I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 48 Part 2

“If I may ask. Why now?”

Erna brushed her thoughts aside at Dylan’s vague question.

“What do you mean?”

“Taking responsibilities of your duty as the Duchess and overseeing the household’s internal matters. Why did you suddenly decide to do it now, after all these years?”

“Well…”

‘I thought that I would need to know the basics of managing a land for the future but truthfully I…’

“Since the Duke already has his hands full, I thought I could be of some help by at least managing the estate while he’s busy attending to the more important matters.”

“To hasten the departure for the capital?”

“..Yes.”

Erna answered with a slight hesitation as she felt a discreet intent of irony in Dylan’s question.

‘It’s just as the Duke had said.’ Dylan thought to himself.

‘She’s not interested in taking over her duty for good, she just wants to do this because their departure was delayed. I’m surprised he knows her so well even though she knows so little about him.’

“Is there a reason the madam is in a hurry to get to the capital?”

Dylan asked again, with his hand resting on his chin.

“…”

As she stood across him, Erna gave no answer and blankly stared at Dylan’s face, attempting to read his intentions.

Dylan was the longtime butler for the Argentine household in their estate in the north, he was a middle aged man who carried himself with pride, and was never one to talk needlessly.

Although he kept it discreet, Erna had already sensed through several occasions that he wasn’t quite fond of her.

Nonetheless, she had no reason to complain as he always carried out her orders obediently and never implied any disrespectful behaviour towards her.

‘Why is he suddenly curious about me leaving for the capital?’

“Ahem. I must have gotten ahead of myself. I apologize for intruding into your personal matters.”

Dylan then bowed his head slightly.

“That’s alright. I’m just not used to you being so talkative.”

‘I suppose there’s no bad intent in his question anyway.’

“If you must know, I don’t have any special reason really, it’s just that… I really miss my family.”

‘My family, she said.’

When he perceived her words to be holding some loneliness in them, Dylan decided not to pry any further.

“I see. Well, I think we’re done for today. I will come back to check on your work after I am done with mine.”

“Alright. I am confident that I’ll do a better job this time.”

“That’s very assuring.”

As he turned the door handle over, opening the door, Dylan turned back and called out Erna again.

“… And, madam.”

“Yes?”

Erna immediately answered as she still had her eyes on him.

“I would never presume about knowing how the master feels but … I do know that he considers you and the young master to be his family.”

“…”

“I hope you will one day feel the same way. Have a good day.”