I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 5

“Well in that case, would you like to play with me?”

Jonas furrowed his eyebrows, innocently.

‘Ugh! So adorable!’

I thought it would be best to not get too close since I’ll be getting a divorce, but I couldn’t do that.

No matter the outcome, he’s my son and I’ll do my best to be a mother that he can rely on.

“Play with mother?”

He asked, with a surprised look on his face.

He thought that she might suggest reading a book together.

Lately, his mother would often read him books, but she never played with him.

“Yes. I heard that you usually play with your father, but since he’s been busy these days, I’d like to be your playmate instead.”

I couldn’t believe my ears when Mielle told me that the duke would personally make time to play with his son.

Apparently, his wife was the only one he couldn’t make time for.

“You want to play a puzzle?”

Taken back by his question, Erna frowned her eyebrows.

A puzzle?

Was that even considered to be playing?

My expectations of Zachary were too high.

“Yes! Father always solves puzzles with me when he’s free. Sometimes, we play chess.”

Said Jonas in an excited tone.

“Oh~ that sounds interesting, I’m sure madam would enjoy such games with the young master.”

Mielle, who was walking behind Erna, stepped forward and winked at her.

She always supported the idea of the duchess getting closer to her son. It was mostly because she didn’t get along with his nanny, Ms.Dale, but also because she felt sorry for the young master who lacked his mother’s affection.

“Of course, if it’s with Jonas then I would love to.”

Erna fixed her expression, following Mielle’s lead, and pretended to be interested.

‘I was hoping for more of a fun game but this will have to do since he looks happy, though I don’t know how to play chess… Let’s just do a puzzle.’

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As they settled in Jonas’ room, Erna asked Mielle to bring them refreshments, while another maid spread a fur carpet on the already clean floor, for them to sit on.

Without waiting for his mother to settle on the carpet, Jonas began taking the pieces and scattering them in the center.

He had such an adorable expression that Erna felt proud of herself for taking the initiative to play with him.

‘I should’ve done this sooner.’

“Well you know Jonas, mother has never played this before so you’ll have to teach me how to. Are there any rules we need to follow?”

“No.”

Jonas shook his head at her question.

“All you have to do is try and place these pieces in their right place to form the correct words-”

Said Jonas while taking one of the scattered pieces and motioning for his mother to follow along.

“-Then all the words combined make a biig picture.”

The child then spread his hands wide to indicate how big the image would be.

‘So cute!’

Unable to fight the urge, Erna pinched his cheek.

‘I’m glad he’s starting to let his guard down in my presence. It’s much more comfortable to see him act like a child.’

She then stroked his head with a smile, as if to make up for it.

‘Perhaps I should give him a reward.’

“I see. Then how about we make it a little more exciting?”

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“Exci….”

Seeing Jonas tilt his head at her question, Erna felt a tickle in her heart.

Truthfully, she was never attached to children, besides her younger brothers.

Sure, it was cute to see them giggle or attempt to say incomplete words as young infants but that was all.

Towards her own kid however, Erna felt the need to protect his smile.

At first, she was in too much confusion to simply accept the fact that she had become a mother.

There was no motherly instinct, only fear of the situation.

But slowly, she grew attached to him.

At times, she even had a sense of déja-vu which she couldn’t make out to be of her memories.

‘I want to do whatever little things I can to give him a happy childhood and a better future.’

While having innocent motherly thoughts, another person came to her mind.

A person she needed to avoid tonight.

Erna sighed, helplessly.

‘There’s that too.’

Suddenly, her expression lit up.