The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 208: Fractured Family

Isadora observed the woman closely, noting the familiar features that tugged at the edges of her memory. The woman’s hesitation and downcast eyes only added to the enigma. As she glanced around and assured herself that there weren’t many people around, the woman approached Isadora with a guarded demeanor. Out of respect, Isadora stood up.

"What are you doing here?" the woman asked, her tone tinged with hostility. "Are you with him? Did he bring you here?"

"Are you asking about Bernard?" Isadora replied. She had noticed during her previous outings with Bernard that many of the stall owners knew him, so she assumed the woman was referring to him.

At the mention of Bernard’s name, the woman’s face stiffened, and the hunch on her shoulders became more pronounced. She looked at Isadora with a mixture of concern and resignation.

"You’re a pretty girl... Why are you with him?" she asked, her voice quivering. With shaking hands, she reached out and cupped Isadora’s cheeks. The scent of spices from her hands filled Isadora’s senses.

Wait... Is she, his mother?

Isadora recalled Bernard mentioning that his mother ran a spice stall in the marketplace. This woman could indeed be his mother.

"Are you Bernard’s mother?" Isadora asked, hoping to confirm her suspicion. Her heart pounded with the suddenness of the encounter. The concerned eyes looking back at her bore a striking resemblance to Bernard’s. If her doubts were correct, she was standing before her future mother-in-law.

Isadora’s mind raced. She needed to make a good first impression, but she had no gift with her. She reminded herself to inquire about Bernard’s sister and make polite conversation. However, the woman’s next words doused her enthusiasm like a bucket of cold water.

"Run away from him. He’s no good. Get yourself another man suitable for you," the woman spoke urgently, her voice a rapid staccato.

Isadora squinted her eyes and involuntarily took a step back. She hadn’t expected this reaction from his mother. She wondered if the woman disapproved of her because she was an orphan. Her heart sank as she tried to process the unexpected turn of events.

"Why do you say that?" Isadora asked softly, her voice tinged with confusion and hurt. "He has been nothing but kind to me."

The woman’s eyes softened momentarily, but the fear and determination in her gaze remained. "You don’t understand. He has a dark side, things you don’t know about. He will bring you nothing but heartache."

Isadora felt a wave of defensiveness rise within her. "I know Bernard. He’s a good man. Whatever you think you know about him, I’ve seen the man he truly is."

The woman shook her head, her expression one of deep sorrow. "You’re blinded by love, my dear. But mark my words, you’ll regret it if you stay with him. Leave him if you want to..." She stopped abruptly, her eyes focused on something in the distance. Isadora followed her gaze and saw Bernard walking toward them.

"Run!" the woman grabbed Isadora’s hand, her grip firm and desperate. "He’s coming!" She tried to pull her away.

Isadora was confused but stood her ground. Why would she run away from Bernard? The woman tugged a couple of times, but then, with a look of defeat, let go of her hand and rushed away.

As Isadora watched the woman retreat, she noticed a pretty girl with piercing blue eyes standing in the distance, staring at them. The girl’s gaze was intense, yet she smiled at Isadora, who instinctively smiled back.

"Mother!" Bernard’s voice cut through the air, laced with urgency.

He had spotted the woman and quickened his pace, attempting to catch up to her. The young girl’s face lit up with a smile at the sight of Bernard. She tried to wave at him, her excitement evident.

"Mother, let me give this snack to Beatrice!" Bernard called out.

The girl’s eyes widened with anticipation. It was clear she was eager not just for the snacks, but to talk to her brother as well.

The woman glanced back at Bernard, her face turning pale with fear. She grabbed the girl’s arm forcefully and merged into the crowd, dragging her away.

Isadora stood frozen, the events unfolding rapidly around her. Bernard’s back looked lonely as he stared at the mother-daughter pair cutting through the crowd.

She walked to him and gently patted his back. "Isadora," Bernard turned to look at her.

Isadora could only catch a glimpse of the immense pain apparent on his face as he smiled at her. That pain was immediately replaced with concern.

"Isadora, are you fine? Did she say anything to you?" he asked, worry etched across his features.

"No, I am fine... I am fine, Bernard," she reassured, taking a step closer. "What about you?"

It seemed he was the one in need of comfort.

"Is she your mother? That girl... Beatrice. Is she your sister? She’s so pretty," Isadora said.

Bernard’s face lit up at the mention of his sister. "She is, isn’t she? She’s thirteen now."

Isadora smiled, glancing in the direction where the two had disappeared. Suddenly, she noticed a commotion in the crowd. Beatrice was pushing through, running toward them.

Panting heavily, Beatrice stopped before Isadora and Bernard. She smiled shyly at her brother, and Isadora noticed Bernard’s eyes welling up with tears. Beatrice then turned her gaze to Isadora. "Are you going to marry my brother?" she asked bluntly.

Isadora’s face flushed, but she answered confidently, "Yes." She wanted to proclaim it everywhere that she was marrying the kindest man she knew.

Beatrice clapped her hands and jumped with joy. "I’ll attend your wedding! I want to wear a beautiful dress and matching ribbons," she said excitedly.

Isadora smiled and bowed her head, while Bernard watched her, happiness evident in his eyes.

Isadora took the snacks from Bernard’s hands and handed them to Beatrice. She noticed Bernard’s mother standing in the distance, glaring at them.

"Have these. Share them with your mother," Isadora said gently.

"All this for me?" Beatrice’s eyes widened with happiness.

Isadora nodded.

"I’ll meet you often. I like you! You’re very pretty!" Beatrice shouted, then ran back to her mother with a skip in her steps.

Bernard’s mother’s face remained stiff, devoid of any warmth. As soon as Beatrice reached her, she plucked the bag of snacks from her hands and threw them on the ground.

Isadora instinctively took a step forward, but Bernard held her hand, stopping her. She looked at him, her eyes clouded with emotion, seeing the pain in his own.

"Bernard..." Isadora’s voice hitched seeing the snacks Berard bought out of love, on the ground, trampled by others. She couldn’t bear it.

"Let them go, Isadora," he whispered, his voice thick with sorrow. "There’s nothing you can do to change her mind."

Isadora gulped holding back her tears not wanting to hurt Bernard. "Does she not like me, Bernard?" she asked.

She wanted Bernard’s family to like her.