The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 223: Her Blatant Lie

"It’s the Grand Duke. I’ve seen him transform into a white wolf..." Jessamyn’s voice trembled as she bowed, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her cloak.

The lie had taken all her courage, and now the weight of her words hung heavily in the luminous air of the council chamber.

Her master’s gaze bore into her, intense and searching. Jessamyn maintained her composure to make them believe she was not lying.

The atmosphere shifted subtly, the air crackling with an almost palpable energy. Jessamyn could feel the presence of the elders intensify, as if they were communicating silently with her master, their collective thoughts swirling around him like a storm.

For a long, breathless moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Jessamyn’s heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts racing.

She wondered if she had said too much, too soon, causing them to doubt her words. The silence stretched, and she felt the weight of their scrutiny as if they were delving into her very soul.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation lifted. The elders, with their enigmatic presence, began to fade. Their forms shimmered and then dissipated like mist under the morning sun.

Jessamyn blinked and instantly found herself back in the familiar shadows of the forest.

The transition was so abrupt that it left her momentarily disoriented. She looked around, the dense trees and the cool night air grounding her once more in reality.

The grand council chamber, with its pulsating light and mystical symbols, was now just a memory, albeit a vivid and haunting one.

Jessamyn stood still, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she tried to process what had just happened.

Is it over?

Her fingers brushed against the bark of a nearby tree, its rough texture a comforting reminder of the tangible world. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The forest was alive with its nocturnal symphony, the sounds of night creatures rustling in the underbrush, and the distant hoot of an owl.

When she opened her eyes, she was startled by the dark figure standing in front of her. "Master," she bowed as he got closer, her voice steadying her racing heart. "Is there something you want to say to me?"

"You were troubled when you mentioned the Grand Duke," her master said, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her shiver.

Jessamyn bowed her head, her heart pounding louder in the silence. "I do not have anyone I can share this with..." she chuckled awkwardly, the sound fragile in the night air. "I’ll be blamed for what I feel."

Her master stepped closer, his presence both comforting and imposing. "Feelings are not easily controlled, Jessamyn," he said softly. "You are not alone in this."

"How did you..." Jessamyn looked at him with her eyes wide but then bowed her head again, unable to meet his gaze. "I’m married to one and have these... abhorrent thoughts about another. I deserve anything thrown at me..."

Her master’s expression softened, his stern demeanor giving way to something more compassionate. "The heart often knows truths that the mind struggles to accept. What you feel for the Grand Duke is neither a weakness nor a betrayal of your husband. It is simply human."

"I have to continue this life..." Jessamyn said with a sigh, the weight of her words pressing down on her.

He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "You are stronger than you realize, Jessamyn. Hold on."

"I will try," she said, her voice firmer, a flicker of determination lighting her eyes.

"There is one last favor we need to ask of you," her master gently placed his hand on her shoulder, his touch both grounding and commanding.

Jessamyn nodded. "Anything! After you give me what I desired all my life, I will do anything," she said with firm resolve.

"During the games, a special one will reappear. Accept her into your fold, will you? You’re blessed with a great position and she’ll need your support."

"Who is it?" Jessamyn asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"You’ll know," her master said enigmatically. "And I trust you, Jessamyn."

He smiled a rare and comforting sight, before disappearing into the night. Jessamyn stared in the direction he had gone, her heart pounding over the web of deceit she was weaving. She felt a tumult of emotions swirling within her—duty, guilt, and a burgeoning resolve.

As she stood there, the cold night air nipping at her skin, Jessamyn knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges. She steeled herself for what was to come.

Her hands were shaking, and fisting them tightly, she turned to leave.

"What was the feeling you talked about?" Jessamyn heard the familiar voice in her head. She stopped, her eyes wide, caught in a lie. She shook her head and composed herself. Maybe she should tell him the truth.

"Ye Great One!" she smiled, looking in the direction where the white wolf was standing. "Can we go elsewhere first?"

William was not pleased. Although he understood it was a blatant lie, he didn’t understand why she would lie about that. Even if it was not true, this lie might end up hurting the one they love. What would Jerrick think of it?

After walking a long distance away, Jessamyn stopped. Her heart was pounding, and her hands were trembling. William, too, was shaking in anger.

"Will you tell me—"

"Are you sure no one can hear us? Is he—is Jerrick near? You made yourself invisible just like him earlier. Can you make sure no one can hear us talk? Especially Jerrick. Please? Please?" Jessamyn spoke in a hurried, pleading tone.

William’s anger dissipated, hearing her desperate plea. He did sense Jerrick nearby, but he was keeping his distance. He must be waiting to see if she would talk to him. William decided to hear what she had to say. "Jerrick won’t hear us," he said softly.

Jessamyn fell to her knees, her hands trembling. Her soft sobs turned into full-blown hiccups as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I can’t do this... I can’t..." she cried.