The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 230: Their Sanctuary

"This is our sanctuary," Jerrick replied, his voice filled with warmth. "A place I created for me, for you, thinking I won’t have a chance to have you here. Since you are here, it’s now our place, a place where we can be safe and peaceful."

"Created?" Jessamyn was confused. "Is this place real or not? Are we really here or am I dreaming?"

Jerrick chuckled, his voice was deep and reassuring. "This is real. This place is, in fact, near Greenwald. I purchased three hundred acres of land around Greenwald. A spell connects Roche to here."

"Ah..." Jessamyn was bewildered. Three hundred acres! That explained why there was no one else around.

"Greenwald is nearer to Ravensworth," she added.

She did listen to the rest of his sentence and her heart clenched. If she did not return to his life, this place would have been his alone, where he was alone.

She was grateful he was not alone anymore. At the same time, it hurt her to think of his future.

"Yes, the climate here is closer," Jerrick confirmed.

"Why didn’t you tell me about this place sooner? Why did you make me suffer Roche’s winter when I could have stayed in a warm cocoon here?" she asked, pouting playfully.

The best she could do was fill this place and his heart with beautiful memories so that he would feel less lonely in her absence.

Jerrick chuckled. "Were you out of your warm cocoon for long? Did I let you go cold?" He smirked and nibbled on her cheek for her to chuckle. "Never forget that I am your warm cocoon," he said, gently biting her cheek.

Jessamyn shouted exaggeratedly, making Jerrick laugh more.

"Wait... Should I stay here when she returns?" Jessamyn asked, her voice suddenly serious.

"Who?" Jerrick asked, a heaviness settling between them as he observed her downcast appearance.

"You know who," Jessamyn pressed her lips together. "Your first wife."

Jerrick’s face twisted with disgust at the mention of Imogen. Jessamyn only then realized why he might be that mad at Imogen.

Imogen had survived and pulled wool over everyone’s eyes, ending up living the life she wanted. But Edward—Jerrick’s son—was not spared that same courtesy.

She didn’t want to judge Imogen as she didn’t know the whole truth, but from what she knew, Imogen had killed her own son so that she could live life the way she wanted to.

"Don’t you worry about her. I am not going to hide when she returns. You don’t have to deal with her. I’ll handle her," Jessamyn said, patting his chest with determination.

From the glimpses she saw of their future after Imogen returned, she spun a sob story and some people rallied to her side, calling her the rightful wife of Jerrick.

Jessamyn didn’t want to allow that to happen. Not when she was carrying Jerrick’s heir.

"You want me to leave it to you?" Jerrick asked, with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes. I’d rather you avoid her."

Jerrick’s eyes swirled with a dangerous glint. Jessamyn could see that he wanted to confront Imogen but she had a reason not to let him meet with her.

"How?" Jerrick asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and concern.

"She will try to find you but don’t meet her. Remember..." Jessamyn’s finger trailed over the teeth marks on Jerrick’s shoulder, her eyes twinkling with possessiveness. "I am your wife."

Jerrick’s heart swelled with happiness. Earlier, when she kissed him with understanding, he felt as if he was floating, with everything under his feet. Now, she showed trust in him and also her possessiveness toward him. She looked beautiful with that expression on her face.

Jessamyn’s resolve made Jerrick feel more grounded than ever. Her words, her touch, and her unwavering support meant everything to him.

"I am not going to hand over my authority to her. You should not talk to her. You’re easily manipulated," Jessamyn added.

"Your authority is yours alone. No one is going to take it from you. Not even me. You’re free to do what you want," Jerrick explained at length.

When he tried to hand over the management of Theodulf Castle to her, she was hesitant, saying she was not used to handling such responsibilities. He had never handed those responsibilities to Imogen, as he had a keeper, but he wanted Jessamyn to take on the role to improve her confidence.

All her life, she had lived under the thumb of older women. Her stepmother didn’t treat her well and didn’t teach her the important things. Her mother-in-law, too, was cruel to her, and Jessamyn didn’t have a chance to realize her potential.

In his home, he wanted her to take on greater responsibilities. By handling them successfully, she would gain confidence and walk with her chin up.

He knew she could handle it well, as she was smart. Even if it was hard for her to learn, he was there to help her gain her footing. He wanted the life she had lived until then, filled with suffering, to become a distant memory. When she looked back, he wanted her to remember only the good times.

He had no plans of letting anyone infringe on Jessamyn’s authority. Even if his mother returned, that woman was not welcome in his home. He didn’t want to put Jessamyn through the scrutiny of another older woman.

Jerrick held her closer, sensing something. "You’re mad at me about something?"

"Yes!" Jessamyn was indeed mad. "Well, not mad, but disappointed. That woman was manipulating you, and yet you rejected me, believing her words."

Jerrick’s expression softened with regret. "I was a fool, Jessamyn. I let her poison my mind, and I’m so sorry for that. I should have trusted you, I should have trusted our love, and I will spend the rest of my life making up for that mistake."

"Never mind..." Jessamyn cupped his cheeks and kissed his lips. She was not happy to see the guilt on his face. She read his letters and she knew exactly what he felt.

"The pain..." she said and her hand clenched her chest. "I felt like I was dying because of that pain. The physicians were right it was not my physical pain. It was your pain... That was how you felt missing me..."

"When you fainted in pain?" Jerrick asked. "It was my pain?"

"Yes," Jessamyn said, now that she knew for sure. "How did you live with that pain?"

Jerrick smiled rubbing his chest. "Was it that bad?" he asked and kissed her hand clenched on her chest. "Enough for you to faint?"