The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 241: An Indecent Proposal

Jessamyn observed Jerrick closely to see if he was worried.

"They say he’s the brother of the man who was killed in the Great Green Forest," Jerrick replied, his voice calm as he continued to cut the fruit.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened. "The son-in-law of the Commander General of the Altanian Army?" she asked, recalling the incident. That man had been one of the smugglers the Crown Prince had killed during the rescue of Lady Cordelia.

"Yes," Jerrick confirmed, gently tracing his fingers over her forehead, a tender gesture meant to soothe her.

"What is he doing here?" Jessamyn pressed, her concern evident. Jerrick took the blame for that kill.

Could it be the reason he was interested in her?

Jerrick sighed softly, setting down the knife and focusing on her. "His presence here is concerning, but he hasn’t made any moves that we can call outright hostile. He’s probably here under the guise of diplomacy, but I suspect he’s seeking revenge or gathering intelligence."

Jessamyn frowned, the pieces falling into place. "Do you think he’s here for us? For the Crown Prince?"

Jerrick’s eyes darkened slightly. "It’s possible. We need to be cautious. I’ve already informed my spies to keep a close watch on him. We won’t let him get close to you or anyone else."

Jessamyn nodded, trusting Jerrick’s judgment. "I just don’t like the way he looks at me. It’s unnerving." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Jerrick wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "I know. But I’m here."

She leaned into his embrace, the weight of her worries lifting slightly. "I trust you, Jerrick. Thank you."

Every time he said he was there for her, he had meant it and followed through on his word. She knew she didn’t have to worry anymore.

He kissed her forehead softly. "Always, my love. Now, let’s enjoy the night and not let him spoil it for us."

Jessamyn smiled, feeling a sense of peace as she nestled closer to him. "Do your spies include animals?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

She didn’t think any of his men would be good at being covert. They were all a head taller than the average men and wouldn’t be good spies.

"Yes, most of them," Jerrick said.

"Do mosquitoes and bugs come in that category?" she asked, amazed by his capabilities. She wanted to know more.

"If I want to..." Jerrick gently rubbed her arms.

Jessamyn’s eyes closed out of tiredness. His touches were too soothing, and she couldn’t stay awake. "It must be amazing to be you," she said, her voice trailing off.

Jerrick kissed her forehead. He always thought he would have preferred to be the gardener boy in her castle, not someone with Theodulf blood. But lately, that thought had skipped his mind.

He always felt like he was missing something, even when he had everything he needed. Her presence in his arms fixed the missing piece, and now everything seemed beautiful and amazing. She had a way of making everything enjoyable.

The week-long games went on smoothly. Jessamyn ignored that man afterward. The final day brought the tie-breaker game between Altania and Ayberia. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation.

It was also announced that the Crown Prince of Altania would attend the awarding ceremony as he was pleased with how his men had performed in the games.

Jessamyn knew it was time for her return.

Jessamyn, Isadora, and Cordelia sat together, their eyes fixed on the field. The crowd’s cheers and the clashing sounds of the athletes created a vibrant, energetic environment.

"Isadora, get me some more grapes, please," Jessamyn asked, fixing her tiara. Lately, she had been craving grapes, and Jerrick had some stored for her.

Isadora quickly went to get the grapes before the match started. Cordelia asked her maid to get hot tea for all of them.

"Milady, up there!"

Jessamyn looked at the ground, hearing that booming voice. It was that man now standing right in front of her on his horse.

"I heard the women in Ayberia were prettier, and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole of Ayberia..." he bowed in a flamboyant way. "You have a beautiful spirit that shines through your face. I love it!"

He shouted, speaking in an accent because the language was not his own.

Jessamyn let out a deep breath. What a bother! She had never been targeted like that. She wouldn’t know how to act in this situation.

Her eyes naturally ended at her husband—her boiling mad husband. If looks could kill, that man would be burnt to ashes by now.

Perhaps, thanking him would be an end to this awkwardness, Jessamyn opened her mouth. "Thank—"

But before she could speak, that man continued.

"I heard you were the wife of Hector Arkhipov," he smirked and held the reins of his horse as it got restless. Jessamyn wondered if it was her husband’s deed.

"He once obliterated a thousand of our men with a hundred men from his cavalry. I was not the only one who faced utter defeat against his leadership. A smart man... perhaps, a rarity among the Arkhipov family..." he chuckled, sparing a mocking glance at the current Arkhipov team.

Jessamyn clenched her fists. She couldn’t bear that mongrel sneering at her countrymen. She didn’t like the Arkhipov family either, mostly because of their leader; she would mock him at any chance she got, but hearing another countryman mocking him angered her.

"Now you’re married to the Archduke! His valiance has no bounds. Our bards sing songs of the glory of Wulfhart..." his voice trailed off as one of his men came to him and whispered something to him.

That man sent the man away, his smug smile unwavering. Although the horse got restless, he had good control of the horse.

"Come with me, Milady. I’ll give you whatever you want. I want to gift you to our Crown Prince when he gets here. You seem to be a good luck charm for the men who own you."

The entire arena was filled with murmurs of shock. Jessamyn felt a wave of anger and disgust wash over her. She stood up, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"I am not an object to be owned or gifted," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "I am the Archduchess of Ayberia, and I belong to no one but my husband."

The man’s smug smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, but everyone has a price, Milady," he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. "It won’t be the first time you’re changing your man."

Before Jessamyn could respond, Jerrick stood up, his presence commanding immediate attention. "You will not speak to my wife in such a manner," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If you wish to insult someone, direct it at me."

"But I want her. I don’t know about Ayberia but in Altania, women speak for themselves," that man cut Jerrick off. "Our women aren’t cowards who cut their throat and die just because another man saw them."

Jessamyn fisted her hands. This was not that man insulting a woman of Ayberia anymore.