The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 243: Her Return

The arrival of the Crown Prince of Altania was announced with great fanfare. The man now had a smile on his face as he had avoided keeping his side of the bargain.

He was awed by the timing of their prince. He always was there when his people needed him. Their prince was a true hero.

Prince Aelius Kaiser, a striking figure, sat proudly on a majestic white horse. His royal ceremonial robes, embroidered with golden threads and adorned with precious gemstones, shimmered in the afternoon sun.

His golden hair pressed under the gold crown fluttered in the wind and his blue eyes echoed the clear sky, twinkling with delight.

Jessamyn noticed some young women of Ayberia swooning for the Crown Prince of Altania. Jessamyn thought about how vain the heart of some women was.

Surrounding them was a retinue of attendants and guards, all clad in matching uniforms, exuding an aura of opulence and authority.

As Prince Aelius approached the arena, the air was filled with the rhythmic sounds of drums and flutes.

A group of dancers, dressed in vibrant costumes, led the procession. Their movements were fluid and graceful, synchronized perfectly with the lively music. They sang traditional Altanian songs, their voices harmonizing beautifully as they twirled and spun, scattering flower petals along the path.

The aroma of the crushed flowers spread throughout the arena, mingling with the scent of fresh grass and the faint tang of sweat from the athletes.

The crowd watched in awe, captivated by the spectacle. The petals created a colorful carpet beneath the prince’s horse, adding to the regal atmosphere of his entrance.

Isadora, standing close to Jessamyn, clutched her hand tightly. "Milady, you should insist that Pig-man accept his defeat," she whispered urgently, her voice laced with frustration. The sight of the man who had insulted Jessamyn and their country not fulfilling his side of the bargain filled her with indignation.

Jessamyn, however, seemed momentarily distracted. Her eyes were fixed on the dancers and the prince’s elaborate procession. The elegance of the performance and the intoxicating scent of the flowers were not what she was interested in. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

This scene—this exact scene was what she saw in the prophecy. Her eyes frantically searched for someone among the dancers.

She looked at William, standing beside Jerrick. He was not looking at the dancers as he was busy laying the gameplay for his men. Maybe he felt her gaze, he looked at her. Jessamyn quickly averted her gaze.

"Milady..." Isadora noticed that Jessamyn was not all there and squeezed her hand.

"Ah, yes," Jessamyn said, coming out of her reverie. "What were you saying?" Jessamyn looked at her with a smile. "Ah, right... The grapes. Where is it? I’m hungry."

Jessamyn took her seat. Throughout the competition, she looked distracted.

Maybe it was the boost Jessamyn’s confidence gave them or the presence of the enemy prince made their blood boil, but Ayberia won by a great margin.

While everyone celebrated, Jessamyn’s response was muted as she was still looking for someone among the dancers. Her mind was in a whirlwind as the events of the prophecy replayed in her head.

The dancers, the flowers, and the prince’s procession all matched perfectly with what she had foreseen. Her heart raced as she scanned the faces in the crowd, searching for the figure she knew would be there.

Isadora, sensing her distress, squeezed her hand again. "Milady, is everything alright?" she asked softly.

Jessamyn forced a smile. "Yes, just a bit overwhelmed by all the excitement," she replied, though her eyes still darted around the arena.

As the celebration continued, Jessamyn’s attention remained divided, her mind preoccupied despite the lively festivities.

The Altanian prince, who had been asked to crown the victors, stood with a regal air, acknowledging the crowd’s applause. His tall, imposing figure exuded confidence and authority, and when his eyes met Jessamyn’s briefly, she felt a shiver run down her spine, an uneasy feeling settling in her chest.

The evening wore on, the joyous atmosphere enveloping everyone present. Laughter and music filled the air as dancers twirled and performers entertained the crowd.

Yet, Jessamyn’s vigilance never wavered. Her eyes scanned the faces around her, searching for something—or someone—she instinctively knew was there.

Then, amid the dancers, she spotted a figure that matched the one from her prophecy. A woman with striking features and a determined expression moved gracefully among the performers.

Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized her. The woman’s presence felt like a missing piece of a puzzle falling into place, but it also brought a sense of impending danger.

Her eyes immediately darted to William, who seemed engrossed in a conversation. He had not noticed the woman yet, and Jessamyn hoped he wouldn’t until she had a chance to figure out what to do. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her, making it difficult to breathe.

"Jessamyn, come with me," Jerrick’s soft voice snapped her out of her reverie. He had appeared at her side, his expression filled with concern.

Startled, Jessamyn looked at Jerrick, realizing for the first time how tightly she was clutching her skirt. Her knuckles had turned white, and her lips felt dry. She knew her face must be pale, reflecting the anxiety she felt inside.

She had worried Jerrick, and the thought of causing him distress pained her.

She nodded and, after excusing herself, walked out with Jerrick to the waiting carriage. The night air was cool against her flushed skin, a stark contrast to the warmth and noise inside. Jerrick offered her water, and she drank it gratefully, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. He checked her temperature, and his touch was gentle and reassuring.

After making sure she was physically fine, Jerrick held her hand gently. His green eyes twinkled with understanding, a silent promise that he was there for her no matter what. "I’ll come back after finishing up here. Go, rest. We can talk about it afterward," he said, his voice filled with a calm certainty that eased her troubled mind.

Jessamyn nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Jerrick," she whispered, feeling a rush of gratitude for his unwavering support. As she watched him return to the festivities, she felt a sense of peace knowing that, no matter what happened, she had Jerrick by her side.

In her chambers, Jessamyn changed into more comfortable attire and settled by the fireplace. She sipped on a calming herbal tea, letting the warmth soothe her frayed nerves. Her mind, however, kept drifting back to the prophecy and the cruelty revealed to her.

Should I stop it from happening? Or should I let it happen as it is? Why was it revealed to me?

When the door to her chambers finally opened, Jerrick entered quietly, his eyes immediately seeking hers. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, and she rose to meet him halfway.