The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 252: Bernard’s Secret

Jessamyn sat in the garden, the air filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers and the soft hum of spring. She listened to Isadora’s complaints about Elaine, noting the genuine unease in her voice. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"She acts so perfectly, and it makes my skin crawl, Milady," Isadora said, her face scrunched up in distaste as she rubbed her arms, showing the goosebumps that had formed. "What’s with the childish behavior at times? We aren’t that close!"

Jessamyn nodded thoughtfully, her mind churning. She had noticed Elaine’s peculiar behavior as well, the way she shifted from poised and composed to overly familiar and childlike. It was unsettling, a performance that seemed to conceal more than it revealed.

Jessamyn knew what Elaine wanted and Isadora could see the deception Elaine was hiding. Why was William so blinded?

"There is something wrong about her. I don’t know what William sees in her," Isadora continued, frustration evident in her tone.

Jessamyn reached out, placing a comforting hand on Isadora’s arm. "I understand your concerns, Isadora. Elaine does have a way of making people feel... uneasy. But William is a wise man. Perhaps he sees something we don’t, or perhaps he’s blinded by something we can’t understand..."

Isadora sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I just can’t shake this feeling, Milady. It’s like she’s hiding something, and I fear what it might be."

Jessamyn squeezed Isadora’s hand gently. "Your instincts are rarely wrong, Isadora. We need to stay vigilant and keep our eyes open. Sometimes, those who seem perfect are the ones who hide the darkest secrets. Maybe, we should make him understand..." she winked.

Jessamyn wondered if Isadora expressed her concerns with William, he would listen.

Isadora nodded, a spark of determination returning to her eyes. "You’re right, Milady. I’ll talk to William. It’s just... he’s so happy and I..." Isadora sighed. "But I will tell him what I feel."

Jessamyn smiled, grateful for Isadora’s loyalty and perceptiveness. She brought Isadora to the market with her as she wanted to go for a walk. As always, Jaylene joined them, resting on Jessamyn’s shoulder.

As they made their way through the bustling spice market, the rich aroma of exotic spices filling the air, Jessamyn and Isadora were drawn to a commotion. Curiosity piqued, they joined the gathering crowd. When the onlookers noticed the archduchess, they respectfully parted, giving the two friends a clear view of the unfolding scene.

There, in the center of the chaos, was Bernard, his face twisted in rage as he brutally bashed the skull of a man who lay curled up on the ground. Blood splattered with each blow, painting a macabre scene.

Despite the violence, Jessamyn remained unfazed. She trusted Bernard’s judgment implicitly; if he was inflicting such fury upon this man, the man must have deserved it.

Jessamyn glanced at Isadora to gauge her reaction. Concern filled Isadora’s eyes as she fumbled for her handkerchief and rushed to Bernard’s side.

"Bernard! Enough!" Isadora called out, her voice firm yet gentle.

The sound of her voice seemed to pierce through Bernard’s rage. He paused, his demeanor shifting instantly from a monstrous rage to a blooming, almost childish smile.

"Isadora!" Bernard greeted her with genuine surprise and joy. "What are you doing here?"

Isadora smiled back, her concern palpable. She gently took his bloodied hand, examining his injured knuckles despite his half-hearted attempts to pull away. Eventually, he relented, allowing her to tend to him.

Jessamyn observed the interaction with a fond smile before her gaze shifted in search of Bernard’s mother. She had noticed the older woman earlier, standing back and watching the scene with horror. Now, she was nowhere to be seen among the crowd.

Jessamyn’s eyes scanned the area until she spotted Bernard’s mother standing at a distance, her back turned to the crowd.

Determined to understand the dynamics at play, Jessamyn made her way over to the woman. As she approached, the tension in the air grew palpable. Bernard’s mother remained still, her posture rigid.

"Mrs. Eisenberg," Jessamyn greeted softly, her voice carrying the weight of both authority and empathy. "May I have a word with you?"

Mrs. Eisenberg turned slowly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and helplessness. "I too want to tell you something, Your Grace. Can I?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Jessamyn took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I want to understand. Bernard is a good man, yet it’s clear there is a deep rift between you. Why do you harbor such hatred for him?"

Mrs. Eisenberg’s face contorted with pain and bitterness. "You see only the surface, Your Grace. You don’t know what he’s capable of, what he’s done."

Jessamyn’s gaze softened. "Then help me understand. Help me see what you see."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Then, Mrs. Eisenberg’s shoulders sagged, and she spoke, her voice a whisper filled with years of anguish. "Bernard... he has a darkness in him. I fear that one day it will consume the woman who loves him completely. If you value her, keep her away from him."

Jessamyn nodded slowly, her mind racing with thoughts. It appeared that Bernard’s mother was concerned about Isadora as she believed Bernard would hurt her. "We all have our demons, Mrs. Eisenberg. But Bernard also has love and loyalty in him. Perhaps, with the right support, he can overcome the darkness."

Mrs. Eisenberg’s eyes filled with tears. "For all our sakes, I truly hope you’re right. But you’re wrong. He’s a monster who knows how to devour. You saw him with his bloodied hands and still think he has love? He’s a demon from hell who ruined my life. He’s~"

"I do not think I know the same Bernard you describe. The Bernard I know is kind, loyal~"

"Loyalty? He’s a murderer!" Mrs. Eisenberg shouted. "He killed his own father to satiate his murderous urge. He’s a monster!"

Jessamyn was shocked to hear Bernard had killed his father. She heard footsteps behind and saw Isadora with Bernard. The look on their faces was one of utter disbelief.

Isadora’s voice was barely a whisper. "Bernard, is this true?"

Bernard’s face turned ashen, the anger and rage from moments ago replaced by deep, soul-crushing sorrow. He bowed his head, unable to face anyone.

Mrs. Eisenberg’s voice cut through the air like a knife. "Tell her the truth, Bernard. Tell her what you did that night."