The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 263: His Anger

As spring gave way to summer, Jessamyn and Jerrick returned to Roche, their lives continuing under the weight of unspoken tensions. Imogen, now residing in Theodulf Castle, had quickly become a thorn in Jessamyn’s side. Despite receiving treatment from the castle physicians, Imogen had begun ordering the servants around as if she still held some form of authority.

When Jessamyn found out, she wasted no time confronting Imogen.

"Imogen," Jessamyn’s voice was firm as she entered the room where Imogen sat, lounging as though she were still the mistress of the castle. "You seem to have forgotten your place here. The servants have informed me of your behavior."

Imogen looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly before she plastered a sweet, innocent smile on her face. "Oh, Lady Jessamyn, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just... I hear that I used to be the mistress of this castle. Was it true?"

Jessamyn’s eyes darkened, her patience wearing thin. "Did they also tell you that you eloped with a physician after killing your own son?"

The color drained from Imogen’s face, but she quickly feigned a fainting spell, her hand clutching her forehead dramatically. "Oh... I feel faint," she murmured, hoping to divert the conversation.

Jessamyn wasn’t fooled for a moment. She watched with cool detachment as Imogen’s act played out, but she knew this encounter had stoked the fires of anger within Imogen. Though she didn’t press the matter further, Imogen left the room with a simmering rage, and Jessamyn was left to deal with the growing anxiety that now plagued her every moment.

As days turned into weeks, Jerrick began to notice the change in Jessamyn. She refused to go near the stairs, spent hours locked in her room, and seemed to be consumed by a constant, gnawing fear. Jerrick knew what haunted her—her fear that Imogen would harm their unborn child, just as she had harmed the child Jessamyn had lost before.

Jerrick tried to comfort her, to offer his support, but nothing seemed to ease her mind. One day, Jessamyn could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere of Theodulf Castle. She left her room, and with Imogen away, she made her way to The Songbird Sanctuary, seeking solace in the one place that had always brought her peace.

For almost a week, she remained there, leaving Jerrick to stew in his frustration and anger. When she was not planning on returning, he couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer. Confronting her, his voice was sharp with anger and confusion.

"Theodulf Castle is your residence, Jessamyn. Why are you hiding? What are you planning with her?"

Jessamyn’s gaze was steady as she replied, "She needs to confess what she did. I am waiting."

Jerrick’s frustration boiled over. "Who cares for her confession? We know what she did, and I can end her."

Jessamyn’s troubled expression deepened. "But people will blame you for not guiding your wife properly. They’ll call you names for not treating her right."

"But she ran away, Jessamyn. I’m not going to be blamed for her choices. If she’s causing you this much anxiety, it’s better to send her away."

"Send her where?" Jessamyn asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Can you kill the woman who was your first? Can you get over the fact that you ruined her life, whether you liked it or not?"

Jerrick scoffed, his eyes widening with anger, his lips twitching. "You think I care?"

Jessamyn’s voice was barely a whisper as she asked, "You don’t? Are you really that heartless, Jerrick?"

His anger erupted, his voice loud and filled with pain. "I am! I was heartless enough to leave the girl who only had me in her heart, knowing how much it would break her! You think I want to spare the woman who killed my son?"

Jessamyn was stunned by the raw emotion on his face—sadness, anger, and a deep sense of helplessness that she hadn’t fully seen before.

That very day, Jessamyn returned to Theodulf Castle, her resolve steeled. She decided to live her life free of worries.

She kept a tight leash on Imogen, ensuring that she was treated as Jessamyn had been in her own home—devoid of luxury or respect, though without the cruelty. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Even the maids showed Imogen little to no respect, and it was clear that it was getting under Imogen’s skin. Jessamyn could see the frustration building in her, and it gave her a small, cold satisfaction.

Imogen’s once-mighty pride was being chipped away bit by bit, and Jessamyn knew that the woman who had caused so much pain was beginning to feel the consequences of her own actions.

But the tension was far from over, and Jessamyn knew she would have to remain vigilant. The battle between them was only just beginning.

Amidst the unease, life at Theodulf Castle moved forward. Jessamyn soon found herself engrossed in preparations for her brother’s wedding and Isadora’s upcoming nuptials. Most of the arrangements were already in place, leaving only the final touches to be made.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. Ethan had announced his wedding, while Isadora and Bernard decided to wait another month to tie the knot.

Love seemed to be in the air, and Jessamyn’s heart fluttered with joy. She could feel the movements of her baby growing stronger each day, and Jerrick’s gentle conversations with their unborn child filled her with happiness.

One day, while tending to Jostein, the horse who had fully recovered, Jessamyn took the opportunity to train with him. Jostein, usually calm, suddenly became uneasy, his ears twitching as if sensing something amiss. Jessamyn looked up to see Imogen approaching her, a look of thinly veiled disdain on her face.

"You’re wearing menswear," Imogen remarked, her voice laced with disgust.

"It’s more comfortable for horse riding," Jessamyn replied nonchalantly, brushing off Imogen’s criticism. She didn’t care what Imogen thought—these clothes were a gift from Jerrick, meant to ensure her comfort during her rides.

Imogen remained silent for a while, her eyes narrowing as she watched Jessamyn with a cold, calculating gaze. Sensing the tension, Jessamyn decided to break the silence. "Is Jerrick not hearing you?"

She had noticed Imogen attempting to get close to Jerrick several times in the past few days, only to be met with his indifference. It must have stung Imogen to be ignored by the man who had once been so accommodating to her when they were married.

Imogen raised her brows, a flicker of anger crossing her face as she chewed on her fingernails—a nervous habit that betrayed her growing frustration. "Huh?"

"You’ve found me. Why?" Jessamyn asked, her voice steady, though her instincts told her to be cautious.

Imogen’s façade of innocence began to crack. "What do you think of yourself?" she snapped, the bitterness in her voice clear.

Jessamyn observed her carefully, sensing that Imogen was on the verge of breaking down. There was a wildness in Imogen’s eyes, a desperation that made her dangerous.

"You’re the one who sought me out, Imogen. What do you want?" Jessamyn’s tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of firmness in her voice.