The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 283: Entrusting Her Precious Stuff To William

That night, Jessamyn arranged a feast that carried the warmth of a family gathering. The air was filled with laughter, the clinking of cutlery, and the sound of joyful conversation. Her heart swelled as she watched William, Isadora, and Bernard gathered around the table, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight.

For a moment, it felt as if the shadows of uncertainty had lifted, leaving only the simple joy of being together.

But as her gaze swept the room, it inevitably landed on the one seat that remained conspicuously empty—Jerrick’s. Her chest tightened with longing and a hint of worry. She had learned from William that Jerrick had gone out, though William’s knowing look hinted that he was aware of Jerrick’s whereabouts but chose not to divulge it.

Jessamyn decided to let it be.

Deep down, she knew that Jerrick had likely set things into motion after the secrets she had revealed to him. He was a man of action, unable to sit idle when there was something—anything—he could do to protect her and their future. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Yet, as much as she admired that trait in him, she wished he could see that simply staying by her side would be more effective than chasing shadows alone. If only he’d talked it through with her further, she would have reassured him that they were stronger together. But then again, Jerrick was Jerrick—stubborn, determined, and always ready to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was that very quality that drew her to him, even if it left her wishing he’d let her share in that burden more often.

The dinner progressed smoothly, punctuated by bursts of laughter and expressions of gratitude. Jessamyn’s eyes kept drifting to Bernard, noting the newfound sense of purpose in his gaze. There was a quiet strength there now, a dedication she hadn’t seen before. He was more attentive to Isadora, his touch gentler, his gaze softer.

The way he looked at her had shifted from mere affection to something deeper, a profound bond that had only strengthened after all they had been through.

Jessamyn’s heart brimmed with happiness as she watched them. The trial their love had faced had been a harsh one, but it had forged them into a stronger couple. Now, as they prepared to enter marriage, their love seemed deeper, more resolute.

She couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude toward Jerrick for taking the risk with Bernard. There had been a moment when she worried that Bernard might not take the transformation well, but instead, he seemed almost grateful, as if he saw serving Jerrick in this way as an honor. He even spoke of it with a sense of pride, though there was a faraway look in his eyes at times, as if contemplating the uncertain path ahead.

She knew that his journey would be a difficult one—enduring the cycles of the moon and grappling with the beast within. It was a lonely road, even with the support of loved ones.

But every time that distant look crossed his face, Isadora was there, gently squeezing his hand, anchoring him back to the present. The way his expression softened and a smile bloomed on his lips at her touch made Jessamyn believe that, together, they could weather anything.

After dinner, Isadora and Bernard excused themselves for a walk in the garden, their hands entwined as they stepped out into the night. The sight of them brought a tender smile to Jessamyn’s lips, but her thoughts soon returned to Jerrick.

"Bernard is holding up well," William remarked, watching the couple disappear into the moonlit garden. "But Jerrick still isn’t convinced he did the right thing for Bernard."

Jessamyn’s brow furrowed with concern. "I’ll talk to him," she said, sensing that William was hinting at something more. "Where did he go?" she asked, her voice betraying the worry she tried to mask.

William hesitated, pressing his lips together as if weighing whether to share what he knew. "It’s not for me to say," he finally murmured, though his eyes were filled with an unspoken understanding.

Jessamyn sighed, her heart clenching. She decided to trust that whatever Jerrick was doing, it was with her best interest at heart. But she couldn’t shake the nagging sense that he needed more than just resolve—he needed her support, her reassurance.

"I’ll be right back," she said abruptly, standing up from the table.

William watched her leave the room with a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, wondering what she was up to. Jessamyn made her way upstairs, her steps slowing as she reached their bedroom.

She crossed the room to the wooden table in the corner, her gaze settling on the small drawer she kept there. It had always been left unlocked—Jerrick had respected her privacy and never pried—but tonight, she couldn’t afford to leave it to chance. The decision weighed heavily on her, twisting her heart with regret even as she steeled herself for what needed to be done.

With a trembling hand, she opened the drawer and took out a neat stack of envelopes, tied together with a delicate ribbon. Each letter contained her thoughts, her hopes, and her fears—words meant for her son if the worst should come to pass.

They were her affectionate words, things she would have told him to guide him and to anchor him as a mother, but wouldn’t have a chance to. She was not going to be there as he grew up.

Her chest tightened as she fingered the ribbon, knowing she was about to entrust something precious to William.

Returning to the dining room, Jessamyn handed the envelopes to William, her expression a mixture of resolve and sorrow. "I need you to keep these safe," she said quietly.

William’s brows knitted together in confusion as he took the bundle from her. He glanced down at the inscriptions on the envelopes, his eyes widening as realization dawned. "Jessamyn... what is this?" His voice was thick with surprise, though beneath it lay a layer of understanding. "So... he was right all along..."

Jessamyn held his gaze, her own eyes filled with the weight of her decision. "These are in case... well, in case things don’t go as planned. You’ll know what to do with them when the time comes."

William’s expression softened, and he nodded, slipping the envelopes into the inner pocket of his coat. "You’re both too stubborn for your own good," he muttered, though there was a note of admiration in his tone.

Jessamyn managed a faint smile, but her heart ached. "You are going to tell him, aren’t you?" she asked, knowing William wouldn’t keep this a secret from Jerrick.

William’s silence was the answer.

Jessamyn nodded with understanding. "Will you wait for some time?" she asked.

William observed her and then nodded. "After what happened with Elena... How come you still trust me?" William asked.