The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 295: Leaving For War

The day Jerrick was to leave for war arrived far too soon for Jessamyn’s liking. Despite the knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach, she kept her emotions in check as she stood by his side.

The morning air was crisp, a faint mist hovering over the fields surrounding Roche. Jerrick’s soldiers, clad in their dark, formidable armor, moved with quiet efficiency as they prepared to march.

Jessamyn took a deep breath and offered Jerrick a kerchief she had embroidered with his family’s crest. She had worked on it late into the nights, stitching each thread with care and affection. As she handed it to him, she was surprised by the absence of the fear she used to feel when they faced separation.

There was a time when she would have been consumed by doubts and the gnawing fear of abandonment. But now, as she looked up into Jerrick’s steadfast green eyes, all she felt was trust—trust that he would return to her.

"Write back to me," she whispered, smoothing the leather belt at his waist, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of his armor.

Jerrick’s gaze softened as he took her hand in his. "I won’t be gone long," he assured her, though his voice carried the weight of unspoken concerns. "But I will write."

She gripped his hand a little tighter, then raised her other hand to the trinket he had given her, a charm that allowed her to communicate with the animals in their lands. "If you hear that I’m in danger, or if someone from the council contacts you, do not trust them. You’ll know if it’s really a message from me."

Her words were laced with unease. The council’s influence was shadowy and far-reaching, and she knew they would stop at nothing if they ever decided Jerrick was a threat. Jessamyn had seen glimpses of their power and the web of manipulation they could weave, and the thought of them getting their hands on him filled her with dread.

Jerrick brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, his thumb lingering against her skin. "You’re worried for me," he said softly. "But I’ll be careful, I promise."

She couldn’t help but step closer, her finger tracing idle patterns on the chest plate of his armor. "I could go with you, you know," she murmured, a teasing pout forming on her lips. Deep down, she truly wished to be by his side. Together, she believed they could face anything.

Jerrick smiled at her, his expression one of fond exasperation. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. The cold metal of his armor pressed against her cheek, making her frown. "I’m cold," she mumbled, pushing away from him with a mock scowl.

"Already?" he teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I gave you plenty of warmth just an hour ago."

Her cheeks flushed crimson as she recalled the intimacy they had shared that morning, tangled together beneath the warmth of their blankets, his touch igniting every nerve in her body. He had taken his time with her, as if imprinting every moment into his memory before their separation. Even now, the memory of his hands on her skin made her pulse quicken. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Jerrick removed his gloves and cupped her face, his bare hands warm against her cool cheeks. "You’re still cold," he chuckled, leaning in to press his forehead against hers. The contact sent a wave of warmth coursing through her, easing the tension in her chest. "I’ll be back in a week, Mynah. Stay safe until I return, all right?"

His lips found hers in a lingering kiss, tender and reassuring. She clung to him, savoring the moment, her heart heavy with the impending distance between them. They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, with only the faint sounds of the soldiers and the rustling leaves breaking the stillness.

Jerrick finally pulled back when the crunch of boots on gravel signaled someone’s approach.

Reluctantly, Jessamyn let him go. She watched as he mounted his horse, his dark armor gleaming under the morning sun. The soldiers gathered around him, ready for the march. With a final glance back at her, Jerrick nodded, and she waved her kerchief, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and worry.

"Please, be safe, my love," she whispered, though she knew he couldn’t hear her.

The next three days passed slowly. Jessamyn busied herself with her duties, but her thoughts constantly drifted to Jerrick. On the fourth day, restless and unable to remain idle, she decided to explore the Theodulf Library. William had mentioned it to her before, and she was curious about the ancient knowledge stored within.

The library was hidden beneath Roche, an expansive underground vault filled with countless tomes and scrolls. As Jessamyn descended into its depths, she was struck by the sheer size of the place. Shelves stretched endlessly, each packed with volumes that spanned centuries of history and magic. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and dust, and a faint glow emanated from the enchanted lanterns lining the walls.

She wandered the aisles in awe, her fingers trailing over the spines of books that held the secrets of the Theodulf family—spells, rituals, and histories that had been safeguarded for generations. Time seemed to blur as she lost herself in reading, uncovering forgotten lore and piecing together fragments of the past. Here, she felt a sense of peace, a reprieve from the anxieties that gnawed at her.

But that peace was short-lived.

One month later...

Winter came early, bringing with it biting winds and heavy snow. Jessamyn trudged through the rough terrain, her thick wolf fur cloak barely keeping her warm. Her breath fogged the air as she pressed a hand protectively against her baby bump. The uneven ground made each step more difficult, and exhaustion weighed on her like a stone.

"I can’t walk any further," she gasped, leaning against a boulder for support.

The woman leading the way turned to face her, her green eyes cold and unfeeling. Silver hair shimmered in the dim moonlight, framing a face devoid of sympathy. "Fine," she said, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. She twisted the silver chain in her hand, and Bernard, who had been bound and walking behind them, let out a pained grunt as the chain dug into his flesh.

"Stop it!" Jessamyn cried, her voice breaking with desperation as she watched Bernard writhe in agony. "I’ll keep walking—just stop hurting him!"

The woman’s smile widened, but she released the chain’s tension, allowing Bernard a moment’s reprieve. Without a word, Jessamyn pushed herself away from the boulder and forced her aching legs to move. The forest loomed around them, dark and foreboding as they ventured deeper into its depths.