The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 40: What He Wanted

Jessamyn nodded. He appeared to have something important to say. the boyish charm she saw on his face moments earlier was wiped out and the juvenile enjoyment apparent by his smile was replaced with pressed lips.

She observed his face closely. His deep-set green eyes were luminous as she remembered. His thick eyebrows and straight nose were the same as she remembered. His jaws had become more defined. His skin had gotten paler and rougher.

He grew up and got more handsome!

"I saved your life today," he stated.

"Yes," Jessamyn agreed. There was no doubt about that. "I am grateful you rescued me at the right moment. I can’t imagine what would have happened if you were even a moment late," she said and bowed her head.

"How are you going to thank me?" he asked.

"How...?" Jessamyn was lost for words.

She peered at his face expecting mirth thinking that he had caught her in a web of gratefulness. It was not unusual for him to expect something from her after rescuing her.

"What do you want me to do, Your Gra~"

"That," he pointed at her mouth. ’Stop it. Stop calling me Your Grace. Not to me or someone else. It... It is not right," he said. His eyebrows were twitching and his lips were trembling with a cocktail of emotions.

Although Jessamyn didn’t understand why he asked that of her, she could see that he was serious about it.

"But, it is only right for me to~"

"No," Jerrick shook his head. "It is not. Not for me."

"Even if I marry you, you still are my lord. It is only appropriate for me to~"

"I don’t remember ever calling you "My Lady" in the past when I was just an orphan..."

"It... That was different."

"How?" Jerrick asked. His clear eyes now showed signs of stress in the form of red lines.

"We were..." close then...

Jessamyn swallowed the rest of the sentence.

"We were young then. We didn’t know better. Everything has changed now. You are the Archduke. I can’t be treating you with disrespect..." she gazed at him.

"Jessamyn," he reached out to hold her hand but then stopped. Meeting her eyes, he wetted his lips and tilted his head in a pleading gesture. "What if I want you to?" he asked with a tender smile.

Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat. He held the power to sway the king’s decision; he didn’t bother to care for her feelings and arranged for the wedding.

Why is he begging me for this?

She observed his face, filled with expectations as if she was holding his lifeline. She had never seen such an expression on his face; it didn’t suit him either.

Even when he had nothing, he had a superior aura around him. Although he tried to be cordial with the other servants in the mansion, he was a cut above the rest. Even his superiors were respectful with him for he commanded such respect.

Why would such a man beg to me?

He stared at her unblinkingly, waiting for her answer.

Does he want to go back to the time when we were closer? Is that what this is about?

"I just... Consider it my gratefulness for the past and... It’s strange for me to hear you addressing me the same as everyone else... Jessamyn..." His voice was hoarse as he spoke with heightened emotions.

"I’ll try," she said. She didn’t want him to beg her any longer. Not when he was asking it in return for saving her life.

Can she really go back to the days she called him "Jerry" with no qualms? She didn’t think so. Not when there was an unresolved gaping hole in her chest from that time.

But she can do it as an obligation, to not hurt his sentiments.

Bringing up her faux smile, she walked to the shop nearby and bought snacks and other delicacies for Isadora and the boy.

Jerrick watched her back as he slowly exhaled to control his racing emotions. He could see that she took it as an obligation.

Well, I tried!

He let out a deep breath.

"Here," she offered him a honeyed bread. It used to be his favorite.

He got it from her hand, carefully, avoiding her hand. He didn’t want to stress her further.

"It’s good," he said chewing it. "Here, have this cheese. It will go well with the bread," he picked up her favorites.

He watched her eat. She must be feeling better for she savored everything heartily. His heart filled seeing her stomach filled.

Jessamyn’s spirit got lifted after she got her fill. They walked out of the market and on the road back to the castle.

"You can ride the horse," she said apologetically.

She didn’t know she bought that many items. The horse’s back was filled with the stuff she bought.

Jerrick shook his head. He wouldn’t lose this time he had with her for anything. The road was silent barring the sound of insects and birds. The wind rustled carrying the last of the autumn leaves.

He removed his coat and covered her. Although she was dressed warmly, he knew she wouldn’t be able to handle the cold. She was built differently.

"Thank you," Jessamyn smiled.

Her eyes ended up on the Iron Mountain and then at Jerrick. She wetted her lips. Although she didn’t want to hold him accountable for the promise he made, her heart wished he did. She yearned to go there.

They walked with silence as their company. The horse couldn’t keep up with their slow pace. She purposefully walked slowly because she didn’t want him to stress his knees. She asked him once again to ride the horse, but he refused.

After walking for some time, she sensed he was slowing down further. She decided not to ask him to ride on his horse again. She had a feeling that his pride was hurt when she asked that. He wouldn’t like it if she asked him to rest for a few minutes.

"Ah, I am so tired. Shall we sit on... that rock for some time? My legs hurt," she grimaced.

He agreed immediately. "Go sit," he said and brought her some water to drink. She was relieved when he drank some water. He sat by her side.

Jessamyn looked around. There was nothing but trees all around and not much traffic since this road led to the castle. She wondered why he didn’t ask the bird to send them a carriage.

She looked around, enjoying the scenery.

"Our wedding will be on the Winter Solstice," he said breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Jessamyn almost swallowed in the wrong pipe but she managed to not end up in a coughing fit. She observed his face. It was stoic, his expression unreadable, just as the day he told her he was marrying her.

Winter Solstice, he says? That’s almost a month away... Also, does he remember what day that is?