The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 45: The Confrontation

Jessamyn stood confounded by the door seeing Duke Lagergren sitting on the sofa chatting happily with Jerrick.

Noticing her, the two men stood up as it was the custom of the aristocrats to stand up for a lady. Duke Lagergren bowed his head for her and she did a curtsey in return.

His eyes were tired and although he had cleaned up, there were traces of weariness and distress on his face. He smiled at her, but she felt the chill in the room.

Jessamyn walked in with a smile and Bernard closed the door behind her.

Although she smiled, her heart was pounding. She knew she had to face the nobles sooner or later, but this sudden meet shook her core. Also, this man might not be here with peace. Although he was smiling at her, he would be holding grudges for losing control over Ravensworth.

She also didn’t have a good relationship with anyone associated with the Crown Prince.

Talking diplomatically and tactfully was a necessity in high society. She barely knew the nuances of conversation with the nobles. Add to it, for the past three years she secluded herself, she rarely talked.

She almost turned and ran away as she lacked the confidence.

"Did you enjoy your stroll in the garden?" Jerrick walked to her with a smile and helped her out of the coat.

"Yes," she tried to smile, hiding her trembling fingers.

"Good," Jerrick smiled. Holding her hand, he guided her to sit on the sofa he was sitting on. She followed him mechanically.

The men took their seats after she took her seat.

Jerrick poured a cup of tea, arranged some snacks, and offered it to her.

"Thank you," Jessamyn smiled.

The men started discussing the area’s lack of law and order. Sipping the tea, Jessamyn listened to them silently. One thing she knew was that interrupting men’s discussion was considered rude. To be honest, usually, women wouldn’t be asked to bear with men’s discussions.

She didn’t know why Jerrick asked her there.

Also, as the lord of the fief, wasn’t it his duty to maintain law and order? Why was he blaming the criminals for running rampant in his fief?

The warm tea and the intriguing conversation calmed her down. Listening to the conversation, she had an idea that the men were talking with meaning behind their words. She placed the teacup down.

She noticed something in the eyes of Duke Lagergren. The silver-blue color was duller than the boy’s eyes and almost looked grey.

She heard that Duke Lagergren had a son in his old age from his fourth wife. He had eleven daughters and no heir when he married for the fourth time. His fourth wife was younger than his eldest daughter. He treated her like a queen after she gave him an heir.

Such superstitions were common among the nobles for they believed that women were responsible for the gender of the baby. She had a feeling that the truth that even the commoners understood that men’s seed determines the gender of the baby, might not be strange to the educated nobles but they held on those superstitions so that the men wouldn’t be blamed for anything.

The aristocratic men indeed had an inflated ego and the conceited need to be blameless.

Duke Lagergren wanted one of his daughters to gain the favor of the crown prince after the late king wanted someone with the Lagergren blood to produce an heir to the throne. But since Duke Lagergren didn’t have a son then, his daughters’ prospects diminished. The current King chose Cordelia Dahlberg for the crown prince.

Isadora loved gossip and that was how Jessamyn knew all about Duke Lagergren’s struggle to have an heir. She wouldn’t blame him though. She knew what would happen to all his wealth if he didn’t have a son. Look at what happened to Joar’s wealth! His unfit cousin inherited everything.

When she looked at Little Bubble, she indeed found him familiar; especially, his eyes. Now, she remembered who else had a similar eye—Cordelia Dahlberg. She had met that girl once in a ball.

Is Little Bubble Duke Lagergren’s son? Did Jerrick find his parents after showing no interest? Is that why he’s here?

Jessamyn kept her thoughts to herself and listened.

"A couple of days earlier, Lady Jessamyn rescued a boy. Imagine the temerity of those hooligans to try and abduct a boy in a crowded market street!" Jerrick said slapping his thigh.

Jessamyn observed Jerrick as he made that statement. His smile was lopsided and his eyes were sharply focused on Duke Lagergren. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jessamyn got curious as to why Jerrick mentioned Little Bubble to Duke Lagergren in this roundabout manner if he was his father. Was I wrong to assume he is Duke Lagergren’s son?

"Yes, they are hooligans to try to hurt a little boy. The fear of the holy is diminishing in Ayberia," Duke Lagergren said, his eyes spitting venom. The gentle composure he had till then broke to reveal the anger he was hiding.

"Who can blame them? Even the religious, educated, and wealthy nobles try to murder the rightful heir to have a hold of their land. In the end, there is not much difference between them. All are pigs," Jerrick said.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened as she looked at Jerrick.

Is he saying what I think he says? Did Duke Lagergren try to murder my brother? Did Jerrick save Ethan?

Jerrick’s scornful words allowed Duke Lagergren to lose the last bit of patience he had.

"I know you kidnapped my son, Wulfhart! I demand you to release my son!" he slammed his knees.

Wait... Jerrick kidnapped Little Bubble as a retaliation? Jessamyn was puzzled.

Jerrick laughed. She knew that laugh. It was the laugh that said he didn’t care.

He did it! He kidnapped the boy! Is that why he told me to leave the boy? What was he planning to do with the boy? So, those men he killed were his men? Jessamyn was left confused.

"Release your son?" Jerrick laughed once more. "Why should I?"

Duke Lagergren’s face twitched with anger. Jessamyn got vigilant and observed him closer. What if he raised his sword?

But to her disbelief, Duke Lagergren bowed his head. "Give him back, please... He’s my sole heir...Be gracious. I’ll give you~"

"Did you try to kill my brother?" Jessamyn who was silent till then asked. "Isn’t he a sole heir too?"

Why is he begging for the grace he didn’t spare for my brother?

Duke Lagergren looked at Jessamyn with his eyes bubbling with rage; the humbleness he had toward Jerrick went missing as he glared at her.

"Please," he turned at Jerrick once more, his eyes pleading. "Is my son safe?" he kneeled.

*Smack*

Jerrick smacked his walking cane on the table making the duke wince. Jessamyn had a glimpse of the god of death once more.

Is he going to kill the duke?