The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 46: His Love For Her(?)

Jessamyn took a side step unconsciously. She was privy to the different faces of Jerrick lately, which she didn’t see in the past.

Especially, when he helped her with the coat and offered her tea to calm her nerves earlier, she was awed by his thoughtfulness. He used to not care about what she felt in the past. He rarely noticed the troubles she faced.

All he cared about then was to play with her.

She was someone who yearned for love; even his little act of kindness was a big deal for her.

Now she also learned that while she was lying unconscious, along with looking after her, he had kept an eye on Ethan and protected him. There was an indescribable feeling in her heart.

Gratefulness. That must be it!

She clenched her hands. Her lips curved unconsciously even in that tense situation. But her smile vanished as fast as it appeared.

She thought Jerrick had something to do with Joar’s death and he might have conspired with Duke Lagergren in the past for Ravensworth.

There wasn’t any proof disproving the former, but about the latter, if there were any such agreements between the two, the duke would have mentioned it by now. That means Jerrick had nothing to do with the duke taking charge of Ravensworth.

But why didn’t he vote on my family’s behalf? Why did he let our family lose our titles then if he was going to help us now?

As always, Jessamyn was only left with more questions than answers regarding Jerrick’s intentions.

"Why did you ignore her? She asked you a question!" Jerrick raised his voice.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened and she jerked her head to look at him. Without knowing, her heart skipped a beat—almost like it did when he kissed her for the first time.

He got mad at the duke because he ignored my question.

Other than Isadora and Ethan, she didn’t have many family or friends who would defend her. She never expected Jerrick to openly defend her against the duke.

When she met him again just days ago, she despised him and even his presence. But she didn’t have such a strong aversion anymore. She had warmed up to him. She was disappointed he didn’t allow her to visit her husband’s grave.

But she wouldn’t lie. Just now, she was touched.

"Answer her!" Jerrick shouted.

Jessamyn folded her hands over her chest, looked at the kneeling duke, and raised her brows. With Jerrick by her side, she didn’t care what the powerful duke might do to retaliate. Her hands did tremble a bit, but Jerrick’s silent solidarity acted as a beacon of courage and she faced the duke.

"I..." Duke Lagergren out of habit, still answered to Jerrick.

Jerrick raised his cane, this time he swung it like the mighty warrior he was—charging at his foe, eyes ablaze with intensity.

"No!" Duke Lagergren fell flat on the floor.

*Whish*

The sound of the cane piercing through the wind rippled in the room. Jerrick stopped just as the cane was an inch away from the teapot.

"I’m sorry. I apologize, Your Ladyship!" Duke Lagergren crawled on his knees to her. Jessamyn took a step back before he held her leg.

"I must have been touched by a malevolent wind to even think of hurting Lord Ethan. Forgive me. I won’t even look in the direction of your brother anymore," the duke said with tears rolling down his cheeks.

That apology was enough for Jessamyn but Jerrick scoffed. "You’re blaming the wind for your greed?" he roared.

"No... No... No, I do not. I apologize for my stupidity..." the duke hit his chest. "I apologize for my greed, pride, and unwillingness to lose my winter home! Winter weather is perfect in Ravensworth and I wanted my son to enjoy it more as he..." He couldn’t even continue as he banged his head on the floor.

Jessamyn nodded unconsciously. Ravensworth had the perfect winter weather in the whole of Ayberia. No wonder they had a good tourist business with the other businesses.

Looking at the duke on the floor begging for the life of his son, she was moved. He was a good father. He didn’t have to be. If he had one son after all these years, he could have another but he didn’t want to leave his son behind. He also tried his best for his daughters too.

Good fathers touched her heart.

"What is your son’s name?" she asked, her voice dripping with gentleness and curiosity.

Jerrick looked at her with exasperation. That’s it? She forgave that man who tried to kill her brother?

Duke Lagergren looked at her bewildered by her smile. "Lam-uh-Lambert..." he answered overcoming his bewilderment, to not antagonize the man with the cane.

"Lambert? That’s a nice name..." Jessamyn smiled. That is better than Little Bubble. No wonder he didn’t like to be called a bubble. "Duke Lagergren, Lambert is welcome to stay in the Beaumont Castle whenever he wants to. I’ve known him only for days but I’ve grown a lot fond of him ever since I saved him," she said.

She felt a glare at her side and she gulped. Right!

"For now, let him stay here," Jessamyn added. "I’ll be disheartened to bid him farewell," she tilted her head slightly and smiled like a celestial.

Jessamyn sensed the chillness emitted by Jerrick increasing a bit as panic rose on the duke’s face.

"But, Milady, my son~"

"You’ll be reunited with him after my brother’s commendation ceremony, Duke Lagergren," Jessamyn interjected him in a crisp voice.

She now sensed Jerrick relaxing and let out a sigh of relief.

She had grown to love the little boy but she wouldn’t have any problem sending him to his family. But she needed some assurance the duke wouldn’t try to hurt Ethan again. For that, she needed that Little Bubble as a hostage.

She might be selfish, but she prioritized her family’s safety. The duke shouldn’t have tried to hurt her brother. Now he will have to walk on eggshells hoping no one else hurts Ethan until the Commendation ceremony.

After the commendation ceremony, Ethan would be able to gain the services of vassals and knights to protect himself. Until then, he needed protection.

For now, the official story would be that the duke’s son was staying in the Theodulf Castle after getting rescued by Lady Jessamyn.

The duke tried to negotiate but Jerrick ended the discussion.

"Then, I’ll take my leave," Jessamyn smiled at Jerrick. She wanted to feed that hungry boy.

He nodded at her with a smile and she felt a cocktail of emotions in her heart—joy, pride, and...something familiar. She tried to tone down those emotions but she couldn’t as if she was not in control of her emotions.

Picking her coat, she walked to the door.

"The love you have for Lady Jessamyn is greatly apparent, Your Grace," Duke Lagergren said in a fawning tone.

Jessamyn paused at the door.

Love? As if.

But she couldn’t ignore the drumming of her curious heart. She reached for the handle of the door and waited.

What’s his reply going to be?