The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 57: Developing Companionship

Jessamyn wondered if the wolf understood her plight as she heard him chuckle.

"You are..." He chuckled some more.

Jessamyn pouted. "What?"

"I won’t speak of our meeting with him. We aren’t that close," he said. "Is the Crossbow Lady satisfied?"

"Thank you," Jessamyn smiled widely.

"Be careful on your way..." The wolf watched her as she dragged her way back.

Jessamyn ran back, hoping she would reach her room before Jerrick woke up. When she reached the castle, the sun was bright and she sneaked back to the castle like a thief. She sure was not dressed for the morning and any maid would know that she was wearing the same dress as the previous day.

Avoiding the maids starting the day, she walked up the stairs. Bernard was not anywhere around. With a sigh of relief, she entered her room and closed the door.

Leaning on the door, she patted her pounding heart. But she couldn’t help but smile thinking of her secret encounter. Isadora was sitting on the bed.

"You were gone the entire night, Milady..." Isadora said, her eyes filled with worry.

In the corner of Jessamyn’s heart, a pricking sensation arose—guilt. The smile on her face froze as she looked at Isadora.

Why am I feeling guilty? I just made a new friend!

"Did anyone find out?" Jessamyn asked. Her voice lacked the gentleness she always reserved for Isadora.

Isadora felt the disengagement in Jessamyn’s tone. She stood up, hands clutching her chest. "No, Milady."

Isadora watched as Jessamyn changed into her nightgown.

"I don’t want to be disturbed for the day," Jessamyn walked to the bed.

"Did you forget, Milady? Wulfhart informed that the shoemaker will visit you today..." Isadora tried to remind her as gently as she could.

Jessamyn glared at Isadora. Her glare was short-loved for she immediately brought out her smile.

"His Grace is indeed very graceful and concerned for me. Thank you for reminding me of his mercy. However, I am not interested in a new shoe for now. You can thank His Grace by getting shoes for yourself, Isadora."

Jessamyn felt like a captive. Especially, after Jerrick told her that he knew a way to make her carry his son, she only felt like a slave kept for his pleasure and usage. Isadora not knowing what happened, reminded her time and time again of Jerrick’s generosity as he arranged all those exquisite things for their wedding.

Jessamyn tried to ignore but without knowing, she spewed those sharp words, expressing her helpless state as anger.

Isadora gulped as she choked on her sorrow. She wanted to cry. She’s been with Jessamyn for years and never once did her lady act this cold to her. She withdrew sometimes, hiding her emotions, but she never whipped her with sharp words before.

Hiding her hurt, Isadora smiled. Her lady probably was tired and that was the reason for her outburst.

"Shall I bring something for you to eat before you go to bed, Milady?" Isadora asked.

Without answering her, Jessamyn plopped on the bed. Isadora waited to see if her lady answered her but she didn’t. Holding back her tears, she stood by her side. After Jessamyn fell asleep, Isadora covered her properly, and walked out of the room.

Leaning on the wall, she let out a deep breath. She thought Jessamyn was getting along with the archduke for the past few days, and she even showed some interest in the wedding preparations. But maybe she was wrong.

"Isadora..."

She looked up, hearing Bernard’s voice.

"Here..." He held out his hand.

Isadora looked at his fisted hand. He must be hiding something. He had pressed his lips to conceal his smile.

"What is it?" she asked, her face blooming with a smile. She thought he must be trying to pull her leg.

He held out his hand. "Have it."

Isadora tilted her head and observed his fisted hand. He had a large hand. The nerves on his hands were protruding; Isadora’s heart skipped a beat. She yearned to touch his hand but held back her urges.

"Here..." Bernard lost his patience waiting for Isadora to hold out her hand; he held her hand and pressed his hand on hers.

Isadora’s heart raced as his rough hand landed on top of her. His hand covered her hand entirely. She almost retracted her hand.

But she didn’t want to lose the prickly thing on her hand. At first, she thought he might be pranking her; next, she thought he might have brought her something to eat as he did. But feeling that thing...

Her eyes widened to see the glimmering jewel in her hand. She recognized the blue jewel. "This one..." Her mouth went agape as she looked at him.

When her lady was looking through that wide vast of collections, her eye ended on that fairly large gem, but she knew she couldn’t afford it. She thought no one noticed it, but...

Her eyes clouded looking at the blue gem. It did remind her of his eyes when she looked at it first; that was why she was attracted to it. Bernard had affixed the gem on a pendant now. Surrounded by silver, it looked gorgeous. She looked closer at the engraved design. It looked similar to the engravement he carried. Whether he intended it or not, Isadora was stunned.

In their Kingdom, it was customary for a man to give jewelry to his bride on their wedding day. That jewel would carry his insignia or symbols of his family crest to signify her unification with his family.

Bernard held her hand and closed her trembling fingers. "Have this for now. I’ll add a chain to it when the time comes."

Isadora looked at Bernard, not knowing what to say. Seeing the depth of care and sincerity he portrayed, her heart swelled with warmth and tenderness. She was awash with a mixture of gratitude, joy, and disbelief. She found herself humbled by the intensity of his devotion, feeling deeply cherished and valued in a way she had scarcely imagined possible.

Meeting his eyes that revealed the profound devotion he had for her, Isadora found herself lost.

-----

Jessamyn opened her eyes the moment Isadora left the room. She regretted saying those sharp words to Isadora. Realizing she had hurt Isadora, she couldn’t fall asleep.

Not wanting to leave it at that, she got up, wanting to apologize. She knew she was not in a bad mood lately whenever she was in there, but it was wrong of her to show it on Isadora—the only person who loved her for no reason.

Gathering herself, she opened the door gently to apologize.

There, she saw Bernard holding Isadora’s hand. Both of them were staring into each other’s eyes. The sight was so profoundly beautiful, that it should have brought her joy.

But it didn’t.

Her heart sank, and a bitterness spread in her heart. She felt guilty but couldn’t stop. She closed the door softly, and with tear-filled eyes, went to the bed, closing her heart.