The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 65: Closely Guarded Secret

Mirroring the hush of the room around her, Isadora walked softly and cautiously, ensuring that her presence remained unobtrusive.

Her heart almost jumped out of her chest cavity, when she heard another moan and the ruffle of the sheets. Perhaps, the reason for her raised heartbeat was her expectation. She was sneakily expecting to see a similar scent to that night.

Convincing herself that she was only worried for her ladyship’s safety, Isadora drew closer. After all, her lady was unhappy when such a thing happened earlier.

What she saw, however, froze her.

Jerrick was sitting by Jessamyn’s feet, massaging her legs gently, ensuring that she didn’t wake up. She noticed a tray with a simple portion of a meal with many healthy components cooked in the way Jessamyn liked. She didn’t think it was the maids’ cooking.

Isadora panicked when his eyes met with hers. She thought she was being sneaky, but he knew she was there. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He stood up and jerked his head at Jessamyn’s leg as if he was asking for Isadora to take over. Isadora obliged.

He waited until Isadora did it the way he liked and left the room, not before sparing a couple of glances at Jessamyn. He closed the door softly, with the gentleness of a mother holding her newborn baby.

Isadora let out a deep breath looking at the sleeping Jessamyn. Do you realize how much you’re loved, Milady?

Jessamyn woke up a few minutes after Jerrick left. "You didn’t have to do that! Your poor hands..." Jessamyn held Isadora’s hand out of concern and massaged it.

Isadora wanted to say that she was not the rightful recipient of her concern. She was just there when she woke up. The rightful one who cared for her had left fearing her reaction.

"Your meal, Milady," Isadora offered her the tray.

Jessamyn’s eyes lit up seeing the beautiful way dinner was presented. "This looks appetizing!" she rubbed her hands together and proceeded to eat it.

"The best meal I had in a while," she said as she sipped the wine. "Ah..." she leaned back, satisfied. There was a smile on her lips.

"Water," Isadora offered.

"Thank you," Jessamyn smiled. "I don’t know what I did to have you by my side... You look after me like a mother would...The only one."

Isadora smiled with her eyes clouded. But I am not the only one, Milady. I am not even sure if I am the best as you think. There is someone else. Someone even better than the late Count.

The next day, Isadora went to the kitchen to prepare the medicine as asked by Wulfhart. Seeing the maids standing outside the kitchen murmuring among themselves, Isadora had a clue.

Not minding the maids trying to stop her, Isadora went to the kitchen. She was blocked by someone and she looked up.

Bernard smiled widely seeing her. Isadora smiled and a blush formed on her face.

"You’re late," Jerrick said interrupting their moment. "It’s a good thing I came early."

Isadora was ashamed. She thought she was right on time. "Let me~"

"No!" Jerrick curtly interrupted Isadora. "I don’t trust your skills enough."

Isadora watched as Jerrick prepared everything. Even the seasoning he used on the steak was from the "jar" he had.

"Here, make sure she finishes everything," Jerrick offered her the tray with everything presented neatly.

Isadora got the tray. "I am telling her you prepared it all," she said.

"You won’t. Not if you care for her," Jerrick said with a smirk. The slant of his eyelids revealed the pain he hid.

Isadora let out a sigh. "Why can’t you tell her you love her?" she asked.

It hurt her to see her lady oblivious to everything. If it was depressing for the observer, how hard would it be for the one involved?

"Because I do not love her," Jerrick said without missing a beat.

Isadora opened her mouth but she didn’t know what to say. Is he pulling my leg?

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Isadora walked out. She met eyes with Bernard on her way out.

What will he answer if someone asks him whether he loves me? Does he love me or what we have is too early to say? Wait... do I love him?

She got to Jessamyn’s room with her mind occupied with various thoughts. Seeing Jessamyn enjoying the meal, Isadora almost revealed the truth. But she decided to wait until she finished it.

"Thank you," Jessamyn said wiping her mouth.

"Milady... You should thank Wulfhart..." Isadora said his name softly observing Jessamyn’s reaction.

"I should, shouldn’t I?" Jessamyn said lying on the bed. "Maybe I should be grateful he fell in love with Imogen. I should also be grateful to Imogen for pretending to care for me. Otherwise, will I have this comfortable life now?"

"Milady..." Isadora held her arm not knowing what Jessamyn was truly feeling. She didn’t know whether Jessamyn said it truthfully or sardonically.

But Isadora was relieved she revealed the truth to her lady. She hoped her lady wouldn’t stop eating knowing the truth.

Jessamyn, however, was not in the mood to dissect what Isadora said. She didn’t know whether Isadora wanted her to thank Jerrick for offering all these delicacies or because he prepared it all himself.

She didn’t care either way. He was doing it out of his love for Imogen. All she cared was to find a way to leave at night. She needed to meet with the wolf.

Jessamyn pretended to be asleep and sneaked out as usual at midnight. She took a glance at Jerrick’s room and both his bedroom and his study were dark. She figured he might be sleeping.

The dogs didn’t stop her and she found her way to the forest in no time. She didn’t smell the jasmine that night. She might have imagined it the other night.

She found the tree where she met the wolf the other day and sat in a comfortable spot waiting for the wolf. Thanks to the medicine, she didn’t feel much pain; having a balanced meal had improved her health.

She waited and waited but the wolf didn’t appear. She thought the wolf had forgotten about her. After waiting for almost an hour, she gave up and decided to take a walk.

"I thought you wouldn’t come..."

Jessamyn stopped hearing that familiar voice laced with affection.

"Here I am," she smiled looking at the handsome wolf. She almost hugged the wolf but held back.

The wolf stared at her for some time. "You should have rested tonight..." he said.

Jessamyn shrugged. "I wanted to meet you, Ye Great One," she gave an exaggerated bow.

"It is getting colder," the wolf said as he took a comfortable position.

Jessamyn had a lot to say about the weather and she started. When she finished, the wolf chuckled.

"I’ve never met someone who hates this weather as much as you do."

"I am from Ravensworth—the place with the perfect weather. What did you expect?" Jessamyn giggled.

"I... wouldn’t call Ravensworth’s weather perfect," the wolf said.

That set her off and Jessamyn went on another rant.

"Goodness!" the wolf covered his ears. "Forgive me, Crossbow lady. I am wrong to talk bad about the weather of your beloved hometown..." He surrendered.

Jessamyn was proud and lifted her chin so her nose was facing the sky. "That’s right! Don’t say anything bad about Ravensworth. Or else, I swear on my mother’s grave, I shall~"

She paused realizing she revealed something she didn’t intend to. It was a closely guarded secret.

"What’s the weather in your hometown like?" Jessamyn asked, hoping the wolf didn’t catch what she said earlier.

"If you don’t mind me asking... Did you say your mother’s grave?" the wolf asked.

Jessamyn let out a deep sigh.

He heard it! What shall I do?