The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 72: The Sorrow Behind The Smile

Jerrick watched William as he sat hunched over his cluttered desk, in the bright room. Papers were strewn about like fallen leaves in autumn, discarded and forgotten in his pursuit of the perfect words. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

With a sigh, Jerrick found a place to sit. He rarely got into William’s study. The room was filled with exquisite furnishings and was well-lit, and yet something was lacking.

There was nothing with personal connection in the entire room, Jerrick observed. His heart clenched seeing the way William lived. But beneath the façade of grandeur and happiness, there lurked a hint of melancholy, a shadow that flickered briefly across his face when he thought no one was watching.

Jerrick knew the reason behind his melancholy. Maybe, having Isadora with him for some days will being him the joy he lacked.

"Here," William offered the letter with a bright smile on his face.

Jerrick got the letter although he was sure the letter alone wouldn’t work. But he could try. The chamberlain walked in with a couple of servants carrying a big chest behind him.

"What’s that?" Jerrick asked.

William ran to the table and opened a drawer. "Oh, that! Right on time! I bought some fabrics and prepared some jewelry for Isadora. I was about to send it to your castle, but since you’re here, give it to her..."

Jerrick chuckled. "Practice restraint, William... You’re going to make Bernard very jealous. You would not want to be on Bernard’s wrong side."

"Bernard?" William raised his brows. "She’s interested in Bernard?"

Jerrick shrugged.

"You approve?" William asked. "I have nothing against Bernard but... I imagined she might prefer gentlemen of a paler disposition, adorned with the marks of scholarly pursuits, rather than the robust Bernard, who seems to revel in more... visceral pastimes."

Jerrick chuckled. "It is surprising, isn’t it?"

"Eh... One finds it rather uncertain in matters of this nature, wouldn’t you agree?" William’s smile reached his eyes. But then his smile vanished as a thought crossed his mind. "Do you reckon it shall prove favorable for her at least?"

Jerrick’s smile froze too. "Time will tell..."

Both of them stood in silence staring at the floor for some time. The twinkle in William’s eyes returned with a smile hinting at the depths of his zest for life.

"Bernard won’t mind it if it is your gift," William said pointing at the chest. He didn’t care how Isadora got it. He wanted her to have those gifts he chose for her. "And..." William took a brooch from the drawer.

Jerrick’s eyes fell on the brooch and his brows raised as William pressed it in his hand.

"You want Isadora to have her brooch?" Jerrick asked. He knew William treasured everything belonging to her. It surprised Jerrick that William was willing to part with that particular brooch which was her favorite piece of jewelry.

"Why not?" William smiled as he gently caressed the brooch. "She can have it."

Jerrick’s voice got lower minding the others. "You’re not going to save it for your wife?" He whispered to William.

"Wife?" William scoffed. "What’s with you today? You know I am not going to marry this lifetime."

Jerrick sighed. "But William, how long are you going to pretend to be hedonistic, hiding~"

"I am not pretending. I am hedonistic. Look at me! What do I lack?" William interjected.

"Do you not aspire for a meaningful company for the rest of your life? How long~"

"Stop this!" William shouted. His eyebrows twitched in anger and he fisted his hands.

The chamberlain and the servants stepped back and closed the door. Their lord doesn’t lose his composure often, but when he does, no one can bear the brunt of his anger.

"You say this and what do you do? You’ve got a second chance and what do you do? You say you do not love her again and again as if you’re boasting. Do you comprehend the lengths to which I would not hesitate to go merely to behold her presence once more, if only for the briefest of moments, solely to profess my love once more?"

William turned to show his back to Jerrick. Jerrick bowed his head and clenched his hands to fists.

I am doing what I can just for that, William. You have no idea why I cannot love her anymore...

"Have this with you for some time," Jerrick placed the brooch on the table.

William was still showing his back, but he took a glance at the brooch on the table.

"I have a plan. I’ll bring Isadora here soon. You can give those gifts yourself. For now, I’ll give her the letter..."

Saying this, Jerrick walked out of the room.

William watched the closed door after Jerrick left wondering what Jerrick meant. He knew if Jerrick said he would do something, he would do it without fail.

Then it hit him.

Oh, Jerrick! You’re not doing it for me, but for her, are you?

William chuckled.

Keep on lying to your heart, Jerrick... One day, the truth will burst out.

-----

Jessamyn was doing everything to distract herself in the mornings. The fat boy fell asleep after filling his tummy and as she didn’t want to think about anything, she started to do embroidery to occupy her mind.

Since wedding bells were closer in Isadora’s life, Jessamyn thought of starting on laces. Isadora would look pretty in lace dresses and a veil.

Isadora was bored looking at her lady. She was working non-stop.

At that time, there was a knock on the door. The servant brought a letter and Isadora got it.

"It’s a letter from your brother, Milady," Isadora brought the letter to Jessamyn.

Jessamyn got the letter and read it. She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about the letter.

Isadora was confused by Jessamyn’s reaction. She read the letter as Jessamyn didn’t mind.

"Isn’t this a good thing, Milady?" Isadora asked.

All Jessamyn could do was sigh. "It is I suppose..."

"His Lordship is both loving and benevolent to offer to pay your dowry for your wedding. It might not be much, but it would give you the status that your paternal family is sending you off with respect..."