The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 75: A Protection Spell

Curbing her curiosity, Jessamyn went to her room. Isadora clutched her skirt tighter out of nervousness. Her life as she knew it had taken a turn out of nowhere, but she steeled her heart to face whatever life threw at her next.

It was high time she acted as an adult.

She waited for Jerrick to talk to her but he was staring at the door without blinking his eyes. His interlocked fingers covered the lower part of his face and she couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

"I want to stay here until the wedding," Isadora said, hoping to bring him out of the reverie. "Milady needs support."

Jerrick nodded, with his eyes still on the door. Isadora wondered if he could see through the door for him to stare at the door so intently.

"Has the Grand Duke expressed his desire to adopt me or will you have to convince him?" She asked.

That turned Jerrick’s attention toward Isadora. "He won’t refuse my proposal," he said.

Jerrick pressed his lips seeing her face getting long as she bowed her head. "You want to ask me something?"

Isadora fiddled with her fingers. "Is he...my brother?" She looked up. "Do we share blood?"

Jerrick wetted his lips.

"Never mind..." Isadora scratched the back of her head. "I know that’s not the case..."

How could she even think that the brother of the King was her brother? Impossible! Her father was a nobody and her mother left her when she was a baby. How could someone like her share blood with a royal?

"He’s a broken soul. He needs someone like you near him. Help him..." Jerrick said. "If he gifts you something, accept without hesitating. If possible, cook for him. Be casual with him and show him the way. Help him find a wife..."

"Me..?" Isadora raised her brows. "Why me? Why would he do that for me?"

Jerrick bent and pulled out something. He opened the drawer and fiddled with something. Clasping her hands Isadora watched him.

Jerrick jerked his head up to face Isadora. "Let’s say...He owes you through someone."

"Owes me?" Isadora was only confused. "Through who?"

With a thud, Jerrick placed a leather bag on the table.

"Milady’s bag," Isadora took a step forward. Is he going to return it to Milady?

Jerrick deliberated for some time looking at the bag. Then, he pulled out a small glass jar from the bag and placed it on the table. Inside it was an off-white powder.

"Mix it with her perfume," he said.

Isadora furrowed her brows. She didn’t recognize this one. Her lady never used this powder before. "What is this?"

Jerrick tapped the table. "It’s a protection spell. Did you know about the outings your lady undertakes every night?"

Isadora gulped. "She’s still going out at night?"

Jerrick said nothing more. Isadora looked at the vial in deep thought.

"I don’t think Milady will agree to~"

"I didn’t ask you to ask for her permission," Jerrick interjected.

"I can’t." Isadora placed the vial on the table. "I don’t want to deceive Milady anymore. If it is beneficial for her, find a way to make her accept it."

Not minding the thunder rolling on Jerrick’s face, Isadora told him what she felt like. She would have been afraid to talk about her wants and needs to him, but when it came to Lady Jessamyn, she found the courage.

"Next time she gets attacked by..." Jerrick let out a sigh rubbing his temples. "I do not love her. That doesn’t mean I want her hurt. You can’t even keep her safe in her room. If you have regard for your lady, ensure she carries the fragrance of this powder constantly."

Jerrick was tired of explaining himself to others all the time. Why couldn’t anyone understand him?

"If she’s in danger, why won’t you return her crossbow?" Isadora asked.

"Take the powder and leave!" Jerrick banged the table.

Isadora did just that. She didn’t want to argue with him. Clutching the vial to her chest, she stepped out of the room.

"Tell her we are leaving for the capital city tomorrow. She should rest properly tonight."

Isadora did a curtsey and closed the door. Bernard was still standing by the door. Seeing her, he smiled.

She stood toe-to-toe with him and looked at his face. She made a big decision without considering Bernard’s feelings.

What if he blames me for agreeing to be the grand duke’s sister? But does he have a say? Isn’t it my life? I did consider him. I chose the option where I could be close to him. I cannot abandon my lady. But will he understand? Or will he think I agreed to the benefits? What should I do?

"Is something the matter?" he asked as she let out a deep sigh.

"I don’t know..." Isadora said. Her eyes clouded. "I don’t know what I am doing..."

Bernard’s hand automatically reached for her head. Before he could touch her, she leaned on his chest and wrapped her hands around his back. Bernard’s hands froze. She always had a way to surprise him.

As her arms wrapped around him, he was engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions he never knew existed. In that tender embrace, time stood still, and the world faded away, leaving only the warmth of her touch and the sweet scent of her perfume. He felt a surge of longing and passion that threatened to consume him entirely, his heart pounding with a fervor he had never known.

He hugged her back. She was so tiny and dainty, he was careful not to squish her. She smelled like fruits. She made him hungry.

Something awakened in him the more he stayed in her embrace. His body warmed and as she squeezed him, his heart skipped a beat.

"Shall we go for a walk?" Bernard asked. A thought just flashed in his mind—a quite unruly thought. He feared he might act upon that thought if he stayed like that for longer.

He needed to cool down.

-----

Jessamyn sat by the windowsill staring at the waving trees. She looked down hearing a familiar giggle.

Isadora was walking in the garden with Bernard. Bernard was saying something and Isadora couldn’t stop giggling. It was a beautiful sight to behold and her lips curved to a smile.

The smile, however, didn’t last long and she closed the window.

-----

The next morning, Jessamyn went to the carriage that was prepared for her. She had to do nothing. She didn’t even pack her belongings. The maids did everything. All she had to do was to get dressed and eat.

She was stunned by the interior of the carriage. Although Jerrick was petty, he had spent enough for comfort. She did need comfort for the eight-hour journey to the capital city.

With her embroidery necessities at hand, she waited for Isadora. When she saw the one entering the carriage, however, her smile turned to a grimace.

What is he doing here?