The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 77: The Confusing Behavior

In the dimly lit carriage, Jessamyn sat at his feet, her gaze fixed upon him with an intensity that bordered on reverence. Her eyes traced the contours of his face as if committing every detail to memory, captivated by his presence as though under a spell.

Meanwhile, Jerrick looked down at her with a smile that radiated genuine happiness, his eyes reflecting a warmth that seemed to envelop her. There was a subtle pride in his expression, as if he couldn’t quite believe his fortune to have her there by his side.

The past few days had been hell on earth for him for he missed her dearly. She so easily said that his songbird was dead. He couldn’t even bear that thought.

Now, as her nimble fingers massaged his pain away, he was observing the concern on her face. His songbird was still there.

’I know how to make you carry my son, Songbird. Don’t you worry about it and do what I say...’

The words he spoke that day reverberated in Jessamyn’s ears and slapped her out of her reverie. She couldn’t afford to lose herself in his mystique. She needed to hold on to her clarity.

"Enough, Jerrick. Stop this," she placed the medicine on his hands and rolled down his trousers. "Let’s not do this. I give up. I will do what you say just like you want me to. I shall fulfil the duties of a wife. If all you want from me is to carry your son to term, I shall fulfill your wish and find peace in death."

She pressed her lips after she finished her piece. The palpitations of her heart had reduced and she could feel in control of her emotions again.

Maybe the myths about the Theodulf family were true. Possibly, they knew powerful spells. He might be manipulating her using her spells. Otherwise, why would she feel differently whenever he was near?

The temperature inside the carriage dipped further down as Jerrick’s face twitched in anger. His hands, sculpted with raw strength, reached out towards her delicate neck, a gesture heavy with a tension that bordered on danger and desire.

Jessamyn’s breath caught in her throat, as a wave of fear swirled within her. She thought attacking her would be beneath him, but maybe it was. She was only the cheap replacement for the unblemished Imogen.

Fighting her urge to look away, she stared right into his eyes. If the boy who made her heart race in the past was showing his true colors to her, she wanted to etch it in her heart.

But as his touch hovered tantalizingly close, she sensed a glimmer of something else in his eyes, a hesitation born from a depth of emotion she had yet to comprehend. He paused, mere inches away from her skin, his hand then fisted to a ball in front of her face.

"Talking nonchalantly about death..." he gritted his teeth, his squinted eyes spitted rage.

Jessamyn scoffed. She was surrounded by death all around. She might be afraid of it a little but was eagerly waiting for it. Why wouldn’t she talk about it?

Her defiant glance must have angered him further. Jumping over her, he exited the carriage. His gait was strong and large as if the one moaning in pain some time earlier was not him.

"Bernard!!!" He shouted before banging the door shut.

Jessamyn let out a sigh as the carriage shook and proceeded with the embroidery.

-----

Isadora sat with her hand supporting her cheek while munching on the roasted peanuts Bernard got for her. She didn’t know how he got freshly roasted peanuts, but she didn’t care. It was a great snack.

She asked him to join her in the carriage, but he refused. She didn’t know why he refused to sit with her. At times, it felt like he was avoiding her. But she couldn’t say for sure. Often, he would knock on the window to offer her munchable snacks with a beaming smile.

Although it was the "luggage carrier", it was not just that. It was a big carriage with luggage in the back and featured a cozy seat where she could stretch out her legs if she desired. She was offered books to read and maids ensured her comfort often.

She still missed being with her lady. Although her lady didn’t talk much, she would be a much better company than solitude. Her throat hurt by being silent.

She opened the window as the carriage didn’t move for a long time. Peeking her head out, she looked for Bernard.

Bernard was closely following his lord’s carriage. Isadora would have found fault with Bernard for ignoring her but since her lady too was in the carriage, she didn’t mind. Her lady needed all the protection.

She was about to signal Bernard to come to her. She was too lazy to walk there. Bernard was not noticing her as he was keenly observing the carriage.

Is something wrong?

Isadora couldn’t stay in the carriage anymore and opened the door to jump out. It was then a booming voice resounded in the lonesome forest road, scaring away the poor birds resting around in the trees.

"Bernard!!!"

Isadora patted her chest hearing Jerrick’s voice. Even the squirrels and insects around scattered away hearing his angry shout as if their life was in danger.

Seeing Bernard getting down from his horse hurriedly, Isadora rushed to Jerrick. It was an involuntary action for her.

Jerrick noticed Isadora. He waved his hand at Bernard and Bernard got back on his horse. He did keep an eye on Isadora as she ran past Jerrick. He only blinked after she safely passed Jerrick.

Isadora got inside the carriage holding her heart back in place as it thumped against her chest cavity fearing the worst.

She sighed seeing her lady sitting peacefully leaning back with her embroidery hoop in hand.

"Did you run here?" Jessamyn smiled.

Isadora blinked. She didn’t know what her lady did to make Wulfhart that mad. What wondered her more was the calmness on Jessamyn’s face as if she had figured out everything.

Throughout the journey, Isadora tried to find out what happened in the carriage but Jessamyn was tight-lipped about it. She tried to share the snacks Bernard gave for her but her lady was not interested in eating.

Isadora did wonder why there were no favors sent for her lady throughout the rest of the journey. They got slowed down nearly at the end of the journey because of an accident, but even then, her lady was not offered dinner.

Isadora thought her lady would mind but she didn’t. She even stopped Isadora when she tried to inquire the maids about the lack of service.

They reached the tavern late at night. Jessamyn refused food. After taking a long bath, she fell asleep. Isadora couldn’t find Wulfhart anywhere in the tavern. Bernard was standing at the end of the hallway and she asked him.

Apparently, Wulfhart was not staying in the tavern. He was staying in a mansion belonging to the Grand Duke.

Isadora was offended on her lady’s behalf. "How could he let Milady stay in a tavern when he has access to a mansion? I’m so mad I can’t even look around the capital city!" She stomped her feet.

Bernard listened to her angry rant for some time. After a while, he looked bored. Isadora with a pout, stomped back to the room.

"Stop!" Bernard stopped her. "Here, eat this," he offered her a chicken drumstick. "You didn’t eat dinner."

Isadora pouted. "I am not eating. Go tell your lord that I am going to starve until my lady is treated with respect!"

Saying this, she closed the door. She was not hungry. She ate the whole day. She was worried for her lady who ate nothing. Bernard stared at his hand and sighed.

-----

When Jessamyn woke up, the sky was brightening. She was excited to see her brother in his official attire of a Baron.

The maids ran around in the room, helping her get ready. Isadora insisted she ate and Jessamyn complied. She knew she couldn’t eat much after she wore her corset. It was a special occasions one and it won’t be as comfortable as the ones she wore normally.

She didn’t want to faint in the middle of the ceremony. She made sure to eat and get hydrated.

The maids didn’t talk much—they were paid by Jerrick and he must have ordered them to. Jessamyn didn’t mind.

Until... she saw the dress.

"That was not the dress I chose," she said.

She couldn’t fib about it. That dress truly was stunning. Crafted from the very black fabric that had caught her eye during her visit to the market in Roche, it boasted intricate embroidery of ravens across its surface, lending it a raised, textured appearance. The craftsmanship of both the design and the stitching was flawless.

It had a matching hat too.

She was unsure of the color she chose for the dress, but she knew she didn’t choose black since Jerrick got angry. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

He changed the fabric I chose to this... Why?

The maids still didn’t answer her and proceeded with dressing her. Isadora tried to pick a fight with the maids, but Jessamyn stopped her.

She pressed her lips to conceal her smile.

Is the wedding off? Did he finally realize I am not the same girl he knew in the past?