The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 79: Covering Her Darkness With His Colors

As the grand hall swirled with whispers and the soft rustle of silk, all eyes turned to the magnificent figure striding forth. In the lavish chamber, where the sunlight danced on gilded walls, he walked with a large gait, with the same determination he walked toward the battle.

His cloak of midnight black billowed from his broad shoulders, caught in a tantalizing dance with every step he took. His eyes, deep as the ancient forest, focused on her as if she were a land he wished to conquer. His presence commanded attention, every inch of him exuding an aura of power and allure.

His loyal warriors followed him with their hands over the hilt of their swords, their presence a silent testament to his authority and strength. Each one a formidable guardian, their unwavering devotion a reflection of the man they followed without question.

But it was not merely his title that set hearts racing in the hall. No, it was the Archduke himself—the embodiment of masculine grace and charm, a magnet for longing gazes and whispered sighs. With every stride, he drew nearer to her, his gaze unwaveringly focused on her, a promise of mysteries waiting to be unraveled.

Amidst the grandeur, she stood, a delicate bloom caught in the whirlpool of his approach. Awe painted her features with a soft glow, an ethereal halo framing her delicate visage. The black contrasted her pale skin. Her eyes, pools of cerulean depths, widened in confusion as she beheld the figure weaving through the amused congregation.

What is he going to do?

The master of ceremonies, followed Jerrick, his heart beating in his throat. He followed the traditions and placed that woman there. If the archduke found offense, what could he do?

Before her, he stood, his eyes tracing the delicate contours of her form as though he sought to immortalize her, imprinting the essence of her being onto the canvas of his heart with each lingering glance.

Jessamyn had long tuned out the others. She forgot about everything else—the place she was standing in. Locked in his gaze, she went back to the days she waited for him.

His gaze weighed upon her chest like a heavy burden, leaving her breathless and anchored in place by the sheer force of his presence. Though her lips parted in an attempt to speak, the words seemed to desert her, lost amidst the overwhelming tide of emotions his nearness stirred within her.

He leaned, his breath warming her face. "I will not lose my Songbird," he said.

Jessamyn’s chest cavity felt like a raging bull had gotten locked in there. She couldn’t breathe properly and took gasps of breath through her mouth.

*Flick*

She heard a fluttering noise but couldn’t peel her eyes off the mesmerizing green orbs staring into the depths of her heart. Darkness surrounded her, then subsided as his strong arms hovered around her. A heavy glimmering warmth rested on her shoulder.

"This, I bought for my songbird—the first jewel I ever bought..." Jerrick showed her the brooch in his hand.

Jessamyn focused on it. It was a silver bird with a blue jewel as its eye. Its wings and feathers were engraved with black gems and its beak was affixed with citrine stones. It was dainty and when he pinned on her, it contrasted the black dress she was wearing.

It’s a mynah!!! He bought it for me? First jewel, he says... Does it mean... Was it meant to be my betrothal gift ten years ago? And he is giving it to me now...

While Jessamyn was deep in her thoughts, she was already led by Jerrick to the front row of the hall. Men and women gasped at the ethereal beauty walking beside Jerrick.

Jessamyn possessed a magnetic allure that drew gazes wherever she went, yet on this occasion, it wasn’t her beauty that captured attention with whispers of admiration and envy. It was not the charisma of the wolf of a man walking beside her either. Not entirely.

It was the cloak resting on her shoulders that drew the attention of everyone. The black silk cloak was adorned with intricate embroidery in shades of green and silver, entirely covering the base fabric of black.

It was as if Jerrick was symbolically saying that he was removing the black covering her after the loss of her husband and covering her with his color—green and silver.

Adorning its back was an intricately embroidered crest, a fresh design harmonizing with the silver embellishments gracing Jerrick’s cape. A silver wolf stood proudly on one side, while a raven, its beak pointed skyward, adorned the other. Between them, a flower cradled within a radiant circle, a poignant symbol of the moon goddess Levana.

Isadora watched her lady walking side by side to Wulfhart and placed her hand on her heart as she was delighted. They were a perfect couple. If only their hearts matched their appearance, they would be the perfect couple of all time.

"When the wolf partners with the raven for a hunt, the lions starve..."

Isadora’s smile vanished hearing the low raspy voice from the side hall. It was a common saying in Ayberia but it was not about the lions but about the coyotes.

The saying was based on the fact that in the wild, at times, the wolves form an unusual friendship with the ravens. They help each other leaving the coyotes and the wild dogs in a disadvantageous position.

Isadora knitted her brows. In their kingdom, the royal family was associated with the lions as it appeared in the crest of the royal family. With the Archduke revealing a new crest with the wolf and raven together, the statement is trouble.

Who tries to stir trouble?

She turned to see a woman in full black with her face covered in a thick black veil sitting in the corner. The other women looked at her too and she started to laugh.

"Who is this uneducated fool trying to cause trouble in a royal ceremony?"

Isadora turned to see the Grand Duke standing by the partition. The careless smile adorning his face was missing and a scowl ruled his face.

"Throw her out!" William commanded the guards.

Isadora smirked looking at the lady. The lady didn’t stop laughing. With the malevolent chuckle filling the silence of the side room, she walked out without any protest.

But she stopped right in front of William and whispered something. William’s face paled hearing what she said. Isadora saw his fingers shaking.

Who is that woman?