The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 82: The Crown Prince(2)

Jessamyn’s heart almost stopped seeing the crown prince standing in front of her. That fateful night still remained fresh in her memory. If Joar was not persistent and if the Grand Duke didn’t appear at the right time to drag him away, she couldn’t believe what the crown prince would have done to her.

That night, Joar returned with bloody knuckles. She imagined what he did and didn’t ask him about it. But she feared that the crown prince might retaliate.

From then on, she kept her distance from the crown prince. If he faced north, she’d run south, far away from him.

She was scared of how Joar would react the next time. He probably would kill him and what would she do without him?

She also feared the crown prince. Not because she feared what he could do to her but to her reputation. Her mother-in-law was already blaming her for being a loose woman because she dared to fall in love before her wedding and getting rumored with the crown prince when she was married to Joar, would kill her.

Although she tried to be courageous to face those nasty people from her past, Jessamyn was overwhelmed. It was then she felt the gentle warmth at the small of her back.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Jerrick. Although it was a simple gesture, he revealed that he would protect her and that she had no need to fear that person well above her station.

She might say that she needed no one and was willing to face death. But truthfully, she did yearn for someone to take care of her; someone she could lean on to take care of her worries and troubles without having to do everything herself. It was a human desire after all.

Although Jerrick was the one who pushed her back into this crocodile pit, he tried to support her. She was grateful for him.

She was indeed rocked by those extreme thoughts. She was confused and she didn’t know what to make of anything that was happening around. She had no control over her thoughts and behavior.

One moment, she thought the wedding was off. The next moment, she was cloaked by him and he said an amazing thing that confused her further.

Why?

She looked at him. It was then she noticed his hand on the hilt of his sword. She clutched her heart which had a pang of pain. If Jerrick lost his temper, even if he was in the right to defend her honor, the King would punish him by death.

What should I do? He cannot be punished for my sake!

Jessamyn understood that bowing her head and leaving the hot-headed warrior to handle her problems wouldn’t resolve anything. She took in a deep breath and met eyes with the crown prince.

Whatever it was, she decided to face it herself. She was not the same Jessamyn who hid behind her husband, forcing him to act against a man well above his station not worrying about his life.

She needed to handle her problems herself so she could face the repercussions herself too. No one else needs to be punished for her.

"Your Highness," she did a curtsey.

Louis scoffed and a corner of his lips almost reached his eyes as he smirked looking at her. Jessamyn pressed her lips. Through her peripheral vision, she saw the nerves on Jerrick’s hand protruding as his grip on the hilt tightened.

Louis hadn’t noticed it. "You’ve turned~"

His words were cut short as William cleared his throat loudly.

"Must you saunter here in your military attire when you haven’t served a single day?" William hit Louis where it would hurt him.

Louis was not a coward who found pleasure in hiding behind his guards when the war raged. Even from childhood, he wanted to learn the sword but was denied.

He was the sole heir!

The paranoid king kept his only son hidden behind the guards. Thinking that all Louis wanted were the credentials of serving the kingdom and the majestic uniform, he offered Louis honorary titles and awards.

Louis had to accept those credentials that he didn’t deserve but as he grew up, he got used to wearing them without any shame.

"You’re wearing military attire too, Uncle," Louis said with gritted teeth and walked to William.

Jessamyn held Isadora’s hand.

"Oh, how did I miss you?" Louis’ attention then turned toward Isadora.

Jessamyn held her hands tightly and she could feel her hands turning cold.

"Yo-ur Hi-highness..." Isadora stuttered as she tried to do a curtsey.

A chilling grin stretched across Louis’s lips, a façade of warmth masking the darkness lurking within. His eyes gleamed with a sinister glint, betraying the malevolence concealed behind the smile.

With an air of intimidation cloaked in false charm, he leaned in towards Isadora, his voice dripping with ominous sweetness as he reached for her hair. "Are you scared of me, Little Rose? Don’t be... I am less dangerous than my Uncle..."

As he spoke, he scrutinized her every feature, his gaze lingering without making physical contact. He halted just short of reaching for her hand, a subtle restraint evident to any keen observer. It was evident that he forcibly restrained himself from reaching out to touch her hair.

"Who are you? Where do you hail from?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

"Your fiancée will get jealous if you stand here talking to us without greeting her, Louis..." William interrupted Louis again.

"My fiancée?" Louis straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. The earlier expression on his face vanished instantly.

His eyes landed on someone briefly before flicking away. "I don’t have one..." he muttered, sounding like a child caught in a lie.

Clearing his throat, he composed himself. "It’s time for His Majesty’s arrival," he announced, striding to his seat beside the throne.

Isadora sighed in relief while Jessamyn stopped herself from turning to look in the direction his eyes lingered earlier.

Did he look at Cordelia Dahlberg? He knew where she was seated without even searching. Why did he sound guilty when he said she was not his fiancée? Did he whisper it so that she wouldn’t hear it?

Jessamyn had a lot of questions.