The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 181: Isadora’s Doubt

Isadora moved to the Aurelia Castle. The Grand Duke celebrated her arrival in Montrose as a festival. Jessamyn heard that the Grand Duke was beyond delighted to bring Isadora there.

Bernard, not so much.

At times, Jessamyn would see Bernard staring into the distance and sigh. One time, he didn’t hear when Jerrick called him; he must be missing Isadora dearly.

Jessamyn too missed Isadora and she wrote to her to visit. The wedding was only three days away and almost all the preparations were done.

She still didn’t find the nerve to face Jerrick but did her best to alleviate her guilt by doing whatever he wanted.

Jessamyn spent the entire morning with Isadora. She would have kept her with her the whole day, but since she pitied Bernard, she let her spend time with him in the afternoon.

Jessamyn was delighted to hear that the Grand Duke was treating her so well. Also, Isadora gave the extraordinarily impossible news that he didn’t bring women to his castle anymore to feel more welcome.

Isadora also said that William, as she had started to call him these days, had given an entire wing in his castle for Isadora’s use. She now had tutors to teach her knowledge and etiquette lessons.

Isadora was mostly excited about the etiquette lessons because she wanted to help Jessamyn.

Isadora also mentioned that Bernard had chosen a place for building their house. Jessamyn listened to Isadora’s recount with a mixture of joy and envy. She was thrilled for her friend, knowing how much Isadora’s happiness meant to her. At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness and longing considering her own situation.

Isadora’s presence was a comforting distraction, but it also highlighted the unresolved tension between her and Jerrick.

Isadora must have noticed the uneasiness Jessamyn tried to hide, she asked about it. Jessamyn found a way to dodge her.

Isadora wanted to meet Bernard and Jessamyn sent Isadora off. After Isadora left, the silence in the room felt like a calm after a storm.

Jessamyn smiled looking at the canopy of the bed. Before she knew it, she fell asleep.

Just as Isadora stepped out, she was blocked by the man wearing a fancy coat. "Your Grace," she did her mandatory curtsey.

"Follow me!" Jerrick said and walked to the front.

"Bernard is waiting for me," Isadora said.

She was not in the mood to talk to him. When she entered, he tripped her and told her that her etiquette lessons were not paying up and that she still was a shrew. She wanted to hit him but she knew she couldn’t and it angered her so much.

Jerrick made a swift turn and looked at Isadora with a smile. "Ah, Bernard..." he chuckled. "I heard he is looking for houses in the town..."

Isadora furrowed her brows and looked at him. She didn’t think he was bringing up Bernard for no reason. "Yes...?"

"I told him it is better to build a new one. I offered him land in the Theodulf Castle grounds."

"He said yes?" Isadora asked.

She had an idea of what Jerrick was trying to do. He was trying to make her talk to him by coercing her with Bernard.

"He wanted to build a cottage and I might suggest he builds a mansion. After all, he’s marrying the grand duke’s sister..." Jerrick rubbed his palms together and blew in it.

"You’d dare not!" Isadora gritted her teeth.

She didn’t know how long it would take to build a mansion. She didn’t care. She didn’t want to wait any longer to marry Bernard. That was the reason she asked him to rent a house in the town.

Also, Bernard didn’t have that kind of wealth to build her a mansion.

And this man planned to ruin her plans. Bernard was blind and deaf when it came to Wulfhart. He wouldn’t listen to anyone else.

Jerrick said nothing and walked to his study. Isadora almost threw the beautiful porcelain vase in the hallway on his head. But she fisted her hands and let out a deep breath. She shouldn’t lose her cool.

She went inside the room and closed the door. "What do you want?" she asked.

Jerrick stood leaning on the table, rubbing his glabella with his forefinger. "What did she say?" he asked.

Isadora sighed. She should have known it was about Lady Jessamyn. "About what?" she asked.

Jerrick pressed his lips and observed Isadora for some time, perhaps in an attempt to find words. "How did she appear to you?"

"Usual..." Isadora said. "Did something happen?"

"She is hiding something," Jerrick said.

Isadora could only laugh. "It would be surprising if she’s not hiding something. That’s milady for you. Don’t you know her still?"

Jerrick could only scoff. "Something is bothering her."

"You think?" Isadora raised her brows. "I can’t think of one reason... Everything is happening according to her wishes. All she ever wanted was a wedding and it happened. What could bother her?"

Jerrick rolled his eyes to Isadora’s sarcastic words. "It’s not about the wedding."

Isadora’s initial irritation with Jerrick faded slightly as she realized his concern for Jessamyn was genuine. She softened her tone and approached him. "She’s always been good at hiding her feelings, you know that. But you’re with her all the time. What do you think is bothering her?"

Jerrick sighed, looking out the window. "I don’t know. She’s been distant, even more than usual. She avoids eye contact, and she’s been... overly accommodating. It’s unlike her."

Isadora pondered his words. "Overly accommodating? That doesn’t sound like Milady at all. Not with you."

"Exactly," Jerrick said, his frustration evident. "And it’s not just that. There’s a sadness in her eyes, a heaviness that she’s trying to hide. I thought you might have noticed something during your time together."

Isadora thought back to their morning. Jessamyn had seemed happy, but now that she reflected on it, there had been moments of distraction, fleeting expressions of sadness. "She did seem a bit distracted at times," Isadora admitted. "But she didn’t mention anything specific. Maybe she’s feeling overwhelmed with everything happening so fast."

Jerrick shook his head. "It’s more than that. I can feel it."

"Why don’t you ask her?" Isadora said.

Jerrick rubbed his forehead. "Do you think that she’ll talk to me?"

"No," Isadora said bluntly.

"She’s not even taking her walks in the forest lately... That’s not right, right?"

"She told me she faced attacks... Also, with the rumors spreading about the Purple Hood, it is wise for her to stay away from the forest for some time, don’t you think?"

Jerrick nodded. "Did the council contact her?"

Isadora glared at Jerrick. "How will I know? Why aren’t you questioning her?"

Jerrick bowed his head and rubbed his lips in deep thought. Isadora tried to stay mad at him but couldn’t. After all, this man truly cared about her lady.

"The last message they sent her was to marry you. They won’t give her another mission until the wedding happens," Isadora said.

Jerrick looked at her, his eyes tired.

"Do you want to stop the wedding?" Isadora asked. Somehow, that was the feeling she got from him.

Jerrick went silent for some time. Isadora wondered if he truly was reconsidering the wedding.

"I’m giving Brookholm to Bernard," Jerrick said looking at Isadora.

"Giving?" Isadora questioned. She had heard of Brookholm. It was an agricultural village near Roche with vast fields of wheat and fruits. Not a big village, but a pretty important agricultural village in the area.

"I’m knighting Bernard officially. Don’t tell him now. His knighthood comes with a small castle and a village as his fief," Jerrick said walking to the chair.

Isadora’s throat choked. She thought he only knew to mock her, but his love for Bernard was great. No wonder Bernard was loyal to him.

"When?" she asked. She was happy for Bernard. She didn’t want to wait for too long.

"Why are you in a hurry to marry? Aren’t you barely 18?" Jerrick asked. The smirk had found its permanent place on his face again.

"I’m..." Isadora let out a deep breath trying not to get angry. Everyone considered her a little girl and it annoyed her so much. "I’ll be 22 soon."

"25 is a good age to marry," Jerrick said.

Isadora bowed her head and rubbed her forehead. She truly wanted to control her temper when she was talking to him but he made it hard for her.

"I want to have 3 kids when I am 25," Isadora said.

"3?" Jerrick raised his brow.

"Why not?" Isadora raised her brows.

Jerrick shrugged trying to control his laughter.

Isadora observed him for some time. He might try to annoy her to death and at times she wanted to bang open his head but she always felt comfortable around him.

"Bernard said I have your eyes," she said, mainly to see his reaction.

She didn’t think much of it till then, but lately, she couldn’t understand the doting she received. She had a feeling that there might be more to it.