The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 187: Love And Rage

Jessamyn leaned into Jerrick’s chest, unable to handle the intensity of his gaze. In his embrace, she danced to the rhythm of the music, feeling his warmth and strength envelop her.

The Grand Duke interrupted their moment, congratulating them before asking Jessamyn for a dance. Jerrick placed a gentle hand on her lower back. "Don’t tire her. Speak less," he told William with a hint of protectiveness.

Jessamyn chuckled and stepped into William’s arms for the dance. "I haven’t seen you in a while," he remarked.

"Me too... You haven’t been visiting Theodulf Castle," she replied, aware that he might not want to reveal his other identity as the one who roamed the night in the form of a wolf.

William, however, seemed unconcerned. "You didn’t answer my calls. I tried to talk to you. And don’t tell me you didn’t hear me."

Jessamyn, who had been about to say exactly that, closed her mouth. "I... There is another one like you," she whispered.

"Like me?"

"He’s more..."

"Stronger? Smarter? More powerful?" William raised his brows, the flickering light of the lamps casting a golden glow in his blue eyes.

"Yes," Jessamyn admitted after a short silence.

"You’re not afraid he may hurt you, are you?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

"No," Jessamyn answered. "But..." She looked down at the floor, feeling a mixture of emotions.

"But?" William pressed gently.

Jessamyn pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond. She decided to divert his attention. "Did you hear about any progress between those two?" she asked, glancing toward the Crown Prince and Cordelia.

William did get distracted. A sigh escaped his mouth the moment his eyes ended on them, his expression turned weary. Jessamyn noticed that Jerrick had prevented her from watching the unfolding drama, but now, with William, she could observe more closely.

With Prince Louis trying to intervene, Cordelia and the mistress were still arguing. However, Cordelia was blocking him from the mistress’ view, in a protective stance.

"That woman..." William muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

"How come you powerful warriors haven’t done anything about her?" Jessamyn asked, her voice tinged with exasperation.

The mistress’s appalling behavior had been tolerated for too long, making her think she was the queen of Ayberia. These two dukes had enough loyal soldiers to take over the country twice if they wanted to. Why weren’t they helping to remove her from the palace?

"Why, indeed..." William sighed deeply.

Jessamyn studied him. It seemed he felt helpless in this matter. "Who is she? Which family is she from?"

"No one knows... But everyone knows her..." William smirked cynically.

Jessamyn pursed her lips, looking at the mistress with disdain. To get close to the King, how many ladders had she climbed? How many people knew her?

"If you and Jerrick joined forces to support the Crown Prince, couldn’t you overpower whoever is supporting her?" Jessamyn asked, believing that together, Jerrick and William could accomplish a lot.

"Your husband is not..." William began but then sighed. "If we unite, we’ll unite everyone else against us."

"Wow!" That was all Jessamyn could say, astonished by the complexity of the situation.

"And so, she will do what she wants for now," William said, resigned.

Jessamyn’s eyes returned to the mistress. She couldn’t fathom how someone so young had garnered such power or how cunning she must be. If no one could shake her now, it meant the King’s safety relied on her. She must have replaced the men by the King’s side, and once someone tried to rescue the King, all hell would break loose.

After all, the King trusts only her and her word is the word of the King.

Waiting for the King to die so that the Crown Prince could take charge seemed the only viable strategy.

Jessamyn watched as Cordelia continued to shout at Celena until Prince Louis grabbed Cordelia’s wrist and pulled her away from the crowd. Celena was left huffing in anger, and Louis’ knights trailed behind Louis.

The angry expression on Celena’s face lasted only a second before she regained her composure, once again resembling an innocent flower.

As Jessamyn curiously watched the unfolding drama, she felt the weight of eyes upon her, and not all of them were friendly.

Earlier, a few ladies approached, asking about her dress and its designer. Cordelia’s polite interaction with her had softened some of the crowd, encouraging a few more to be cordial.

Yet, Jessamyn knew not everyone could be won over in just a day. Some women, especially those of marriageable age, glared at her with thinly veiled hostility.

Only then did Jessamyn realize the depth of the social currents around her.

"I think we’ve danced long enough," she said, pausing mid-step.

William looked at her, a flicker of hurt crossing his face as he released her. He assumed she didn’t want to be seen with him, fearing gossip about their relationship. It wounded him, for he considered her like a sister. "I know my reputation, but are you—"

"No," Jessamyn interrupted, playfully hitting him on the arm. "You should give the other ladies a chance to dance with you."

"Ah," William’s face brightened, a smile playing on his lips as he rubbed them thoughtfully.

"They’re glaring at me," Jessamyn said with a smile. "And, Your Highness, if you want to change your reputation, marry."

With a graceful smile, she took a step back.

William leaned closer, his voice low and sincere. "Your husband may be a fool in certain things, but never doubt his intentions. He only has your best interests at heart. So, trust him."

"My husband..." Jessamyn muttered, her eyes unconsciously drifting to Jerrick. He was engaged in a serious conversation with one of the courtiers.

He is my husband now... Jessamyn took a deep breath and adjusted her tiara once more, feeling the weight of her new role settle upon her.

-----

"What is your plan? Were you going to hit her?" Prince Louis slammed the door shut, his voice rising in anger.

"Yes! If you hadn’t dragged me away, I would have!" Cordelia shouted back, her fury unabated.

Prince Louis’s face twitched with anger. "And then? You hit her, and then what?"

Cordelia exhaled deeply, turning her face away. "I do not care..." her tone softened, a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.

Her rational mind knew that confronting the king’s mistress would only bring trouble. She could easily be taken to the gallows for such an act. But her heart couldn’t bear to see that woman humiliating Louis over and over again.

"She has no right to relegate you to the corner! She does not!" Cordelia’s voice rose again, her blood boiling as she thought of the disdainful tone the mistress had used with Louis. Her hands fisted in anger.

Louis scoffed, stepping back. He barely recognized the fiery woman before him as the gentle girl he had grown up with.

"Is this my situation now? To look pathetic in front of...you?" he said gritting his teeth.

Cordelia’s eyebrows twitched seeing the anger rising on his face. Her heart raced.