The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 191: Encounter With Celena

Jessamyn stood by the window, gently rubbing her arms as she gazed at the night sky. The moon hung like a silver pendant, casting its serene light over the world. The stars, still shimmering in the sky, seemed to whisper their secrets, aware that the sun would soon reclaim the heavens.

A loose robe draped over her shoulders, its fabric whispering against her skin. Her long hair billowed in the gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. The thin material of her robe clung to her delicate curves, to the movement of the wind, hinting at the graceful silhouette beneath.

Under the moonlight, she looked ethereal.

She still couldn’t believe she was staying in the palace that night. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow on the grand chambers, making the surreal feel even more dreamlike.

Jerrick had been deep in discussion with the courtiers, and she now understood why. Their wedding night was to be a spectacle, a tradition dictated by the king. The bedding ceremony would be held in the presence of courtiers and officiated by priests, a custom usually reserved for heirs to the throne.

Jessamyn couldn’t fathom why Jerrick, for his second marriage, had to adhere to this archaic ritual. What were the courtiers going to witness? They were both well-versed in what to do—Jerrick had a child, and she had been pregnant before.

This public validation of their marriage seemed unnecessary and invasive. It wasn’t a political alliance nor a marriage fraught with inheritance issues. They had chosen each other freely.

The sheer absurdity of it all made her want to cry. Her opinion had never been sought. Jerrick appeared to have resisted initially but ultimately submitted to the king’s decree. She had no choice but to obey.

Her ceremonial bath had been prepared by the palace maids, and now, wearing only a thin robe, she awaited the ordeal in a room that would soon be filled with Archons, priests, courtiers, select noble families, and possibly the crown prince.

She glanced at the large bed, its curtains offering a semblance of privacy. At least they were there, though she wished for something thicker. Jessamyn’s hands clenched as her breathing grew rapid.

The very thought of the night ahead was suffocating. I can’t do this, she thought desperately.

Her anxious reverie was interrupted by the soft jingle of jewelry. Jessamyn took a deep breath and released her clenched hands, steeling herself. She couldn’t afford to show any vulnerability to the approaching woman.

"This kingdom has such an amazing ceremony to validate a wedding officiated by the Primarch. Beautiful, isn’t it?" Lady Celena said, her steps slow and deliberate as she approached Jessamyn.

Celena stood by a large candelabrum, playing with the flames as if savoring their flicker. Jessamyn, her voice steady and her anxiety masked, responded, "What’s the custom in your kingdom?"

Celena paused, her smile lingering as she looked deeply at Jessamyn. Jessamyn turned to fully face her, meeting her gaze without flinching.

"The King wanted this ceremony—"

"The King?" Jessamyn interrupted with a derisive snort. She wasn’t a naïve girl to be easily swayed by Celena’s words.

"Fine, I wanted this to happen," Celena admitted, taking a step closer.

Jessamyn smirked, unable to hide her contempt. "What do you want?"

Celena stopped a couple of steps away, her expression inscrutable. "Me? I want what is best for the kingdom. And you, Jessamyn, are a part of that now."

"Am I now?" Jessamyn scoffed. Why was she being lumped together with this woman again?

"You do not like me," Celena said, her tone carrying a hint of hurt.

"I do not like anyone who treats the official heir to the throne as expendable," Jessamyn retorted.

Her personal opinion about the crown prince aside, she found it appalling the way he was treated in his own home by a homewrecker. Maybe her personal experiences influenced her feelings, but she could never align herself with a woman who sought to destroy families.

Celena walked closer, her movements seductive as she gently raised a hand to touch Jessamyn’s shoulder. "Why do you bother with that imbecile when you are marrying the most amazing man in the whole world?"

Jessamyn’s hair stood on end as Celena’s finger trailed from her shoulder to her neck. There was something unsettling in the way she described Jerrick—it didn’t sit right with Jessamyn.

"My husband is one of a kind, that I know," Jessamyn replied, watching Celena closely. The woman carried an odd scent that Jessamyn couldn’t pinpoint. She had encountered it before but couldn’t remember when. The scent triggered her survival instincts.

"Yes, he is... He is the hope of many... A true... leader," Celena whispered in Jessamyn’s ear, her breath warm and unsettling. "You are lucky to be bedded by him and..." Her eyes roved down Jessamyn’s neck to her chest and abdomen.

"...to carry his son..." Celena reached out to touch her waist, and Jessamyn grabbed her hand, stopping her.

The air grew thick, and Jessamyn couldn’t shake off the dangerous aura surrounding Celena. The woman’s eyes looked manic, her breathing heavy as her gaze fixated on Jessamyn’s abdomen. Jessamyn felt a deep unease settling in her gut.

"Stay away from me," Jessamyn said firmly, pulling her hand back. "I don’t trust you."

Celena’s smile widened, a sinister edge to her expression. "Trust is such a fragile thing, isn’t it? Be careful, Jessamyn. The palace can be a very dangerous place for those who do not watch their backs."

Jessamyn stood her ground, her heart pounding. She would not let this woman intimidate her. "I will be careful. And you should remember that threats do not scare me."

Celena laughed softly, a chilling sound in the quiet room. "Oh, Jessamyn, I don’t make threats. I only speak truths."

"Truth?" Jessamyn raised her brows. "What might that be?"

Celena smirked. "Do you know why the Kingdom still holds on to the archaic tradition?" she asked looking around the room. "You are more than important in his life. You are the future of this Kingdom... Stay safe."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Jessamyn with a lingering sense of dread. The night felt colder, and Jessamyn knew that whatever lay ahead, she would need to be vigilant.

*Bang*

The door opened a few seconds after Celena left, startling Jessamyn. In came her husband, with a red face and staggering steps.

Jessamyn could only sigh.

How drunk is he?