The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 193: Respect

William sensed the murderous aura emanating from Jerrick as he glared at Louis. Louis gulped, realizing the bind he was in, yet he puffed his chest, cleared his throat, and stared back at Jerrick.

He was the Crown Prince. They couldn’t do anything to him. He had found out the truth with his investigative skills and he needed to hold his ground. He needed to command respect.

Jerrick’s attention then turned to William. "William, is he really trying to blackmail me?"

William leaned against the wall, his expression one of calm amusement. "Blatantly," he said. If Louis wanted to play with fire, then he should learn by getting burned.

Just because Jerrick acted goofy earlier didn’t mean he was a fool. Louis shouldn’t have forgotten that he was talking to the god of death everyone feared. As the crown prince, he should learn that there were rules to be followed to negotiate with different people.

Louis must learn that blackmailing doesn’t work on Jerrick. It might work on some, but not on Jerrick. Being polite will take him further.

"And William, which will cause more devastation? Rumors that my delicate wife is the Purple Hood, or the fact that the Altanians abducted the future crown princess and was in the Great Green Forest before the Purple Hood rescued her?"

"Stop lying!" Prince Louis lunged forward, but William blocked him.

Jessamyn was shocked. She hadn’t expected Jerrick to reveal such a secret to Prince Louis. This would undoubtedly cause a rift, and Cordelia would be deeply hurt. Cordelia might even blame her for breaking her trust.

She clenched her hands and took a step forward.

Her first instinct was to tell Jerrick he had stepped over the line and then to explain the truth to Louis. But she kept quiet out of respect for her husband.

Prince Louis had started it by bringing her into the fray. If he wanted Jerrick’s help with the wedding, he could have asked without being obnoxious.

She was not accustomed to the world of men, but this appeared to be a power struggle. Prince Louis is trying to push Jerrick back by using blackmail and Jerrick is one-upping him.

For now, the issue was not truly about her or even about Cordelia. It was about those two men. She wasn’t even sure if Jerrick could show such strength in front of the Crown Prince. But Jerrick was not a fool. He wouldn’t want to be coerced into submission in the future.

In a way, this was better. Jerrick was trying to protect her, not allowing her other identity to hang over her head as a sharp dagger.

The best course of action was to remain silent for now. It was against her principles to hurt another woman for her betterment, and she hoped this would resolve itself. Even if it didn’t, she decided she would talk to Prince Louis about the truth later.

She noticed Jerrick getting distracted as he focused on her. Maybe he was surprised she was not voicing her opinion yet.

She took a step back and walked to the window as it this didn’t concern her. Why should he insert herself in the male power struggle when Jerrick was trying to protect her? Her principles can wait.

She was not sure if it was confirmation bias but she thought Louis knowing the truth was better. If he loved Cordelia, he would give her space to be open with him and trust her when she tells her the truth.

If he didn’t trust her, it would be better for Cordelia to not enter the marriage. Cordelia’s abduction was a fact and it might come out at any time in the future. She would need her husband’s support.

William pushed Louis out of the room. Louis collected himself the moment he entered the hallway. It was apparent that he didn’t want others to know what was talked in the room.

Jerrick walked to the door to latch it close. Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat.

We are alone, now!

She turned to look out of the window. The moon had gotten lower in the sky and the sky had tints of blue. There might only be a couple of hours left for sunrise.

Jessamyn’s heart started to pound hearing him walking toward her. He stood right behind her, his warmth reaching her through the thin fabric covering her. His breath warmed the crown of her head.

She instantly covered her chest. She didn’t know why. The gentle breeze contrasted by the warmth radiating from him and the masculine scent that enveloped her made her abdomen tight.

She felt his movements. His big hand ended on her shoulder and his long bony finger trailed along the neckline of her robe and reached for the tie.

Jessamyn’s throat closed as her chest got stuffed with all the emotions she felt. With a pull, her robe slipped her slender shoulders and pooled around her feet.

Jessamyn gasped and looked down. His robe was already on the floor. Before she could decide what she should do, he picked her up and walked to the bed.

She clung to his neck, observing the side-profile of his face. His soft skin rubbed against her exuding warmth and bit her lips looking at the bed.

He gently placed her on the bed and looked into her eyes. She couldn’t help but look into those beautiful green eyes. Before she knew it, she was on the bed and he was on top of her.

It was as if time had skipped.

Once again, she fell into the allure of his eyes. There was something familiar in his eyes. The same expression he had back then when he asked her if she knew what she was doing to him. That day in the garden, she was so naïve she didn’t understand what she meant.

Now she knew.

He craved her body.

No, that was not it. His eyes carried an emotion deeper than mere lust. He wanted more.

What more was there to offer other than her body?

There indeed was what he wanted more than he wanted her body.

Her heart, her soul. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

His face magnified in front of her. She closed her eyes, surrendering herself to him. She felt the ripples of his chest muscles on her delicate skin. Without knowing, she grabbed his shoulder.

She couldn’t think of complicated things. She decided to be in the moment and let him lead. She wanted his body, that much she was sure of and that was enough for her.

"You kept quiet earlier..." he said and kissed her forehead.

"It’s out of respect for my husband," she said.

His breath had a nice scent and it was hard for her to open her eyes.

"Respect... Duty..." he muttered.

He kissed her forehead again.

"Go to sleep."