The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 198: Apparent Changes

Prince Louis then looked at Cordelia. He must have noticed her protective demeanor toward Jessamyn.

"Thank you," he bowed his head.

Jessamyn unconsciously took a step back as she didn’t expect the crown prince to thank her.

"Not only for saving my future wife but also for saving countless women of our Kingdom. Thank you for protecting our women even when those of us in power failed. Thank you."

Jessamyn was shocked to hear him speak with such sincerity. As she looked at him with his head bowed, he looked more of a statesman than ever.

"It is as you said, Your Royal Highness. It’s our duty," she said.

Cordelia was smiling widely. For one, she could see the change in Louis. He had completely lost his conceitedness and learned some humility. Even Kings need a little humility if they want to rule a nation with the compassion of a father.

Most importantly, he called her his future wife. He still wanted to marry her. He trusted her and now she was more than relieved that this truth was out, at least for a select few people.

"I also want to apologize to you, Archduchess..." Prince Louis placed his hand on his chest. "for my appalling behavior toward you in the past."

Jessamyn nodded accepting the apology. It was a scary night for her.

"I hope your presence will guide us in the future too," Prince Louis said as she was about to leave.

Jessamyn smiled. So, his plan was to ask for her help in convincing Jerrick to help in his wedding with Cordelia. She didn’t mind though.

Cordelia looked at Louis as Jessamyn left the room. "I am sorry I tried to hide it from you. I can get a check-up from a physician of your choice~"

"It must have been a scary night for you," Louis hugged her.

"It was..." Cordelia leaned into his hug. She needed the comfort.

That night after she was rescued, her father managed to get her without getting in the eyes of others and she was scolded for days as if it was her fault her maid betrayed her and got her kidnapped. No one comforted her.

"Thank you, Louis..." she said as he rubbed her back.

"You won’t be alone anymore, darling," Louis kissed her head. "You can trust me."

"I do," Cordelia said. "I loved your interaction with Lady Jessamyn."

"You do love her more than me, it seems," he smiled.

"She saved my life and honor. But you give me life and honor. It’s different the way I love you..." Cordelia said from her heart.

Louis hugged her closely. "My uncle gave me an earful lecture earlier about learning statesmanship. He was not happy I tried to blackmail the archduke."

"You can trust him, in my opinion," Cordelia said. "He loves you and has your best interests in his heart."

"He does, doesn’t he?" Louis agreed. A smile bloomed on his face.

-----

Jessamyn was taken to the mansion after she met with Cordelia. The mansion was not empty like the previous times they were there. It was teeming with maids and servants.

Jessamyn was a little disappointed.

Jessamyn tried to take a peek into Jerrick’s room. Filbert, the tall guard informed her that Jerrick had gone out. She asked where he went, but Filbert didn’t give her an answer.

She had lunch and waited for him, but he didn’t return. In the evening, she went for a walk in the garden. In the distance, amidst the rows of trees, she saw a woman with her dark robes billowing in the wind.

She was wearing a veil covering her face and was staring in her direction. Without knowing, Jessamyn was walking at that woman as if she was in a trance.

"Jessamyn!"

Jessamyn stopped feeling the warm hand holding her wrists. She turned to see Jerrick standing there, face filled with panic. "Where are you going?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"There... I saw..." She pointed in the direction she saw the woman. She gasped seeing the stream right under her feet. She looked around. The sky had turned dark and she was nowhere near the mansion. She had walked deep into the forest and didn’t notice the stream.

Had she tripped and fallen, she could have broken her bones unable to move.

"Jerrick..." she leaned on him. She didn’t know what was going on with her. How did I lose time?

"I’m here..." he picked her up and carried her into their room.

When she was in his embrace, more than her confusion, she felt another strong feeling—pain. It was not her pain, that she knew.

"Are you in pain?" she asked him.

She had that mind-numbing pain only when she was with him. She was free of that pain for a long time and she didn’t know why it returned.

He looked at her but said nothing. He locked the door and carried her to the bed. Jessamyn cupped his cheeks as he placed her gently on the bed.

"Who did you see?" he asked.

"A veiled woman," she answered truthfully.

The pain squeezing her heart didn’t reduce. He leaned into her hands and cupped her cheeks. "Don’t you know you’re all I have, Jessamyn?" he asked.

Jessamyn couldn’t breathe as the weight of his words reached her heart.

"My Songbird, do not leave me, ever..." he said, resting his forehead over hers.

"I won’t..." Jessamyn said rubbing his back.

After some time, the pain reduced a little and he sat up straight.

"Are you feeling better?" Jessamyn asked sitting up. Hugging her knees, she observed him. He looked disheveled. He must have looked for her for a long time.

The tie on his shirt was open revealing his strong shoulders. And there it was... the mark of her teeth, still lingering—the only mark on his otherwise blemish-free skin.

She didn’t know why that thought brought a smile to her face.

"What will you do if you see Imogen?" he asked.

The small smile on her face disappeared at him mentioning that name.

"Imogen?" she asked raising her brows.