The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 210: Breaking Curses

"Yes!" Jessamyn kissed his cheeks. "It’s wonderful to see children born out of love. They are in love, and their children will be blessed."

"Miraculously, a royal wedding is arranged out of love along with the blessings of the ancestors," Jerrick said, his voice filled with a rare softness.

Jessamyn’s heart swelled with joy as she gazed at Jerrick. This news was a beacon of hope and love in a world often filled with duty and obligation. She could sense the happiness radiating from the city, and it filled her with a deep sense of contentment.

She nestled closer to Jerrick, feeling the warmth of his presence and the strength of his love. The journey ahead felt brighter, filled with promise and the endless possibilities of their future together.

Jerrick wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him. Her smile slowly faded as she thought about the prophecy she had received. A sigh inadvertently escaped her lips.

"Are you comfortable?" Jerrick asked, noticing her sudden change in mood. She had been too happy a moment ago to sigh all of a sudden.

"I’m fine..." Jessamyn said, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. Without any hesitation, she lay on his lap. Jerrick gently rubbed her arm, his touch soothing her troubled mind.

"You will protect our son no matter what, won’t you, Jerrick?" she asked softly.

Jerrick squinted his eyes, alerted by her sudden question. "We will protect our son," he said firmly. "Together," he enunciated, making sure she understood the gravity of his words.

"Hmm," Jessamyn smiled, holding his hand tightly. "You’re the father. So, the onus is on you," she teased.

"I’m not doing anything alone," Jerrick replied, his tone unwavering. "We are going to raise our son together, watch him get married, raise our grandson, live to a ripe old age until we are no longer a burden, together, in a cottage just like you wanted, and die on the same day."

Jessamyn rolled onto her back and looked up at him. She choked on her emotions, seeing the clarity and conviction in his eyes. He wasn’t just saying that—it was a promise.

How am I going to tell you that your wish is not going to get granted, Jerry? she thought, her heart aching.

"That’s what you want? To be stuck with me for that long?" she asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

"That’s what’s going to happen," he said with a confident smirk, his arrogance shining through.

She held his hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Will you protect me until I am safely delivered of your son?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Jerrick didn’t like the way she spoke as if giving him a son was her sole duty. But he saw the pain behind her reddened eyes. She had been hurt deeply in the past, unable to hold her son alive. It had affected her profoundly, and he knew she was scared.

He kissed her forehead tenderly. "I shall make sure not a single danger befalls you," he promised. "You will hold our son without going through any pain."

"Without pain?" Jessamyn raised her brows skeptically. That seemed impossible.

"I will ensure it," Jerrick insisted. "You will experience joy and only joy when our son arrives."

Jessamyn smiled, her eyes filling with tears. She wanted to believe him, to trust in the future he painted so vividly. But the shadow of the prophecy loomed over her heart, a constant reminder of the uncertainty that lay ahead.

She truly hoped their son would be born in a world filled with peace and prosperity. For now, she chose to embrace the warmth and love of the moment, holding onto Jerrick as if he were her anchor in a stormy sea.

She still couldn’t control her thoughts as she recalled the prophecy surrounding their son’s birth. She knew she wouldn’t be able to face it all alone. She hoped that didn’t happen. Looking at Jerrick’s face, she smiled, finding solace in his unwavering presence.

"You see, Jessamyn..." Jerrick gently placed his hand on her cheek, his touch a comforting balm. "The Theodulf family’s curse extended beyond being unable to bear a child with the woman we loved. None of us received fatherly love. Our fathers never loved us because of the curse that befell us."

Jessamyn held his hand and kissed it, her eyes filled with understanding. "It must have been hard, I understand." She truly did. Her father didn’t love her either, and it hurt deeply.

Jerrick kissed her forehead, a gesture filled with tenderness. "And that’s why I tried my best not to be the same. I don’t know how I’ve fared, but, Jessamyn, with your help, I surely will."

"You will love our son," Jessamyn said with conviction. She saw it in his eyes. Her lips curved into a smile as she thought of the boy she had envisioned, running in the meadows. "He’s going to look like me, and you will pour all your love on him. I may have to watch over to see you’re not spoiling him with love," she chuckled softly.

Jerrick gently rubbed her abdomen, lost in deep thought. "What were you shown?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Hmm, what?" Jessamyn raised her brows in surprise.

"The elm tree. It showed you something, didn’t it?" He had seen the worry in her eyes earlier and knew there was more to her thoughts.

Jessamyn wasn’t surprised by his question, but it still caught her off guard. She rolled to her side and pulled his arm to envelop her. "You’re the Lycaon Wulfhednar, and I am the Gemma Luna. We are meant to be together..." she said softly.

That reveal had caused her some doubts. Was the feeling she had toward Jerrick original, or was it an effect of the prophecy? Was anything her own will, or was everything mandated?

"Was that all?" he asked gently, sensing her turmoil.

Jessamyn sat up straight and looked at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. "I saw... our son. I saw him running in the meadows, happy and free. He looked so much like me but with your strength and spirit. It was a beautiful vision..."

Jerrick’s eyes clouded, imagining that scene. Their son was running through the meadows chasing butterflies, with Jessamyn laughing as she chased their son. His heart was full at the thought of watching them both. He truly wanted that to happen.

"I saw glimpses of the past too," Jessamyn said, her voice tinged with a haunting tone.

Jerrick leaned closer, his curiosity piqued. "What did you see?"

"The Queen Mother was with child when she was killed."

"Killed? With child?" Jerrick’s brows shot up in astonishment. This was entirely different from the legends they knew.

"Yes," Jessamyn nodded, her expression grave. "The elm tree showed me fragments of that tragic day. She was betrayed."

"Whose child was it? Who killed her?" Jerrick asked, his voice urgent.