The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 320: Imprinted

"It’s William," Jessamyn murmured softly, her voice trembling as her hand gently rested on Cordelia’s arm. She could feel her friend’s confusion, the tension radiating from her like a wave. "In his wolf form. He... he saved us."

Cordelia blinked rapidly, her mind racing to catch up with the words Jessamyn had just spoken. "William? But... how?" Her voice was laced with disbelief, her wide eyes searching Jessamyn’s face for answers.

Jessamyn hesitated, the weight of the truth pressing heavily on her chest. How could she explain the tangled history, the dark secrets that bound them all together in ways Cordelia could never have imagined? Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to meet Cordelia’s bewildered gaze.

"William is... a Theodulf," Jessamyn said quietly, her words faltering as her eyes drifted to the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood before them. The room seemed to darken with the weight of her words. "That woman... she was his mother."

"What?" Cordelia gasped, her face paling as she instinctively covered her mouth. She took a shaky step back, her disbelief evident. "No... that can’t be. I... I don’t understand."

Jessamyn reached out, patting Cordelia’s arm in an attempt to calm her, though her own hands trembled. "Jerrick too..." she whispered, her voice thick with the complexity of the truth. "Jerrick is her son as well. William and Jerrick are brothers. They share the same mother."

Cordelia’s eyes widened further, shock and confusion swirling in her gaze. "Brothers?" she whispered, the word barely escaping her lips. "But why would—"

Jessamyn shook her head, her voice firm as she interrupted. "I know it’s hard to believe, but you need to understand. William has always been on the side of Ayberia. This woman—she attacked William when he tried to save me. She nearly killed him." Jessamyn’s voice cracked, the memory of William’s near-death still raw. "And yet... he’s here because he sensed the danger. He knew what she was capable of."

Cordelia’s hand flew to her chest, her breath quickening as her eyes flickered to the body on the ground. "So... she was the previous king’s mistress?"

Jessamyn nodded solemnly. "She wanted to get back at the Kaiser family for everything she’d lost. She led those soldiers... Oh dear!" Jessamyn’s eyes widened as the realization hit her. "The soldiers are inside Elodia... William, the tunnels—" Her words came out in a rush, her voice trembling with fear.

William’s steady gaze met hers, the intensity in his eyes filling her with an unexpected sense of calm. He didn’t speak, but somehow, Jessamyn knew it had been taken care of. His presence alone was enough to reassure her, even though the full extent of what had happened remained a mystery.

"I want to protect one of them-Loard Hamilton Lorca. he protected me for days," Jessamyn said.

William nodded. Jessamyn was relieved.

Cordelia’s gaze darted between Jessamyn and William, the shock still evident on her face. She pressed a hand to her belly, her voice rising with sudden urgency. "But... Jessamyn! Your son!" Her voice cracked with fear. "Can the Grand Duke help you?"

At the mention of her son, Jessamyn’s heart clenched painfully in her chest. She placed both hands protectively over her swollen belly, her fear bubbling to the surface. "William..." she whispered, her voice breaking as she looked at him, her eyes wide with desperation. "He’s been so still... too still."

William, now in his human form, stepped toward her. His brow furrowed with concern as he knelt beside her, his eyes filled with an intensity that sent a shiver down Jessamyn’s spine. Without a word, he placed his hand on her belly, his fingers gentle but firm.

The silence between them was thick, suffocating. Jessamyn held her breath, watching William’s expression closely, praying for any sign of hope. His eyes narrowed, his focus unwavering, and then, without warning, he leaned down and growled—low and deep, the sound vibrating through her body.

The growl echoed within Jessamyn, a primal sound that seemed to awaken something deep inside her. Suddenly, she felt it—a faint flutter. It was subtle, but unmistakable.

Her son. He was alive.

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as a wave of relief washed over her. "He’s alive," she choked out, her voice trembling. "He’s alive. You... you brought him back."

William leaned back, his lips curling into a knowing smile, the light in his eyes reflecting something far deeper than relief. "Your son has chosen his path," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "He was never truly in danger. He was waiting for the right moment... to protect. He rested after helping you achieve it."

Jessamyn blinked, confusion clouding her features. "What are you saying? Protect who?"

William’s gaze flickered toward Cordelia, a knowing look passing between them. "I believe Ayberia will soon have a Princess," he said softly, his words hanging in the air like a prophecy. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat as understanding dawned on her. The connection, the strange stillness her son had shown—it all made sense now. "He’s protecting her," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Cordelia’s daughter... That’s why he’s been so still. He was waiting... for her."

William nodded solemnly. "They are bound, Jessamyn. By something greater than any of us. They’ve already chosen each other, even now."

Cordelia gasped softly, her hands moving to her own belly, her eyes wide with awe. "They’re... connected? And I’m having a girl? Louis wanted a girl..." she whispered, the wonder in her voice unmistakable.

William’s eyes darkened, his expression turning serious once more. "Yes. But there’s no time to dwell on it. Louis is in danger."

Cordelia’s eyes widened with fear.

Jessamyn’s heart lurched, fear gripping her once again. "What? How do you know?"

William’s gaze grew distant, his face hardening. "I can feel it," he said quietly, his voice thick with dread. "Elaine is here. We need to act fast."

Jessamyn steadied herself, her mind racing. Elaine. The name alone was enough to send a chill through her veins. What would William do next, after all he had just sacrificed? Would he face Elaine with the same resolve he’d shown with his mother? And what would that cost him?

William’s eyes met hers, filled with the same fierce determination she had always admired in Jerrick. "Find Jerrick. We’ll need him if we’re going to save Louis."