The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 357: A Hearty Chat

Jasmine noticed Jerrick’s lips curl into a playful smirk, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if he had somehow guessed that she admired him. Even if just for a second, that couldn’t be allowed. She wouldn’t let herself entertain those thoughts. Determined, she decided to clear the air and make it unmistakably clear that she had no feelings for him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Are you really from the Theodulf family?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice dripping with skepticism. The rumor about him sharing the same last name as the prominent military family had been swirling around, but it made no sense to her. Wasn’t he supposed to be serving in the military like every other male in that family? Why was he masquerading as a teacher’s assistant in a private school? A job that didn’t even pay well?

"In the flesh," Jerrick answered, his eyes lighting up with a strange mix of joy and amusement as they locked onto hers.

"What?" Jasmine was taken aback by his nonchalant confirmation. "Then why are you here?" she pressed, unable to hide her confusion.

He smiled softly and shrugged, a gesture so casual it made her head spin. "I want to carve my own path."

"Oh?" Jasmine pursed her lips. So, he has a hippy spirit, she thought, trying to dismiss the odd flutter in her chest. Something about him felt larger than life, yet he stood there, playing the role of a mere teacher’s assistant, completely out of place in this world.

"Do you like men in uniform?" His voice suddenly took on a teasing edge. "Would you consider marrying someone in the military?"

"Eww, dude! Who’s thinking about marriage?" Jasmine cringed, pulling her face into an exaggerated scowl. The very idea was ridiculous to her—she was too young, far too focused on her own life to even entertain such thoughts. But then again, she rationalized, it was probably normal for someone his age to think about such things.

Jerrick chuckled, his laughter soft yet filled with an inexplicable sorrow that hung in the air. "The one who loved me... hated to see me go to war," he said, his voice barely a whisper, eyes distant, as though trapped in a memory.

Something twisted inside Jasmine at his words. A pang of something she couldn’t name. Anger? Jealousy? No, that couldn’t be it. She barely knew him. Yet, the mention of another woman... it did something to her. "You do you," she muttered, turning her face away to avoid whatever was stirring inside her chest.

Jerrick watched her from below with a smile, though his eyes seemed to hold an entire ocean of emotions. It was surreal to him—finally finding her, the one he had searched for his entire life.

Every step he took, every decision he made, had led him to this moment. He had wandered through his childhood, navigating the rigid expectations of his powerful family, feeling like an outcast. He had endured switching schools, shifting from town to town, all in search of her, his Songbird.

He couldn’t believe she was here, perched up on a tree like some elusive creature, teasing him with her beauty and defiance. Yet something was terribly wrong. She didn’t remember him. Not a trace of recognition in those bright eyes. Was the curse still upon him? Why hadn’t she aged with him? Why was she six years younger now, just a teenager? The age gap might not matter once they were older, but for now... he knew it would look like a nightmare if he dared express the love that had bubbled within him for so long.

All he could do was watch over her, as she had asked. From a distance. Always from a distance. But how much longer could he keep this up?

"Are you angry?" Jerrick asked, noticing the shift in her demeanor. Her pouting lips made his heart sink.

"No," Jasmine replied, pouting as she crossed her arms. She didn’t understand why she was getting upset. Maybe it was because he was intruding on her alone time, watching her crush. Yes, that was it. That’s all it is, she convinced herself.

"What are your plans for the future?" Jerrick asked, his curiosity genuine. Beyond the mystery of why she didn’t remember him, he wanted to know how different she was from the girl he once knew.

He was happy to see William, too, even if they were unaware of the past that tied them together. It was strange, being the only one who remembered.

"Not marrying," Jasmine said with a bitterness she didn’t fully understand. Why did she feel this odd tension? He was an old man, likely to have a girlfriend or something. Why was she even thinking about this?

Jerrick laughed softly. "So, what are your dreams? I know you’re not exactly interested in school, based on your grades," he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "I’m not going to do anything. I’m going to live a life without responsibilities. Hopefully, my father leaves me enough money to live comfortably without working... or else I’ll flip burgers. Maybe I’ll be a barista," she shrugged, though there was a playful edge to her words.

Jerrick’s heart tightened. In her past life, she had shouldered so much responsibility—far more than anyone should have to. To hear her now, wanting a life free from obligations, made his chest ache.

"You could always marry rich, you know," he suggested, his tone lighter than his heart.

Jasmine laughed. "Do I look like someone who can marry rich?" she scoffed, her voice full of self-doubt. Sure, she was pretty, but not that pretty.

"Why not? You’re beautiful," Jerrick said, the words slipping out before he could stop himself. Her eyes widened, and her face got flushed. Jerrick too immediately felt his face flush. Clearing his throat, he quickly added, "And talented. Do you have any hobbies?"

"Hobbies?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Are you stalking me, Mr. Theodulf?" she asked, her tone full of suspicion. "How did you know I do embroidery?"

Jerrick smiled, relieved she hadn’t lingered on his earlier comment. "Just a guess." She still does embroidery...

She squinted at him, still suspicious. "Why? Because I’m a girl, you assume I have girly hobbies?"

"No, of course not," Jerrick said quickly. "You can have any hobby you want."

They continued to chat for a while, and to Jasmine’s surprise, she found herself enjoying their conversation. But deep down, something unsettled her. There was a connection she couldn’t explain, something that felt too comfortable, too familiar. And that terrified her. How could she feel this way toward someone she barely knew?

Jerrick noticed her gaze wandering back toward the equestrian arena. "What are you looking at?" he asked, following her line of sight.

"My crush," Jasmine said defiantly. "Someone my age, you know?"

Jerrick’s brow furrowed. "Crush?"

"Hector," Jasmine smiled, her lips curling in satisfaction as she saw the flicker of pain cross Jerrick’s face. He deserved it.

The bell rang, breaking the moment. Jerrick stepped forward and looked up at her. "Come on, get down. You’ll be late."

Jasmine hesitated, suddenly feeling the height of the tree. "I-I’m scared," she admitted, gripping the branch tightly.

"Jump," Jerrick said, holding out his arms. "I’ll catch you."

For a brief moment, as she looked down at him with his arms extended, an image flashed in her mind. A boy, dressed in medieval clothing, standing beneath her, saying the same thing. His eyes, his hair—everything was the same. What was happening to her?

The vision faded as quickly as it came. Swallowing her fear, Jasmine gathered herself and jumped. Jerrick caught her effortlessly, his hands firm yet gentle, and as he set her down, their eyes met.

In that instant, she felt an overwhelming urge to embrace him, to press her lips against his, to hold onto him and never let go. But she resisted. No. This is wrong, she reminded herself.

That was the last time she saw him at school. After that day, Jerrick Theodulf disappeared as mysteriously as he had arrived.