The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 361: Never Apart Again

Jerrick, sensing the storm in her mind, looked at her with a tenderness that melted her fears. She straightened her posture, resolve strengthening her voice. "Give me five years. I’ll become a fashion mogul," she said, her chin lifting defiantly. "I’ll prove I belong."

Jerrick’s eyes softened, admiration glowing in their depths. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms, the warmth of his body a solid comfort against her. His lips brushed her forehead as he whispered, "Don’t worry about it, Jasmine. You’re already my wife, in every way that matters."

The words were like a balm to her anxious heart. For Jasmine, his reassurance was everything. The weight of her earlier concerns melted away, replaced by a feeling of rightness—a quiet certainty that, no matter what, they were meant to be. The car ride to the restaurant was a blur, filled with the heady excitement of the life ahead.

As they arrived, Jasmine’s twin brother William greeted her with a playful grin. "Happy Birthday, Jazz!" He pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek affectionately.

"Happy birthday to you too, twinny," Jasmine replied with a matching smile, hugging him back. Her younger sisters joined in, wrapping her in a cocoon of love and warmth as they wished her the happiest of birthdays. For a moment, the world was perfect, suspended in the joy of her family’s embrace.

Once everyone was seated, the eyes around the table began to dart toward Jerrick. Tall, handsome, and magnetic—his presence couldn’t be ignored. Jasmine felt the curious gazes land on her, knowing what was coming.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to rip off the proverbial band-aid. "This is Jerrick Theodulf," she introduced, her voice steady, but the pulse at her throat quickened. She took a deep breath before continuing, "And we’re engaged."

The table went silent, the words dropping like a stone into still water. For a moment, all anyone could do was blink. Then, William’s chair scraped back as he shot to his feet. "Wait—what? Isn’t he the creep from college?" His face darkened, eyes flashing as he glared at Jerrick.

"He is," Cordelia and Isadora chimed in, folding their arms in unison.

A storm of voices erupted, swirling around the table as they bombarded their father with stories of how Jasmine had once called her former teaching assistant ’creepy.’ Jasmine could only laugh nervously, knowing there was no way she could tell them the truth. How could she explain that Jerrick wasn’t just her former TA, but her lover from another life? They’d think she had lost her mind, or worse, that Jerrick had somehow manipulated her.

She wove a quick story, adding in details that felt believable—how they had reconnected and slowly fallen in love. It wasn’t the truth, but it was close enough.

Her father, however, remained unimpressed. His brow furrowed deeply when he learned Jerrick was from the Theodulf family. Worry flickered in his eyes as he considered the implications of his daughter marrying into such an influential, powerful dynasty. But before his concerns could fully take root, Jasmine’s mother reached over and placed her hand on his, soothing him with a calm smile.

When the commotion finally died down, Jasmine noticed another unfamiliar face sitting beside William and Isadora. "Who’s that?" she asked, her brow arching in curiosity.

William beamed. "That’s Bernard Eisenberg, my friend and the quarterback of our team. I thought I’d bring him along."

Jasmine smiled, turning her gaze to Jerrick, who remained unbothered by the introduction. He barely seemed to notice Bernard, but Jasmine couldn’t help but catch the shy glances Isadora kept sneaking toward him. It was as though, in that moment, no one else existed for her sister but Bernard.

William introduced his girlfriend Elena next, and their relationship seemed grounded in the kind of normalcy Jasmine had always craved for herself—a warm, loving family that accepted everyone with open arms. For a moment, it struck her how much her life had changed, how many obstacles she and Jerrick had already overcome just to stand here today.

Two years later, as Jasmine stood before the mirror on her wedding day, dressed in a gown created by her own fashion brand, her heart swelled with happiness.

This was her future. Their future.

Cordelia had designed the dress, Isadora had stitched it, and Jasmine herself had done the intricate embroidery. She was surrounded by love, by family, by everything she had ever dreamed of.

She almost gave up on her career after meeting Jerrick—wanting to start a family right away—but he had supported her, insisted that she pursue her dreams. He had been her rock, standing by her side, unwavering, always there, a steady presence through every obstacle. His love wrapped around her like armor, shielding her from doubt, from fear.

No one could ever love her the way he did. No one.

Mary Beaumont stood before Jasmine, her eyes shimmering with tears that spoke of the unspoken—a lifetime of love, sacrifice, and pride all wrapped in that one look. "Be happy," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Jasmine’s heart swelled with warmth, and her response was soft but filled with quiet certainty. "Always," she replied, her voice steady. She knew, with every fiber of her being, that the man she was marrying would do anything to keep her happy. Jerrick wasn’t just a partner—he was her protector, her confidant, her other half. The certainty of their love wrapped around her like a blanket, chasing away any lingering fears.

Charles Beaumont stepped forward next, silent but full of emotion, and pulled Jasmine into a strong, wordless hug. In his arms, Jasmine felt a rush of warmth and safety—the kind of unconditional love only a father can offer. He didn’t need to say a word; his embrace told her everything. It was a silent promise that, no matter what, she would always be his little girl.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad," Jasmine whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. She smiled up at them, her heart brimming with appreciation for the life they had given her. They had raised her in a home full of love, laughter, and unwavering support—a foundation she now carried into this new Chapter of her life. Thanks to them, she had never lacked for anything, and their presence now felt like a blessing she could never repay.

The moment of intimacy was interrupted by the familiar sound of rushing footsteps, and Jasmine turned to see her siblings bounding toward her with excitement. William, her twin, arrived first, a wide grin stretched across his face as he pulled her into another tight hug. Beside him stood Elena, her soon-to-be sister-in-law, with a ring glinting on her finger. William and Elena were engaged, and the joy in their eyes was contagious.

Isadora came next, hand-in-hand with Bernard, who had an air of quiet confidence about him. Jasmine watched them closely, her heart swelling with happiness for her sister. Isadora and Bernard had been going steady for a while, and if Jasmine’s instincts were correct, Bernard was planning to propose in a month—right on Isadora’s birthday. There was a tenderness between them that made Jasmine smile, knowing her sister was in good hands.

But her gaze shifted to Cordelia, the wild card of the family. Cordelia had always been spirited, her heart unpredictable and full of fire. And then there was Louis Kaiser, the man who seemed to both infuriate and intrigue her sister. Jasmine wasn’t quite sure what to make of the tension between them. Love and hate often danced close to each other, and in this case, the line between the two seemed to blur.

Jerrick, ever the quiet observer, had his own theories. He was convinced that Cordelia and Louis would end up married, despite the fiery clashes they had. Jasmine couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. Cordelia deserved happiness, but whether it came in the form of Louis Kaiser was yet to be seen.

Still, as she stood there surrounded by her family, a soft smile played on her lips. We all deserve happiness, she thought, her heart full. Whether it was William and Elena, Isadora and Bernard, or even Cordelia and her unlikely suitor, Jasmine wanted nothing more than for each of them to find the kind of love she had found in Jerrick.

And she knew, deep down, that they all would. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As the music began, and her father hooked his arm through hers, Jasmine took her first step down the aisle. Her heart was full, her mind drifting back to the first time she had found Jerrick... so long ago, in another life. Back then, she had seen him, lost and alone, and brought him home. Their love had blossomed against all odds, only for fate to tear them apart far too soon.

But now, now she was walking toward him again—toward the man who had saved her, loved her, waited for her.

And as her eyes locked with his at the end of the aisle, she knew one thing with absolute certainty: this time, they would have their happily ever after.

This time, they would never be apart.

"Let’s live a happy life this time too, My love..." she whispered under her breath.