The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 111: The Third Hooded Figure

Jessamyn didn’t want to make Alderic sad by showing her sadness to him. She smiled forcefully.

"You’re right. I’ll leave Jostein with my brother..."

Alderic bowed at her holding his hand over her chest. "I’ll bring Jostein to you, Milady. But you..." His eyes ended up on the hurt men, now curled up on the floor. "Don’t stay here... I know a place."

Alderic first located a guard and handed over the two men to him. Jessamyn provided her statement, explaining how the men had tried to attack her and how Alderic had come to her rescue.

Once that was settled, Alderic guided Jessamyn through the market. She didn’t refuse him, trusting his judgment and following his lead. He brought her to a less crowded area lined with luxury stores.

Jessamyn assured him, "I’ll be safe here. The tight security in this area protects the assets of the wealthy merchants and their customers."

Alderic nodded, relief evident on his face. "Very well, Milady. I’ll fetch Jostein and return shortly."

As she watched him leave, Jessamyn took a moment to gather her thoughts, feeling a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. She knew that keeping Jostein was important, not just as a connection to Joar, but as a piece of her own heart.

Jessamyn’s eyes wandered to the luxury shops before her, each one a testament to resplendence and grandeur. The stores in the capital city were a step above grandeur. Amid the shimmering displays and elegant storefronts, a poignant thought struck her: she had yet to meet Ethan’s ladylove and needed to buy a gift for her.

The realization brought a mix of anticipation and anxiety, a new encounter in her complex web of relationships.

She looked down at her money pouch, the small bag that symbolized her desire for a sliver of independence. Jerrick had given it to her, and now it had proved invaluable.

The satisfaction of being able to help Alderic, to take a stand and offer support, filled her with a quiet pride. She clutched the pouch, feeling its reassuring weight, and smiled at the thought that her small reserve of coins had made a difference.

Yet, a part of her knew she would need to follow Jerrick’s advice and let his staff handle the cost of the gift. He would undoubtedly tease her about it, a playful reminder of her dependence on him.

Despite the inevitable teasing, she felt a surge of gratitude. Jerrick’s support, both financial and emotional, had given her the means to be there for Alderic in a critical moment.

Most of the stores there had more than one floor. She walked through hoping to find anything that caught her eye.

Something did catch her eye—a jewelry shop. She entered the shop and was welcomed warmly. When she said she wanted to look at earrings, she was taken to the second floor.

-----

Meanwhile, Alderic went to the guard to check whether the men had confessed to anything yet. When he arrived, however, he discovered they were missing.

"He wanted them," the guard explained, pointing to a man in a black hooded cape.

Alderic approached the hooded figure cautiously. Lady Jessamyn had mentioned the presence of a third figure, and now here was another, retrieving the very men who had tried to kill her.

"What do you want with those men?" Alderic asked, his voice steady but edged with suspicion.

The hooded figure turned slowly to face him, the air between them thick with tension. The silence stretched, every second amplifying the unease.

"They are of interest to me," the man replied cryptically, his voice low and devoid of emotion. "And to you, they should be of no concern."

Alderic’s grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. "They attacked Lady Jessamyn. That makes them my concern."

The hooded man’s eyes, shadowed beneath his cloak, glinted with a hint of menace. "Your loyalty is commendable, squire, but misplaced. There are greater forces at play than you realize."

Alderic stood firm, his instincts on high alert. But something about the hooded figure struck him as familiar. Tilting his head to look under the hood, he strained to identify the mysterious man.

When he realized who it was, shock and recognition flooded him. Quickly, he kneeled on the ground, placing his sword down in a gesture of submission. "Forgive my impudence, Your Grace," he said, his voice filled with respect and contrition. "I was unaware I was speaking to you."

The hooded figure remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly. "Rise, Alderic. Your loyalty to Lady Jessamyn is commendable. I need to ask you a favor."

"Anything for you, Your Grace," Alderic bowed his head.

-----

Jessamyn browsed through the collections, each piece more splendid than the last. However, uncertainty gnawed at her. She didn’t know Ethan’s ladylove well enough to discern her tastes in jewelry.

Would she prefer something simple and elegant, or bold and ornate? Jessamyn’s mind raced as she examined the dazzling array of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over a delicate silver necklace adorned with tiny sapphires.

She sighed, wishing she knew more about the girl’s preferences. Choosing the perfect gift felt like an impossible task without more information

Ugh! Why did I faint before meeting her?

Just then, an idea struck her. She could select a versatile piece, something timeless that would appeal to most tastes. Her eyes landed on a bracelet, simple yet would go with any attire in a design that would never go out of style.

"I’ll have that," Jessamyn said, satisfied with her selection. Along with the embroidery she made, this gift would be perfect.

The shopkeeper continued to present more pieces of jewelry, each more extravagant than the last, but Jessamyn’s interest waned. She shook her head politely, indicating she wasn’t interested in seeing more.

Just then, a group of elderly ladies entered the shop, chatting animatedly among themselves. Seeing them, however, the smile on Jessamyn’s face disappeared.

"Send it to~"

The shopkeeper bowed his head. "I’ll send it to the Archduke’s Villa, Milady. Should I bring some more exquisite collections we~"

"No, just this," Jessamyn nodded with a polite smile and turned to leave.

The elderly ladies must have overheard the shopkeeper mentioning the Archduke, as they now stood by the stairs, their curious eyes fixed on Jessamyn. Among them, the woman in the middle, dressed in her widow’s weeds, caught Jessamyn’s attention.

Jessamyn’s breath hitched as she recognized her mother-in-law. She hadn’t expected the Dowager Countess to be in the capital city as well. The older woman’s glare was icy, her expression dripping with disgust.

The Dowager Countess’s lips thinned, and she looked Jessamyn up and down with an air of disdain. Her friends around her who had already been whipped by Jessamyn’s tongue, stood with a menacing glare now that they had support.

Jessamyn knew she couldn’t walk away without acknowledging her mother-in-law. She took in a deep breath and brought a smile to her face.

Let’s get this over with!