The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 122: His Strategy

Jessamyn noticed that he had reordered the same food, again. They could have reheated the food but Jerrick insisted that they’d order again. Grateful but wanting to extend the kindness further, she asked the staff to clean the table and give the meal to the person she had seen earlier sitting near the trash can.

Jerrick watched with amusement as she gave specific instructions about who should receive the food. He had thought she was too distraught to notice anything around her, but she had clearly been observing her surroundings.

It made him wonder if he had been worrying too much about her safety. Jessamyn often ran into danger, but she always managed to find a way out. It couldn’t just be pure luck.

Should I give her the crossbow back? He wondered. Maybe going on hunts would help her heal. Not until she cuts the tether to Hector, he concluded.

Only after that could she truly begin to heal.

As he watched her, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes, he realized that her strength and resilience were far greater than he had given her credit for. He decided to support her in whatever way she needed.

Because talking to Joar did give him some insight. She was not the girl he knew but she was still the same. Once she handled the grief and the harrowing shadows of the past, he would be able to get his Songbird back.

With that, his heart filled with glee. The stinging feeling on his shoulder meant nothing; he ignored it. He watched her savoring the food. She was eating well.

With a deep sigh of relief, he held her hand and walked out of the restaurant. William had given a glowing recommendation for this place, and for once, William was right. He made a mental note to thank him later.

Jerrick observed the petite figure walking beside him. She didn’t seem to mind holding his hand. It was as if the hurtful words she had spoken earlier were just a mirage, not her true feelings. Yet, one thing still bothered him: she was not smiling. She still wasn’t fine.

In the past, Jessamyn used to cry a lot, and he had often mocked her, hoping to stop her tears. But now he realized that perhaps it was her crying that had helped her to smile so joyously afterward. Maybe it was through shedding tears that she found a way to heal her hurt.

"I bought a gift for Ethan’s ladylove," Jessamyn said.

She was ashamed to tell him that she wanted him to pay for it. She decided to tell the jeweler that she changed her mind about the bracelet. It was not right for her to ask him for money when she had hurt him. She can give the other gift she had and the shawl she embroidered for her.

"You don’t know her name?" Jerrick asked.

Jessamyn thought about her name. Oddly, she couldn’t remember it. She tried to think but her head hurt. "Don’t remember. She’s a daughter of a knight," she said. That much she remembered.

Jerrick noticed the deep furrowing between her brows and chose not to question her much. It was clear she wasn’t feeling well. "Ethan is still in the city. The nobles are inviting him to their parties. They must all want to introduce their daughters to him now that he’s a Baron. He’ll meet you when he’s free," Jerrick said.

Jessamyn nodded, hoping Ethan had the resolve to hold on to his love. "When are we leaving?" she asked, her voice tinged with fatigue. She had had enough of the city and longed to leave.

Jerrick held her hand closely, feeling the need to make plans for their travel to Ravensworth. "I’ll make plans soon," he said, his tone gentle yet determined. He wanted to surprise her with the visit to Ravensworth, hoping it would bring a smile to her face.

Yes, it would hurt him because her happiness would stem from visiting her husband’s grave, but he knew it was necessary. She needed to confront and let go of her past to heal.

Thinking about Jostein made her remember that annoying bird. She didn’t know what preparations he needed to make, but it didn’t appear that he was leaving the city any time soon. "I have to give the mangoes I got for Jayjay before it goes bad," she said. She didn’t want to let the mangoes go to waste. Also, she wanted to have an idea of how long they were going to stay in the city.

"I’ll send the mangoes to her," Jerrick said focusing on her.

Jessamyn, still not having the guts to face him, bowed her head and nodded. So, we are going to stay here for a while...

"You can stay with Isadora tonight," Jerrick said, prompting Jessamyn to look at him. "She will leave for Roche tomorrow with Bernard."

"You’re fine with being alone?" Jessamyn asked, perplexed.

She welcomed the budding attraction between Isadora and Bernard. Bernard treated Isadora well, as far as she could see, and they had a chance to be a happy couple.

However, it seemed to her that Jerrick pushed Isadora towards Bernard a bit too much, especially since they were not yet married. Additionally, back at Theodulf Castle, Jerrick had depended heavily on Bernard for various tasks, yet here, in the capital city, where he might need more support, he chose to keep Bernard away.

She didn’t understand what he was thinking.

"I am," Jerrick replied. He almost added that it was just for the night and after that, he wasn’t truly alone because she was with him, but he refrained, not wanting to spoil her already sour mood by teasing her as he used to.

He had learned the hard way that making her smile was not the same as making her troubles go away. If he wanted her smiles to be genuine and lasting, he needed to take concrete actions to alleviate her burdens. Otherwise, she might continue to smile while storing all the resentment in her heart, which was not good for her.

Jerrick gazed at her thoughtfully. He knew he had to be more than just a fleeting source of amusement or comfort; he needed to help her find real peace and happiness.

Jessamyn didn’t want to think about it any further. Even if she protested, it would be of no use. He would do what he wanted to do.

"Shall we return to the mansion?" Jessamyn asked. She wanted to rest for some time.

"I want to bring you somewhere... Will you come with me?" Jerrick asked.

Jessamyn had no energy left, but his pleading eyes were impossible to refuse. She followed him, her steps heavy with fatigue.

When they arrived, what she saw stunned her into silence. She looked at Jerrick with wide eyes, her heart, which had been barely beating to sustain her, now pounding with excitement.