The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 128: Not So Different

"I do not want you to go there again, Jerry..." Jessamyn’s voice trembled with the weight of her plea.

Unconsciously, she used the name she called him when they were younger, back when life was simpler and the world hadn’t yet etched its harsh lines into their faces. She had said those exact words to him then, and he had ignored them.

"Your leg isn’t even... Jerry, listen to me, will you?" she gulped, her heart aching with fear. The thought of sending him once more to the battlefield terrified her.

The familiarity of the name hung in the air between them, a poignant reminder of the bond they once shared. Jerrick’s eyes softened, a flicker of the boy he once was shining through the battle-hardened man.

He gently cupped her face with his free hand, his touch tender and reassuring. "Jessamyn," he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of pain and longing. "I don’t want to go back either... But..." he let out a sigh.

If there came another war, he would be sent to the front lines. There was no way around it. He would receive the royal decree to fight. He wouldn’t want to stay safe in his castle either when there was a war going on in his kingdom. He was not a coward.

Jessamyn came out of her trance, reminded of their current positions. "There can’t be another war," she said, walking to the front.

"There can’t be..." Jerrick agreed. He caught up with her in just a couple of steps and held her hand again.

Jessamyn didn’t try to get out of his hold. Her heart was still pounding from the poignant way he described the feeling of being on a battlefield.

She had been in stressful situations, what one might even call low-level battles, with what she encountered with the mutts and the smugglers. That day she was attacked by the snakes was also terrifying.

She felt the adrenaline rush that warmed her blood, but she never wished to be in such a position again. She would try to avoid being there. Why would anyone want to be there?

Her thoughts wandered to Joar. He didn’t like to talk about his experiences on the battlefield, but maybe this was how he felt too.

No, he didn’t.

Joar didn’t want to go there again. He might have before he was married, but after their marriage, he prayed for no more wars, and his heart sank every time he had to leave her for war.

Jessamyn’s heart ached with the memory. She looked at Jerrick, his resolve evident in his eyes. She had no right to stop him. He didn’t even love her. But the world will blame her for being an ill omen if something bad happened to him. She would have to live with that for the rest of her life.

She truly hoped there wasn’t another war.

But the information about this other Purple Hood needed to be investigated. Jessamyn wondered how she might do that.

Jerrick looked at her, seeing the distress etched on her face. His heart ached to see her in pain, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie or make false promises. There were some things he couldn’t compromise on, and fighting for the glory of Ayberia was one of them. His loyal soldiers depended on his leadership, and he couldn’t abandon them.

Yet, amidst her distress, he noticed something else. She looked better than before, more composed. It didn’t entirely make sense, but he sensed a change in her. Jessamyn was similar to him in a way. She might not seek solace in the midst of a physical fight, but she needed something to occupy her mind. Now, her thoughts were consumed with finding the other Purple Hood and seeking justice, and it seemed to ease her agony.

When he was interrogating the merchant, she stood with her chin up, resolute and strong. She even faced Archon Erlan, who despised her, with grace and dignity. Her inner strength shone through, but Jerrick knew she still carried the weight of her past pain.

He had thought he was sparing her distress by seizing her crossbow, believing it was for her own good. He also had yet to decipher the complex spell in her leather bag, the spell that had hidden her from him. He wanted to understand it, to know more about the origin of it.

But now, seeing her renewed determination, he decided to give her the crossbow back. He could handle the wedding preparations, and she could do what she was comfortable with. That is, if she still wanted to pursue her mission after visiting Hector’s grave.

-----

Jessamyn fell asleep the moment she got in the carriage. The day had been mentally exhausting, and she was utterly spent.

When she woke up, it was dark outside, and she found herself back in her bed in Jerrick’s mansion. Rubbing her face, she let out a sigh.

I thought he was going to let me stay with Isadora, she thought.

Despite that, she wasn’t even disappointed. She had slept well, and the rest had chased away her negative feelings.

Still in the dress she had worn in the morning, she was grateful that Jerrick hadn’t attempted to undress her. Gathering her courage, she picked up her essentials and headed to the splendid bathtub, hoping it wasn’t occupied. She really couldn’t get enough of it.

The bathtub was filled with fresh bathwater and an herbal bath salt that spread a soothing aroma. She felt rejuvenated after her bath.

Emerging from the bathroom, she was greeted by the enticing aroma of delicious food. Following the scent, she found Jerrick waiting with a spread of delicacies.

They ate together, discussing mundane things, making the events of the morning feel like a distant dream after her good rest.

"Are you tired?" Jerrick asked as he cleared the plates.

"No?" she answered, confused by his odd question.

"Will you come for a ride with me?" he asked.

"Ride? Where? Mount Lumina?" she asked. He had promised to take her to many places, none of which were nearby. So, she thought maybe he was taking her to Mount Lumina.

"No," Jerrick shook his head, a playful smile on his face.

"Then, where?"

"Guess..."

"I’m bad at guessing!"

"...."

"Jerrick!"

"To the Great Green Forest," he said.

"To catch the imposter?" Jessamyn raised her brows.

Jerrick nodded. "And one more thing..."

"What?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Close your eyes..."

Jessamyn furrowed her brows. "Why?"

"Just do it!"

Jessamyn’s heart pounded seeing his weird smile. But she closed her eyes anyway.

"Do not open your eyes until I tell you to," he said.

"Fine!" She rolled her eyes.

"You!" he pointed at her, and Jessamyn quickly closed her eyes again.

What is this about? she wondered; her curiosity piqued.