The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 133: Complicated Matters Of Heart

Jessamyn gave up. She hated herself for showing her weakness to the wolf, but she did love a little peace in her mind. She regretted befriending that annoying overgrown dog.

"You’re safe. That’s all that matters. No one has to know you were here..." Jessamyn held Cordelia’s hand affectionately.

Cordelia nodded in understanding. "He doesn’t know about the time I got kidnapped too. Will you please~"

"Definitely," Jessamyn smiled. "Just like you’re keeping my secret, I’ll keep yours. It will be our little secret."

Jessamyn understood why Cordelia and her family were keeping it a secret. It was also the reason she didn’t worry that Cordelia might reveal the fact that she was the Purple Hood.

If it were known that a lady from a noble family had been kidnapped, her status would plummet into the abyss.

It didn’t matter whether she was harmed or not; society would look at her as if she had been used as a harlot by a hundred men before being rescued, even if she returned within a day, even if nothing else happened.

Jessamyn had personally met noble ladies who had pleaded with her to kill them, even after they were rescued, simply because they had been missing for more than two days. They knew the fate awaiting them upon their return, and they preferred death over that disgrace.

Of course, as the candidate for the next queen of Ayberia, Cordelia needed to be impeccable and blameless. They wouldn’t let a woman who had been kidnapped near the Crown Prince.

Jessamyn sighed, thinking of the injustices women faced in society. But she was amused by the bright red blush blooming on Cordelia’s pale face. She was a definite beauty. True to the prophecy, she must be Gemma Luna.

Jessamyn was happy she had a chance to talk to Cordelia. Now she could find out who Lycaon Wulfhednar might be. It surely would be the man she truly loved.

Was that Jerrick? Or...

Jessamyn unconsciously ended up at the white wolf behind her. The wolf was too involved to know what Cordelia’s thoughts about the Crown Prince. Was that jealousy? Will I know that wolf’s identity through Cordelia?

Jessamyn now got truly invested in knowing Cordelia’s heart.

"He... Louis is a kind man..." Cordelia said and Jessamyn wanted to laugh out loud. She is so naïve! Does she know the Crown Prince everyone else knows?

Jessamyn, however, controlled her thoughts and expression not to hear that annoying voice in her head again.

Also, Cordelia might be right. She might know a different version of the man she was betrothed to. It was not uncommon as Jessamyn could sympathize with her. No one knew the Joar she knew.

Still, Cordelia was talking about the Crown Prince. Jessamyn could understand a little. Only a little. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"He might be unsure if my heart is truly with him..." Cordelia added.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened. Is this about her alleged attraction toward Jerrick? She listened closely and her heart raced out of excitement.

"Oh, now you’re interested," the wolf chucked. "I can hear your heart from here."

Jessamyn clenched her jaws. So, what if I am interested? Aren’t you too?

The sound of the clashing swords was no more. The wolf was still behind her. She could feel him.

Jerrick definitely was not the wolf. Seeing the sadness in Cordelia’s eyes, Jessamyn’s heart ached for the young noblewoman. "And is your heart with him?" she asked softly.

"I..." Cordelia bowed covering her face with her hands and even then, Jessamyn could see the blush on her face.

She likes the crown prince!

Shock was the first reaction Jessamyn had but then she wondered if Prince Louis could be the wolf. Somehow, she couldn’t equate the jovial and yet annoying wolf she knew to the conceited and psychotic crown prince. They just couldn’t be the same person.

Or could the change in form affect the personalities too?

Jessamyn unconsciously looked at the white wolf behind her. Nah! A snob will never turn to this! But who could this be?

Jessamyn didn’t even want to think that she was getting along with the Crown Prince. As much as he was annoying at times, he protected her, and she considered him a friend.

"He might be under the impression...it was my fault. I cannot blame him. I... I told him... I am in love with..."

"Jerrick?" Jessamyn finished her sentence. Cordelia was so overwhelmed it was hard for her to speak.

Cordelia nodded.

Jessamyn sighed. She didn’t know how or why Cordelia ended up doing such a dumb thing but she pitied her. She was full of regret.

"What a dumb woman!"

Jessamyn heard the wolf and she ignored him.

"But!" Lady Cordelia suddenly sprang up, kneeled before Jessamyn, and held her hand. "It’s not true, Lady Jessamyn. I was never in love with the Archduke. Never. And I am very happy for you and your upcoming wedding with His Grace. After I heard the news, my admiration for you only grew. Others are divided about your remarriage, but I truly support you. I will confess it anywhere. What you’re doing is—"

"I don’t blame you," Jessamyn interjected gently.

It appeared that Cordelia thought Jessamyn might blame her for being in love with Jerrick. She didn’t. Even if Cordelia had, she would have only felt pity for Cordelia for falling in love with Jerrick. Jessamyn knew that Jerrick only had Imogen in his heart.

Despite her composed demeanor, it did hurt Jessamyn to know that people were divided about her wedding to Jerrick. It wasn’t as if she had much choice in the matter. She certainly didn’t love Jerrick enough to break all social conventions and marry him. This marriage was not of her own making, and she felt trapped by the expectations and machinations of those around her.

"But you, Lady Cordelia... Why aren’t you clearing the misunderstanding? What’s the Prince’s feeling in all this? Have you talked to him about it?" Jessamyn asked.

If she was not in love with Jerrick and she lied to Prince Louis about it, it was not too late to clear it. If he liked her, he would accept her.

"You see... Lady Jessamyn..." Cordelia stood up and bowed her head. "I was about to, but then your marriage was announced, and I..."

"What is this woman even saying?" The wolf had now lost all the patience. "She lied and that was dumb. Why is she complicating things by getting dumber?"

Jessamyn understood Cordelia, however. "I understand. You don’t want him to think that he is your second option and you’re going to him now that your first option is...unavailable."

"I missed my timing... I am the most unfortunate..." Lady Cordelia wiped the corner of her eyes.

"Whaaaat? This is the dumbest thing I’ve heard all my life! Just tell her to~"

Jessamyn had lost the last bit of patience she had and shot the wolf screaming in her head.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! You shot me...You shot me!"