The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 136: Resolute Clarity

Jessamyn was shaking with fear. Joar didn’t talk much about the war, but he had told her that the Altanians could take vengeance to the next level. If the man who died was the son-in-law of an important military general, then that man wouldn’t let it go. War would definitely rage.

But more than that, Jerrick’s provocation would be taken as a personal challenge, and they would target him with a vengeance. Jerrick might be a warrior and hailed as a hero, but how long could he hold on when an entire nation was against him? How many men could he fight off to protect himself? What if he lost his guard and ended up...

Jessamyn didn’t want to think about it anymore.

Her mind raced with horrible possibilities, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum. Jerrick stood before her, his face a mask of determination and resolve, but she saw the storm that lay ahead. She could already see the Altanian forces, relentless and unyielding, closing in on him.

"Jerrick," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roaring in her ears, "this is too dangerous. You’re putting yourself in unimaginable danger."

She knew he knew what he was doing and yet she couldn’t leave him to his devices. She just couldn’t.

Jerrick met her gaze, his eyes filled with a determination that both reassured and terrified her. "Because it’s the only way to protect everyone. The Prince can’t be implicated in this."

"Why not? He killed him. He should face the implications. What kind of man is he to allow another to take his kill? Is he a coward?" She held his arms and shook him.

Tears clouded her vision. Why must he suffer for what someone else did?

"Jessamyn... Dear Jessamyn... It has to be me..." Jerrick pressed his forehead on hers and chuckled. He wanted to kiss her.

He didn’t know if she understood what she was doing. Standing in front of him, she was shedding tears for him. He could take it as she didn’t trust his abilities and the power he held in the kingdom.

But he knew it was deeper than that. The one worried for him was not Jessamyn, The Purple Hood. It was his Mynah, the girl who was his resting place. Right this moment, that girl he fell in love with was back.

Jessamyn’s mind raced, trying to process his words. "But why you? Why put yourself in such danger?" she asked, desperation creeping into her voice. She didn’t even realize the lack of space between them. She needed his warmth.

"You know why..." Jerrick’s voice was steady, but there was an underlying intensity that made her heart ache.

Jessamyn blinked her tears away and looked at him, wiping her nose. She thought about it. "Because he’s the heir, the sole heir."

Jerrick nodded. His eyes ended on the severed head. "Tomorrow, the dead man’s head will be brought to the Royal Court, and the King will—"

"You cannot lie to the King, can you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I can’t. The truth won’t change the King’s mind..." Jerrick’s expression softened slightly, though his resolve remained firm. "It has to be me, because I can handle it. Because I believe in protecting what’s important, even if it means making difficult choices."

Jessamyn felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. The weight of the situation bore down on her, the complexity and danger of it all overwhelming. "You always have to be the hero," she said, her voice breaking.

She couldn’t believe he would willfully take the blame. That was plain stupidity.

"It’s not about being a hero, Jessamyn. It’s about doing what needs to be done," Jerrick said gently.

He took risks, and that was how he had risen to his current position so swiftly. His role required him to take such risks. It was part of who he was. He couldn’t compromise on that.

She looked at him, seeing the depth of his conviction. Despite the terror and confusion swirling inside her, she knew one thing for certain: Jerrick was willing to sacrifice everything to protect those he cared about.

Maybe it was inbuilt in him to lead. It was something she was always aware of. He never cared about the consequences once he decided on something. He somehow managed to reach the outcome he desired. He had that temerity and strength.

Jessamyn could see the determination etched in every line of his face. It was both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. She knew that nothing she said would deter him from his path. He was resolute.

"You’ve always had this...this incredible ability to make things happen, no matter the cost," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Once again, I am left alone!

"Jessamyn," Jerrick said, holding her cheeks gently to make her look at him.

Jessamyn met his intense gaze.

"Altanians behead our soldiers and humiliate their bodies. Louis beheaded him for that reason. Do you see them?" He pointed at the scared women in cages nearby.

"This is not just a money-grubbing operation. This is their humiliation ritual. They bring women from Ayberia, treat them cruelly in front of a cheering crowd, and... Do you know the ratio of women to men in Ayberia? For every three men, there are two women. Altania is curbing the female population of Ayberia, and in turn, the overall population. They planned this. This cannot continue."

Jessamyn’s eyes widened as the horrifying truth sank in. She understood the bigger picture clearly now. It wasn’t just about the cruelty inflicted on these women; it was an insidious strategy to weaken their entire kingdom. The duty of every man, every soldier, was to protect their kingdom from such vile acts. But still...

"Will you support me?" Jerrick asked, his voice steady but laden with a vulnerability he rarely showed.

Jessamyn felt the weight of his words. Her heart ached with the gravity of the situation, but amidst the fear and confusion, there was a resolute clarity.

She had a duty to protect the innocents. They were actually on the same side in this issue.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Good," he kissed her forehead. "With you, I can do anything..." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened. What did he say?

-----

Cordelia clung to Louis, unable to hide her fear. She hadn’t realized horses were that tall, and the ground felt so far away.

"You came for a walk in the forest?" Louis asked, his tone tinged with gentle teasing.

Cordelia pretended not to hear him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, but Louis repeated the question, leaning closer to her ear. His lips grazed her earlobe as they moved with the rhythm of the horse, sending a shiver down her spine.

"I... I didn’t mean to come this far," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She tried to focus on the warmth of Louis’s arm around her rather than the dizzying height from which she now viewed the world.

Louis chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin. "You’re not a very good liar."