The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 140: Her Heart

Cordelia fell into his mysterious blue eyes, his intent unmistakable. Her heart bubbled with emotions she couldn’t describe upon seeing the desire in his gaze. She leaned in, wanting to close the small gap between them. What did she have to lose? Nothing. If it meant she could have him, nothing else mattered.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Louis suddenly stood up, his movement swift and decisive. Cordelia watched him, confusion marring her features as he walked towards the door, his intent now unclear.

Her lips trembled and she placed her hand on her heart now fell into the pit of her stomach. Did I do something wrong?

His eyes roamed the room, and they fell upon a wall filled with paintings—paintings of him, done by her hand. He halted, took a closer look at each of the painting.

Cordelia held her breath as he stopped there. That was what she wanted him to see. She hoped he will know what’s in her heart.

He stared at the artworks; his expression unreadable. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words and hidden feelings. Cordelia held her breath, waiting for his next move, her heart pounding in her chest.

Louis was surprised to see the number of paintings of him there.

The paintings adorning the wall spoke volumes. Many of the artworks depicted them from when they were young, rendered in intricate detail.

She had captured his smug smile perfectly, a testament to her exceptional skill. He remembered how he used to beg her to paint him, and she almost always refused. The one time she did, she humorously portrayed him with the body of a duck—a picture he still kept.

He had no idea she had painted him so much over the years. The realization struck him as he looked at the paintings, she had never shown him, each one capturing his essence with remarkable precision.

The more recent ones, painted from a distance, reflected the growing gap between them, a silent testament to the emotional chasm that had developed.

One painting, in particular, stood out. It depicted him standing by the fountain in his full regal garb, a profound sadness and loneliness in his eyes. She had captured not just his likeness but his spirit, his hidden emotions that few ever saw.

Her brushwork might be considered unpolished by some professionals, but to him, these paintings surpassed the official portraits crafted by the kingdom’s best artists. They were infused with a depth of understanding and an intimate knowledge of his character.

As he stood there, his eyes widening with realization, he looked around the room at the other paintings—nature scenes, her pets—but his gaze inevitably returned to those of himself.

These were indeed a step above the rest, as if she had poured her heart into them. It was clear she enjoyed painting him, and the construction of each piece showed a deep, almost reverent attention to detail, expressing a deep feeling in her heart.

In each portrait, he saw a different facet of himself, interpreted through her eyes. The paintings weren’t just about how he looked; they conveyed how she saw him, how she felt about him. They revealed a side of him that he didn’t often see, a side that she seemed to know intimately.

Louis turned to look at her, his gaze intense. Cordelia stood up, thinking he would say something.

Taking a deep breath, Louis turned and left the room, walking past the astonished household staff. Cordelia’s mother confronted him, her voice shaking as she asked about his intentions. But Louis, lost in thought, didn’t respond. He exited the mansion, leaving behind a trail of confusion and unspoken promises.

Cordelia stood by her window, watching him disappear into the night, her heart aching with a mixture of hope and despair. She did her best to reveal her heart. The final decision would be up to him.

"What happened here, Cordelia? We cannot allow this to happen. We must force his hand to~"

"Mother," Cordelia stopped her mother. "No one is forcing him to do anything. He has already decided."

"Decided? Dear, what did he tell you?" Duchess Dahlberg raised her brows enthusiastically.

"It’s what he didn’t say..." Cordelia pressed her lips, her eyes still on the figure merging into the darkness.

What did you decide, Louis? Did you catch a glimpse of my heart, or did you interpret those paintings as a deliberate ploy to ensnare you?

-----

In the forest...

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

Jessamyn’s eyes widened in surprise. What did he say?

It was then she realized something. He could have conducted this operation alone or with the help of his men, but he had brought her here, with him. He wanted to involve her in the affairs of the kingdom and sought her support.

Even if he didn’t need her assistance, he wanted her by his side. This realization struck her deeply, especially considering the disdain many nobles held for women’s involvement in politics.

Her heart swelled with gratitude and admiration. She was pleased with Jerrick and silently vowed to support him in every way she could.

This moment of inclusion made her feel valued and important, not just as a companion, but as a partner in the grand scheme of their shared future.

She felt seen and heard, his actions a soothing balm to her wounded heart.

Jerrick didn’t notice her reaction and walked to a nearby clearing. He whistled, his arms stretched out wide. Jessamyn watched closely as a bird with a silent flight pattern swooped down to him.

It was an owl. Jessamyn was fascinated and wanted to get closer but held back. She inferred that Jerrick used owls to send messages. What surprised her more was that he didn’t tie a message to its leg; he simply whistled instructions to it, and the owl flew away.

Jessamyn was awestruck. Owls weren’t generally considered smarter than ravens, and even she couldn’t teach ravens to convey messages, no matter how hard she tried. How did he manage to do it with an owl?

"You made a friend today," Jerrick said, walking back to her.

Jessamyn nodded in agreement. She had the same feeling. She smiled, thinking of Cordelia. Along with Isadora, she had made another friend.

Meanwhile, Jerrick was equally pleased that Jessamyn had made a new friend. She already had William’s sister as her lady-in-waiting. Now, with the future queen indebted to her, her life in the elite circle would be nothing but peaceful.

I will make sure you live happily, my dearest Songbird...