The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 145: Not Changing Mind

Jessamyn had always been fascinated by the myths and legends that surrounded their kingdom. Among them, the red-blooming elm tree at the grave of the Queen Mother had captivated poets and bards for ages.

Even without its mythological context, the tree’s mysterious transformation—from blooming red to ceasing entirely for almost a millennium, only to suddenly bloom white—was puzzling.

"White," Jerrick affirmed, his voice carrying the weight of the mystery.

"What does that mean?" Jessamyn asked, her curiosity piqued. It suddenly hit her. Could it be related to Gemma Luna?

"I don’t know," Jerrick shrugged.

"What does the Oracle say?" she pressed, assuming such significant changes would be reported to the King.

"No one bothered to check it for ages, and no one knows when it started blooming," Jerrick replied.

Jessamyn blinked, lost for words. "Does this Kingdom want to survive or not? It is as if the ones up there don’t care for the people. In the old days, any sign of change was crucial for predicting the future. Now, everyone’s just looking out for themselves," she complained, frustration evident in her voice.

Jerrick stared at her for a moment, and Jessamyn realized he, too, was among those "up there." She softened, knowing her words might have struck a nerve.

"I’m sorry, Jerrick. It’s just... it feels like we’re losing touch with what’s important," she said, her tone gentler now.

He sighed; his expression thoughtful. "You’re right, Jessamyn... We’ve become complacent. Perhaps it’s time to start paying attention again."

He needed to look into the lore and mythologies of the past. He had a feeling that Jessamyn knew more than she said. He didn’t want to interrogate her, but it would be better if she trusted him enough to tell him everything.

"It is," Jessamyn agreed with him.

"By the way, you’ve spent a lot of time in the forest. Have you seen anything weird?" Jerrick asked.

"Weird?" Jessamyn pressed her lips. She did see something weird—a big white wolf. Also, a bunch of snakes attacked her.

"I see mutts, a lot," she said. He probably would know, and her silver arrows must be a dead giveaway.

"You used monkshood poison on them?" he asked.

"Yes. Silver too."

As she answered, she remembered when the white wolf’s roar dissipated the mutts to nothingness as the moonlight fell on them.

"Nothing else?" Jerrick asked.

"I’ll tell you the first thing I notice," Jessamyn smiled widely, trying to mask her guilt. She didn’t know if she could be open with Jerrick about the white wolf she saw. Wouldn’t that hurt his feelings?

Jerrick smiled back. Jessamyn noticed that his smile was not reaching his eyes. "I am tired..." she smiled awkwardly, pointing upstairs.

"I’ll have to attend the court tomorrow morning. After that, I am taking you to Ravensworth. Go to sleep now," Jerrick smiled and walked away.

Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat. "Ravensworth?" she asked, getting down the stairs. "Tomorrow?"

She didn’t think he would change his mind. She wanted to make sure he meant it.

"Yes," Jerrick stopped to look at her.

"For real?" Jessamyn’s eyes widened. She buried her face in her hands when he nodded his head in confirmation. Her eyes watered.

Finally! She could visit her family’s grave. It didn’t matter where in Ravensworth he took her. She could find a way to visit their grave.

Jerrick saw the happiness in her eyes and it pricked his heart. But it didn’t matter. He had decided, and he would make it happen.

"Thank you, Jerrick," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She could hardly believe it, but the thought of being close to her family’s grave brought a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Get some rest," Jerrick said softly, his tone more gentle now. "We’ll leave early."

Jessamyn nodded, unable to speak. As she ascended the stairs, she glanced back at Jerrick. His eyes met hers briefly before he turned away, the shadows of the room enveloping him. She wondered what thoughts were running through his mind, but she knew better than to pry.

She entered her room and closed the door, leaning against it as she let out a deep breath. Tomorrow, she would return to Ravensworth. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying but she was ready. She had to be.

Jessamyn couldn’t sleep the whole night out of excitement. At the first sign of light, she got up and prepared some breakfast and snacks for the way. When Jerrick came downstairs, she greeted him warmly, and they had breakfast together.

Jessamyn, having had a lot of time to think about the trip the whole night, had concluded that Jerrick had changed his mind about the wedding. For whatever reason, he announced the wedding. He even scared her. Maybe talking about that night last night must have helped. He got the clarity.

Jessamyn truly believed that Jerrick wanted to take her to Ravensworth to leave her there and be on his merry way. He gave her crossbow back, Jostein would be back soon, and now he was taking her back. That was the only conclusion she could come up with.

"You’ve prepared a lot," Jerrick said, looking at the kitchen. "Did you even sleep last night?"

"Isadora loves roasted peanuts and cashews," Jessamyn smiled gleefully.

"Isadora would have left the city already with Bernard," Jerrick said, looking out the window, and seeing the position of the sun in the sky.

"What?" Jessamyn was shocked. "We are not bringing Isadora with us?"

"No, I already told you she was leaving for Roche in the morning with Bernard."

"Oh?" Jessamyn pouted. She thought he would leave them both in Ravensworth. Maybe she thought wrong?

"When will she join me?" she asked, to clarify.

"She’s not. She’s moving to Aurelia Castle this week. William is announcing her as his sister today. She’ll live there until the day she gets married," Jerrick said casually, sipping the milk. "Did you add honey? It’s perfect!"

The excitement on Jessamyn’s face gradually decreased as she realized something. Maybe the wedding was not off?

"We are staying there for a couple of days. It would add credibility to your brother’s title if I stayed there. And... we will have to return to Roche for the wedding preparations," he said.

Jessamyn’s heart ached as he explained everything. She had hoped for freedom, for a chance to escape, but it seemed she was still bound to him, to this fate.

"The wedding is happening, Jessamyn," Jerrick said as if he had read her thoughts. "I am not changing my mind about that."