The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 147: She Disappeared

Louis stood, his face a mask of controlled fury. "Father, my actions were necessary to protect Ayberia. It doesn’t matter what others think killed that man. We cannot afford to let this incident with Altania spiral out of control."

The King, his eyes glazed and unfocused, seemed not to hear his son. He leaned back in his throne, muttering incoherently.

Jerrick took a deep breath, stepping forward. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is right. We need a unified front. The people must see strength and decisiveness in their leaders."

The King’s eyes flickered towards Jerrick, but he remained silent. Celena continued to soothe him, her presence a stark reminder of the court’s fractured state.

The old minister, his expression a mix of defiance and concern, spoke again. "We must also consider the implications with Altania. Commander General Valerius will not take the death of his son-in-law lightly. Diplomacy may still be our best option."

"Diplomacy?" Louis spat the word, his anger barely restrained. "They attacked us first. They are kidnapping our girls with the intent of humiliating our Kingdom and the courage of our men. We must be prepared for their retaliation."

Jerrick nodded. "We should strengthen our defenses and send envoys to explain the situation. We need to show that we are both strong and reasonable."

He knew the war was coming, but they needed to take into account that this was probably the greed of one man and not the plan of the Kingdom as a whole.

The room fell into a tense silence. The ministers exchanged worried glances, the gravity of their predicament weighing heavily on them.

William felt the tension in the room like a physical presence, the darkness of the chamber seeming to mirror the kingdom’s plight. He caught Jerrick’s eye and saw the same determination reflected there. They had to navigate this crisis carefully, balancing strength with diplomacy, to steer Ayberia through the storm.

As the meeting continued, Jerrick couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. The council chamber, with all its grandeur and history, now felt like a place of shadows and uncertainty. The fate of the kingdom rested on a knife’s edge, and every decision made in this room would have far-reaching consequences.

When the meeting finally adjourned, Jerrick walked out with a heavy heart. The weight of the kingdom’s troubles bore down on him, more pronounced in the dim light filtering through the grand hall’s stained glass windows. He glanced back at the King, slumped on his throne, a frail shadow of the ruler he once was. His gaze then shifted to the Crown Prince, whose eyes burned with fierce resolve, a stark contrast to his father’s despondence. The path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but Jerrick knew he had to stand by Louis and help guide Ayberia to a safer future.

William caught up with Jerrick as they exited the chamber. "You’re leaving in a hurry."

"I am leaving for Ravensworth," Jerrick replied, his voice heavy with the burden of his responsibilities.

The two of them walked towards the entrance, their men lingering behind to allow their lords a private conversation.

"Ravensworth?" William raised his brows in surprise. "Isn’t your wedding coming up? Why go there now? For Crossbow Lady?"

Jerrick stopped and looked at him with a sigh. "She shot you again?" he asked a hint of amusement in his voice.

William’s face flushed with annoyance. "Do not remind me. I am not going to talk to her ever again."

Jerrick laughed, a rare moment of calm in an otherwise grim day.

"It’s not funny," William scoffed. "She’s... I am telling you. I am not watching over her again. I am mad at her."

"She knows something, but she’s not telling me anything... The white flowers mean something. What could it be?" Jerrick mused aloud, his brow furrowed in thought.

"The ones in the Queen Mother’s gravesite?" William asked, raising his brows. "Have you considered that she might be..."

William paused, his eyes narrowing as he glanced back. Jerrick followed his gaze to see Prince Louis conversing with the old minister who had voiced his disapproval earlier.

They walked some distance in silence, the tension between them palpable. Jerrick was surprised by William’s uncharacteristic quietness, sensing he was deep in thought.

"I need something, Jerrick," William finally said after they had walked a safe distance from everyone else.

Jerrick turned to him, sensing the gravity in his friend’s voice. "What is it, William?"

What William asked shocked Jerrick. But since he had promised him earlier, he offered what William asked him.

"What did you find from the men who tried to attack her?" William asked, his voice low and intense.

"Nothing," Jerrick let out a deep breath. "They are not talking."

"She’s in danger. Someone wants her dead," William said, his grim smile hiding secrets.

"I’ll be with her all the time," Jerrick said resolutely.

William nodded. "That is the best safety. No one can touch her if you are with her."

As they parted ways, Jerrick couldn’t shake the feeling of foreboding that had settled over him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

In the past, he had left her to protect her. When he tried to get near her, dangers loomed over her life. But he didn’t want to let her go. She didn’t have anyone she could lean on. He couldn’t leave her alone.

-----

A knock on her door startled Jessamyn, and she quickly wiped away the tears that had begun to form. "Come in," she called, trying to steady her voice.

Jerrick entered, his expression softer than before. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Almost," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "We’ll leave soon. I’ll be waiting downstairs."

As he left the room, Jessamyn took a deep breath and finished packing. With her bag packed, she descended the stairs, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

She was surprised to learn that they were crossing the Great Green Forest to go to Ravensworth and not taking the royal road.

Jerrick had his bag packed too, and he took her bags and packed them with his luggage on his horse.

"Why are we taking the forest route?" Jessamyn asked, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in her voice.

"It’s quicker and less likely to attract attention," Jerrick explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

Jessamyn nodded, understanding the unspoken implications. The forest route was more dangerous, but it was also less predictable, making it harder for anyone to track them.

As they mounted their horses, Jerrick gave her a reassuring look. "Stay close to me, and we’ll be fine."

Jessamyn nodded again, and they set off, the dense trees of the Great Green Forest quickly swallowing them up. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the sounds of the forest surrounded them—birds calling, leaves rustling, and the occasional snap of a twig.

After hours of riding, they made a stop to rest. Jerrick opened the lunch Jessamyn had packed, enjoying the momentary rest. But as he set out the food, he realized he couldn’t hear her.

"Jessamyn! Where are you?" he cried, panic rising in his chest.

There was no reply.