The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 159: She Was Happy

Jessamyn’s heart raced as she stared at the misty figure before her, barely daring to hope. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air, mingling with the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume her.

She clutched the fur coat closer to her chest, seeking comfort in its warmth as she stood transfixed.

The figure hovered, ethereal and faint, yet undeniably familiar. Her breath caught in her throat as she whispered, "Joar? Is that... is that you?"

For a moment, silence enveloped them, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Jessamyn strained to see clearer, to make out the features she knew so well, yearning for confirmation that this wasn’t a trick of her grief-stricken mind.

The misty form wavered, as if uncertain, then slowly began to take shape. Features she had memorized — the curve of his jaw, the gentle slope of his nose, the familiar warmth in his eyes — gradually emerged from the haze.

A surge of hope and disbelief flooded Jessamyn. Could it truly be him? Had Joar returned to her, even in this spectral form?

Hastily, she took a step closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "Joar, it’s me, Jessamyn," she whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. "I’ve missed you so much..."

The figure seemed to respond to her words, its form solidifying ever so slightly. A faint smile, so achingly familiar, graced its lips. Jessamyn felt tears welling in her eyes, a mixture of joy and sorrow overwhelming her senses.

Slowly, cautiously, she extended a trembling hand towards the apparition. The air around her seemed charged with an unspoken connection, a bond that transcended the boundaries between life and death.

At that moment, Jessamyn felt a surge of warmth envelop her as if Joar’s presence was wrapping her in a gentle embrace. The doubts and pain that had plagued her melted away, replaced by a profound sense of peace.

"Joar," she whispered again, her voice filled with reverence and love. "You’re here..."

The misty figure shimmered faintly, beginning to solidify. Jessamyn stood there, stunned yet strangely comforted, knowing that even in death, Joar had found a way to reach out to her, to reassure her that their love transcended the boundaries of mortality.

She didn’t want to let tears cloud her vision, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t stop them. They flowed freely, an outpouring of the love and grief that had been locked away for so long. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Jasmine..." she heard him call, his voice like a gentle breeze, familiar and soothing.

Jessamyn’s breath hitched. After many years of hearing his voice only in her dreams, she finally heard it again, for real. Or was it real?

She wiped her tears and looked up at him, the sight of his ethereal form filling her with a mixture of joy and heartbreak.

"Joar!" she cried out amidst her sobs and lunged at him, desperate to hold him in her arms once more.

"No, Jasmine, you can’t..." he warned gently, but it was too late.

Her arms passed through his form, and she fell face-first onto the tomb, the cold stone jarring her back to reality. The pain was sharp, both physical and emotional. She lay there for a moment, stunned and humiliated, before slowly pushing herself up.

She looked up at Joar’s ghostly figure, her heart aching. "I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just... I miss you so much." She wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks without control.

Joar’s form flickered slightly as if struggling to maintain its presence. "I know, Jasmine," he said softly. "That’s what I..." Seeing her tears, he paused, his expression turning sad.

"I’m fine..." Jessamyn quickly wiped her tears. She had Joar now. She wanted nothing else. "I always felt you here. I am not even surprised you came for me... You are the only one who loves me this much, Joar... I am not leaving you anymore."

She sat cross-legged on the tomb. The fur coat on her shoulders slipped and fell to the ground, but she didn’t even notice it.

"About that..." Joar floated and reached her, his ethereal form attempting to make contact.

Tears still rolled down her cheeks, but she couldn’t stop grinning. He reached out to wipe her tears, but his hand passed through her face, leaving him looking even more pained.

"Do not mind that," Jessamyn said, noticing his helplessness. "Those are happy tears. You have no idea how happy I am to see you here..."

"I know you are..." Joar sat in front of her, facing her with a gentle smile.

"Are you happy? Did you see me every time I visited the grave? Joar... I missed you so much. Do you know that?" she lined up her questions, her joy overflowing.

Joar didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he looked at her with a somber expression. "How are you doing, Darling Jasmine?" he asked gently.

"I am happy. You’re here, and I am happy," Jessamyn couldn’t get past the miracle of his presence and said what she thought.

Joar’s eyes filled with a profound sadness. "Jasmine, you have to listen to me," he began softly. He placed his hand over her hand. "This is not how it should be. This is not how I want you to be. My time has passed. Allow me to rest. I cannot when you’re hopeless."

Jessamyn shook her head, her tears flowing freely again. "But I need you, Joar. I can’t be here without you."

"You can, and you must," Joar insisted, his voice firm yet filled with love. "I am always with you, in your heart, in your memories. But you need to live, Jasmine. You need to find joy and love in the world of the living."

Jessamyn shook her head. "I don’t want to," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I want to stay with you."

Joar’s form leaned closer to her. "You have a life to live, my love. You have a future that I cannot be a part of. But know that I am proud of you, and I want you to be happy. Truly happy."

Jessamyn sobbed, clutching her chest. "I don’t know how."

"You will find a way," Joar said, his voice fading. "And you have people who care about you. Let them help you. Promise me, Jasmine."

Jessamyn could only sob, shaking her head. "You cannot leave me this soon, Joar. You cannot. Please, stay..."

Joar let out a deep breath. It couldn’t be called a breath for he was not alive, but he made a sound that conveyed the exasperation of someone handling an immature toddler. His spectral form seemed to flicker with a mix of sadness and patience.

"I..." Jessamyn looked at Joar, trying to stop her tears but failing miserably. "You’re here..." she said again, as if saying it would make it more real. She still couldn’t believe he was right in front of her.

Joar’s eyes softened with understanding, but there was a sadness that pierced Jessamyn’s heart even more deeply.