The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 165: Building Together

Isadora shook her head quickly, trying to shake off the melancholy that had unexpectedly crept in. "No, it’s not that, Bernard. It’s beautiful, truly," she reassured him, her voice wavering slightly.

"Then what is it?" he pressed gently, his confusion mingling with worry. "You can tell me."

She took a deep breath, looking up into his earnest eyes. "It’s just... this bracelet... It must have cost a lot..."

"You don’t have to worry about that. I have enough to pamper you with gifts!" Bernard hugged her closer, trying to reassure her.

"That’s not..." Isadora pushed him back slightly, needing to make him understand.

Seeing her serious look, Bernard leaned closer, his eyes searching hers with concern. He held her cheeks gently, his touch tender. "Tell me, Isadora. What’s really on your mind?"

She took another deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Bernard, you gave me the pendant and promised you would give me the chain to hang it on in the future..."

"Yes..." Bernard prompted, his curiosity piqued.

"You are planning on marrying me."

"That much is obvious, isn’t it?" Bernard chuckled, kissing her cheek. "You’re cute..."

Isadora softly pushed him back, her eyes turning serious. "If we are married, we’ll have to start a family."

"Sure..." Bernard replied, his eyes gleaming with desire. "We can start even now if you want..."

"Bernard!" Isadora pushed him again. Even though she was tiny compared to him, she always managed to push him back, knowing it was only because Bernard allowed her to. "Where do you live, Bernard?" Isadora asked her tone more serious now.

"In there..." Bernard pointed at the first floor of the castle. "Other knights stay in the basement, but I have a room on the first floor. You know it!" He couldn’t understand what Isadora was getting at. "Shall I take you there now?" he nuzzled her neck, clearly eager to whisk her away.

Isadora let out a deep breath. "Oh, Bernard!" she held his cheeks, forcing him to look at her directly. "Why are you this dumb?"

Bernard blinked; confusion written all over his face. "What do you mean, Isadora?"

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. "Bernard, I’m not just talking about where you sleep. I’m talking about where we will live, and how we will support a family. Have you thought about our future beyond just the present?"

Understanding finally dawned in Bernard’s eyes. He straightened up, his playful demeanor fading into seriousness. "Oh... We will need a house if we marry..."

"Yes," Isadora continued softly. "I understand you want to pamper me with expensive gifts, but I’d rather you build our house, Bernard... When Wulfhart said he could no longer host me, it was... I have nowhere to go. If you have a home, I will..." Her eyes watered.

"Isadora..." Bernard held her cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose. "I didn’t know it hurt you. Wulfhart was teasing you. He wouldn’t have thrown you out. Even if he did, even if he does, you have me. You won’t ever be homeless... Trust me..."

"I know... But... I would have proudly proclaimed I could move into your house if you had one and..."

Bernard’s lips curved into a soft smile as he rested his forehead on hers. "You want to get back at Wulfhart for teasing you?"

"I know I can’t. He’s too..."

"Isadora..." Bernard pressed his lips to her forehead. "I think that... Correct me if I am wrong... If I had a house, you wouldn’t have accepted to be the sister of the Grand Duke so easily. Is that right?"

Isadora nodded. "But I do want a family... I accepted him for having a family..."

Bernard took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "I really am dumb... I saw how happy you were to get gifts from him and thought..." he let out a deep breath.

"His gifts are different. I can return them without even thinking twice, but..."

"You’ve accepted him as your brother..." Bernard said.

Isadora nodded. "I am happy that I have a brother..."

Bernard understood. "What should I do with this?" he asked, pointing at the bracelet.

"Return it and get a house for us... for the family we are going to build..." Isadora said gently, placing the box in his hand. "I’ll give you my savings too."

"You don’t have—"

Before he finished, Isadora pinched his lips together. "I want to. I want to share everything, Bernard..."

"I’ll listen to you, Isadora," Bernard kissed her softly.

Isadora’s eyes softened, her worry easing as she saw the sincerity in his gaze. "Thank you, Bernard."

He hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, "We’ll build a home together. I promise."

Isadora hugged him back with a bright smile. "I love you, Bernard."

Bernard kissed her softly.

"Will you tell me why you were sad?" Isadora asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Well..." Bernard hesitated, his big hand resting gently on her abdomen. Isadora raised her brows, prompting him to continue. "You’re so pretty..." he leaned in, trying to kiss her again.

Isadora quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "Tell me!"

Bernard rolled his eyes playfully. "It’s just... Wulfhart is acting strangely. He asked Filbert to guard him in the mansion, and he even left for Ravensworth without me..."

"Ravensworth? Is Lady Jessamyn with him too?" Isadora almost jumped down from Bernard’s lap. "Who is with my lady?"

"Probably Filbert..." Bernard curled his lips in annoyance. "I am the one who changes the bathwater. I know the right temperature Wulfhart likes. And now, it’s Filbert. Wulfhart is not trusting me anymore..."

Isadora put aside her worry for Jessamyn and focused on the sad little bear cub in front of her. He looked jealous and abandoned. So cute...

"I don’t think he’s lost his trust in you," she assured him gently, stroking his cheek.

Bernard sighed, his eyes still clouded with doubt. "Then why did he take Filbert instead of me? I’ve always been by his side, and now it feels like he’s pushing me away."

Isadora wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Sometimes, people make strange decisions for reasons we don’t understand right away. Maybe he thought you needed a break. Maybe he’s planning something and didn’t want to burden you with it. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t trust you."

Bernard looked into her eyes, his own softening. "You think so?"

"I know so," Isadora said with conviction. "You’re the most reliable person I know, Bernard. Wulfhart knows that too. He wouldn’t replace you without a good reason."

Bernard’s lips curled into a small smile. "You always know how to make me feel better. Ah... now I know!" His blue eyes twinkled with happiness.

"What is it?" Isadora asked.