The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 168: Brother’s Visit

"Thank you, Jessamyn," Jerrick said, his tone turning serious for a moment. "For everything. You thought about me, even when you’re hurting. That’s one of the many reasons I..." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He trailed off, his eyes softening as he looked at her. Jessamyn swallowed hard, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. His eyes were gentle trying to convey something but he cut short his words.

Jerrick stepped back, giving her a nod. "I’ll take that bath now. And maybe one day, you’ll join me." His voice was not joy, but carried a promise that hinted at a future she wasn’t sure she was ready to face yet.

After setting everything for Jerrick, Jessamyn turned to leave.

Jerrick slipped into the bath, his muscular form gradually submerging into the hot, steamy water. The steam rose around him, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere in the dimly lit bathroom. His broad shoulders relaxed as he leaned back against the edge of the tub.

Water droplets clung to his well-defined chest, trickling down to his taut abdomen. His skin glistened in the soft light, highlighting the contours of his physique. As he closed his eyes and sighed in contentment, the steam enveloped him, blending with the subtle scent of lavender and cedarwood that Jessamyn had added to the bath.

His hair, slightly damp from the steam, framed his strong, handsome face. The rugged lines of his jaw softened as he allowed himself a moment of peace.

Jessamyn could not help but catch a glimpse of Jerrick slipping into the bath, the steam enveloping him as he sighed in contentment. Seeing the smile hanging at the corners of his lips, she left the room with peace of mind.

Comforts like these were the least she could offer him.

Jessamyn took a walk outside, the warmth of the sunny morning refreshing her spirits after days spent in the cold. She wandered to the flowerbeds, which now looked messy. A pang of sadness hit her, but she quickly decided to set things right.

With the help of the servants, she began to fix the flowerbeds, her hands busy and her mind momentarily at peace.

As she was halfway through, a servant informed her of her brother’s arrival. She washed her hands and hurried to welcome Ethan.

"Jessamyn..." Ethan enveloped her in a strong hug. "I heard what that woman did. I am so sorry. Had I known, I would have locked her up somewhere."

Jessamyn patted his arm, finding solace in his support. Though she could never forgive what Emily had done, her brother’s intent to take her side soothed her heart. "It’s fine, Ethan. We know how she is..."

Ethan pulled back slightly, looking at her with a mix of concern and determination. "No, it’s not fine. She crossed a line, and she will face the consequences. But right now, I’m more worried about you. How are you holding up?"

Jessamyn took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. She couldn’t find any. Instead, she brought a smile to her face and held his cheeks. "How are you? I heard you were pretty busy in the Capital city."

Ethan smiled, a mix of maturity and his familiar childish grin lighting up his face. She loved seeing that grin on her brother’s face. "By the way, Silvia loved your gift. She kept the bracelet close to her heart and... She said she’s going to write you..."

Jessamyn watched the joy on her brother’s face as he talked about his fiancée. She had been a little worried that all the pandering of the other nobles would get to his mind, but her brother remained loyal and grounded. She was proud of him.

"What?" Ethan asked, his eyes wide.

"You’re cute..." Jessamyn smiled. She hoped he never lost the childlike excitement around her. "You’re keeping her from meeting me. Are you that scared of your sister? Do you think I’ll mistreat her?"

"No! It’s..." Ethan scratched the back of his head. "You’re busy and... it’s hard to get a hold of you..."

Jessamyn grimaced. He wasn’t wrong. "Ethan, when are you going to announce your engagement?" she asked.

"I thought I could wait until your wedding," Ethan said, observing her closely.

"Right..." Thinking about her own wedding dampened her mood a little, but she shrugged it off. It didn’t feel like a heavy burden anymore. "You don’t have to stand on ceremony. There might be another announcement, and if their wedding gets priority, your wedding will get postponed. Why not get married soon?" Jessamyn suggested.

She had a feeling the Crown Prince would announce his wedding with Lady Cordelia once her own wedding was over. Once the Crown Prince’s engagement was finalized, other aristocratic weddings would be put on hold.

"You know something, Jessamyn?" Ethan asked, a twinkle in his eye.

Jessamyn gave him a meaningful look.

"I shall listen to my sister," Ethan said, placing his hand on his heart with a smile.

"Did you eat breakfast yet? I cooked a lot. Come in," Jessamyn guided him inside.

Ethan observed the small smile hanging by the corners of Jessamyn’s lips. He was told that the archduke stayed in the Jasmine Villa last night. He was surprised Jessamyn allowed him to stay there. Maybe she had warmed up to him.

A weight lifted from Ethan’s shoulders. He was worried Jessamyn had agreed to the marriage to prevent him from joining the military. But seeing that she still had lingering feelings for Jerrick, he felt reassured.

With war clouds looming, he was glad he had heeded his sister’s advice. Her instincts were usually spot on.

"Do you know where she is now?" Ethan asked, stopping just before they entered the house.

"Who? Emily?" Jessamyn asked.

Ethan nodded.

Jessamyn shrugged. "Don’t care..." she kicked the ground, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. "She proclaimed that she was Imogen’s mother to me yesterday. Did you know?"

Ethan let out a deep breath. "I had a feeling. She agreed?"

Jessamyn nodded. Ethan rubbed her back soothingly. "Never mind her, Jessamyn. You are my only sister. I love you."

"I know..." Jessamyn hugged him tightly. "I love you too."

"By the way, did you hear what happened to Joar’s mother?" Ethan lifted his eyebrows, his tone shifting.

"I heard she was chased by a bull and fell down the stairs of Temple Mount," Jessamyn said.

"Yes, but that is not all... A lot worse happened to her. And, Jessamyn... I also heard another rumor..." Ethan placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes with concern and hesitation.

"About me?"

"Hmm..."

"Which one?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"It’s..."

"Ethan..." Jessamyn held his arm, urging him to continue despite his hesitation.

"Did your mother-in-law push you down the stairs causing your miscarriage?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jessamyn’s steps faltered, her heart sinking at the memory. The air between them grew heavy with unspoken pain.

"Jessamyn..." Ethan supported her.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened, and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "Where did you hear about it, Ethan?" she asked, her voice trembling.