The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 170: Mistrust

Jessamyn almost walked into the house to confront him, but she knew he wouldn’t reveal the truth. Instead, she pondered the implications. If it was indeed the Temple Bull, perhaps it was the goddess who had finally avenged her.

Jessamyn had prayed fervently for years in her youth, and maybe the goddess had taken her time to deliver justice. Whatever the case, Jessamyn decided to move on and check the property’s fences.

She strolled around until she heard the familiar cry of a raven.

She held out her hand, and her messenger raven landed, delivering a message before flying off. Looking around to ensure she was alone, she found a cozy spot and read the message. She was so accustomed to the encryption that she didn’t need to write it down to decode it; she could do it in her head.

"So... it is William Kaiser, Grand Duke of Ayberia... Why am I not surprised?" Jessamyn mumbled as she tore the message into small bits, burying the pieces in the ground.

Ethan was right—she was hated by some, but she also had a small circle of friends, women of her social status who valued peace and tranquility as much as she did. They hosted tea parties, picnics, embroidery sessions, and book readings, developing a secret code for their use. Even their husbands were unaware of their covert activities.

Jessamyn had asked one of these friends, a baroness whose husband held a significant position in the merchant’s guild, to find out who had an interest in Imogen. The baroness, the smartest woman Jessamyn knew, had a knack for getting whatever she wanted, and merchants were privy to a lot of information crucial for their survival.

When Jessamyn mentioned Imogen to the white wolf, she knew it would spark his interest, and he would investigate. Her hunch was right. Now, she had confirmed that the white wolf was indeed the Grand Duke. She had suspected this based on the care he showed for Jerrick, his only true friend.

But how did the Theodulf line end up in the Royal Family? If the king’s brother was a shifter, was the king a shifter too? And what about the crown prince?

Unless... Who was the grand duke’s mother? Jessamyn tried to remember. She remembered hearing somewhere that the grand duke was a mistress’ son. She was sure that the Theodulf line never passed through women. The Theodulf family was famously known for having only male heirs. If that were the case...

It couldn’t be possible! Jessamyn stood up, her mind racing with the implications of her revelation. She could be totally wrong. The royal family line couldn’t be corrupted.

Maybe it was not the grand duke.

Jerrick watched Jessamyn from a distance, his sharp eyes taking in the mixture of expressions that danced across her face. He could tell she had received the information she sought.

"That fool William..." Jerrick muttered under his breath. Despite Jerrick’s warnings that Jessamyn was trying to uncover his identity, William couldn’t lay low and had somehow managed to expose himself. What would happen if she revealed his secret to the council?

A mixture of concern and frustration washed over Jerrick. He knew he had to speak to William immediately. He observed Jessamyn burying the torn pieces of the message. Jessamyn was intelligent and perceptive, but her expressions made him think that she was more confused.

Joar’s final words came to his mind. Should I tell her the truth? Will she trust me?

He had no problem telling her the truth. He would be willing to die in her hands if that would give her peace. But he couldn’t allow certain secrets reach the council.

He didn’t like the mistrust between them, most of it was his fault. But he couldn’t reveal anything until he learns of her true feelings toward the council and her loyalty toward them.

During dinner, Jessamyn stared at Jerrick, wondering if she could ask him her doubts. When they finished dinner, she decided to take a chance rather than thinking about it by herself.

"What happened to the Theodulf family after their bloodline ended? What happened to the last Theodulf?" she asked.

She found herself being blunt with him often which was not her intent but she couldn’t help but lean on that familiarity they had cultivated when they were younger.

Jerrick cleared his throat and looked at her pressing his lips. He knew she would ask about it, just not this way. But maybe he could try telling the truth.

"The Theodulf line didn’t end," he said, after a momentary silence. "I am here, aren’t I?"

Jessamyn gulped. He was there. But he didn’t have the Theodulf family’s blood. She wondered if he didn’t understand her question or wasn’t willing to talk about it if that was his reply.

"But your great-grandmother..." she cleared her throat. He might be gracious toward her, but that didn’t mean she could talk about his family’s dark history.

"The Theodulf line didn’t end,’ Jerrick repeated.

"Right..." Jessamyn smiled forcefully. She could see that Jerrick didn’t want to talk about it. "Who is the Grand Duke’s father?" she asked next.

Jerrick pressed his lips. So, he was right that she arrived at the wrong conclusion. Now the question was whether he should clarify her doubts or let her be for the time being.

"What is the Council’s mission?" he asked.

If she was going to talk about William, he needed to know about the council.

"They want to help. I already mentioned. They want to~"

"So pure-hearted and filled with compassion, they want to help the people of Ayberia," Jerrick said.

From his tone, Jessamyn understood that he didn’t have the least bit of respect for the council. She took it personally.

"What was the last thing they asked you to do? What is your current mission?" he asked.

Jessamyn let out a sigh. The last mission she received was to marry Jerrick. It surely was weird. But she didn’t want to show it to Jerrick. She was only showing herself to be this helpless woman in front of him. She was ashamed of that. Also, the best thing in the past seven years of her life is her work as the Purple Hood. She didn’t want to murk that memory.

"They trained me to go against the Altanian smugglers because they want to destroy Ayberia. That makes so much sense, doesn’t it?"

"Are you mad at me?" Jerrick asked. He sensed that she was mad. But why?

"Can’t you see they are on our side? They are doing what you nobles should be doing! It will help if you are thanking them not doubting them!" she shouted.

Jerrick raised his hands in a surrendering motion. "You’re right. I am sorry!"

He tried to smile as she picked up the plates, but couldn’t. She was defending the council and he didn’t find that right.

"Have you heard about the prophesy of a mighty Theodulf appearing as a savior of Ayberia?" Jerrick asked. He thought it would interest her.

"Lycaon Wulfhednar?" she asked. "Along with Gemma Luna they will save the kingdom."

"Gemma Luna?" Jerrick furrowed his brows.