The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 174: Clearing Doubts

The wolf’s howl pierced the night again, this time closer and more resonant; a little different from the first howl she heard.

Jessamyn got out of bed and walked to the window. The moon cast a silver glow over the landscape, illuminating the distant trees and casting long shadows across the garden. The air was crisp, and she breathed it in deeply.

Is it him?

The forest seemed to beckon her, the shadows dancing in the moonlight like ghostly figures. The cold breeze carried the scent of pine and earth, wrapping around her like an invitation.

She observed closely at the distant row of trees. There was something standing there, glowing and majestic.

Without thinking, Jessamyn swung one leg over the windowsill, then the other, and dropped down into the garden below. The grass was cool and damp beneath her bare feet, grounding her as she stood for a moment, breathing in the night air.

The wolf howled again, and this time she felt a tug deep in her chest, pulling her toward the forest. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and began to walk, her feet making almost no sound on the soft earth. The garden faded behind her as she crossed into the woods, the trees closing in around her like a protective embrace. She walked with purpose, her steps guided by a mix of instinct and the pull of the wolf’s presence.

"Are you here, Ye Great One?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, carried away by the night breeze.

She strained her ears, listening closely. The howl of the wolf had ceased, replaced by silence. It was as if the entire forest was holding its breath, waiting. Jessamyn felt a strange sensation, a tingling awareness of something or someone near her.

It was a feeling she had come to recognize, a sign that the white wolf—an elusive and powerful being—was nearby.

Most times, he would be annoyingly noisy, and at times, he would be surprisingly quiet, evoking a deeper sense of reverence—as a King.

The first time she learned that the white wolf could turn invisible, she had been filled with awe and a touch of fear. Tonight, though, she felt a calm acceptance. She trusted the presence she couldn’t see and felt the connection between them deepening.

Jessamyn walked further into the woods, her steps soft and deliberate. She was a little afraid, as the last time she waded through the forest, she met with danger. But maybe she knew the white wolf was near, she could gather her courage.

The trees around her seemed to bow in reverence, their leaves rustling gently as if whispering secrets. She felt the eerie quiet that accompanied the white wolf at times, an almost sacred silence where other beings paid their respects to their lord.

Her heart beat steadily, and she took a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the forest seep into her soul. She knew the white wolf was there, watching over her, guiding her steps.

She almost jumped in fright when she heard the snap of a twig behind her.

"Jerrick?" she asked as she turned patting her chest that was pounding.

There was nothing behind her. With a dry laugh, she slapped her forehead. "Why did I say his name?" she muttered under her breath.

For sure, he couldn’t be here.

Was it because he said that she was there even when she couldn’t see him? Probably!

But it couldn’t be him. If Jerrick had followed her, he wouldn’t have allowed her to walk this deep in the forest without admonishing her for it. She found her act stupid. She didn’t even bring her crossbow.

Jessamyn observed the direction from which she heard the twig snap. It could be the white wolf, but there was no further noise. She stood still, her senses heightened, trying to catch any sign of movement.

The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting ethereal patterns on the ground. "I know you’re here," she murmured, her eyes scanning the shadows. "Show yourself."

There was a moment of stillness, and then Jessamyn heard a rustling noise in the bush to her right.

"Great one..?" she questioned, her voice trembling slightly with anticipation.

The rustling intensified, but the white wolf still didn’t make its appearance.

"I am sorry I shot at you the last time, Ye Great One," Jessamyn said, performing a deep curtsey. "Without any sympathy for the feelings of..."

Her voice trailed off as she realized something. When she was talking to Lady Cordelia, the white wolf had reacted personally, almost as if he had a stake in the crown prince’s decision.

Is this really the Grand Duke?

Jessamyn snapped out of her thoughts, her voice firming with resolve. "I apologize for the improper apology... But you, Great One, how are you faring?" she asked. "And please show yourself to me."

Heeding her request, the white wolf appeared. Its fur gleamed like freshly fallen snow in the moonlight, and its eyes glowed with ancient wisdom. The air around them seemed to shimmer with a faint luminescence, a testament to the wolf’s otherworldly presence.

Despite his impressive presence, Jessamyn didn’t feel the same odd sensation she had felt the other day. Are there two wolves?

"I talked to Jerrick about the Theodulf family today," Jessamyn said, walking closer to the wolf.

The wolf stood there in the clearing, the moonlight brightening his countenance. "And..?"

"He said the Theodulf line never ended. You are a Theodulf, that I know, but how did you end up in the Royal Family?" she asked.

"You’re bold, Jessamyn," the voice echoed in her mind, carrying a hint of amusement. "I could be dangerous, you know."

She straightened, meeting the wolf’s gaze without flinching. "You are, but not for me, Your Highness... You value Jerrick more."

The wolf’s eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. "Jerrick is... significant, yes," the wolf admitted. "But more than that..."

Jessamyn sensed a deep emotion emanating from the wolf. He didn’t refute her claim that he was the grand duke. She wasn’t sure if he agreed with her or if he had simply ignored it because of the absurdity of such a claim. Her heart leaned toward the former.

"Are you afraid of Jerrick?" she asked. "Or... is that deep love I sense? A sense of reverence and adoration, perhaps? Why? Why do you adore him?"

The white wolf gazed at her, his eyes reflecting the moonlight with an intensity that made Jessamyn’s heart race. "He’s not just a friend to you, is he? He is more than that. Is he your brother? He’s not an orphan, right? He’s your brother. That’s why you’re caring for him."

The wolf laughed in amusement, a sound that echoed softly in the stillness of the forest. "Oh, Jessamyn, you have a way of unraveling mysteries with your questions..."

"So, he is not your brother?" Jessamyn asked.

The white wolf walked closer to her, his eyes focused on her. Jessamyn’s heart started to pound.