The Archduke's Songbird
***Completed*** Lady Jessamyn brought home a ten-year-old orphan when she was eight. He was handsome ^_~. She provided him with a place to stay and warm meals. As they grew up, she desired to marry him, despite their differing statuses. As war raged, he signed up for the military, promising to ask for her hand when he was worthy. Two years later, he became more than what he promised he would be. He became the Archduke of Ayberia. But he broke her heart by marrying her friend. Years rolled away; life happened. She married a man who loved her and fell madly in love with him. She didn't think of him again. But fate was cruel; she was widowed at the age of twenty-one. She lost everything. Seven years later, she met a mysterious wolf while she was out at work in the Archduke's fief. She had a fall. The next morning, she found herself on the Archduke's bed. Did fate bring them together again? Or something nefarious is at play? Is this a chance for a second love? Will she find out why he abandoned her in the past? Is it possible to rekindle their old love, or is it too late? ----- Join me in this journey. Your comments and votes are appreciated. Gift me to motivate me. Updates will be daily.
His Future
Brennan exhaled slowly, as if releasing centuries of held breath. The maturity in his gaze deepened, making him appear far older than the youthful form he inhabited. He gave a small nod, confirming Jerrick's suspicion.
"Who bound the Queen Mother?" Jerrick pressed. "Was it the one-eyed seer?"
Brennan's lips curled into a bitter scoff. "As if she had any true power," he spat. "The only strength she possesses is what we—the men of the Theodulf family—granted her. Her power lies in deception, in her venomous words that twist truths into weapons. We gave her that power by believing in her lies."
Jerrick felt a sharp pang in his chest as his ancestor's words hit home. He knew it was true. The seer's power was not in her visions but in the way she wielded words like a knife, sowing fear and doubt until they became reality. By falling prey to her manipulations, the Theodulf men had given her the strength to bind even the Queen Mother.