In the cigar room, the situation was tense. The fireplace was burning spreading the warmth. The curtains were drawn open and through the stained glass, colorful light illuminated the floor.
Near the window was an elegantly carved oak table with many books arranged on it.
William was sitting comfortably on a chair in front of the table with his knees crossed.
"You want some?" Pouring a glass of scotch, Jerrick asked Ethan who was standing by the door.
"You do not have Imogen's portrait in this room," Ethan said looking around. In the few times he visited the Theodulf Castle in the past, he never was invited to this room. Every other room had Imogen's portrait filling an entire wall.
William observed Jerrick wondering if Ethan would get the answer to the question, he had previously asked Jerrick. He didn't fail to notice the subtle stiffness on Jerrick's face. He rolled his eyes.
Jerrick sat on the couch. He said nothing and sipped the scotch.
"Do you love her?" Ethan's tone held contempt mixed with mockery. "I meant Jessamyn."
Jerrick took another sip. "Trust me on this, Ethan," he said.
"Trust you?" Ethan asked.
He was too young back then and didn't understand what happened between Jessamyn and this guy. But he must have hurt her so much if she avoided talking about him. She didn't even like to hear his name.
"I do not trust you with Jessamyn."
"You must love to see your sister in widow's weeds for the rest of her life," Jerrick scoffed.
Ethan gritted his teeth and fisted his hands. It's not like he wanted to see his sister wearing all black all the time. He loved to see his sister wearing colors. It was a shame she lost her husband at a young age.
"You trusted me with Imogen," Jerrick asked. Ethan never showed his displeasure with him in the past.
Was it because he was young then?
William silently enjoyed the dramatic back and forth between them.
"Imogen was not my father's daughter," Ethan quipped.
Jerrick clenched his jaws. William tried to control his laughter. Not many had the guts to talk back to Jerrick with such insolence. But he wanted to see how that ended.
"Myna-Uh-Jessamyn cannot be left alone now. Did you know she was hurting herself? I saw marks on her body…On her thighs and…"
Ethan lunged at Jerrick. "What did you do to her?"
William quickly grabbed Ethan before he punched Jerrick. Jerrick didn't even flinch a little. His countenance was majestic as his sharp eyes rested on Ethan.
"Do you know what work your sister is doing for the Council?" Jerrick asked.
William let go of Ethan as he had calmed down with that question. He was more intrigued.
"Council? She sells medicines. She has to travel a lot but she makes good money," Ethan said.
"Selling medicines… That's what she told you?" Jerrick raised his brows. He pointed at the couch in front of him. "You didn't believe her. That's why you signed up for the military, am I right? You knew something was not right with her."
Ethan gulped. He walked around the coffee table and sat on the couch in front of Jerrick. "What does she do?"
Jerrick walked to the table. Ethan sat on the edge of the couch.
"Is she in danger?" Ethan's voice had become respectful with the short silence from Jerrick. "I know she walks in the Great Green Forest at night due to work. She says it's time-saving to walk through the forest but I hear a lot…The Purple Hood... Someone who killed…"
Ethan paused seeing Jerrick picking up a bundle—a purple bundle. He placed the bundle on the coffee table in front of Ethan.
"This… Purple Hood…" Ethan's hands shook as he picked it up. Something was wrapped inside the hood and he unwrapped it. His mouth went ajar seeing the crossbow.
"Is Jessamyn's life in danger?" Ethan asked. "Is that killer behind her?"
Her beauty and her vulnerable state as a widow had attracted some insane people in the past. Jessamyn could have fallen in the eyes of a notorious killer.
William leaned forward trying to control his laughter. Jerrick had turned the tide in his favor.
"This belongs to your sister," Jerrick said. "She was manipulated into this by some terrible people…She is the Purple Hood."
Ethan was astonished. He refused to believe it. His sister might not be the gentlest person out there but she was not a killer.
But…
"It's not a threat. I showed you the truth she hid from you. I want to protect her. That is all," Jerrick added.
William leaned comfortably on the backrest. He never saw Jerrick explaining himself this much to anyone. He was a commander. He barks out orders.
She always got special treatment from him.
Ethan thought about it for some time. He could always confront Jessamyn about this. She wouldn't lie to him. And for now…
Ethan stood up. "I apologize for my behavior earlier. Please, protect my sister," he bowed his head.
His eyes ended up on Jerrick's leg.
Can I trust him with Jessamyn?
"Get ready for your investiture. The wedding will be next," Jerrick said.
Ethan didn't know why this man had to marry Jessamyn to protect her. But he had a feeling that Jessamyn needed strong backing. This man could protect her.
He couldn't help but glance at the crossbow on the table. He felt guilty for letting his sister take a weapon to provide for their family.
After bowing to Jerrick and William one more time, he left the room.
William followed Ethan with his eyes until he left the room.
"He's a good chap," William said.
"He loves his sister," Jerrick said staring aimlessly at the floor.
William's lips curved to a playful smirk. "That much is obvious… However, I do have a doubt…To protect her, you don't have to marry her…" He said carefully observing Jerrick.
He knew it would be tough to get anything out of the most tight-lipped person he had ever met. He could see the depths of women's hearts, but he never could figure out what Jerrick was hiding behind that stoic expression of him.
He met him when he was fresh-faced in the military. He was just eighteen years old then but he took risks no one ever would. He gave his all to climb up the ranks; he put his life on the line, literally. He became the best swordsman in the Kingdom.
They formed a friendship as both of them were in the same trenches after a battle plan went sideways. He loved the fire burning inside his heart.
Then he saw the other side of him—the melodic, gentle side, whenever he received and wrote letters to someone. In the dirty murky forest, they were staying, Jerrick's smile was a pleasant garden. He had to try hard to find out the name of his lady love.
In the military, among the soldiers, he had seen many men who had women back home. But Jerrick was different from them as he wanted to become someone before returning while others wanted to survive and get back.
He did become someone; he became The Archduke. And yet, he let her go.
William sighed.
There was silence in the room for some time as Jerrick slowly sipped the scotch in his glass. William lost his patience.
"Do you love her still?" William asked.