Wars of the Heart
Amelia Luna-dynn is a young damsel of unassuming character. However, there is a deadly secret she harbors: that she is the daughter of a forbidden race, a tribe despised by the royals of the Kingdom. She is the sole survivor, discreetly living an unseen life as a commoner. But there are scars on her back that betray her origin, requiring her to cleanse herself in order to stay alive and unrecognised. With such reins attached to her race, it is impossible to find someone who would love her despite the dangers of her origin. But one night, when at the verge of being eaten by beasts, she is saved by a mysterious man from the grasp of death. Curiosity drives the damsel to chase love. Despite being downtrodden, she stumbles upon the opportunity meeting with high society by joining a Book Club run by the beautiful daughter of the Duke, Charlene Walterus. Amelia makes friendships with nobles and soon comes close to a romance with a man she suspects to be her secret rescuer, but is hopeless that his heart is far gone in the arms of the duke’s daughter. Will she win a wedding with the man of her dreams? But most importantly, will her fantasies of a perfect marriage come true? Or will she suffer a strained marital relationship, with unrequited feelings, far from the heart of the one she loves? Excerpt: That night, he was exhilarated to have married the woman of his desires. But Charlene had told him a bothersome fact about the origin of his newly wedded wife that he could not shake off his mind, for he knew she would have told him, had it been true. The tall man stepped into Amelia’s chamber and found her seated at the rim of the bed, blushing. The very sight of her innocent disposition had always brought him the insane urge to sweep her up in his arms and protect her. But before they would make love, there was an important question blaring at the edge of his mind. “Y-you’re here”, her soft voice was almost breathless. She rose to her feet, but rested against the wall, shy and nervous. “Amelia”, he tasted her name, drawing close to her. Tenderly placing a finger under her chin and lifting her face to meet his, he gazed into her eyes and asked, “Is it true that you are of the Celeste Clan?” There was silence in response and fear in her eyes. She did not deny it. A strong feeling of hurt enveloped his chest, when he realised that she was no different. Charlene’s words about her were not simply contemptuous lies of jealousy planted to his attention, but the raw truth. ~ Amelia gasped when he rammed his fist against the wall in the absolute pangs of frustration. It was like it burnt his senses to think that she would deliberately hold something as significant as her origin from him, regardless of all things of his secrets that he had shared with her, while they were yet secret lovers. She knew the fault was hers, but she had been too scared to relay, for she had loved him far too much to lose him. “Why did you hide this from me?” he breathed, voice cold and low and deadly, colored by his unpronounced rage. His face was dangerously close to hers, such that she could hear his very breath, seething. Tears began to pierce her eyes, threatening to fall. She had never meant to deceive him. But in that moment, she was afraid. Heart throbbing loud enough to be heard, her lips were quivering and she shivered. When his gaze swept down at her frightened disposition, there was a flicker of tenderness in his eyes. But it lasted not even as long as a moment’s worth. He was cold. He did not confront her for the secrets she was keeping, but silently withdrew himself. There were many things she wished to say in apology, but she could not find her voice. And by the time she could speak, he had left her chambers. Tears flurried down her face. She could not believe that her fears had ruined the very first day of her marriage. It was the day she had wished to divulge her secret to him, but it seemed like it had already been out.
22. Suspicious Requests
SUSPICIOUS REQUESTS
~
Training Grounds of the Royal Courtyard,
The Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Early hours of the morning,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"What were the details of the exchange of correspondences we have with Tronder?" the night haired heir asked his subordinate.
"I heard they had sent a letter last night, but since I was with you, I had no chance of going to retrieve it", Reid, the head officer of artillery, replied.
"I heard from the King that apparently, they were seeking a fast date for the wedding with my brother", Prince Rayzenn Crestings relayed. "Is everything in order for the proceeding? Was the marriage not decided to be held a couple years further? Why has there been this recent request?"
Reid nodded, seeming pensive, running a hand through his olive green hair, before he responded with his observation, "When I went to the Kingdom earlier for delivering previous messages, there were rumours amongst the commoners of her character being loose, that there were men she was too closely affiliated with and scandalous gossip tainting her name. Her father possibly fears those will spread to us and disturb the concept of her engagement and wedding with Prince Francis, should they wait a couple years more."
The Prince's face seemed worried, brows furrowed. "Any evidence of its being true or false?"
"We do not know, Sire. Would you like me to embark on another journey to affirm?" Reid asked, a sly and curious smile spreading over his lips, like he loved the taste of a visit.
"No, no", Rayzenn waved it away, "The last thing I want is news of one of my men bringing untoward reports about my brother's betrothed and my bringing down of more than just my own potential marriage. But I will speak with my father of these matters in private and seek discernment."
"I believe this adds to your hesitation towards marriage?" Aaron asked, with a sad smile on his face.
"I guess it cannot be helped", Prince Rayzenn shrugged.
"It cannot be that all women of the Kingdom are invested in marrying solely for power and status. There are some few that are loyal and true to love", Nate reasoned, his chirpy smile scaling his face. He had always encouraged whimsical fantasies and optimistic hopes for life.
The black haired prince shrugged. "Per-haps so, but I would never treat myself to false excitements of having it for myself. When there are benefits of wealth and such offered in a marital proposal, it naturally attracts those that look for it."
"Alright, we've made enough dreary conversation", Zebedee chuckled. "What is the matter of the agenda, Your Grace?"
Rayzenn adjusted the cuffs of his sleeve, answering, "I am expected to pay the Duke of Walterus now. You may proceed with me as escorts. We shall re-group here for work out and fencing once the meeting has concluded and then we return to resume field work. Head Knight Erion is expected to meet me there as well, so there will be no other conferences to be expected for the day."
"The Chief of Treasury and Finances was seeking your presence early this morning. You could accommodate that in your schedule for the evening", Aaron informed.
"Yes, I will speak to her. It must be regarding funds for the royal wedding", the Prince nodded.
"Will we go on any disguised expedition?" Nate asked, with a grin that revealed dimples.
The expression was contagious enough to invoke a corresponding smile from the dark haired heir to the throne and he nodded, "I do feel like it would be amusing to set out today. Yes, we shall have our agendum afford it."
The men continued to make leisurely conversation regarding the day and the affairs thereof, as they made their way towards carriages that Butler Weston had assembled at the gates.
Chase, the chauffeur, was swift to draw the reins of his horses to navigate through the Kingdom, towards the Estate of Duke Walterus, in the Town of Crimsonton.
~
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair morning,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Duke Walterus' office chamber at his residence had assumed the most favourable sight it had seen since the day of its construction. Since the guest they were expecting was royalty, it was natural that every maid and butler of the household was committed to tidying and making the Estate look as grand as possible.
After inspecting the place for any stray specks of dust and finding none, the man was content. His daughter was getting dressed and ready to be the most pleasing a human eye could sight. The only nuisance, in the Duke's opinion, were Head Knight Erion's men lazing around the courtyard.
It was bothersome, but not a matter the man could help. Since the betrothal of his daughter, Charlene, had broken, he had allowed her all that her heart desired, in order to prevent the sadness that could engulf her.
Of course, in the Duke's eyes, it was a fine circumstance that she would be more available for a better proposal with the Crown Prince himself and their family could grow more powerful with the alliance.
But for the time being, Charlene was entertaining a wide range of friendships with the sons and daughters of several nobles and the Chief Knight of their Province. The association was regarding books, in furtherment of their business.
And such association had planned to hold high tea that afternoon, after the meeting that the Prince would have with the Duke and the Head Knight.
The man hoped the prince would not discern his daughter to have feelings for a man that was present around them, lest he judge her to be a woman whose heart is with another and imagine she would not be beyond willing to marry him.
Duke Walterus cast his gaze down the long window from his office that oversaw the avenues and the front yard of his estate. His eyes fell on the young damsel, Amelia, whom he knew was the one lurking about at night, close enough to have witnessed the vigilantism.
He stroked his beard pensively, wondering how he would deal with her.
Just then, there was an urgent knock at the door and a young lad hasted in to being the news he bore, "The Prince is coming!"
~
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