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.
30. Despised behind her back
Despised behind her back
Chambers of the Reading Association,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
About an hour before noon,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Amelia Luna-dynn was there, still at the chamber of the reading association, gathering her things and thinking of making her way to the lounge, where she expected to wait until the fee for the garment would be given to her in full settlement and she would return to the Hildeth Boutique. She hoped Lady Hildeth wouldn't bark at her for returning far later than expected.
It was obvious that she wouldn't tell the woman she had just been admitted as a member of Miss Charlene's Reading Association. But the knowledge thereof would soon be inevitable and she feared Lady Hildeth might interfere in some embarrassing means and strip her of the opportunity.
"Hello there", a sweet voice belonging to some young lady interrupted Amelia's thoughts and she turned to find Lady Alessia Heartrim standing there with a pleasant smile written on her lovely face.
"Ah hello!" the damsel of long dark hair responded, flushed to be addressed by a noble woman. Her eyes skipped around the club room to realise that the others were still lazily sitting around or chattering.
A scullery maid hurried into the room and scurried toward the gathering where Sean, Erion, Roden and Charlene were conversing, called the daughter of the household and left. "I am to meet my father urgently", she bid the men her parting and exited the chamber.
"I think it was quite bold of you to speak up so even whilst it was only your first time at the meetings here. I believe we are both new?" Lady Alessia smiled, holding a hand out for Amelia.
"Aw, that is so kind!" the damsel in response gave her hand to be shook, blushing and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I felt like I had erupted out of turn. I do hope I tainted not my first impression"
"Well, for a first day, you handled the most part of it well. Especially since you weren't part of the previous reading, and yet you knew. You seem to be well read", Alessia shrugged, before smiling. "I truly enjoyed it."
"Ah, thank you so much, Miss Alessia", Amelia couldn't contain her smiles. "And might I please mention, you are very beautiful."
There was a grand blush that painted itself over the young dame's already rosy cheeks. She had long golden hair and honey shaded tan. Her eyes were green and mesmerising. Her features were soft and motherly looking, giving the gazer the impression that she was inherently kind. Such opinion did not stray far from her person.
"That is so kind, thank you", the damsel receiving the compliment cooed in response. Placing a hand on her cheek, she turned to look about the chamber and said, "I believe we must acquaint ourselves with the others here. We will be meeting frequently."
Amelia nodded, "of course", and turned her eyes to the group of men. More particularly, to Chief Knight Erion.
To her surprise, he seemed to be looking intensely at her while passively nodding to what Baron Sean seemed to be saying.
Their gazes locked and the damsel panicked within, unable to tear her eyes away. Erion, however, seemed to be completely collected, giving her a calm smile and a nod. Amelia smiled back, and returned a slow nod of her head before turning to Alessia.
The Heartrim damsel seemed to be making her way towards the men gathered in the hall and Amelia followed. Once they were a part of the circle, they began introducing themselves.
Most of the men seemed to be knights and the others were nobles; all beginning to make fast friends. They greeted Amelia like she was a part of them, taking a liking for how daintily she carried herself.
Her gaze kept strictly away from Head Knight Erion, frightened of accidentally locking gazes with him again and come off as doting, making things awkward between them. She wondered if Erion had looked at her earlier because he knew her from the previous night's fiasco against the hounds.
"So what do you do, Miss Amelia?" Sean asked, distracting the damsel from her thoughts.
"Ah", she looked up at the man, with a smile, "I work at Lady Hildeth's Boutique", she answered pleasantly.
"That's quite wonderful", the man nodded.
"She's the first commoner to make this associate", Knight Roden chuckled at his own mention. Something about the way he mentioned it made the young dame feel like they were superior society being benevolent in accommodating her.
None of the other men said anything to the shabby haired knight, but simply carried on like such was not said.
"Then it is an honour to have you among us", Baron Sean nodded, casually ending what Roden had senselessly begun to make her feel inferior.
"Why thank you", Amelia nodded.
"I believe she is writing her own novel", Cylass, another knight that had been beneath the oak tree when she had first been introduced to them that morning by Daren began, seeming curious.
"Yes, actually. I do love writing and wish to publish a story of my own some day", the damsel of brown hair said.
"That is quite intriguing!" Alessia cooed, seeming more excited for her.
"All the best on your endeavour", Knight Erion spoke up, his voice gravelly.
"Ah thank you", Amelia smiled, eyes down to the hems of her skirts.
Just then, a maid opened the door and called, "Miss, from Lady Hildeth's Boutique?"
The pudgy damsel perked up and nodded, "Yes, that is me."
"The payment is ready", the maid said. "You may meet me at the lounge when you are finished."
"Of course, I shall be there", Amelia replied, before turning to the companions. "I do believe I must be leaving now."
"Ah, do not forget to keep your card of membership safe. And of course, I will give you a copy of 'The Cry of a Plague and War', our next book for discussion", Baron Sean said, making his way towards the balcony. "If you carry it with you, you can read it any time you find leisure."
Amelia followed him to the sun-kissed floors of the balcony to collect her book, reluctant at heart, but hardly showing it in her stride. Just as she withdrew from the group, she heard Roden talk to the others about how her writing was not worth the mention, for it 'lacked in reality'.
A hot, boiling streak of anger shot up within her, but she bit her words back without picking a defensive argument, for that would make her look far worse. And she did not feel like confronting the man amidst high society.
Amelia's heart, however, could not stop thinking of the silent Knight Erion's impression of her.
~
Guess we can shift to Charlene's pov next chapter CX pls vote for this story T^T