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.
33. Will the Reading Association be Dissolved?
Will the Reading Association be Dissolved?
~
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
The hours after Noon,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"The intention of his visit to our estate was induced by the Regent Queen, but that is all the more reason to consider it a solid affair", the Duke winked. "After all, the Prince will marry whom Regent Queen Eliza bids him to, for the good of his future kingdom."
Charlene's excitements fell. "I see", she responded.
The young damsel of twenty years realised that it was not the crown Prince's personal initiative to come see her. Further, the more her thoughts dwelt on how bitter that was to imbibe, she realised that the royal heir had made no particular conversation with her during the meeting, but had simply been in ill tempers throughout, for Head Knight Erion was receiving a reprimanding for his knights' slackness.
It was the first time she had not absolutely captivated a man's senses with her mere presence.
Charlene hoped he hadn't some other woman in mind, despite the crown family's intentions of having him married to her. It was with her to go about and attract the man's eyes and senses with her ravishing beauty and intelligence.
"Come, my dear, there is no greater prospect in the entirety of the kingdom, who is lovelier than you to suit the man", her father chuckled, like he was attempting to brighten her sudden change of mood.
"Of course, papa", Charlene smiled. She knew she was the best. It was evident from all the attention she was receiving from practically every man she met. Further, simply the news of Crown Prince Rayzenn's visit to their Estate was sufficient to blaze the towns with talk about a potential royal wedding.
The damsel of long golden hair lifted her fair blue eyes to meet her father's gaze and said, "I wish you would not have me dissolve my reading association, though. I will succumb to this marriage with the crown prince, but I would like to keep my acquaintances."
"Yes, my dear. That is the most important reason wherefore I had sent to have this discussion with you. I am aware that you already expected the prospect regarding the Prince", her father said, his expression turning more serious and darkened. "As you know quite well, I have never been rather fond of the associates you have on your club…"
Charlene's heart picked up pace as she anticipated his words. She could not imagine her life without the company of people she had around her. They had all been her acquaintances for almost over a year and a half.
Baron Sean had been close to her since their families were all noble. Little Chaessy had been a friend of his sister, who was ardent to make Charlene's company since she was quite established in high society and bore wonderful reputation among the ladies.
Knight Erion had been promoted to be the Head of the West Wing, which was the province they were under. And he was rather close to his immediate subordinates: Roden, Cylass, and Jerish. Roden was the olive haired shabby knight that Charlene first knew and he had introduced her to Erion the previous year.
He was a man who was strong, silent and difficult to capture the attention of. Casually coming off as cold in the first impression, it had originally taken Charlene a great deal of associating with him over and over to win his favours, for she was a woman that was engaged to another man and so Erion had always maintained a special distance from her.
However, one night, when her whole household had been asleep, Charlene had escaped to secretly go to a common pub she was forbidden to visit. There, as expected, she saw Head Knight Erion drinking with his friends. Upon meeting him, the golden haired beauty had pretended to sprain her ankle and he had carried her all the way back to her bedchambers secretively.
She had run her slender, beautiful fingers through his curly dark hair and seen his first vulnerable expression of a blush. It was always so pleasurable to win men that she chased simply because they seemed unattainable.
At the time, Charlene was still engaged, but the sparks she had around the tall dark haired Head Knight were inexplicable. He was a man of quiet nature and no words; and he had the tendency of listening intently to all her endless talking. He would give her the space she needed, for she was often emotionally exhausted and be the most understanding of her situation, giving her a ear to her rants and a shoulder to lean on.
The honey haired damsel had always enjoyed his company, further because she knew that he found her beauty delightfully enticing. He had a way of admiring her like no other, and that had always left her craving for more of his presence.
Even at that very moment, when faced with the idea of the Crown Prince neither visiting her Estate for meeting her, nor being intoxicated by her beauty at first sight, she wished to go redeem her confidence by sitting with Knight Erion for some time.
In all, he was a man of attractive personality. Despite all the adoration and attention she received from all the other men, Erion's gaze upon her had always stood out. However, the prospect of actually marrying the chief knight when she was a noble woman who had the golden opportunity of marrying the crown prince and becoming queen was irrational.
So, in order to salvage the man's company to be hers, she had decided to start the Reading Association right after the break of her betrothal. There was no way she could sacrifice the club, which was an absolute source of happiness to her.
"Papa, I will absolutely not cancel the association. It is very dear to me!", she cried, seeming worked up and anxious. "I would miss all of my friends!"
~