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.
42. Horse Riding with a Knight
Horse Riding with a Knight
~
Courtyard,
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
At the lounge of Duke Walterus' Estate, Amelia Luna-dynn was gathering her belongings after receiving the due payment and said to Head Knight Erion, "Alright, I will be taking my leave now."
The man, in response, rose to his full height, till she only reached to his neck, looked down at her and smirked, "I will be on my way out as well. Would you like me to escort you?"
"N-no it's completely alright", she stuttered, feeling abashed. As much as she longed to spend time with him, there were a lot of feelings she needed to ponder over.
"No, I insist. Come on", he gave her a wink and led her outdoors.
The damsel followed him mutely, whispering thank you's. Once they were outside, he strode over to his horse and buckled its harness.
Amelia took a step back, feeling a slight bit hesitant. "Um, Erion, it's alright, really. I can go back by myself; it is what I am accustomed to", she tried, hoping she could leave.
"Ah why? Do you not want to be by my side for a little while longer?" he asked, taking the horse by its reins and walking to where she was standing.
Reflexively, she took a step back. "I-I'm not too sure", she hugged herself.
The man stopped in his tracks and frowned at her pensively. "You aren't afraid of horses, are you?" he asked, concerned.
"No", she laughed, but her heart was hammering in denial.
"Aw, dearest, don't worry, he won't hurt you. And besides, I'll be right here to take care, should anything go wrong", the knight assured, taking a leap on to the saddle and reaching a hand down for her.
Amelia knew it was safe, but she had had her fears, for there had been instances when she had taken a great fall and had seen rebellious horses. Nevertheless, casting her trust upon her newfound knight, she softly placed her hand in his and leapt up till her foot reached the stirrup for sable footing.
Then, casting her other leg over the horse's back, she straddled the leather seat. Her skirts awkwardly hitched up to her knees, revealing her stockings and she tried miserably to draw them down to her ankles.
"There you go", he chuckled, still holding her hand. "Now hold on tight to me; you will not fall. And if you feel off balance, don't worry, I will hold you and keep you safe", the man said.
Amelia smiled and nodded. She handed him her copy of the novel, the pouch of payment received from the Walterus Mansion and all her humble belongings, before leaning against his back and gripping his shirt as firmly as she could.
"How soft", he commented, before whipping the reins and setting his mount in motion.
The young damsel held on tight, hoping hard that she wouldn't fall, even though she knew the knight was maintaining a slow pace for her. He began making conversation, saying, "I know this is terribly late for introductions, but your name is Amelia?"
"Yes", she nodded. "You can call me 'Mel' or 'Lia'. Personally, I would prefer you go with Mel, because that's what all my friends call me. Lia usually sends a chill down my spine, because I've mostly only heard Lady Hildeth call me that and it never means good news", she finished, with a mock shudder.
"Alright, Mel. That's an adorable reasoning", he chuckled, making her heart feel hot within.
Amelia moved herself away from leaning on his back, for the galloping of the horse was rather uncomfortable across the gravelly streets. Her, grip against his sides, however, as so tight that a whirlwind could not have wrenched her stance off of that horse's back.
"So, where do you have to go for today?" she asked the knight as he took the horse to turn the curve of the road.
"No place specific, in all honesty. I believe I will head to the training barracks after this, since I am free from postings and duties and patrols", said he. "I am going to drop you off at the Hildeth Boutique; is that the destination you wish?" the man asked, seeking her confirmation.
"Oh!" she interrupted, having just realised a new flood of concerns. The Luna-dynn damsel was certainly not going to let her Ladyship know that she had joined the Reading Association whilst she should have been about with business at the Estate.
And further, arriving back at the Boutique with a novel in tow would be the end of her. Lastly, to complete the process of her funeral, Lady Hildeth would be absolutely livid should she be dropped off at the porch of the dressmakers by the Head Knight of their province.
Thus, with all those troubles listed in mind, she asked the knight, "Could you kindly drop me off at Madame Mirie's Flower shop? I can finish my errands there and make my way off to the Boutique and you can be on your way as well."
"Are you certain?" the man asked, slowing the pace of his horse gradually.
"Yes, I am", Amelia said, with a soft smile upon her plump lips. She intended to leave the novel with Madame Mirie, before hurrying off to Hildeth's.
"Alright then", knight Erion replied, and took the ride to change their course towards the Florist's. Within a few minutes, they had reached her desired destination.
The dark haired knight descended from his mount and held a hand out to help Amelia down. The damsel nearly stumbled off her tall perch on the horse, before putting both her palms on his shoulders. It was embarrassing, but Erion did not react much. It seemed like even if he had noticed that for a snap of a second, she had her life flash before her eyes while she was falling to her death, he acted like he hadn't.
He casually helped her down and the damsel felt her senses return to safety when her feet met stable ground.
"Thank you for the ride, Erion", she smiled, looking up at him.
"The pleasure is mine", he nodded. "I look forward to seeing you again, miss", the man raised a brow, inclining his head to one side.
"I hope to see you soon too", she giggled. "Good bye", she waved, as she took her purse and book and belongings, and scuttled away into the Flower Shop, leaving the man by his horse wistfully watching her.
However, unbeknownst to Amelia, one of the carriages that was at the other side of the street was one wherein Lady Hildeth was seated, intently watching the pudgy damsel of brown curling hair have the Head Knight endearingly drop her off at the Florist's shop when she should be at the Boutique.
~