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.
71. The Meetings with the Prince
The Meetings with the Prince
~
Crown Prince Rayzenn's Personal Office,
The Western Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
It had been about an hour of complete and unpleasant interrogation, before Knight Erion was allowed to leave the private office of the Crown Prince. He was frustrated greatly, for the man had been a beast with him, scavenging for information about all the knights who were posted on duty and notes on their incompetency to defend the Village of Drift Combe.
At the end, Prince Rayzenn had surveyed Knight Erion's spheres of duty, which had involved matters from the enlistment of the knights, the postings of patrol, the maintenance of discipline and various others.
The heir to the throne had shortened them considerably, bringing them down solely to the enlistment and training of new knights. He had mentioned that the knights in his command could be posted for patrol only for the day and were not allowed in participating in any other duties.
The Prince had further sentenced that the men should be subject to rigorous training and such other engaging activity during the time they wouldn't be posted on duty.
It was a great deal of demotion for him and his men, considering they were in charge of the West Wing, encompassing the main force of Knighthood under Prince Rayzenn's province.
Presently, they were only given to patrol the villages, and not during the time of need. Erion was infuriated, for he had not counted his slackness during the advent of the wolf beasts to affect his knighthood as brutally as it had.
The man knew that it was more of his remark about possibly being the vigilante that had thrown the Prince off. And since they had not addressed the issue of the hound rampage for months, they were finally given the punishment.
As he walked out the Imperial Castle, Erion wondered how he would face the shame of admitting that his post was considerably stripped of him. Just then, striding down the stairway, he saw Miss Charlene's carriage outside, as she descended down the vehicle gracefully, with a train of hand maidens following her.
There was a feeling of anxiety constricting his stomach at the thought of the Prince having an eye on her, for she looked absolutely gorgeous.
He wanted to go over and greet her, in order to appear like they were closely affiliated, so the prince could assume he was in a relationship with her and would be disinterested, or at least mildly hesitant.
But Erion did not want to speak with Charlene and have her ask him how his interrogation went. He did not want her to know how deeply and embarrassingly he had been de-promoted.
Thus, he held back, watching her attractive confidence shining in her stride while she mounted the stairway of the Central Halls of the Imperial Castle, he noticed another carriage driven in and he knew that it distinctly belonged to the Estate of Duke Lemiron.
There was a passion of vengeance that surged inside him as he watched the vehicle halt by the Western Wing and Duke Cryspus Lemiron stepped out, looking elegant and opulent.
Knight Erion felt a burning feeling churn his stomach, for did not know what would happen or whether the man was there because he was pursuing Charlene secretly. And so, he needed to stay and see that the damsel was safe.
Taking steps back, the man decided to be about, as though he was trying to find necessary reports before leaving.
~
Prince Rayzenn was still in absolute frustration after the meeting with Knight Erion. It had been a difficult enough night after deciding to give up on Amelia. Further, the work mounting up on his office was insurmountable.
He knew that his aunt, the Regent Queen was diverting a larger amount of work to his share in order to keep him cooped up and think of the future of the Castle and thereby comply with marriage.
Otherwise, he would simply be off and away on various outdoor duties or training with his knights, like potential war was the most imperial aspect of the Kingdom.
Just then, there was a knock on the door and a young lad entered to report, "Your Majesty, Duke Cryspus Lemiron is here to meet you."
"Yes, have him enter", the Prince answered, wondering if the Castle had requested parchments for drafting the new tribute laws.
In a few moments, the man walked into the private office, flipping the scarlet locks of hair off his forehead as he greeted the prince, "Good morning, Sire. What a fine day to meet you straight in the start"
Prince Rayzenn gave him a tight and courteous smile, before nodding, "Yes, indeed. Please have a seat."
Succumbing to the royal man's bid, the Duke sat across the large table and began unfolding the contents of his purpose to meet him, "So, I heard you were meeting Charlene?"
"Who said that to you?" Prince Rayzenn asked, raising a brow.
"Well, it's word on the street, Sire", the man said, shrugging his shoulders.
"I did visit Duke Walterus on matter of business, yes", the Prince said, looking down at the document he had been perusing.
"Well, did you see the girl?" the guest probed.
"She was present at his office during the meeting", Rayzenn replied.
"I just wanted to warn you, if you have intentions of marrying her, please do reconsider. I have been there and I know it is not a good decision, your Highness", the man said, as though he was the wiser.
"Provided I come to that decision, yes, I will consider your opinion", the dark haired royal nodded.
"Did you know why I had originally broken my engagement with her?" the Duke asked, as though he was most concerned.
"I reckon that is what you are here to tell me?" The Prince raised a brow as his eyes met his guest's.