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.
75. Enquiries and Excitements
Enquiries and Excitements
~
The Central Halls 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
"I'm here for submitting reports for the reading association", Charlene Walterus informed the Crown Prince proudly.
"That's wonderful", Rayzenn nodded, with a pleasant smile, running a hand through his straight dark hair.
"We had a meeting yesterday after you had met us. And these are the results", she was saying.
"Do you have solely nobles in your Association?" the man asked, curiously.
"Oh no, your Highness", Charlene laughed. She was glad Amelia had been added to their club just the previous day. "We have a peasant girl from far as well. The common folks have never before joined us, although the invitation to them is open", the damsel said, with a shrug.
"I see", the Prince nodded, with a smile. "So there is only one commoner. How did she join?" he asked.
The golden haired beauty felt anxious when he seemed to be enquiring about a particular damsel, despite conversing about her own choice of the books and such. But she viewed ever opening of their talk to be means she could let him know her and answered, "I knew the damsel was of poor reputation and loose character. So not many do like her. And that always broke my heart. So I asked for her to come to the Estate and I had her join the Reading Association."
The man in response nodded, with a pensive frown. "Why is her reputation ill?" the man asked.
"I do not want to indulge in tainting her name, Sire", the damsel said, with a rather morose expression on her face. However that was contrary to what she truly wanted and she waited for the man's curiosity to get the better of him.
But his calm disposition did not falter. "I understand", he nodded.
Charlene felt a stab of frustration, for she desperately wanted to tell him poorly of the dame he had shown a mild interest in. But since that would make her look like all her conversations belittled the others about her, she decided to hold back.
"I have chosen 'A Cry of War and Plague' for next week's reviews, your Highness", she said, earning back his attention.
Brows shot up and the man seemed rather impressed and he inclined his heed, "I find that book most intriguing. I look forward to seeing your reviews", he said.
"I am glad it is to your liking", the damsel laughed.
"Alright then, my Lady. I hope you have a wonderful day. I am to meet the Regent Queen immediately, and I believe I have overstayed my welcome here", he smiled, before walking past.
"Ah, thank you very much for your time, your Majesty", she called back, feeling disappointed that they had to part.
Then, bidding one of her maids to submit the reports at the library, the damsel went back to her carriage, willing to tell her father everything.
During her journey homeward, she could not stop imagining how he may have seen her. She knew her dress was most spectacular and could sweep anyone off their feet, with its adequate amount of exposure and the way it fit her slim, tall body.
Further, she had looked particularly stunning with the way she looked in dark lips. After the way Erion had looked at her that morning, there was no way the Prince could not have loved her for it.
But she was anxious if she had overdone her conversation. Most men had loved her because she was mysterious, her intentions were never on the table for them to discern and as much as she told them about herself, they only loved her more because she was elusive and they felt like they could never have her.
As for Prince Rayzenn, the damsel was not sure if she had spoken too much and showed too much interest that he could take her for granted. And the more she thought about it, the more she desired to win him for herself.
When she reached the estate, the first thing the damsel did was get her maids to draw out a more modest dress that she could don herself in. Just as she was having the garments fitted, there was a maid who scurried in, presented an envelope, saying, "A young trainee knight arrived, saying that this was for you, my Lady."
The golden haired beauty took the envelope and found Head Knight Erion's name upon the edge thereof. A smile wove its way across her slender lips as she thought of the fact that the man had been thinking of her.
Handing it to her personal Head Maid, Charlene said, "Christy, please leave this in my room, at the study. I shall peruse it when I return home."
"Of course, my Lady", the woman bowed, before taking the envelope and heading out the door.
Once the damsel of long blond hair was ready, she arranged her carriage to head to the Official Hall of Publications, where she intended to meet her father and relay the contents of her meeting with the Crown Prince.
It was as late as eventide when the heir of the Walterus Estate returned home, exhausted from reading through the various articles that needed to be published in the official news.
Further, her father had taken the story of how the Prince had defended her at the face of Duke Cryspus Lemiron most excitedly. Naturally, Charlene had not disclosed to him the fact that she had spread the rumours, nor that she confirmed them to the Crown Prince.
After the excitement of their conversations, the damsel returned home to the mansion, completely content and looking forward to read Knight Erion's letter.
As she strolled into her room, she took her copy of 'A Cry of War and Plague' in her hand and placed it at her table so she could dive into reading the novel and beginning work on her report.
Then, tearing the envelope, she spread the knight's letter and began reading.
~