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.
13. So Close, yet So Far
SO CLOSE YET SO FAR
~
The Fashion Boutique of Hildeth and co.,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair morning,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Soon after the main dress made for the specific fit of Miss Charlene Walterus was completed and the tensions of the Boutique had ceased, the shop was open to receive customers. All the Ladies were busy attending to their various duties, while Amelia lingered about, helping them with odd jobs.
Then, Lady Hildeth, after critically appraising the garment her designers had fashioned upon the mannequin, called for the damsel of chestnut hair.
"Deliver this to Duke Walterus. He had requested this piece to be at his place this morning for Miss Charlene's fit. Be careful and be swift. I will be taking no excuses or accidents", the proprietress commanded.
"Yes, m'lady", the young damsel nodded, feeling her chest tighten at the thought of having to visit the mansion.
She cautiously and softly removed the exquisite robe from the mannequin. That was when her eyes caught sight of the name inscribed upon the model, bearing 'Miss Charlene' in beautiful cursive font.
It occurred to her that Lady Hildeth may have made the harsh remark comparing her to the daughter of the Duke for reason that they were weaving the gown for that very damsel while Amelia was being scolded.
Then, she gently laid it into a case that was embellished with the words 'Hildeth Boutique', boasting their brand.
The Lady proceeded to detail her instructions: "You may stay there at the waiting lounge until the appointment is complete. They had mentioned that the price payments will be settled immediately. So you will need to collect them before return hither."
"Of course, m'lady", the Lunadynn damsel nodded, before bowing.
"It's a pity I couldn't send a maiden much more becoming for the high society you are required to visit", Lady Hildeth muttered, giving Amelia a once-over, before moving away to get herself a cup of sweet tea and then her pressing appointments.
Once the woman's presence was out of the chamber, the young dame of brown, curly hair exhaled a long sigh. It always felt like she was walking on the inside of a blast furnace when the Lady was around.
Quickly binding her hat and a cape over her shoulders, she took the case bearing the apparel and left the Boutique. She treaded the cobble streets of the city, making her way towards the manor of Duke Walterus.
People walked about, making conversations or greeting each other, smelling wayside flowers. Ivies mastered the walls and balconies of many houses and taverns. Signposts stood at the turn of every street, decorated by vines and wild bushes.
The smell of bread and cakes wafted into the avenues as children were ushered by their mothers to the School House. The brown haired damsel scurried as fast and dutifully as her feet could afford her, heading towards her assigned destination.
Within about a quarter hour, she was there, standing before the tall gates of iron, nervousness flooding her every sense. There was the prospect of her stepping into a place of high society, firstly. It brought unbearable measures of pressure to her heart. There would be ladies of status and fashion who would treat her like the soles of her feet did not deserve to step upon the bed of grass they owned.
Secondly, and more importantly, Head Knight Erion, the man she suspected to be her secret rescuer, would be there, possibly smitten by the obvious beauty that was Miss Charlene Walterus, and Amelia would be condemned to have to watch it, like a handmaiden forced to witness her mistress's fancies, for as long as it would last.
One of the men that stood guard took note of her humble presence lingering there and demanded answers of her whereabouts and what business brought her to wander about the Walterus Estate. The damsel of dark eyes produced the case bearing the dress and told him her reasons, before gaining access.
Once she stepped into the courtyard, the maiden hadn't a shred of clue regarding whither she would go and bestow the garment made for the daughter of the manor.
There was the sound of giggling and silent speech coming from behind the edge of the portico and she decided it was a worthy course to investigate therein and ask of the people there.
As she scuttled over, bearing the large trunk, the damsel of brunette hair noticed that a few of Knight Erion's men were standing about, flirting with the young maidens of the Walterus Estate, in silent and gleeful tones.
Once they heard her approaching stride, they immediately perked up to her presence and Amelia stared at the company, awkward. "I am from Lady Hildeth's, with the apparel requested for the respectable Miss Charlene Walterus", the dame said, watching the men slowly move away from the situation.
The hand-maidens hurried over to her side and assisted with the trunk. One of them led the damsel from the dressmakers to the entrance that made its way towards Miss Charlene's chambers.
Before they stepped out of sight, Amelia turned to cast a glance over her shoulder and steal a glimpse of Knight Erion's men. They seemed to move towards the shade of a large oak tree and were chattering away.
It had been on her mind since that morning, to reason whether these were the ones that were part of the vigilante team apart from the man that had saved her the previous night.
Just then, one of the knights, with shabby dark hair and a dishevelled stuble down his jaws, looked up and caught sight of her staring and retaliated with a smirk and a wink. The damsel blinked and turned away quickly, a slight blush skipping across her cheeks.
Soon, the maidens led her indoors and had her wait at the halls outside the dressing chambers of Duke Walterus' heir. Amelia tried to catch a glimpse of what was beyond the doors, but sadly could not.
She withdrew towards the libraries of books assembled against the walls of the waiting hall and decided to distract herself with some reading. It had always been her favourite means of passing time, apart from writing.
Just then, the doors opened yet again, and the damsel looked over to see Knight Erion walk out of Miss Charlene's chambers, with a pleasant expression in his eyes and a blush hanging about his ears.
~