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.
27. The Affairs of the Association
The Affairs of the Association
~
Chambers of the Reading Association,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
About an hour before noon,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Sean called the gathering at Miss Charlene's Book Reading Association to order.
"Alright now, let us begin!" said he, with a clap of his hands and a pleasant, warm smile.
An amicable silence fell over the few members that were seated in the chamber. Amelia watched as Charlene closed the book in hand and placed it down upon the table, before leaning forward towards the people present at her club.
"We have a couple of new people with us today, who will be added members to our association", Sean said, before glancing over at Charlene for a moment.
The golden haired dame looked at him and nodded before turning to look at the daughter of the Heartrims and then her eyes appeared to search the room. Amelia felt her heart thundering in her chest, for she was not ready to receive the attention of all the prestigious folks in the room.
"We have Miss Alessia and Amelia?" Sean said, finding his gaze to both the young ladies as though he was fully informed.
The brown haired damsel stood, with trembling feet, hoping none would notice her nervousness, and smiled, receiving nods and glances and smiled from all of the heirs and heiresses seated there.
She sat down quickly, feeling stiff and awkward, wondering how odd her disposition would have been in the midst of all the people. The damsel drew a handkerchief out and dabbed it softly at the sweat gathered on her nose and brows from the tension.
There was a mild sensation of feeling watched that tickled Amelia's senses and she looked up to see Knight Erion gazing her with an amused smile on his face, like he could understand her nervousness.
Then, Alessia, a lovely looking young maiden, with long black hair and a calm expression, stood up to engage the audience with a beautiful, confident smile and a wave of her hand.
"We are most honoured to have the two of you here", Sean said, with a smile and clasped hands. "I will run you through the affairs of our Association. We mostly discuss books and articles and such like. It is a very engaging affair. We also produce critiques and encouragement. When we find budding authors, Miss Charlene takes a personal interest in their work and makes recommendation to have the books published with preference."
Amelia nodded profusely, hoping her insecurities about being in the midst of high society would not cripple her. Especially since the subject was regarding her publishing a potential book and making an additional earning that could run her little family.
Sean proceeded with his explanation:
"We oft choose certain novels or articles here at the club and read those over the period until the next such meeting is held. And when a gathering as this is convened, we discuss the essence of the prose and each contribute our opinions and write our own articles on the matter and document it."
The tall man, whilst in the middle of still speaking, stood up and walked towards a large Bulletin Board in the vast balcony, and continued: "Here, on this board, we each post miniscule, shortened opinions, perhaps from the behaviours of characters or the happenings and what we perceive of those. Just passing thoughts we had felt whilst reading the books."
A few of the members, including Alessia Heartrim, walked over to the balcony and Amelia followed suit. She looked through the articles posted at the Bulletin Board.
There were parchments, bearing different handwritings upon it, with various words. Her eyes latched to a certain piece with the name Erion on it.
It read, "I believe the lovers in this book have a wonderful relationship, understanding and a deep admiration for each other's beauty. The female lead boasts a great deal of strong character and utmost loyalty, which every husband truly would admire."
The pudgy damsel of curly brown hair imbibed those words like they were a fantasy for life. A smile was playing with the sides of her lips, curling them up subconsciously.
And just then, she remembered Charlene's image: of being a woman known for strong character and absolute loyalty. She wondered if it was those traits he was attracted to, or whether he intentionally mentioned those because they were similar to Charlene.
A heavy weight rested in her chest when she thought on such matters.
"Over there", Sean's voice cut through her concerns and she phased back in to see him pointing towards a stairway that was at one end of the balcony leading down to the courtyard outside the house. "This is how the members enter the club's meeting room. You are free to enter and post your entitlements on the bulletin any time you feel; it does not have to be before or during the meetings", he instructed.
Everyone returned to their places, while Sean took a few small cards out of an envelope and handed one to Amelia and two to Alessia. The card seemed very intricately designed, plated with gold trimmings and bearing the calligraphed words 'Charlene's Reading Association' on the face of it.
"These will be the passes that you may show the security guards at the gates in order to enter hither and make your postings or to attend meetings", the man said.
The damsel of chestnut coloured hair nodded, taking the card in hand. Sean returned to his seat and began the meeting for discussion, gaining everyone's attention.
Amelia slowly pulled the neck of her top before tucking the Book Association pass into her brassiere for safe keeps. Then she looked up to make sure no one was watching.
But there he was, Head Knight Erion, gazing at her curiously. The damsel's eyes widened and a rush of blood coursed to the surface of her cheeks. He simply smiled, as if amused by her vulnerability, and turned his attention back to Sean.
~