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.
35. Injecting the Poison
Injecting the Poison
~
Charlene's Personal Bed Chambers,
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
Once Charlene had seen the others at the Reading Association off, and had collected their reports on the previous book that had been recommended, she set them apart to be submitted.
The damsel decided to take them to the Imperial Castle personally the following day so she could hopefully meet the sights of the Crown Prince.
Then, she took Alessia Heartrim to her personal bedchambers. She knew that the young girl had struggles in life, for knight Erion had told her of things he had seen, and Charlene wanted to be a motherly figure in the girl's life.
Further, she knew the young lady was in very good repute with Amelia, and hoped she could be closer to Alessia and retrieve any secrets the peasant girl may relay to her. But more importantly, Charlene did not like the idea of Amelia being highly loved by her associates, when she was undeservingly as close to the vigilante. She wished for disfavour for the dame so that she could be loved instead.
As Charlene opened the large door leading to her bedchamber, a train of handmaidens bowed, before they made their way out the room, to grant the young noble women their space, after fluffing every cushion and arranging every drape and curtain in perfect order.
Charlene's room was most elegant, furnished with fine large, glass doors on one side leading to her personal balcony, where there was a little round table and chairs and a private garden with tea awaiting them. The chamber itself was cool and perfumed, large enough to have much room despite the grand furniture such as her decorated bed, the vanity, the wardrobes, the study, and the shelves of books.
Alessia seemed to be taken by how opulently the Duke's daughter lived, like she was admiring the ambience.
"You can come here as oft as you like", Charlene smiled. "I would truly enjoy your company."
"Ah, thank you, Miss Charlene", her voice was as high pitched as a squeal.
"No need for courtesies, you can simply call me Char", the golden haired beauty said as she sat down on the bed.
"Of course", Alessia smiled, taking a seat by the edge of the mattress gracefully. Her green eyes stayed on Charlene's elegant wine coloured dress, like it was impossible to tear her gaze away from its alluring charm. The hostess was most pleased with the attention her ensemble was receiving, for she knew all the members of the club had stolen glances of her frequently during the earlier meeting.
There was a soft knock at the door and the daughter of the mansion called for the maid to enter. The lady brought in an array of sugary delicacies, pastries and cookies with sweetened hot milk to go with them. "Thank you", Charlene smiled to the maid, with dimples showing on her thin cheeks.
"Always at your service, m'lady", the maid smiled back, before leaving.
"How did you like the Reading Association?" Charlene asked, turning her attention to her guest, before laying down into a more comfortable position.
"It was honestly amazing! I truly enjoy reading all the time and so a whole association where we read and meet to discuss the novels is far too much fun!" the young girl was most excited, with a spark in her green eyes and passion seeping into her voice.
"That's wonderful!" the daughter of the estate laughed heartily. "I am glad you are enjoying it. I love reading as well and so I decided to begin this association and reach the favours of even the royals with its reports. I am in touch with the Chief of Library and Archives, who has admired our detailed service to the literary side of society. The Imperial Castle greatly appreciates our work", Charlene revealed, with a touch of pride in her voice.
"Ah that is so elite", Alessia said, admiringly. "I am nervous now to be phrasing my report; I do not know if I can meet the standards or make an opinion worthy of royal eyes", she chuckled nervously, ears taking a blush colour.
"No, no, don't worry of it. Your opinion, if it is informed, after reading the novel is of great importance. We even have a member of the lower society now in the club, just for diversity of views", the daughter of the Hall of Publications said, magnanimously.
"Oh yes, Amelia! I did speak to her today. She is a lovely person, indeed", the young damsel replied, nodding.
"I have not spoken to her yet, but I do know that she is from a very unfortunate background. I hope she is kind to you, I was unnerved previously by how bold she was simply during her very first meeting, and agreeing with Chaessy, despite how clearly immature she was", Charlene began, hoping to remove Alessia's high opinions of the peasant girl.
The young noble chuckled softly in response, and said, "Don't worry, Char; she is not a person of harsh character as you fear. She was quite sweet to me when we first met this noon. And her opinion to Chaessy's was more to pacify the tensions than to encourage her words. I thought it was quite bold, for she was as vocal even on her first time amongst new company."
"Oh I see", Charlene nodded, her lips pursed till it was a slender line. She did not like how fair the young dame's judgement of Amelia was. "Well, alright then", she smiled. "I am glad she is kind to you then. I have not heard the nicest things regarding her while she was working as a staff in the Hildeth Boutique", the golden haired damsel began.
"Ah what's wrong?" there was worry ripe in her voice.
"Well, you know~", Charlene began. She decided it would be harmless to taint the young noble's image of Amelia with something that did not stray too far from what truth she did know.
After all, there was not much means whereby the women would clarify matters amongst each other if they did not talk much due to a rift betwixt them.
And so, Charlene began, "I've seen her for quite a long while now and have known of her misdeeds."
~