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.
37. Growing from Friendship to Sisterhood
Growing from Friendship to Sisterhood
~
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
"Well, I had received a letter straight from the Regent Queen early this dawn, stating that Crown Prince Rayzenn was coming to meet me today! And he visited our Estate just before the Reading Association's meeting this noon", Charlene announced to her guest proudly.
There was pure silence and absolute shock in response to what she had said, with Alessia staring in mute astonishment for a few seconds while she collected her scandalised senses. "P-Prince Rayzenn himself?" she stuttered, gathering her bearings, but her arched brows still denied disbelieving shock.
"Yes", Charlene chuckled.
"I hadn't even the mildest clue! That is such astounding news! Char, you are so humble; you carry yourself with such modesty, that you never even made mention of it! Any other woman in your place would have flaunted the graces she holds in the eyes of His Majesty to the entire Kingdom", Alessia said, completely taken by the casual mention of something that was of such magnitude.
The golden haired damsel laughed in response, saying, "Aw, thank you very much. I did not consider it as great a deal as to be gloated."
It was a positive move on Charlene's part to spread word of the Prince's interest in her, in order to stay all the other damsels that would wish for his hand. Further, it would cause the Imperial Castle to feel pressed into the matter for if they did not comply with the expectation of the people, there could be public disappointment.
After all, the heir to the Hall of Publications was the wealthiest young noble woman in the provinces that Prince Rayzenn would inherit, and news of her being desired by him would set the Kingdom ablaze with tongues lagging.
"Oh, have you then maybe met him before? At a ball or per-haps during some outing? Has the Duke taken you with him during his visits to the Castle before?" the damsel who was a guest asked, curiously, for it was rather impractical to assume that the Prince would have arbitrarily chosen to meet up with the Duke's daughter.
"No, no, I have never visited the Prince on my own accord. It is solely him who has pursued me this morning. But, yes, he had actually met me once before, when I shared a dance and some conversations with him a few months ago, at the last Royal Ball. It was while I was still engaged to Cryspus Lemiron.
But I did not realise the Crown Prince himself would have remembered me and reached out now that my betrothal is broken and I am available for new prospects", Charlene laughed. "In fact, the letter stating his arrival was handwritten by Regent Queen Eliza, so I have reason to assume she also holds this certain interest in me. But I don't know!"
"I bet he would have been taken by your beauty", Alessia said, longingly, still looking at the gown. Her emerald eyes had, however, lost their shine. It seemed like the young damsel was more bothered by Charlene's happiest news, than be glad for her sake.
"Well, yes, throughout the meeting, his eyes did not leave me. I think this shade of maroon is a rather flattering colour", the hostess rose to her feet, gathered the fabric of her skirts and twirled around merrily, as her hair and dress danced with her.
Alessia clapped her hands, "Indeed, it is. You must wear it more often."
Since Charlene's perspective of the Prince's interest in her had sufficiently been conveyed, she decided to be more modest with the way she portrayed herself. "Thank you. But I do believe it is only an infatuation. I do not know how seriously it will progress", she chuckled.
"Are you suggesting that you have spared some hope for the rest of us ladies in society to win a chance with the Prince if his eyes daren't be dedicated to you?" her young companion laughed.
Charlene felt a streak of irritation at the thought of other women, such as even the Heartrim daughters, competing with her, but she said nothing, simply laughed along to what the damsel had said.
Then, Alessia exhaled a long, sad sigh, before reclining upon the bed and staring at the curtains overhead wistfully, with a sad and distant expression in her eyes.
"What is the matter, my dear? Your heart seems troubled", Charlene said, leaning on her elbow and laying own close, till her hair rested upon the mattress like a pool of linseed oil.
"Ah, it's no matter", the guest waved it away with a sad smile, like she was hesitant to relay.
"Come now", the damsel in the maroonish dress urged. "Are we not like sisters now? Tell me your concerns and we shall eat delicacies to soothe our worries away. And I will help you as best as I can."
In the back of her mind, Charlene had a fair suspicion of what Alessia's bothers were, for Erion had oft told her of the things he had seen.
However, hearing it from the damsel herself would ease their relationship and allow her to know what the true affairs of the situation were.
"Well", the young lady began, hesitant, before sighing long and hard. Then, turning to Charlene, she asked, "Would you please never tell a soul that I am enduring the things I am about to tell you?"
"Of course, my dear; why would I ever breathe anything to another soul?" the Walterus daughter's eyes were as wide as the moon.
"Alright", Alessia relented, with a sort of relieved smile written on her face. Her grace was returning to her countenance after the expression of worry for all that while. "It is a peaceful feeling to have a companion to share things to. Here is what happened," she began to pour her heart.
~