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.
67. The Scandalous Word of Infidelity at the Tavern
The Scandalous Word of Infidelity at the Tavern
~
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Charlene let out a sigh, before saying about her ex fiancé, "I know that he married her solely so he could make a point to me, because I know that he was deeply in love with me even when I broke it off with him. So I wasn't too surprised when he tried to get me again. But how can I indulge when it is a married man?"
The knight looked livid that such things were happening. "I wish I could strangle him", he hissed.
Just as the damsel was feeling the excitements of how jealous he was for her, the fear of his telling other people about the matter came to mind. "It would be scandalous if the news of it came out to other people, for it would cause problems to the family and high society in general", she said.
In truth, Charlene feared solely that it would tarnish her name, for she had heard from her people that Cryspus was enjoying a wonderful family with his newly wedded wife and that would make the Walterus daughter seem like she was the one spreading things bitterly.
"Well…", Erion rubbed the back of his neck, like he was thinking of how to phrase his reply. "I can't quite recollect…"
"W-what do you mean you can't recollect? Erion, this is a family we are talking about! You can't break them with spreading rumours!" Charlene burst, vexed that word could get in the street about her.
The man in response waved her concerns away like it was nothing. "You are far too kind for the likes of a man like that who didn't deserve you and still wants you back after he's married another woman. He doesn't deserve to even have that marriage", he said, huffing in frustration.
"No, you don't understand", the damsel massaged her temples. She felt like she had made a terrible mistake writing that letter to him.
The daughter of the Walterus estate felt almost giddy with anxiety when she thought of how much the gossip would affect her reputation. She could not believe Erion had told it to someone, despite her efforts to give him the news secretively. After all, it wasn't true. "Why would you tell people about it?" she began rambling as her face starting sweating.
"Hey, hey, it's not that bad. And besides, it's not like I let loose everything you told me. It isn't going to affect you, since you're still chaste and faithful and not relenting to his desires", the man said.
"Whom did you relay it to? Will they keep it a secret?" she asked, haste prominent in her voice.
"I don't remember who was there. I went for a drink to the tavern last night and I don't know how much I vented. But there were a few men around who knew the situation you had with Cryspus", Erion said, like he was ransacking his breain for recollections.
"What did you tell them?" Charlene asked, partly eased that most men would possibly have been drunk.
"Just that he started pursuing you again and his absolute audacity. I guess it came up when I was rambling about how faithful and chaste you are and how dedicated you had been to him despite all the males who held an interest in you. It was just all my honest feelings on the table", the knight said, running his hands though his dark curly hair.
The damsel sighed her relief. It seemed to be safe; absolutely favourable, in fact. "Did you mention that I had told you?"
"No, no, of course not. Not everyone would believe you if you did, because they would be of the false opinion that you are bitter. But I know you. You're a warrior, and you've come so far apart from it", the man smiled, brushing her golden hair back as he gazed into her face.
"Aw", she smiled, feeling the weight of her anxieties leave her body. "You're the loveliest man I could ever find", she said.
A blush tainted the knight's face, before he turned away, chuckling.
Then, her countenance changed and she looked up to him and asked, "I heard from a few of my maidens that you were with Amelia yesterday. Is that true?"
There seemed to be a shade of hesitation in the man's eyes before he answered, "Well, yes. She wanted to go to the Boutique as early as possible and asked if I could take her there. And so I agreed and helped."
Charlene did not like the fact that the peasant girl had tried to woo Erion. But she did not want to look jealous. So she replied, "Ah, I see. I'm glad you're getting along quite well with her. She seemed nice."
The knight beside her nodded, "Yes she did. She's a lot like you."
"Is that so?" the damsel raised her brows, receiving a nod. "Well", she went on, "She seems like such a fine lady that if I had been a man, I would have wished to arry her in a heartbeat", Charlene chuckled.
"Oh really?" the man laughed, "Did you talk to her?"
"Well, no, I did not find the time to. But as for you, Erion, I would like you to stay a bit safe around her. I know it is not my place to say, but please to be careful", the daughter of the Estate said.
"Why? What's wrong?" the knight asked, seeming curious.
"Well, I don't want to say anything that would tarnish her name, you know. I would never want you to hate a girl as lovely seeming as her", the damsel said, sweeping a loose lock of hair to the back. She was nervous, and did not like that he held such high opinions of Amelia. But she also felt the strong need to convince him to stay away from her without sounding like she was disrupting their relationship and speaking ill of the girl.
"Ah, don't worry. I won't hate her. You can tell me what's on your mind", Erion assured, with a calm smile.
"You see, I spent the last eve with Miss Alessia and we were talking about Amelia. It seems that she is a woman who goes out to meet many men at night and does not really possess much of morals", Charlene said.
~