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.
69. The Pangs of Loyalty and Jealousy
The Pangs of Loyalty and Jealousy
~
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
Head Knight Erion ran a hand though his dark curls. He did not like that Charlene was heading to the Imperial Castle dressed in such light garments, as though she would capture the Prince's gaze.
Of course, he still believed that she was of pure nature and would always remain faithful, but her excitement every time Prince Rayzenn was mentioned was dampening his moods.
The man knew that the Crown Prince would be engaged in a meeting with him that morning and wished for Charlene to finish her visit to the Imperial Castle during those hours so she could avoid crossing paths with him.
And with such in mind, Erion asked, "Ah, since I am also going there, would you like me to take you with me? We could spend more time with each other and get both our errands done with swiftly."
He realised that the golden haired damsel did not like the suggestion. "I appreciate the offer, Erion, but I am afraid I cannot come with you, since your meeting is more immediate. I don't intend to go until it is the after noon, you see. I have things to do here at home. But I dearly hope your day goes well", she replied, with a smile.
The dark haired Head Knight nodded. He could tell that she did not want to seem quite attached to him in front of the Imperial Family's eyes, which would be inevitable if she rode a horse with the man.
After all, Charlene had always been as careful about her image as she was loyal to her future husband. But Erion did not like how she was independent of him, especially in the eyes of the Prince.
"Alright then. I think I will take my leave. Good day to you, Char", he said, before withdrawing from the railings and walking away.
"Good bye", she called from behind him. "Be sure to come see me after you are done."
"I sure will", he answered, before he was far out the estate.
The Knight quickly took his horse and galloped towards the Imperial Castle as fast as the hoofs could afford him. The last thing he wanted was to be tardy to an unpleasant conference.
His mind thought back to how jealous Charlene had seemed when he had mentioned Amelia. He had liked the taste of it.
It had always been him who was feeling like she did not belong solely to him. But at that point, he felt wonderful to be the one holding the reins.
Of course he wasn't planning on doing it often, but he knew that it made Charlene pursue him when he did. After all, recollecting everything she had said, it seemed fairly obvious that she had sent him that loving letter after having heard from her maids that he had been close to Amelia.
Before such, Erion had always portrayed himself faithful to the daughter of the Walterus Estate, for he had always wanted her to see him as a loyal man. But this new change of events was relieving.
Soon, the man was close to the Imperial Castle and began preparing for what was ahead.
~
The Fashion Boutique of Hildeth and co.,
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
Sir Grendin was in a treacherous temper. The previous night had been a terrible affair for him, for he had been knocked out just before he could enjoy himself. He knew that he could get Amelia back.
After all, the other damsels that he had in his clutches were more secure and protected, with members of their family who could defend them. This damsel from the Village of Drift-Combe had solely a little brother and no one to her name.
Thus, if there were no strangers and he could compel her to a more private means where he could indulge himself, he could still win a fair deal.
Those were his intentions until Lady Hildeth had mentioned something that morning.
While he was oft the one who would tell her that there were damsels at the Boutique who were slacking, the ladyship herself had said to him that she had seen Amelia visiting the Florist and riding on a horse with the Head Knight of the West Wing.
"What are your intentions, my Lady? Will you have the girl sent away from the establishment for good, in order to punish her?" Sir Grendin had asked.
Lady Hildeth had replied, "No, I know she has a terrible debt that she could never repay to me if I ever send her away."
The cunning man had asked further, "Surely a debt that is immaterial to your grand wealth shouldn't be the sole reason you are holding back."
To such, the woman had said, "I have favours towards her, since I truly loved her mother. I care for her, although I had despised her for never being able to live up to the Luna-dynn beauty. But last evening, when I visited the Imperial Castle for the Regent Queen's orders, the Crown Prince had enquired of me if a dame by the name Amelia works at our Boutique. I do not know how he knows her, but we cannot afford losing someone upon whom royal gaze sustains."
With that heard, Sir Grendin could tell that the damsel was of importance and could not lose her employment just by his telling on her slacking off. Thus, he intended to keep from Amelia the fact that Lady Hildeth had forgiven her slackness and pretend that he had never told the Lady.
That way, he could continue to keep her afraid while gaining secret favours from her.
~