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.
81. Interrogation and Suspicion
Interrogation and Suspicion
~
The porch of the Fashion Boutique of Hildeth and co.,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
The fall of Night,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
~
"If you are finished, maybe you'd like to come over for dinner with me, Mel?" Knight Erion asked, turning to the dark haired maiden.
To Nate, it was fairly evident that they were in something of a relationship, since the man was so possessive of her and seemed to be comfortable enough to share meals.
"Ah", Amelia looked contemplative and apologetic, when she said, "My brother Jasper will soon be here to pick me up. And before that I will be heading to the Florist. So maybe, another time?"
It was clear that she felt like she was missing out on a grand opportunity.
"Alright then. I shall come with you to the Florist's, since you were unsafe last night", the dark haired knight said, seeming like he was growing slightly impatient.
"Don't fret yourself, son. I will be escorting her there and back. I have some favours to return before I leave", Nate intervened.
Amelia looked apologetic and most sorry for having declined a great offer.
"Fine", Knight Erion huffed, like he had other things in mind. "I will treat you to dinner tomorrow. Good night", he wished, before turning and leaving.
"Good night, Erion", the damsel of chestnut hair called behind him and the knight turned to give her a smile and a wave.
Then, he rode off into the night.
"I shall go put these away and be back", Amelia said, showing him her material, before scurrying off to the Boutique. Nate waited, strolling about to see if the knights on patrol were doing their duty in order.
As he had been noting for a long time then, a certain olive haired knight had constantly been patrolling solely that one street all day long. The cavalry chief knew that it was one of Erion's men and decided to pay note of that and have it disciplined.
In fact, it seemed more like the knight was stalking someone rather than being on duty.
Soon, Amelia returned, rubbing the creases off her skirts and aprons. There was a cape about her shoulders and she looked pleased to have Nate's company.
"You don't have to come with me all this way, Sir Jacob. I know you have a long journey ahead", the damsel said, as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"No, no, I absolutely should", he chuckled, getting used to the pseudonym.
He walked towards his horse donned in a mended saddle and turned around to see that she wasn't following. "Is something wrong?" Nate asked, wondering why she looked hesitant.
"Um, if you wouldn't mind, and if it is absolutely alright with you, could we just walk there please? Or would that be uncomfortable for you?" she asked, fiddling with the gathers of her skirts, like she was nervous to be an inconvenience.
"No, no, I'm quite alright with that. Do you dislike horses?" the disguised cavalry captain, whose main sport was horses asked.
"Well, only riding them. I am a bit hesitant. But I wouldn't mind going on one if you find it difficult to go by foot all the way", she hastened to add.
"No, I completely do not mind", the blond haired man chuckled, before tying his horse to a post and proceeding by her side.
"I am so sorry for the trouble, I owe you for the efforts, Sir Jacob", the damsel rambled, like she was feeling guilty to be stealing his comfort.
"No, I should be saying those words", Nate laughed.
"It is only a couple of streets away, I promise", Amelia reassured him.
"That's just a stone's throw away", the man shrugged. "Anyways, that Knight Erion, how exactly are you acquainted to him?" he asked, having a straight opening to the conversation.
"Ah", the damsel blushed at the mention, "He is just a friend. But he is very kind to me", she answered.
"For how close he showed himself to be, I would have assumed it was more than just that", Nate chuckled like an old man, although he was bitter about the relationship.
"Y-you think so?" Amelia looked up at him, seeming like what he had said was making her heart flutter more. The man in disguise swallowed, realising that he was making the situation worse.
"Not really, but perhaps it felt a bit forced", he tried to say.
"Ah, we only just met. But we have a slight fancy for each other. In all honesty, I assumed he was in love with someone else, but he did mention to me that that was not the case. So I guess he was hinting something? I don't know", she rambled her every thought into the flow of conversation.
"I see", Nate nodded, feeling heartbroken that she truly was in love with the Head Knight. It was not his place to have his own friend steal her when her heart was not available.
"Please give me a moment here", Amelia called, before bidding him to wait while she went and bought a parcel of hot bread cakes, some cheese and butter. After tendering the payment, the damsel hurried back to Nate's side and said, "I am certain Madame Mirie has not eaten dinner yet. It is imperative that I take it to her. Thank you for being here with me and understanding."
"It's a pleasure", he smiled, thinking of how kind she was.
"You did not even have to come all the way, though", she said as she knocked at the Florist's door.
"No, I did", the Cavalry chief nodded, before his eyes looked about the darkness to find the distant silhouette of the large hungry man he had sighted at the Boutique. It was chilling to consider how ardently he was following her.
Just then, the door opened and Amelia walked inside to go and tend to the woman. In the meantime, Nate laid wait outside, watching all the happenings of the streets and the patrolling duties, until she returned.
If the patrols were going smoothly, incidents such as Amelia's lack of safety could easily be avoided. Unless the knights themselves had ill intentions.
He watched as a certain man on patrol had been following them for a while, apart from the large man.
~