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.
84. Sense and Responsibility
Sense and Responsibility
~
The Personal Office Chambers of Crown Prince Rayzenn,
The Western Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
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
~
"I heard Amelia is only friends with Erion as of now. She isn't in a true relationship. It does not seem like much of a love, but possibly just something at the bud. I was inspecting the knights on patrol and crossed paths with the damsel herself. It seemed like she has talked about 'Lance' with her brother. Your persona seems to be a surreal part of her life. I thought it would be important to inform you that there is still hope", Nate said.
As opposed to the excitement he had expected from his companion, there was a darkening of his expression.
Then, the Prince said, "You don't understand, do you? I don't want to give myself that kind of hope. Please, Nate. I appreciate all the efforts you've taken for my sake, but no more false hopes. I don't want to hear of this Amelia again, I want to recover from her."
Prince Rayzenn realised that his friend Nate looked hurt when his reply was rendered. In fact, he truly had been upset with the events, but after Aaron had told him various things, he realised that it honestly was unviable to marry a person as Amelia and setting his expectations to reality would be more rational.
But seeing his friend so low after giving him the facts at face value did not sit right with the man. And so he sighed and leaned forward to say, "There still hasn't been a day I haven't thought of her. Even yesterday, when Aunt Eliza had called Lady Hildeth here for new clothes she could wear to the Castle of Reagin, I had inquired the woman of Amelia, since I knew she was working there. But after last night, I'm realising how much of a chasm there is between us and now she fancies a new man. It is not my place to take her for myself selfishly."
Nate had a downcast expression as he nodded silently. "Have you been with Aaron all day?" he asked.
"Yes, we were dealing with work all morning", the Prince replied.
"Well, he isn't wrong in what he is saying", the cavalry chief leaned back in his chair, running hands through his blond hair like he was giving up on his fantasies.
The Crown Prince shrugged in response.
"But I truly do appreciate that you took such efforts to meet her for my sake today", he said, feeling genuinely touched.
"Ah well, what does it matter now?" Nate said, giving him a sad smile.
Rayzenn returned the expression, feeling his heart broiling within. After all, it was difficult to take responsibility and do what was right after having entertained fantasies for so long.
"I saw Miss Charlene today at the Central Halls. When I have no means of escaping marriage, I will just take her for a wife and surrender to the partition of the Kingdom. I don't have much more time for games, for reality is so close", the dark haired prince said.
Nate nodded, "She is a good woman and she will surely be thrilled to marry you", he said.
Rayzenn nodded pensively. "She deserves better than a man who had his heart pledged to another lady, you know. I can't have her hurt like that, since she seems to be a woman who values loyalty", he said, eyes reflective of his thoughts.
"I understand. But bear in mind, the rest of us can hold on to our fears of marriage and stay as we are. You cannot run forever, since the partition of the kingdom awaits it. So making it as pleasant as possible is in your hands", the blond cavalry chief said.
"Indeed", the Prince nodded.
"So, which of us is going to Reagin with her Highness and Prince Francis?", Nate asked, and Rayzenn knew that it was to change the subject.
"Reid will be accompanying them. He is familiar with the land and his assistance would be greatly useful there", the dark haired man answered. After all, Reid, their chief of Artillery was the man that was an envoy, delivering letters and gifts from the Kingdom of Velicia to the castle of Prince Francis' fiancée.
"I see", the cavalry chief nodded. "I assumed Zebedee would go", he said.
"No, a fleet of ships will be importing important material next week since I have arranged trade routes with a neighbouring kingdom. Zeb will have duties to attend to", the Prince replied, regarding his Naval commander.
"It's good to know that we are arranging for the future of our province. We will make a powerful nation once the partition is over", Nate said, a rich does of pride prominent in his voice.
The very tone of his words brought a smile to Rayzenn's lips, for he was realising how strong they would become.
The men shared their moment of patriotism, before Nate asked, "Does Prince Francis know that there were rumours of the Princess' infidelity spreading in her land?"
"I believe he should. I never spoke to him about it, but Reid should have told them as soon as he'd returned", the Prince said, giving the man a shrug.
"You didn't speak to him about it?" Nate asked, frowning.
"Well, I haven't been inclined to marrying. Can't be disrupting my brother's betrothal as well. Or they'll disown me and all of us together", he chuckled and his companion laughed along.
"Ah, well. Prince Francis has a rather calm outlook towards married life, like it is more of a duty than emotions. As long as the lady is faithful and dutiful, taking departments into her hands, he should be satisfied", Nate said.
"True", Rayzenn nodded, realising how much he wished to be as indifferent.
Then, Nate clicked his tongue, before rising to his feet. "Alright, I've slacked enough in duties by far. Might as well get to training before I call it a night." With a wink, he left the office chambers, leaving Rayzenn alone there with his thoughts.
~