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.
87. Erion's Princess
Erion's Irritations
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The Estate of Duke Walterus,
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
~
Head Knight was most frustrated with Charlene's aloof behaviour towards him. The circumstance was obvious to be read. The Prince must have made a romantic gesture towards her and she was clearly swept off her feet.
But he further knew that until that morning, she had feelings for Erion. Therefore, the only way he could show her that he was frustrated by her playing games with his heart was to completely abstain from her.
The dark haired knight decided that he would not mind her even if she came back, chasing him, for a little while, until she could understand that he was no one to be taken for granted.
As he untied his horse and walked towards the gates of the Estate, reins in hand, he saw a familiar carriage driving in.
He knew it was the one Baron Sean used.
Yet another streak of irritation crossed the Head Knight's face as he watched the wealthy noble descend from his chariot. It was evident that he was there to meet Miss Charlene and present her with odes of love, under the pretext of posting an opinion at the Reading Association's Bulletin.
The men crossed each other's paths with strained smiles of greeting for they assumed themselves to be rivals completing for the damsel's hand.
"Good evening", Barron Sean nodded, with a smile.
"Yes, good evening to you too", Knight Erion replied.
"Were you here to post an opinion?" the aristocrat asked, as though he was hoping the man had not met the daughter of the household.
"No, I came by to meet Charlene. But I believe she is off to bed now", the dark haired knight responded, like he was still in close and favourable affiliation with her.
Baron Sean's countenance darkened considerably, and he could not curtain his expression. "I see", the man nodded, before huffing a breath.
"I look forward to seeing your opinion tomorrow", Erion smiled, before leaving on his horse.
After crossing the gates of the Estate and making his way homewards, he noticed that Baron Sean's carriage returning immediately, as though the man had changed his mind about posting what he had brought.
The knight knew that the man wished to return some other time when he was sure the damsel he wished to see was available.
With a sigh, Erion was on his way, intending to read a good deal of the novel given for their reading that week. And his mind was made to avoid Charlene until she would be back to make his company.
As he made his way homeward, the man saw his subordinate, Knight Roden strolling around the streets of Crimsonton, like he was on patrol duty.
With a pleasant feeling, Erion rode his way towards the man and received an excited smile and waving from his friend. "How is the patrol going?" the Head Knight asked, as he dismounted his horse.
"It's been going so much better than I'd expected", Roden chuckled, bumping a fist against Erion's arm.
"Is that so?" the dark haired knight quirked an eyebrow at his friend.
"Yes", the olive haired knight answered, smiling broadly. Then, casting a cautious glance over his shoulder, he leaned close to Erion and said, "Amelia seems to be working in the Boutique at this street. I've been eyeing her nearly all day during patrol, and I'm beginning to think she truly is a beautiful doll I'd like to make my own."
The dark haired Head Knight swallowed the knot in his chest. After the way Charlene was playing games with his heart, being nice when he wasn't and being distant when she met the Prince, Erion had been beginning to consider if he should entertain a potential relationship with her.
But the amount of interest Roden was showing in her was concerning. But after having started it off, it would be rude to sever their growing friendship. Especially since he knew he would eventually try to convince Charlene to marry him.
So he said, "Yes, she truly is a lovely lady. Did you meet her or talk to her?"
Roden scratched his shabby olive hair before shrugging, "Well, I did try to, but she was rather busy. And so I watched her wherever she went. I did talk to her once, but she was off in a hurry and I didn't get to keep it up."
"Where was she going?" Erion asked, curious.
The subordinate knight chuckled, "That's actually what I asked her. She mentioned that her little brother was heading somewhere from the School House and so she was heading there to spend lunch hours with him. I sort of did offer to eat with her, but she declined. Maybe some other day." There was another shrug, but the man looked delighted, like he was ready to fall in love after having found the person.
The Head Knight nodded, feeling a dark sensation brewing in his stomach. He knew that Amelia fancied him, for she had made an effort to talk to him over some man who'd saved her in the dead of the night. She had also blushed a great deal while talking to him the previous day after the Book Association's meeting.
Thus, Erion knew that she would pick him if he gave it a shot and actually wooed her. But he had not expected Roden to pursue her as immediately as he did.
"Alright then", the man heaved, before giving his friend a smile. "I am finished with duty for the day. I wish to be taking some rest. Have a good day now", Erion folded the conversation.
"Well, my hours of patrol are ending too, but this is the first time I am motivated to continue staying on duty. I'll be home late. You can get the boys to dine with you at Fresh Dish Cafeteria. I won't be around for a while", the olive haired knight smiled, before walking away.
As Head Knight Erion rode his horse down the street, he noticed Amelia talking to some tall hooded man, standing behind his tall horse. A sense of jealousy churned in his stomach and he wanted to investigate.
~