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. Knight Erion’s Signs to Amelia
Knight Erion's Signs to Amelia
~
Balcony of the Reading Association,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
Town of Crimsonton
Kingdom of Velicia,
Dawn of Morning,
The Tenth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
~
"It's not about you though, so don't worry that little head of yours", Knight Erion said as he reached to touch her nose.
Instinctively, Amelia flinched back, as though she was not one used to male touch. They blinked before she tried to pacify the situation with a smile. "Alright then."
The dark haired man realised that Amelia wasn't accustomed to being touched by a man casually and she wasn't intentionally trying to avoid him. But since she didn't mind holding his hand, he wondered if she didn't have much male company aside of her little brother.
He liked the thought of that, as opposed to the way Charlene was almost courted by a variety of men and it always felt like he was competing for his place with her.
"Come along now", he said, leading her outside to the lawn.
He had not intended to visit the manor until the evening, but since he knew that Amelia was heading there, he decided to drop by and hang out with her. If Charlene heard that he was out there with another woman and that he had been to the Estate but hadn't paid her a visit, Knight Erion knew that she would want him back.
She was not one to rest if his heart was leaning to some other damsel. After all, his chances of marrying someone like Amelia was much higher than a noble like Charlene.
So if he couldn't get her back, the least he wanted was to marry the Luna-dynn damsel from Drift-Combe as soon as he could, show Miss Charlene what he had won and move away to another province so he wouldn't have to witness her marrying another man or even the crown prince.
As the thoughts of vengeance and marriage were brewing in the man's mind, Amelia withdrew her hands from his arm and said, "I believe I should be going to work now. I have some errands to run on the way. Maybe we can meet up later?" she finished with a smile.
"Of course, of course", the man nodded, before running a hand through his curly brown hair. Then, with her by his side, he walked towards his horse as he asked, "We will be meeting up for dinner, won't we?"
"Yes, of course, we will", Amelia beamed.
"Wonderful", the green eyed knight winked.
"Uhm", she looked hesitant, like she wanted to ask him something.
"What is it?" Erion asked, hoping she wouldn't decline. He began harnessing the animal as he spoke.
"Would it be alright if my brother came along as well? I don't want to leave him alone, and I am sure he would love to meet you, since you're the Head Knight of our province and he is aspiring to become one", she asked, her eyes hopeful.
The man scratched the back of his neck looking about like he was disinterested. "I don't know, Mel. I really appreciate you and your brother, and I adore the way you have such a beautiful bond as siblings, but don't you think it's getting between us?" he tried to phrase it as kindly as possible.
Amelia looked hurt, like she was unsure.
Erion dropped the reins of his horse as he exhaled a sigh. "Please don't get me the wrong way, I don't mean it like that. I would never want to be unaccepting of your family, or separating you from him. I have a large family myself, and they're living far, but I still send them money. So I do love people who consider blood a priority, but I'm not comfortable with meeting people very much. So, maybe not right away?" he asked.
Amelia nodded, "I understand."
"Tonight is about just you and me, okay?" The dark haired man smiled. "I want to get to know you a lot."
There was the colour of blush spreading mildly over her cheeks, the way he loved to see it, and she asked, "But aren't you, maybe, seeing Miss Charlene? Would she be okay with our sharing a dinner?"
Erion clicked his tongue in annoyance, for it reminded him of the way the duke's daughter was acting up. "Don't worry, we aren't like that. We are merely friends. Very close, for sure, but as you may know already, there is no means either of us can have a future with each other. It's just not possible, since we are from different edges of society. If I am looking to invest my heart in a bride, it should be a girl I can marry. Or I don't entertain friendships", he answered.
"I see", there was a slow smile rising on her lips.
"I promise I will meet your brother another time, alright? I just don't want to be seeing people, it is not my best moments to be making new company. So once I get to know you much deeper, I will be comfortable meeting him as well. How does that sound?" he winked.
"Yes, yes, that sounds wonderful", she blushed again, eyes going down to her feet like she was shy.
Knight Erion knew that she wouldn't refuse him, for anything. He was a Head Knight in charge of a whole wing (although presently probated), and she wouldn't find a better match than that for her status.
And he loved the feeling of being her best choice.
"I will pick you up then", the man smiled, mounting his horse. "From the Boutique?"
"No, no, it's alright. I will be there myself. Where are we meeting?" she asked.
"Fresh Dish Tavern, is that alright with you?" the Knight asked.
"Yes, I will see you there", the damsel of long brown braided hair smiled, before she bid him goodbye and left the Estate, heading towards the Boutique.
Erion whipped his horse to a start and made his way Castle-ward. He glanced up to steal a glimpse at Miss Charlene's Balcony and noticed that the doors had been opened, for there was a trolley of tea there by the railing. She must have awoken and made her way out.
In that case, it was inevitable that she should have noticed his being close to Amelia.
But more importantly, he saw a scarlet ribbon tied to the railing of the flower clad balcony, which was a sign from Charlene for Erion to go and meet her. And seeing that she had tied that there, he knew she wanted to see him.
And that was precisely why he turned his horse towards the gates and made his way outside, heading away to start his day at work.
~