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. The taste of Revenge
"No, sir", she shook her head, "A friend of mine asked me to come here with him, but he left for a nap and asked me to stay by until he returns and escorts me home."
"An uncommon place to bring a naïve companion as you", he said, folding his arms like he was struck by how irresponsible her companion was.
"Well, he was giving me immediate company all this while", the maiden tried. Just then, all the lamps were being lit for the dancers' performance. "So it's quite alright. He is a protective friend otherwise, there's no need to worry", she went on. Her voice was still in curdles, hitching in her throat.
The tall stranger's eyes shifted to the lights and with a quick nod to wat she was saying, he lent her a hand. "You should take a seat."
"R-right", she nodded, placing her soft hand in his large palm, realising that her nails were still shivering. Her body was jittery, since the tension that the creep had caused her hadn't left, although the new companion she had had a calming effect.
The damsel of long curly hair took the only available seat, while the hooded stranger took to leaning against the counter.
Soon, the women began dancing, receiving a great lively audience from the men at the tavern. And that was when Amelia noticed that the lights from the furnace and the lanterns were rendering the dancers' garments transparent, till the shadows of their body were visible against the light.
She looked over to glance at him, wondering if he had meant for her to be seated and prevent her skirts from being lit up, which could have had her feel embarrassed. A soft smile tugged at her lips when she noticed that his eyes were scanning the people in the room, barely even engaged by the beautiful dance.
Amelia wondered what his purpose was, for he had not drunk, nor seemed to be a familiar man from the locality. With such thoughts colouring her mind, she gazed about the place and its people, before a familiar couple caught her eyes.
It was Head Knight Erion, whose attention wasn't at the dance, but was completely devoted to the beautiful Charlene Walterus, who was present there next to him, talking ceaselessly. He was holding her hand passively and smiling as he nodded, gaze soft and pleased.
Amelia felt like a large stone had crushed her heart and pierced it through. It was difficult to tear her eyes away from the two, like she was memorising her heartache. She tried to swallow slowly, but felt her tears returning to the back of her eyes.
As she watched, the damsel felt someone's gaze upon her and looked up at her new hooded companion staring at her. "Is that your friend?" he asked, voice low.
The damsel sniffed, her chest inflating with air, before she exhaled slowly and smiled a bitter smile, saying, "No, no, this isn't him." she didn't want to be embarrassed. He stared at her for a moment longer, with a distant unsaid gaze, before turning his attention away.
Amelia looked down at her lap, feeling tears of hurt feelings spill down to her hands that were clutching folds of her skirt tight. She was grateful for her long and abundant hair falling about her and shielding her crying from the eyes of the people around.
Then, wiping her nose and eyes thoroughly, she looked up to see that Erion and Charlene remained the same, the knight's eyes drunk on love and fascination for the lady before him. Amelia slowly reached her hand to the cloak of the stranger who had helped has and tugged softly.
He looked over with an arched brow and she said, "I wish to go home. Thank you for helping me today."
The tall man pushed his weight off the counter and helped her down the tall seat. "I shall accompany you", he offered.
"No, no, it is quite alright, thank you. Please, I wouldn't want to trouble you any further", she said, before her mind tugged her with the thought of the eerie feeling of being watched. She didn't want to end up getting kidnapped on her way home.
"No, I insist", the man said, leading her protectively to the door. –whats your name, lance, what do u do, merchant, jasper where? Some men are standing about the corners of the streets, hooded, with weapons, he makes eye contact with them, shady. He leaves once she's near home.
While leaving her: "I am sorry your friend couldn't escort you home."
"No, it is quite fine; it isn't like he owes me anything."
There was a brow quirked.
"I-", Amelia hesitated to say the words, "He is nothing more than just a friend. We do not owe to protect each other, nor meant to."
The tall companion took a long hard gaze at her before nodding slow. His voice was husky as he spoke, "Will you be alright by yourself for the night?"
When the damsel opened her mouth to answer, her lips quivered and she did not speak, but simple nodded.
The man quietly opened his arms and she fell into his embrace, tears spilling onto his garments again. It was that old sensation where you could hold your emotions inside for as long as you stay strong, but once your fort is broken down by a friend, the tears wouldn't stop coming. "It was him", she mumbled against his chest.
The man did not say anything in response, but simply ran his hands through her soft hair.
Then, a glance shot across the street to one of the mysterious men loitering in the dark, and he took a swift step back and bowed, "I hope to meet you soon another time, m'dear." (my Queen)
Amelia felt heat spread over her neck and cheeks before she smiled and nodded, holding her skirts in a curtsy. His manners were regal and princely, making her wonder if he truly was a common merchant. Perhaps he was a distinguished gentleman from some distant kingdom, where protecting women was common culture?