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.
93. The Vintage Tavern
The Vintage Tavern,
Avenues of the Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Darkling hours of Nightfall,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"E-Erion?" Amelia called, standing at the lamppost outside the tavern, holding on to Lance's cloak as tight as she could, for there were many men around.
"Char?" the man looked over, before blinking a couple of times. "Oh Amelia! Mel!"
The damsel felt like an arrow had pierced her heart, but his soon recollection was consoling. "Did you have a heavy drink?" she asked, concerned.
"Yes, I guess I went a bit too hard", he massaged his forehead, seeming slightly bitter. "But what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home?" he asked.
"Yes, I was on my way home, but a man attacked me on the way and I'm a bit frightened to be going alone. I need to get back now, and I was wondering if you could take me", Amelia asked, feeling like she was disturbing him.
"Ahh", he rubbed the back hesitantly, before nodding, "Alright, I'll be right with you. You can wait outside and I'll come", he said.
"Thank you, Erion", the damsel beamed, before walking away to the side of the street. She looked over to where Lance had been waiting on his stallion. He was still there, watching her intently, but did not react when she looked at him.
Just then, another man from the tavern seemed to be making his way towards Lance and the two were conversing.
Soon, Knight Erion returned and looked down at her with a sort of smile. "Let's get you home, shall we?" he said, rubbing his hands.
"Yes, please. Thank you very much", she said, holding the cloak firm. She turned to see Lance, but he did not seem to be there anymore, and Amelia felt saddened by the thought that he could have left.
"So", the dark haired knight began, seeming like he was tired. "Who was the man that attacked you?"
"Sir Grendin, from the Boutique", she said, unsure of whether she should share any more with him.
"Why? Did he have something against you to begin with?" the man probed, seeming interested in conversing with her.
"Well, he found out that I'm part of the book club and he told me he'd tell Lady Hildeth that I've been slacking away during labour hours. So now I'm anxious, since he said he'd hold back if I don't give him what he wants", Amelia said.
"Oh", Erion looked down at her, eyes wide with shock. "By 'attacked you', you mean he tried to..." the man seemed to be considering how he would phrase his words, before he finished, "...take advantage of you?"
"I-I think so?" Amelia replied.
"Did he try to undress you?" the man asked, seeming a lot more serious, his gaze running down the large cloak that was curtaining her and trailing down the street, like it was oversized.
"Yes", she answered, rather flustered. "But I evaded anything further from there", she said.
"That's good to hear", the knight nodded, seeming rather impressed. "He must have chased you though. I'd be surprised he let you go when you look that gorgeous", the man chuckled.
Amelia blushed, giving his a nudge with her elbow. "Well, frankly, he did, but thankfully someone stepped in to save me and knocked the guy out of his senses almost. And he leant me his cloak since my gown was in no shape for me to be seen in", the damsel was growing flustered the more she recounted.
"Who saved you?" Erion asked, seeming irked. He did not look like he liked the thought of another guy taking her side.
"A gentleman by the name Lance. I assume he's a foreign merchant", the damsel replied.
"Doesn't sound like anyone I know around here. And I know practically everybody", the knight said, eyes on the road ahead.
"Perhaps he is around temporarily? He did mention he was from afar…" Amelia tried to make sense of the man's whereabouts.
Knight Erion shrugged, before saying, "I don't trust him. He possibly had impure intentions for you as well. You can never trust a man at night."
The young damsel knew it wasn't true, but she thought back to how possessive Lance had been, holding on to her despite her pushing away from him. It had felt wonderful while it had lasted, but with what Erion had just told her, she was unsure.
Snuggling into the warmth of the cloak, she looked up to the man beside her with a sudden realisation, and said, "Aw, but he lent me this cape!"
The knight ran his eyes over it and said, "No wonder it's too long. But it seems to be battered and old. Perhaps he's a man without much wealth?"
"Perhaps, so. But he is kind", Amelia smiled to her companion, who seemed far more aloof than before. He did not say anything in response, but simply carried on till the Village of Drift-combe.
"Alright now", the knight stopped, when the edge of the village had been reached, and he rubbed the nape of his neck sleepily. "Will you be safe from here onwards?" he asked.
"Yes, of course! Thank you so much, Erion", the damsel smiled broad.
"My place is quite close from here, so if you need any help, you can always rap at my door and I'll be there", the man said, with tired smile.
"Ah, that is so kind. Thank you, Erion", Amelia smiled, feeling warm within. "Good night", she wished, before heading towards the road the led home-wards.
The walk back to the cottage was eerie and cold, with the sinister feeling of being watched. Several times, Amelia turned around to see if she was being followed and sure enough, it felt like there was someone in a distance watching her.
But she hurried home as fast as she could, desperate to avoid another incident where she wouldn't have anyone to rescue her.
Unbeknownst to her, there was a man in the shadows watching Amelia until she had safely reached the cottage and then he walked away, indifferent.