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.
85. Opinions or Reality on the Bulletin
Opinions or Reality on the Bulletin
~
The Luna-dynn Cottage,
The Village of Drift-Combe,
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 was far too early when Amelia awoke from her sleep. The night had been wonderful and she could not wait for the rest of her day. She had finished reading the book and had an opinion she intended to post on the Bulletin before she could head to the Boutique.
She also needed to stop by Mister Flambent's workshop to collect some new dyes for Lady Hildeth. Factoring all of the things into her day, the damsel had arisen early and completed her tasks of getting ready.
The previous night, a man named Sir Jacob had bought her and her brother a great share of food lavishly at the Baker's and had settled payment and left without a goodbye.
Amelia wondered if he was on his way on the journey and maybe even had reached his home somewhere. She prayed specifically for the kind old man before proceeding forth.
Jasper woke up and came around, rubbing his eyes. "Up already?" he asked, his voice sounding groggy.
"Yes, I will be heading to the Reading Association to post an opinion", she said with a smile.
The young lad stared at her before folding his arms and leaning against the door frame of the kitchen, saying, "Weren't you complaining about the book just yesterday?"
"Well", she said, indecisively, still thinking. "My opinion isn't exactly the nicest thing. I just wanted to see what the others have written too", she answered.
"You just want to go find your friends and see if they're around, don't you?" the boy raised a brow.
"Okay, that's enough, go eat your soup", she huffed, before scurrying away to tie her hair in a braid.
Once she was finished, she wished her brother good bye and was off towards the Town. On the way, she found Knight Erion standing about and talking to Knight Roden.
"Hey", she called, waving excitedly as she ran towards them and the men turned about to see her, faces lighting up. "How come you're all up today?" she asked, voice chirpy.
"Our duties start earlier starting today and we can't afford being late. How about you?" Knight Erion asked.
"Got work?" Roden smiled, and Amelia didn't know why he was being as nice to her after being as disrespectful about her writing back at the Club.
"Well, I was planning on paying a visit to the Walterus Estate so I could post an opinion", she said, patting the book in hand.
"Aw, have you finished reading?" the subordinate knight asked, shocked.
"Well, yes", the damsel giggled. "I stayed up two nights. But it isn't a new novel; I had finished reading it back when it was freshly published."
"Oh wow", the olive haired knight exclaimed, "I haven't even started it yet. Is it good?"
"Um", she hesitated. "I can't say it was my favourite, but the concept was new I guess. And since it is based on a real event, that no surviving person was present at as far as everyone knows, the author has taken it in his stride to set his fiction there", she said, trying to sound neutral.
The men nodded. "I never thought of the historical parts of it. The love story and the characters were quite enticing though", Knight Erion said, with a shrug.
"Well, that is the main focus anyway", Amelia admitted, realising that not everyone would think of the politics. After all, she was the only descendant of the race.
"Do you buy books as soon as they are published?" Roden asked.
"No, actually, I can't afford to be so lavish. But the town librarian is a kind woman and she allows me to read the books in exchange for favours", she smiled.
"She probably just asks you to be around her and lets you read so she can see you more often. Who wouldn't want a sweetheart like you to be right with them all day long?" Head Knight Erion smiled.
Something about what he said made her heart flutter and she giggled, saying, "Aw, you're just being kind."
The olive haired knight cleared his throat, as though he was uncomfortable, before turning his attention, "Alright we will be late if this keeps up."
"Okay then, good bye", Amelia smiled, waving to the two. Then, she made her way towards the Estate of Duke Walterus.
She knew she wouldn't meet Erion there, but she was excited to have seen him right in the morning. After all, he had promised to treat her to dinner that night as well. Her heart raced at the thought of it.
Flashing her card to the security guards, the damsel made her way inside and climbed the stairs along the back of the manor to reach the balcony of the Reading Association.
She read her opinion over again before pinning it to the bulletin board.
"I admire the sheer amount of history in the novel, but it is only as dependable since it is fiction. We cannot base the true affairs of the event based on a novel"
She was growing anxious of whether people would disagree with her. Then, she looked about to see if there were any other posts made to the board.
There seemed to be none and she decided to leave and return some other time to read the rest.
Just as the damsel descended the stairs, she saw Knight Erion riding into the courtyard, upon horseback.
Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the man galloping in, before the gripping fear of whether he was there to see the daughter of the manor constricted her heart. Brown braid sashaying behind her, she reached the landing and smiled, as the man descended from his mare and walked over.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
"Well, I had an opinion that I had decided to post in the evening. But since you're here. I thought I would do it nice to drop by and post it with you", the man smiled.
~