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.
70. Prince Rayzenn’s Contemplations on Marriage
Prince Rayzenn's Contemplations on Marriage
~
Crown Prince Rayzenn's Personal Office,
The Western Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Prince Rayzenn was in his office, in the West wing of the Imperial Castle, reading the various intelligence reports and petitions submitted before him. Aaron was by his side, while the other of his men were out in the field.
When they had returned from the expedition the previous night, the men had each reported what they had observed during the trip, and the young heir to the crown gathered that there were no threat of wars and his province of the kingdom was at safety and peace, save the one incident where a man had tried to force himself on a young lady. But he had personally taken care of that.
After many nights of terrible nightmares, Prince Rayzenn had finally had his first pleasant dream that morning. It had been more of a remembrance of what had happened about a few months ago, but he was elated to be recollecting it and reliving those moments.
It had been the night he was disguised as an old traveller along with Nate, staying by the side of the street, as they had listened in on all the passing rumours and talk of the town.
The Prince and his men had been surveying the economic ways of the people of the village of Drift-Combe, after the Imperial Castle's Demographic and Civil Affairs Deartment had found that the locality bore the greatest count families who were highly in debt.
Just as he had passed the streets, noticing frugality in all the wares they used, he had been curious to see how desperate they would be to steal. There were three rings he had at the moment, and he decided that he would observe as Nate dropped one of them on the floor, passing by casually.
Within moments, an old man who had been watching the disguised Cavalry Chief for a while picked it up and quietly pocketed it. The second was taken by a woman with a child in her arms, but no words were said.
The last one, as Nate had dropped and walked on, a young damsel of dark curling long hair had called out to him, bringing the ring and asking, "Is this yours, Sir? I believe you may have lost it."
Stunned, the man nodded, taking the jewel back and said, "Yes, thank you. I'm pleased that you would return it."
"Well, I couldn't walk away. I've been stolen from many times and I know it is quite painful when you decide to repay your debts with it, but then find that you've lost it", she had shrugged.
Presently, Rayzenn reckoned that his dream had come since he had slept the night with her cloak close by and her scent had intoxicated him with dreams of the first time he had seen her.
The Prince had been fairly mesmerised by her ethics and had taken an interest in noticing her more often, despite the hesitations he held towards marriage.
During the discussion with his gentlemen, Reid had commented that Amelia was just dumb for having passed up an opportunity of becoming rich. But it was exactly that childish innocence about her that had intrigued him.
He had subsequently seen her providing bread to the needy and make time for orphans and had considered the prospects of getting close to her, but the circumstances had never been favourable.
But presently, it seemed like she had gotten into a relationship and that was something he should have expected in the course of his long wait.
Reminiscing the past was pointless, for the man needed to concentrate on his own predicaments and future. In order to please his family and people, he was in a position where he could only marry Miss Charlene Walterus.
And he knew that the damsel deserved all his love and devotion, should they ever see a wedding. Thus, he decided to take some time and forget Amelia Luna-dynn and heal from the feelings, before dedicating his heart to the new damsel he would be forced to marry.
The man's long dark hair slid down his shoulder as he gathered it and secured it at his nape. Then, turning to Aaron, he asked, "So Duke Walterus' daughter is known for being loyal?"
The man who had been spying the tavern secretively the previous night nodded, "Yes, sire. There were a few knights there for a drink and they were speaking of the various prospects she had had, despite which she remains without indulging in relationships despite the break of her engagement."
Rayzenn nodded, before asking, "Cryspus Lemiron? Wasn't he the one she had been betrothed to?"
"Yes, Sire. But I believe he married another baroness, Lucia and is settled", Aaron replied.
"I see. I know him, he was a close acquaintance of mine", the prince said, his face twisting into a bitter expression.
He had not particularly enjoyed Cryspus' company before, for the young man was constantly obsessed with influencing other people's opinions. But he did oft visit the Imperial Castle once a while to formally meet Rayzenn regarding business.
"The men at the tavern were speaking of Baron Cryspus pursuing Miss Charlene in secret even after his marriage, but apparently, the damsel did not relent. She is strong willed and highly devoted", the infantry captain relayed since the previous night's disguised visit.
The prince's brows had shot up, before he asked, "Isn't he married though?"
"Exactly why it's as scandalous as it is. But do bear in mind, it is not easy to reject a man she once loved with all her heart when he is chasing her. So the fact that she still stayed her ground and remained without attachment is admirable", Aaron said.
The dark haired son of the throne nodded, knowing that he was right. Miss Charlene Walterus truly did seem to be a remarkable woman.
He just needed to heal from his hesitations towards marriage and please his family by taking her to be his wife, so he could ascend the throne.
For how strong she seemed to be he knew she wouldn't be rebounding on him despite her recent breakup. And so he wanted to be sure he wouldn't be rebounding on her after his episode of unrequited love.
Just then, there was a knock on his door, and a young lad reported, "The Head Knight of the West Wing, Erion is here to see you, Sire."
"Yes, let him enter."
~