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.
17. Gaining the Grace of the Knights
GAINING THE GRACE OF THE KNIGHTS
~
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Early hours of the morning,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"I'm quite close to Roden, who's one of the Knight's men. He should be able to lend us the support of getting you in", said Daren, taking Amelia outside to the courtyard. The damsel hasted to press the wrinkles off her skirt and vest, hoping to look presentable enough for their favour.
Once the two were outside in the garth, the young lad led her swiftly towards the oak trees where the knights were basking in the cool shade and chattering away.
For the scandalous news that was mastering the towns regarding their slackness in laying watch against the beasts that attacked the village of Drift-combe and their inability to deal with the vigilantism and capture the unknown lawbreakers, the men seemed far too carefree.
Her eyes subconsciously searched for Knight Erion, although she knew he wouldn't be there. He was present at the Estate in order to meet the Prince and be confronted regarding the vigilante activity that escaped the surveillance of his charge.
"Hey!" Daren called, winning the attention of the blithe knights.
"Daren", some of them smiled, in casual invitation. "Have you brought us your treats?"
"Not food", her blue haired friend chuckled, "but certainly a delicacy for company. This is my friend Amelia", he introduced, stepping aside and allowing her to be presented.
The men nodded, giving her glances and judgements, for they seemed not to know her. The dame had wondered if they were the ones that had been in the vigilantism that previous night, for they were quite close in duty to Knight Erion.
She curtsied and smiled, "Hello"
"She writes stories for leisure", Daren continued, "And I was wondering if you could add her to your Literature association. I believe she will make a great member." This he said, to Roden, a knight of olive coloured, dishevelled overgrown hair, like it was more unkempt than maintained to be long, beards and moustaches mastering his face at will and unseasoned, but a clean face with an adventurous expression.
The man, in response, rubbed the nape of his neck, giving her a once over. "You aren't amongst the nobles though, are you?" he asked.
Amelia shook her head 'no' in response. The men exchanged glances before looking back to her. "It is with Miss Charlene to add or remove members at the club, but I can ask her, since you are a blooming writer. Do not let your expectations of hope exceed you though", he shrugged.
"Well, I thought perhaps adding commoners to your society would make it more pleasing and gain the favour of the townsfolk for you", Daren suggested.
Roden gave a slow, contemplative nod, before nodding again, saying, "I will make mention of that notion with Miss Charlene. The end, however, rests with her decision."
"We have a conference this after-noon, after the Prince's visit as well. May-be you would be invited there", another man, by the name Cylass, said.
"I would be honoured", the damsel of chestnut hair smiled.
"So, what do you write?" Jerish, one of the men asked, curious.
"Well", Amelia felt a smile of pure passion take control of her lips. "I write of my most cherished experiences and paint pictures to suit them, but I write these as if it has happened to some other fictional personage. And I will add a touch of fantasy to it to seem like it is a work far from reality or even myself. I weave these into a collection of stories and sell them to children's caretakers such as the local School House for money", said she. A dreamy expression lingering in her eyes betrayed that what she spoke of was from what was of deep happiness to her heart.
"And do you ever wish to publish them with your name on it some day? As a renowned author?" Cylass asked.
"It would be a dream come true, should such take the guise of reality", the damsel spilt a shy chuckle.
"Well, if you were to make publication, then what would you write? Childish fantasies or some other genre of real story for the attention of the older?" Roden asked, resting against the tree's bark.
Amelia fell silent for a moment, feeling foolish about her writing. She had never thought of it to be childish, for it was most adored and received by her people at the village. But since they were all her dear ones and well-wishers, she was unsure of whether their praise was true to the works. "I-I do not know, per-haps", she responded, thoughts and emotions scattered.
Just then, one of the maidens that had been around rang a call, running over to the company gathered in the shade of the oak tree and cried, "The Prince is coming! Head Knight Erion called the Knights to assemble at the front entrance to the main halls for greeting!"
~
I guess we can shift the pov to the Prince's side of the morning before we get back here.