Although there were plenty of attractive men in the capital, none of them could actually match this man who was making his way towards them.
She swallowed.
The adjective 'handsome' would be an understatement. He was stunningly gorgeous. His razor-sharp features were out of this world.
Ilene fearlessly peered at the man's unfamiliar countenance. Her heart leapt into her throat as their eyes met.
Her attention was pulled to his metallic-silver irises, something dark and menacing lurking behind them. His cheekbones high. His obsidian black hair was slicked back, leaving only a few strands to fall beyond his dark eyebrows.
The bulky white coat with ebony fox fur at its neckline concealed his masculine macho frame.
However, the attire he wore was in complete contrast with how he presented himself. His intimidating presence exuded a sense of high nobility and he seemed to be someone of high- ranking official.
He took his seat across from the Queen. Ilene now realized why the seat had previously been vacant since it had been reserved for him.
The talk and murmuring that had earlier filled the hall came to an abrupt end when the man entered, leaving a resounding silence.
He joined them by gracefully raising his glass in the air. "Let's formally welcome my arrival in the Valkyrie Capital." His corner of lips stretched into a wide smile. The voice's deep harsh yet honeyed, that growled akin to her stomach.
While, the wine on Ilene's hand threatened to spill as her hand shook in his presence with questioning expression plastered on her face.
"Greetings to you, Your Grace." The maidens said in a chorus.
"Let's welcome Duke Alexavier Calbourne of the Calbourne Dukedom!" Rosalind exclaimed with excitement. Everyone began to whirl around and gossip as soon as his name was mentioned. And they couldn't contain their enthusiasm and eagerness to know about him more.
"And he's one of the suitors for this year's social season, too." The Queen finished her words.
With this announcement, each damsel maintained themselves with a flawless posture and a refined manner, gracefully lifting their heads as if they had never done so before.
Ilene could already sniffle a sense of fakeness from them. The infamous Duke of Calbourne Dukedom?
The same Duke who was at the forefront and aided the present monarch in the battles and to tackle with the enemies.
The entire Valkyrie Clan has sung the song of his bravery and praised him for the hero he was. However, they were also aware of his brutality and cruelty toward his enemies.
The King and Queen hosted numerous banquets to commemorate his victory, but the list of him declining the invitation is longer than the list of him accepting the invitation.
To sum up, he avoids making social appearances. So why was he here right now?
Is something cooking inside his head?
Has he been feeling the urge to wife someone? Or does he pose a risk to the capital?
Ilene racked her brain for answers to the unanswered absurd notions that had been prowling through her mind.
Ilene can't believe how much he had piqued her interest to the point that she believes Alexavier has a purpose for coming to the capital.
And In a split second, chilling spider-like fingers raced up and down her spine. Ominous thoughts clawed at the back of her mind. A series of flashbacks began playing before her eyes. Her vision became hazy and blurry.
Her legs trembled and she felt the urge to run.
Ilene jerked a sharp breath and stood up, before departing from the hall, without bidding proper farewell to anyone. Considering how helpless she was to save herself, she couldn't care less about others.
Her gown brushed against the floor, Ilene lifted the hem of her skirt as she struggled to walk in the pair of heels.
Ilene managed to hurry to the balcony after taking a few steps. She passed the thick, muslin curtains, which were flapping in the breeze. Her skin was licked by the icy cold air.
A strange pain pricked her chest and a lump of unease tightened around her throat. The ambience started to suffocate her.
HUFF!
Ilene was panting heavily from the copious amounts of perspiration that covered her entire body. Her damp brow was petted by her fingers.
Ilene had dealt with situations similar to this before. In actuality, it was one of the many occasions.
Her mother instantly sprang to mind. Iris used to soothe her during such times, but with nobody around, Ilene was in the depths of her pain.
The pain was becoming unbearable to the point she had to hop on the railings for support. It felt like razor blades were slicing through her body. Soon, the grip loosened as her hands began to tremble like a leaf.
Her knees weakened, challenging her to maintain her balance. Ilene was aware of what would happen next, but she wasn't prepared for it.
She swallowed, her throat dry and parched.
Before things could get any worse, a warm, tentative hand lightly grazed her arm. With the warmth of his touch that radiated making a home in Ilene's body, she was quick to regain her consciousness. The heat of his palm seeping into her flesh.
A final drop of sweat dripped down her spine. If not for that man's hand, a severe tremor would have overtaken her.
But, he retreated his hand from her arm as quickly as he had placed it. "The starry night sky is the truest friend in life, isn't it?"
Ilene nearly jumped out of her skin. She'd had no idea she wasn't alone in the balcony. On some other day- any other day, Ilene would've judged the owner of the voice approaching her. But not today. She had no time for such frivolity.
"Perhaps you are here to enjoy the night view, Ms. Valkyrie?" he asked.
"The banquet is inside. If you have lost your path, then turn right from here and you can join the hawkers inside." She flicked her hand towards the door, without turning around.
It was an obvious dismissal, but the young man just stood there, facing her back with a rather inscrutable expression.
"I am very much aware of that, Ms. Valkyrie." He responded. "Why are you tensing up like I wasn't supposed to find you here? Surely this land has only one brave female warrior and that is you, Ilene Valkyrie."
"Brave female warrior?" Ilene chuckled. "If you are here to make my fun then you better quit it because I have no interest in joining you."
"No. There are funnier things in life. Why would I make fun of you?" He was nonchalant with his tone and expression.
"Aw right." Ilene nodded.
"Instead, it's remarkable to see a woman like you exist and achieve greater things. Congratulations, Ms. Valkyrie." He smiled expectantly.
"Thanks." She gave a tight smile. "At least there is a man in the capital who appreciates my braveness, after Theron. Otherwise, everyone else is behind me, eager to marry me off."
"Bitter but true." Yet, the young man was not done with his questions. "And you are here so that you could escape this fate of yours?"
Ilene practically cried from his questions. She can't possibly tell him the actual reason, but a little bit of fabricated reason would be fine.
After a moment of silence, Ilene spoke. "Alexavier Calbourne. He is the reason. I couldn't tolerate his presence there. He is also one of the suitors for the upcoming social season. So, I spared his chance to choose me as his bride because I am too good to be courted by him." she grounded out.
"I see." His face grew thoughtful. "Then, what about me? Am I eligible to court you and make you my bride?" He again asked after she had not once turned around to see who she was speaking to.
Ilene glanced behind her, back towards him. "I do not know who you are." she sighed.
"Right. This is Alexavier Calbourne. Just Alexavier would be fine." He held his arms out to the sides.
Ilene went still. So still that she would have sworn her blood stopped flowing. "D-Duke?" Her eyes widened as soon as she immediately spun on her heels to face the masculine presence behind her.