"Hello, Miss. Valkyrie." Ilene shivered at his voice.
"I—I—" Ilene cursed herself for stuttering. However, she attempted to appear brave as she peered up into his eyes.
His mouth twisted into a devilish smile. "You—?"
Ilene made a deep curtsy. If it had been feasible from anatomical standpoint, she would have scraped her forehead on the ground. "I am very sorry, Your Grace."
Alexavier reached down, holding her hand and pulling her back up by the shoulders. "Not Your Grace. Call me Alexavier." He cooed with an amused smile.
Ilene was sure that there were no words to adequately express how miserable her situation was right now. But she made an effort. "I sincerely apologize." Her pulse raced. "If I had known you were who you claimed to be..."
"What would you have done? Not told me that I missed my chance to court you?" Alexavier let out a dark chuckle. He was teasing her. It was audible in his voice.
Alexavier seemed like a nice man with a pleasant appearance. He hadn't taken off in a rage because of what she did.
"Well…" Ilene looked for words that would possibly be appropriate for this situation. "Yes. No, I mean. Your Grace, I truly apologize."
"Alexavier," he corrected.
Ilene found him to be kind and compassionate. A complete different person from what she had learned about him in the capital.
Alexavier surprised her when he took her hand. His thumb traced the divots in her knuckles as it moved over her delicate hand bones. Then, he kissed the back of her hand and her body tingled in response to his touch.
That instant moment, Ilene felt something. Something she didn't know how to describe, except whatever it was that this Duke was doing to her was obviously working because she couldn't take her eyes off of him. But, the problem was he had done nothing from the beginning.
"Mr. Calbourne would be fine." Ilene cleared her throat.
He gave a nod. "Of course, that was before I learned that you don't wish to be courted by me."
"I didn't say that." She replied quickly.
"I see, you did."
"It's not—" Ilene shook her head apologetically. "I did not know you at that moment."
"I also didn't know you, except that you no longer desire to be my bride." He tapped his chin pensively.
"There are many more important things in life besides being someone's bride." Ilene retorted, lifting her chin in defiance.
Alexavier shook his head in disbelief at the woman before him.
Magnificent. Limitless. Incomparable.
"I have heard about your intelligence and bravery, but no one told me about your beauty." A mischievous smile lingered on his lips. Leaning forward, his mouth brushed her ear. He towered over her, making her quiver and shrink.
His warm breath fanning against her earlobes at this very instant. It tickled.
"You might be too lovely for me to court you." Alexavier continued, "People will talk." He tipped his head, flashing a sinister smile. "Given that I am a dangerous man."
"Your Grace." Ilene whispered, locking her eyes with him. Being so close to each other, she could smell his masculinity, which smelt of leather, rosewood and spices.
Damn, he smelled intoxicatingly delicious.
"I genuinely mean what I said earlier. I have never seen a woman like you, excelling in beauty, wits and strength." Alexavier complimented before brushing his fingers over her cheek.
Shivers of ecstasy started to skate down her spine.
"And I wonder if I am qualified to court this wonderful lady?" His thumb carelessly traced the curve of her jaw.
"What are you doing?" She shrieked. Something electrifying occurred leaving a heated trail where his thumb lingered.
"Seeing if your skin is as smooth it appears to be." His eyes met hers as he turned his head toward her.
"Watch out now. I might think that you are flirting with me." Ilene pulled away from him despite the urge she had to stay closer to him.
Alexavier chuckled, the rough sound rumbling against his chest. "Well, I have to like you before I flirt with you. And that's a NO from me." Crossing his arms, he leaned in against the doorframe. "By the way, I like your form of bluntness."
Her eyes sparkled with perplexity and uncertainty. How in the world could someone respond that way? She didn't anticipate his response to be that.
"No offense. I was testing you all along to see if you would be duped by my charm." His rough voice reverberated off the balcony walls. He made his most brilliant wicked impression by wriggling his fingers and pressing his palms together.
Ilene tilted her head to face him, her brows furrowing together. "You seem to have a high opinion of yourself, don't you?"
"Quite the contrary. However, I am aware that I am pretty irresistible and famous among women." Alexavier shrugged.
Ilene clenched her teeth together, fighting mightily with everything in her to not shout at him. How can one go from being melancholy to acting like a jerk in a matter of seconds?
Her lip twitched at the corner before settling on a scowl instead. "I find you irresistibly annoying. Does that count?"
He laughed as he flung his head back. "Not the fact that you found it difficult to resist me despite my devilish good looks?
Ilene rolled her eyes. "Nope. Men who act like you do not appeal to me."
"And that is?" He quirked a brow.
"Like they are above me."
His disinterested facade briefly broke. "Hmmm." Alexavier stroked his chin with his hand. "You want an honest answer?"
"Nah, it's fine. I can handle men like you since I am a big woman. You are not the first man to treat me in such a manner." Shoving off his presence, Ilene made her way toward the main door to exit the balcony.
She had trouble taking long strides since her dress clung to her body. That's why, Alexavier could catch up to her easily. He gently made her turn in his direction, grabbing her elbow. "I am impressed by the courage you have displayed."
Ilene beamed. "Thanks. My mom raised me well."
He pulled a smirk, "She seems like someone I would be frightened to meet. What does it make you if she is the queen?"
"A pawn."
Alexavier's darkening eyes trailed down her body, before lingering on her face. "Darling, I believe you need to review your chess references. Nobody desires to be a pawn. But I suppose it works for you. You still lack the strength to compete on the board with the big players."
Ilene shoved off his touch, wiping away any traces of his warmth. "Comments like yours are the reason I enjoy the pawn, exactly. It is the most underrated component." She looked up at his eyes, which were very much amused.
"And why do you want to become one?" He narrowed his eyes.
"In reality, we don't come as the strongest right away. It involves overcoming minor battles. The pawn transforms into a queen as it reaches the other side. I aspire to be that person. The person who emerges as the stronger one after going through hardships and struggles."
Her words hit him deeper than intended. And he couldn't resist the temptation to learn more about her. "What happens when you become the queen then?"
Ilene chuckled softly. "They undoubtedly rule the world. Well, I will rule my world."
Alexavier turned his gaze away, growing uncomfortable at the idea of enjoying her company more than he should have. "You are dismissed." He waived his hand toward the door, without turning around to see her face.
"Goodnight, Your Grace." Ilene gave a curtsy bow, prior of leaving the balcony.
Ilene's night was already chaotic, which was made even worse by her conversation with the Duke.
He was so arrogant and egotistical, how could she ever think he would be a loving and kind man? He resembles exactly like every other men in the capital. He dared to put an act and lure her into his trap? And Ilene almost let her consciousness blur due to his trick.