For a moment, the air between us seemed to hum with the weight of unspoken possibilities. Her expression remained composed, but there was a subtle shift in her demeanor, a softening that hinted at the stirring of something deeper.
"I must admit," she finally said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth that hadn't been there before, "you're not what I expected. Most men cower in my presence, but you…you seem to relish it."
"I've never been one to cower, Duchess," I replied, taking another step closer. "Especially not when faced with someone as remarkable as you. You intrigue me, and I find myself wanting to know more. What does a woman like you desire?"
She studied me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine as if weighing my sincerity. Then, slowly, she smiled—a smile that was both enigmatic and inviting. "What I desire, Ryan, is not something easily obtained. But perhaps, if you play your cards right, you'll find out."
"And what if I want to know now?" I asked, my voice a low murmur as I closed the distance between us, our gazes locked in a silent challenge.
"Patience," she replied, though there was a playful edge to her tone. "All things in due time. For now, I'm curious to see how far you're willing to go."
"I'm willing to go as far as it takes," I said, my tone earnest but laced with the same flirtatious confidence I'd carried throughout our exchange. "For you, Duchess, I'd walk through fire."
Her laughter was soft, almost tender, and she reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from my forehead—a gesture so intimate that it made my pulse quicken. "Careful, Ryan. You might find that fire more intense than you anticipated."
"But isn't that what makes it exciting?" I replied, smiling as I leaned into her touch ever so slightly.
Elowyn's gaze lingered on mine, and for a brief moment, the mask of the composed duchess slipped, revealing a glimpse of the woman beneath—someone who, despite her power and reputation, was intrigued by the thrill of the forbidden. She quickly regained her composure, though, stepping back with a smile that was both knowing and secretive.
"You're dangerous, Ryan. But perhaps that's what makes you interesting."
"And you, Duchess, are fascinating in ways I can't even begin to describe," I replied, my voice sincere. "I think we could be…good for each other."
Her eyes twinkled with amusement and something deeper, something more personal. "We shall see. For now, let's keep this game going. But remember, Ryan, I'm not someone you can easily win over."
"That's exactly what makes it worth pursuing," I said with a grin. "And trust me, Duchess, I'm in this for the long haul."
She shook her head, her smile never wavering. "You're a charmer, Ryan. But charm only gets you so far. Prove to me that you're more than just a pretty face with a silver tongue."
"Oh, I intend to," I replied, my voice soft but full of intent. "And when I do, perhaps you'll see that I'm more than capable of keeping up with you."
There was a moment of silence, charged with the possibilities that lay ahead. Finally, she nodded, as if accepting my unspoken challenge.
"You have potential, Ryan," she said, her tone serious but laced with that same playful undertone. "But don't underestimate the dangers of playing this game. I'll be watching closely."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, my smile widening.
"Anyway, let's get to the point," she said, her voice carrying a subtle authority. "What brings you so far from your kingdom?"
"I got lost," I replied, flashing a disarming smile.
She didn't miss a beat, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You're lying."
I chuckled, appreciating her sharpness. "Alright, you got me. But rest assured, my intentions here are entirely harmless," I said, my tone light but guarded. I wasn't about to reveal everything just yet.
She studied me closely, her gaze probing for any sign of deceit. After a moment, she nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I believe you." Well, that was easier than I expected.
We sat opposite each other, the tension easing into something more comfortable. "What's your take on this war?" I asked, knowing she'd have insights far beyond what I'd heard.
Her expression turned contemplative. "It's going to drag on for quite some time," she said.
"That's not really what I'm asking," I pressed gently, leaning forward. "What's the real reason behind the war?"
Her eyes flickered with something—hesitation, maybe? "You already know the official story: the Crown Prince was assassinated near the Buranda border," she said, her voice carefully neutral.
"Yeah, I've heard that," I replied, studying her closely. "But don't you think there's more to it? Something feels… off."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what makes you say that?"
"Call it a hunch," I said, shrugging with feigned indifference. "But you seem like someone who knows more than they let on."
A sly smile curved her lips. "And why would you think I'm privy to more information than others?"
"Because you have a gift," I said, my gaze locking onto hers. "An ability to see through lies, don't you?"
She let out a soft, almost amused laugh, her expression perfectly composed. "That's quite a stretch, Ryan."
"Maybe," I conceded, my tone light but unwavering. "But you're not fooling me. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I'll figure it out on my own eventually."
She held my gaze for a moment longer, the smile never leaving her face. "You're a persistent one, aren't you?"
"It's one of my better qualities," I said with a grin.
"You're sharper than most, Ryan," she said, her demeanor relaxed but her eyes gleaming with a hint of admiration. "Even the best minds in the Royal Palace haven't uncovered the truth about my innate ability."
She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering as if sharing a well-guarded secret. "I'll let you in on something—when Elyndor claimed the Crown Prince was assassinated, he was lying."
My interest piqued, I raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue.
"My ability only detects lies when the person knows the truth deep down," she explained. "If someone genuinely believes a lie, or is completely in the dark about the truth, my ability would be useless. But the fact that I sensed Elyndor's deceit means he knows more about what really happened to the Crown Prince but is deliberately hiding it."
The casual way she referred to the King by his real name, Elyndor, struck me. That alone was enough to get someone thrown into a dungeon—or worse. But here she was, speaking freely as if the King's title held no power over her.
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implications. "So, you think there's a deeper conspiracy at play?" I asked, the wheels in my mind already turning.
She nodded slowly, her expression serious. "Whatever it is, it's something worth keeping close to the chest—something that could shake the very foundations of our kingdom."