A Plead Of Affection

TRIÁNTA TRÍA

The day before the night of the engagement ceremony, I headed towards the flowery path in Schleswig Lodge that everyone would take as an entry. I can say that the way this man prepared for everything exceeded my expectations.

With all the lamps lit up and the breeze of the wind touching my skin, it lifted my moods from dusk to dawn. Just as the day could get any darker, I went back inside. Alexios told me to visit the Lodge to see if it fit the ceremony.

Entering the front doors, I saw the Noble together with his assistant looking anxious. "Alexios, I am here," I uttered, walking towards them; the minute they heard my voice, their expression changed and soon composed themselves. "You are back?" He asked with his arms wide open.

"How was the garden?" He reached out for a hug as he kissed my temple, then released me from his grasp, "You did great, Alex, the garden also was trimmed perfectly." I complimented him.

"How about you? What are you doing in the halls?" I saw them glance for a second at each other, then back to my direction, "Angelo here is telling me what will be the order of the engagement ceremony since I do not well with these programs," I could still see them getting riled up and uneasy.

"Yes, Lady Rabellino. I was informing Noble Schleswig about what would be for tomorrow's engagement ceremony," He looked at the side, "Oh is that so?" I smiled, easing my worries.

From my point of view, it did not look like they were talking about the order of the engagement ceremony based on the looks on their faces, especially Mister Remou, who had beads of sweat forming and rolling down his forehead.

Also, there is no way that he does not know the order of the program when he prepared for everything, "I did not attend much social event, and Angelo is guiding me," He reasoned out, sighing, "I want to make everything picture perfect for our engagement ceremony tomorrow night."

With that, all of my doubts vanished in an instant. It made sense to me since he had not had much experience being with the crowd. He avoided a situation that may jeopardize him, his reputation, and anything that could endanger him.

"Tell me, Alexios. Do you need my help? I am also part of this ceremony, and I would love to help," I offered, "A pair of hands would be of great help, do not you think?"

With a glance, his assistant walked away from the halls together with the servants on the scene, "If I may, I would prefer it if we practiced our waltz," Alexios lowered himself and extended his hand, "Would you give me the honor to ask your hand in a dance?" A smile formed on my lips, gently accepting his hand as he led me to the center.

"This way, Lady Rabellino," He stood facing me, a shoulder distance away, the man faced forward as he will lead and I as someone who will follow will face in the opposite direction, "Here,"

Alexios wrapped his left hand around my right hand while he slowly put his right hand on my left shoulder blade, keeping our elbows at shoulder height. While my other hand curled around his left hand, I placed my left hand on his shoulder.

As a child, I grew up learning to dance the waltz, and for someone who once partied every time, this was a piece of cake to me since I practiced countless and always attended social events, unlike the man in front of me kept avoiding such festives.

"It appears that leading me on is not a problem for you, Noble Schleswig," I giggled as the man returned a grin. "You are also a very good dancer, Eva," He added, smiling.

"The Noble Schleswig who is loved by the Ladies appears to be as graceful like a swan in a lake when it comes to dancing. They should know better when news spread out," I teased the man making his brows furrow, "I do not need their attention, yours is enough," Alexios immediately slid his hand on my waist, pulling me close.

Why do I have to push this man away when in truth, I badly want to hold him close and have him in my arms. "You can turn your head to the side if you do not want it," Slowly, the man leaned in. "I can hold back this much because I love you,"

"Alexios," I called him by his name, as my hand wrapped around his neck, "Do more," The man kissed me, deep and passionate as he craved for more.

With that kiss, I decided, I will stop rejecting this man. However, I should not give in too fast and give him a chance to prove to himself that he is worthy of my love. I am too weak for everything that he does.

If I continue to act spoiled in front of me and live as his wife, of course, Alexios will provide me anything I want; I would live a very luxurious lifestyle with all the people here trying to make me live as comfortable as possible.

This did not happen on purpose; I blamed it on the alcohol, making me crazy enough to approach the Noble Schleswig. I did not do all of these by myself, and if I were thinking straight that night, I would not do anything mad.

Even if this man would love to give me everything my heart longs for, I do not want to live off him. I would consider every decision I make and make sure that I also can stand with my own feet—an independent Lady, similar to Cassiopeia.

Just as he was about to slide his hand beneath the gown, he stopped midway, "What are you thinking so deeply, Eva?" I flinched in shock, making me turn back into reality, "Nothing-" I could not finish my sentence when he blocked my words with a kiss.

"Do you not want it anymore? Or- are you perhaps worried about something?"