Page 13 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
Axel ran a hand through his hair in confusion. He fancied himself a man that was well-put-together and had a sharp mind.
“It must have been the woman that confused my mind,” he muttered under his breath.
“What woman?” Fillmore asked. “Let us talk in the boxing ring.”
Axel changed into more comfortable clothing and had Fillmore enter the boxing ring that was located in a vast room that had been previously used for entertaining guests.
As soon as Axel got into the ring, he felt a surge of energy and excitement. Other men derived happiness by drinking themselves into a stupor, but Axel derived happiness by boxing, sweating, and exerting strength in the boxing ring.
He and Fillmore moved in a circle, not taking their eyes off each other. Fillmore rushed toward him, his fists balled up. Instead of rushing toward Fillmore, however, Axel sidestepped him. Fillmore stepped back, smiling.
Axel was familiar with Fillmore’s move. It was a classic one that was often used by pugilists to deceive their opponents into thinking they were going into attack mode. This would make the opponent go into offensive mode without thinking, and at the last moment, the boxer would attack the part of the opponent that is left exposed.
“Nicely done,” Fillmore complimented him.
“I have the best opponent, so I have to catch up,” Axel said.
Axel hopped on the tip of his leg, patiently waiting for Fillmore’s next move. Axel liked to tire his opponent out until he finally struck when his opponent was worn out.
They both sized each other up as they circled and circled.
This time around, however, Fillmore did not seem to want to make any move. Instead, he played the waiting game too. This flustered Axel a little.
Fillmore took a step forward, and Axel, taking this as one of Fillmore’s feints, immediately rushed forward to rain blows on Fillmore’s chin.
His fist did not make an impact before Fillmore’s fist landed on his upper belly. Axel stepped back immediately.
“I got it wrong there,” Axel observed.
“That is unlike you,” Fillmore responded as they continued to sidestep each other, each boxer looking for the perfect opportunity to attack.
“You are right. I have a hard time concentrating on boxing tonight,” Axel replied.
“First, you forgot about our boxing session, and now, this? What is the problem, Axel?” Fillmore asked.
Axel wondered briefly if he should tell his friend about the woman who had occupied his mind and whose memory jolted his loins awake.
“It is nothing.” He decided to keep it to himself.
It would not seem right for him to start talking about some woman he had just met like he was a shy virgin maiden. He convinced himself she was just like the many women he had been with. Deep down, though, he knew that she was different and that what he felt when he spoke to her was different. She was so vexing, so—
“Do you know what will make you feel better and make you more grounded?” Fillmore asked.
“What?” Axel asked, expecting that Fillmore would say alcohol.
“Getting married,” he said.
“What?” Axel was not expecting such a suggestion. He was so surprised that he broke into laughter.
“You think marriage is the miraculous solution that would get my life in order?” Axel asked.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Fillmore said. “Getting married would give you a sense of responsibility since knowing you have a wife waiting for you at home would give you no choice but to take responsibility.”
“Did you forget what happened the last time I went that route?” he asked.
Fillmore shrugged. “They say the second time is the charm.”
“I’m sure the saying goes ‘The third time is the charm’.”
