Ace

The nickname "Ace" has always been associated with awesome fortune or with calm coolness under adverse conditions by a man who knows no equal. "Ace" is synonymous with those who exclusively handle (and well) an impossibly difficult situation or maneuver, particularly and wrongly as it pertains to players of sports or more appropriately among men of great character, valor and ability - as in fighter pilots of yore from World Wars 1 and 2.
It is, of course, no surprise that it is often used to describe a very winning situation, as in the phrase: "He has an Ace up his sleeve.” in which the gentleman in question has been either handed a great deal of luck, or has a skill-set measured far above the task.
To be labeled "Ace", though at times, used as a sarcastic insult to describe a person of most odious character, is a reference given to a gentleman of the highest caliber. Ace conjures images of rakish good looks, high esteem, heroic deeds, the strength of Milo, and conduct a little bit off of gentlemanly. Far more of a character dare say than your author, who would hope to aspire becoming all that Ace represents.
However, to call someone Ace is mostly attributed to the design of a monarch of some standing. To refer to someone as such, one must either be of such noble breeding as to be able to decide another's fate, or to be a rogue of such malodorous being as to blind one's senses with his own fragrance.
The truth in this is that it is uncomfortable to the point of repeat to say these words. To repeat said offense is to one’s own lips entirely too intense for normal day to day conversation. One may wish to esteem another with sir or madam or boss, but attempt if you are thusly inclined to use the word.