Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"We should not be here, Leo. What if anyone sees us together? Let's go!" Leo rubbed her back as if trying to soothe a kid.

She was trying to change the topic because she wanted to hide her disappointment. He knew that she was disappointed by both the duke and the father she had spent her childhood with.

Both failed to give her the warmth she desired.

"I have forced Olivia. She had agreed to give me her summer palace.

I will leave for my work as usual and go there while you will come later with the pretense of meeting her.

We need to discuss our plan later.

One more thing, no one would let you go alone, so chose Arden. I am leaving him here. No one would doubt if he would go with you." he leaned in and kissed her forehead gently and a soft smile bloomed on her face.

"I might as well get some time alone with my wife there." she shuddered when his fingers lingered on her back and he whispered those words seductively in her ears.

Though they were already married. They were not able to talk to each other. Even last night he came there for just an hour or two to tell her how he had dealt with Edward and left when he heard the sound of knights and Eli.

They both were surrounded by too many eyes and they still did not know who the mole was and what was Edward's plan. So they could only continue to torment him so that he would go desperate and spill the beans or make a mistake so that they would get rid of him legally.

Until they know all their enemies, they could not tell the truth even to the family.

"What if I ask Olivia to invite Eve and Eli too and then I will tell them the truth there. They could inform their father later." a look of hesitation passed his eyes and then he shook his head.

"We should not alert the enemies. It would be suspicious if you all will go out at the same place at the same time.

We do not know how many eyes there are." a look of disappointment passed her eyes. Though she knew that he was right, she still felt bad for hurting all of them.

She had seen the pain in their eyes and their apology was so sincere. They all did not know the truth, yet they were ready to take any punishment, she offered. What else she could ask for!

"Do not worry, they will understand. Now go! Someone is coming. You should not be here." he pushed her a bit away as he jumped out of the window and disappeared in the dark.

She looked around when she heard the steps and entered the room nearby.

The room was empty and dark. Without litting the candle, she touched the wall full of books as if looking for something and then pulled out one book that was an inch bigger in size than the rest.

Just as the book was taken out, it did not come out but slanted and then a door opened. Making sure that no one was around. She entered and then closed it behind her.

The small passage took her back to the back garden where the sun was still shining warmly. She sat on a chair in the distance and stared at the flowers that were blooming beautifully.

Her life had seen so many ups and downs that she had forgotten to care about those simple things she had loved in the past.

"My lady, you are here. We were looking for you everywhere." two maids came running while panting.

They both stood up with their hands on their knees and tried to catch their breath as they looked at the girl who had become one with the scenery with her silent and dull figure.

"Why? What is the matter?" The once chirpy and amiable girl had turned so cold that the maids felt fear while approaching her.

They stare at each other. As if asking the other one to tell her when they both felt her intense gaze on them.

"That.. his highness is looking for you. The date when her highness died is approaching and each year he goes to the temple and orphanage for charity.

He wanted to ask for your opinion and request you to go with them."

Her heart stirred with a wave of grief. Though she had never seen her mother. She must have been a kind woman.

She could see how even the maids were looking in pain while talking about her. But then she felt the intense gaze from another direction.

She turned to see a few of the servants were whispering while looking at her.

"Ha! What made him think that I would mourn for the woman who had abandoned their own daughter?

Inform his highness, that i would not go. I have important work to tend to.`` The maid looked at her reluctantly but under her fierce gaze they could only nod.

"One more thing, arrange a carriage for me. I am going to the palace of Grasitias to thank the woman who had saved me from the marriage." a few gasps could be heard as the words left her mouth but the maids nodded and left from there hurriedly.

But instead of standing up instantly, Evan continued to sit there for sometime as if she was waiting for someone.

"My lady!" with a frown on her face, she raised her head only to see the man that was standing on the other just a while ago was approaching her.

"What do you want now?" The man did not flinch or feel fear when she looked at him coldly but instead smiled as if he was tending to the tantrums of a small girl.

"Sorry to disturb your rest. But I am here to talk to you about the condition of your father. He had asked me to pass a message to you!"