Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Cough cough." Evangeline choked hard on the pie she was eating. And a cheshire smile formed on Evelyn's face. She was gloating her heart. The widened eyes and red face of Evan told her all the story.

"No, why would your brother be with me?" Evangeline replied in a haughty tone but it was too late. Evelyn had already got the answer she wanted.

"Oh. is that so?" she asked with a mischievous smile. Evan nodded and then adjusted her reactions.

"Of course, I would not disturb my beauty sleep for anyone." she replied in a haughty tone but Evan only gloated at it.

"Ah, I understand." Eve nodded in understanding, her face turned apologetic bringing a sigh of relief on Evan's face. She was worried how she would explain that they both were together the whole night. The look on Eve's face was telling her that she would only misunderstand further, if Evan gave explanations.

"I should scold Leo then. How could he lie to me?" Eve sat down and shook her head in disappointment. "This is the first time that my brother lied to me." she added when she did not get any reply.

Evangeline was screaming in her heart. Her loud shrieks were enough to shake the whole palace yet she maintained her haughty expressions on her face. How could he talk about it with Evelyn? And what had he told her? She had already told a lie, if she would tell the truth now but Leo had said another thing then there would be a bigger mess! The face she was trying to maintain was cracking.

"I must call him and punish him. I will tell his lie to my father too." if Evan was panicking before she was going to have an anxiety attack now. She did not want to be killed by that crazy man. Only God knew how he would react when he would be announced as a liar because of her.

"Actually." she started, but Eve continued to fake her anger and disappointment. She was not ready to let the matter go easily.

"You do not need to take his side. It was he who lied. So he should be the one to be punished." she replied in a righteous tone and Evan bit her lips. She did not know what to say now. Should she be haughty and let him take the punishment or tell the truth.

Suddenly her hunger died. And the mouthwatering dishes were not looking appetizing anymore.

'It would have been better if I had stayed in my room.' she mumbled as she looked at the spoon in her hands.

Taking a deep breath, she replied, "there must be some confusion. I met Leo when I was coming back to the palace after my walk and we entered the palace together. But we have not spent the night together or talked all night. You must have understood wrong when he told you that he met me last night.`` But Evan's reply only made her smile brighter.

"Oh.. I thought you were taking your beauty sleep!" reminded Eve, making all her nerves bulge with anger.

"Of course. I took my beauty sleep. But I know that an early morning walk is good for my health. So, I take that too. After all, I have to maintain my beauty." replied Even through gritted teeth and Eve nodded again with all the seriousness she had.

"Of course, of course. I am amazed that you have already taken your morning walk before dawn. Eli is scolding me to start walking too. Then we both could go for a walk early in the morning from tomorrow." Eve was trying her best to fluster and confuse her so that she would tell the truth. Or else Eli would not believe her again. And till now her plan was getting successful. But she was sure that it was not only about meeting at the door.

They had spent the night together as she had presumed. Were they taking a long romantic walk near the lake? Awww! His little brother had finally grown up now! Her face softened and a sweet smile formed on her face.

"Of course, I will wake you up everyday." replied Even this time with much confidence. She knew that she was going to leave the palace tonight so she was not worried about it. Even if she stayed, she was habitual of waking earlier to take morning walks so she did not care about that.

"But I will still ask for punishment, for Leo." added Eve, hoping to get further gossip but this time Evan nodded her head and started tasting the dishes again.

"This cake should be softer." was all she replied as she tasted more dishes making Eve frown.

"I will inform the chef." was all Eve replied. They both tasted a few more dishes and then Evan left from there.

She ran straight to her room and closed the door. Every Passing day in the palace, she felt like she was walking on thin ice which would break any moment.

She decided to stay in the room only until she was called for the party.

On the other hand, Eve looked at the retreating figure of Evan with disappointment but then she took a glass of juice and walked towards Leo's room.

Knocking the door, she entered when she got the permission and smiled, "brother, i have bought juice for you. You must be hungry and exhausted as you were walking all night." she used her sweetest tone which was no less than an alarm bell for Leo.

"Why would I stay awake the whole night?" he asked tilting her head and once again like the perfect actress she was, she faked anger and confusion.

"Oh, were you not? But Evangeline told me that you were with her whole night. So, I thought you must have shown her the estate. Or are you both doing something else?" she asked as she blinked her eyes.

"........"