Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Are you taking the medicine again? I do not understand why don't you go and consult with a better physician if the palace physician is not good enough." Evan's hands on the bottle of medicine tightened as she hid it away.

It took her a second to bring a smile on her face as she turned to face Leo whose eyes had narrowed on the swiftness of her hands.

He had his doubts that it was not the simple medicine she was taking as she was always lost these days and flinched whenever he asked her about his wealth.

But she was moving and eating just fine so he did not find any sign of illness in her that confused him.

"You are thinking too much. The physician is good enough. He said that I am exhausted from the mental and physical pressure. I will be fine if I continue to have good meals and supplements. Do not exaggerate.

Or is it an excuse to not go to work today?" she held his back and pushed him out of the room, "you must not make excuses when you have recently become the duke. You have a lot of responsibilities. And I have to go and check on the preparation with Eli too.

​ So, I did not have time to spend with you either.`` She dragged her to the main entrance door and pushed him out and then patted her hands.

"Phew, that was quite a task." she rubbed her hands and then her eyes fell on her stomach that was looking normal yet a tender smile formed on her face.

"I will tell you why I am taking medicine soon. Just let this month pass. This would be my greatest gift to you, Leo." smiling warmly, she whispered the lyrics of her favorite song as she continued to walk toward the garden where the preparations were held.

She walked and sat on a seat instead of taking a direct part of it. Eli was talking to the decorators and finalizing the sitting arrangement while Eve was tasting the dishes with blissful expressions on her face.

Ethan, the newest member of the family, was standing beside Eve as she continued to scold him while taking his help.

She shook her head as no one can be as outspoken but caring as Eve. She remembers how she had convinced her to help her in escaping.

She was the one to find about their love even before them too.

"My lady, are you still feeling uncomfortable?" her attendant and the only person who knew what had happened to her looked at her with a worried face.

"I am good. You do not need to worry about me. But if you are still concerned, bring me a glass of warm milk." the girl bowed her head as she left hurriedly when Evan smiled.

Her hands unconsciously reached her womb and she started stroking it as she stared at the sky.

"Tsk! We all are working here for your marriage reception while you are lost in your thoughts. Free labor is called slavery, my lady." Evan chuckled as she let go of her hands and then nodded her head.

"Hmm, do not worry. My husband is a duke now. I will ask him to pay you well. How about finding you a husband in return for all the hard work?" Eve rolled her eyes as she sat beside Evan with a frown.

"Oh please, I would rather have a small baby from you with whom I can play all day as my compensation." Evan's eyes widened and her face turned red but she soon looked away. Not yet! This was not the time. She had to keep her mouth shut until she was sure that she could handle it.

The physician had told her that it is complicated. So, it would be better that she did not give hopes to anyone when she was already so deep into it.

Especially when so much was happening around them.

"Eli, she is not doing fine. Andrew wrote a letter and cleared why he had accepted Adele. The princess had already run away from the palace after stealing quite a fortune when she realized she had nothing to hold against the crown prince anymore.

Should we do something for these two?" Finally, she could do it proficiently.

Her eyes sparkled with a sly grin on her face.

"Yes, I already have a plan for that. Listen." she moved closer and whispered in her ears when Eve's eyes widened yet a grin formed on her lips.

"But if father found out, he would throw us out of the palace for that. Oh my, even the society would raise a finger. Do you not think that is too dangerous? Eli would never talk to us if she would find out we were the one who did this.

Wow! I can not wait. When are we going to do this?" rubbing her hands, her eyes already stared at Eli as if she was looking at a little lamb that was going to get butchered.

"Hmm, I knew you would be the one to understand me. All the preparations are done. I will execute it in the evening only. I am just waiting for the reply of the crown prince.`` They both grin again as they hold their hands when Eli frowned.

"What are you both chatting about when so much work is left. Do you not have anything to do huh?" She cast a stern glance at them and started doing her work again when a knight came towards her.

"My lady, his highness had demanded for your presence in the town. He had asked me to pass this letter to you and then escort you to him.'' huh! She did not remember any reason to be called this suddenly.

She picked up the letter and read it carefully with a frown on her face.

"Sometimes, I fail to understand my father! Evan, I am going out for a while. Take care of the preparation by yourself. After all, it is your marriage."