Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Who told you that I am married?" The voice was no less than a hail storm for the nobles sharing the table with Leo. They shivered a bit while looking at each other with confusion. No one was sure from where did this rumor spread. But everyone was talking about it.

"So, you are wishing me only because you heard it somewhere. Do you not know me or the rules of the palace?" This time his voice was colder as he rebuked all of them.

"But my lord. There is a lady who is claiming that you are going to marry her in a week or so. And your family did not oppose her claim.`` The man spoke with a bit of hesitation and everyone nodded.

Leo frowned. That was not how it was supposed to go. She should have argued with a few and then left. Why was she boasting about their marriage!

They all looked at each other in fear as they saw his cold and then burning gaze.

Leo stood up and left the table when they were expecting him to show his ferocity. They all took a breath of relief but then they discussed the matter openly.

"She must have created enough commotion or else I would show her the result of claiming to be my wife." he mumbled through gritted teeth when he entered the garden where all the noble ladies were gathered for the party. 

He found Eli walking with the daughter of the marquees. While Eve was busy with the group he had no idea about. But Evan was nowhere to be seen. 

"My lord, congratulations."

"My lord, I have been waiting to wish you for so long." before he could even search Evan, the ladies flocked towards him with a bright smile on their faces.

In the whole empire, the more handsome and powerful nobles with highest authority were the crown prince and Leonardo Thawyne, the archduke of the empire. So, it was the dream of every noble lady to get married to any of them.

The crown prince and Elizabeth were betrothed since childhood. And recently there was a rumor of him marrying the princess of the neighboring kingdom, so everyone had given up hopes on him. If his future wife was descended on the level of mistress. Then they did not dare to think higher position.

Even as a mistress, to be part of the royal family would be at great advantage, so a few ladies were still trying to gain the attention of the man, while the rest of them had pinned their hopes on Leo. he was smart, handsome, strong and he did not have any woman in his life.

That was why they were shocked to find the existence of Evangelnie who even dared to challenge Olivia. But they wanted to take advantage when both ladies were busy fighting with each other.

"Thank you." was all he said as he continued to move as if he could not see their efforts or their desire to talk to him.

"My lord. Would you like to have tea with us?"

"Yes, as a thank you note for inviting us, we wish to have tea with you." though he was not giving them attention, they still did not let the chance go. 

But this time, Leo didn't even try to be courteous. His eyes had found Evan. but instead of being relieved, he frowned further when he saw that she was sitting with the crown prince.

He increased his speed and walked straight towards them as if he could not see anyone else but them.

"Since you are so adamant in asking for punishment. I will give you one, Lady Evangeline." his steps halted when he heard that. Did she misbehave with the crown prince! That damn foolish girl!

"As a sovereign power you should not listen to the commoners like us, but take your own decision, your highness." Evan replied with a flattering smile. She did not want to spend the rest of her life in a prison. Didn't they say that the men and women are going to have separate gardens for the party? Then what was he doing here?

Andrew looked at the girl with a raised brow. He was here to talk to Elizabeth about what happened but she was avoiding him.

She intentionally busied herself with noble ladies whom he disliked so that he would not go closer to her. He was annoyed and decided to send her a summon and ask her to come to the palace, so that they could talk in a peaceful manner. He was about to turn and leave with that thought, when he noticed Evan. She was looking at everyone as if she was trying to find a target. Then she tried her best to pick up a fight but the ladies left silently. 

She had that disappointed look on her face that confirmed his thought that he was trying to fight and gain attention. He came and sat with her for his entertainment and noticed how she tried to irk him.

Too bad! He has been doing that since ages. So she stood no chance in front of him.

"Shouldn't a sovereign listen to his subjects?" he asked again and she glared at him subtly. She was just like Elizabeth when she was irked.

"Then you should pay more attention to your subjects than the other nation too.'' He raised a brow at that, he was smart enough to gain her subtle hint that he should not cancel his marriage with Elizabeth because of the princess of the other kingdom. 

"These are political decisions for the benefit of the whole empire. It had been taken for the welfare of subjects only." he assured her but she just smiled. The smile was filled with mockery that surprised him again.

"Only a weak man is dependent on marriage for the welfare of his empire.. Or else he would have depended on his wisdom and strength to make his empire strong."