Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"We have checked twice, my lady. There is not a single complaint against her.

She belongs to a village near Cadburn town. No one in the village had seen her father since last year.

No one had any idea what happened to him. Recently her mother was very sick, so she had come here for her treatment.

I have checked personally, her mother is admitted there and she goes to meet her mother every Sunday." Evan nodded, she had checked all the details of Hannah personally.

She had even written a letter to Adel, but found nothing wrong with her records.

She even understands the friendship of Ethan and Hannah. But she did not know why she was feeling uneasy after seeing the expressions of that maid.

"I know I may sound stubborn or troublesome but I want you to keep an eye on her for a few days." Reynold nodded his head without any hesitation.

"Thank you, if you found anything please inform me." Reynold nodded his head again. Though he did not understand what had happened, he was sure Evan would not behave like that without any reason.

Evan saw him leaving and then took a deep breath.

She stood up to visit Ethan, maybe he had noticed something strange in Hannah too but was ignoring it since she was his friend.

"You do not need to worry about that, I will make sure that you have all the powers to take decisions slowly." her steps halted when she heard Ethan speaking softly.

"But lord Leo had already been assigned as the duke, who would listen to you? His highness does not trust you enough. They think that you are not worth the position of dukedom. More than myself, I am worried about you.

What if Leonardo started to torment you once his highness would.." The girl stopped but both Evan and Ethan knew what she wanted to say.

"You are thinking way too much. Father would soon be better!" He did not understand what had happened to William when he was fine just a few hours ago.

He had thought that his father turned unconscious due to the anger and increase in his flow of blood but it had been hours and he was only turning paler with time.

"But if something happened to him… do not forget that I am the eldest son of the family. I am the one who will be the next head." his voice sounded so cold to Evan who closed her eyes and took a deep sigh.

This man was her brother by blood but he did not think like that. She could feel the anger and hatred in his voice for them, especially Leo.

That made her wonder what else Leo had bore along since the truth had come out. If only, he had been the real son, no one would have dared to speak against him.

She paused for a second before using more force to enter the room.

The sound of her footsteps alerted Hannah and Ethan who turned to look at the door at once.

"My lord, Lady Evangeline, is asking for a meeting." came the voice of the knight who was guarding their door.

Ethan glanced at Hannah and then at guard and nodded his head. Hannah's eyes narrowed. She could guess why Evan had come here but it was too late.

If Evan thinks that she could sow discord between her and Ethan then it would be worth watching the show.

Her eyes filled with disdain as she turned and acted as if she was cleaning the window pane of the room.

Evan scanned the room as she had reached the door when her eyes stilled on Hannah who was busy in working and then at Ethan who was writing something on paper.

She was right about this woman! Controlling the expressions on her face, Evan brought a warm smile as she walked in.

"Brother" she greeted with a certain warmth in her voice, ignoring the fact that she knew he hated them.

"Lady Evangeline, I was not expecting a visit from you. Are you feeling better now?" He had heard from Hannah that she had been sick since she got married and a speculation that it could be intentional since she had always been healthy.

Evan sat on the chair without being offered and noticed that he was practicing writing and her eyes softened.

"I apologize for not being here for you as your younger sister but the way you called me lady Evangeline sounded too distant.

You do not have to be too cold to me, brother." a certain affection could be felt from her warm voice and her face had sincerity that stunned Ethan who was expecting that she would be here for an argument like Leo and Eli who think he was worth nothing.

Could it be because they are blood related unlike him and Leo and Eli.

"You should not apologize since I understand that you are worried about many things and you are not well." he offered her a smile which she returned well.

"Are you studying literature? If you do not mind, I can help you with your studies. It would be better to study with a family rather than depending on teachers alone.

I loved literature when I was young. Are you interested in poetries?" an unnerving feeling filled his heart when her sparkling eyes touched him.

It was so warm that he felt burdened by it. He nodded with a bit of hesitation when she touched his hand.

"That's a relief, I thought all of my family members were interested in politics.

Would you like to play music too? I love the sound of the piano. Would you like to learn to play music with me?" She took the book from him and then started to explain to him slowly in a voice full of warmth.

"I am glad that you are here, Ethan. It makes me feel that I am not alone, brother."