Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Here, I hope it will be enough for bills." Ethan took out all the money and passed three small bags filled with gold coins.

"If not, you can use this seal as a promise that you will pay the rest soon." Ethan was worried that Hannah would be held hostage by the men who had given her loan.

They have already barged in and broken all the expensive items of the palace once.

"Shall I send the knights with you? They will make sure of your safety!" she could see the worry in his eyes. But it only made her look away.

"No! I did not want to show that I am special. The other maids already look at me with speculation due to your favors.

What if they started to be jealous or hate me for my actions. It would be better that I live my life like a maid until you decide what our future would be." the guilt, she was feeling in her heart. She passed it to him only to see his eyes flicker and he looked away with a sigh.

"I know you are facing a lot of troubles due to me. I will ask Evangeline soon. Since father is ill and Evelyn has left.

Only we are left to take the decision. If she agrees, we will soon fix our date of engagement.

You know she is a kind woman but she often stays ill due to.. Due to her weak immunity." he closed his mouth when he noticed that she smiled and nodded.

He did not notice how his hands clenched deeper.

She had to beg Evangeline for her happiness! Ha! That girl, she had already ruined two decades of her life, did she think that she could control the rest of her life too?

She would end her story before that could happen.

She bade her goodbye to Ethan while holding the bags of gold and left for the carriage.

She smiled brightly when she saw Evangeline walking towards Ethan's room.

"Are you going somewhere?" asked Evan with a look of confusion on her face when she noticed the amount of gold in her hands which Hannah tried to hide hard.

"Aah, yes. I am going to meet my mother, my lady."  Evan nodded with understanding when Hannah bowed and left from there with fear that Evan would notice something.

She took hasty steps towards the carriage assigned to maids. Once in, she took a breath of relief.

Once inside she looked at the bag and opened them with haste. She counted the money hastily and her eyes glimmered when she realized it was so much.

It was more than she had expected and the amount would be enough for buying a large house in the capital.

Soon, she stopped the carriage and walked towards a red building where a lot of patients were taken in.

She bowed her head to the physicians as she walked in.

She stopped in front of a door and peeked in. an old lady was sleeping on the bed. She had a calm smile just like a baby was sleeping.

She continued to stare at that woman for some time when she felt the presence of someone behind her.

Her softened expressions turned cold in an instant. She stood straighter and then started walking towards the stairs.

She climbed to the roof and stood in an empty space when the man followed her there.

"His majesty is not that patient. You are taking more time than necessary!" Although his voice was blank, she could feel the intense pressure coming from him.

"The rumor is not out but I have already taken care of Duke William and Evelyn had run away from the house only because I helped her.

Evan had consumed a good amount of poison and Ethan is a puppet under my hands. He would only do what I will ask him to do.

Now only Leo is left. That man is hard to deal with but I am sure with a good amount of rumors, Ethan would be able to throw his brother in law out of the palace." she assured the man but he did not look that convinced.

He stared at Hannah but did not reply when she panicked.

"I have access to the private rooms of the palace. If you would send someone, I will help him in reaching the study of Duke William. Then you can take whatever you want from there." she added and only then did the man nodded with satisfaction.

"Here! His majesty had sent this letter to you. You have to make sure the list of the tasks will be completed before next weekend." she nodded her head as she took the paper and read the matter.

Her eyes widened when she read the contents. The vicious emperor wanted her to kill Evan and assured Leo of it by saying that he wanted all the wealth for himself, therefore he killed his wife.

"But how can i.." she tried to refuse but the cold eyes of the man and his annoyed face stopped her as she thought of better words to convince him when he scoffed.

"You do not need to worry so much. You just have to make sure that the path is clear and words fall in the ears of the staff.

We will make sure to do the rest. Once you would be able to get rid of the thorns, his majesty would personally announce your marriage with Ethan and would free your father from all the accusations.

I am sure you would be able to pay this small cost for your lifelong happiness." he asked in a tone that did not leave any choice for her.

She nodded her head as her hold on the paper tightened and the paper crumpled under her grip.

"Yes, I will do it for my happiness." since Evan had taken it in the first place it would only be right that she would snatch her happiness by killing Evan.