Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"I would not go without meeting Eli." as if fire had been lit. the whole palace started burning with rage. Even the nobles standing at the distance could feel the tension. The sound of chattering stopped and all started looking at their direction. 

Leo was in rage. His face was burning red. If it would have been anyone else he would have already killed the man. 

"Call her Elizabeth." came the voice through gritted teeth as Leo clenched his teeth to control himself.

"She is going to be.." before Andrew could finish his sentence they heard footsteps coming closer to them. 

"Your highness." Evan took a breath of relief when she saw Eli and Eve joining them with their father. She was sure if they would not have arrived then Leo and Andrew would have already raised a hand on each other.

Andrew who was irked with the interference of Leo, smiled. His face bloomed when he looked at Eli who had a blank face.

"Your royal highness. I am honored that you attended the small get together in our humble abode." Eli bowed her head and so did Eve when their father greeted Andrew/.

"Your palace is more luxurious than the royal palace, Duke William. How could i not come when my family is arranging the party.'' The man was the limit of being shameless and narcissist. Could he not see how everyone's face changed when he announced himself as family. It was clear that they were not even pleased with his presence, much less calling them family. But she kept her mouth like others. 

"Of course, then let me have the honor to have tea with you. I wanted to discuss a few things with you too." continued duke William with a smile on his face. 

"This is an occasion to celebrate, Duke William. We have all the time to discuss matters later. I was expecting to have tea with everyone, especially Eli today.`` His gaze penetrated Eli and Eli looked at him with the same formal smile she always had on her face, yet Evan could see the difference in her eyes that were trembling. 

Even duke William looked at Eli as they were not in a position to deny the prince in front of everyone. Eli smiled and nodded.

"Of course, your highness. It will be my honor." Andrew finally took a breath of relief. He was afraid that she would deny him. He did not want to force her but he knew there was no other way. He had to be strict to her if he wanted her obedience in this matter.

"After you." he signaled his hand in the direction of a table that was set at the farthest corner from there. Eli looked back at her family but nodded and walked there followed by him.

Leo moved to stop it but his father shook his head and he stopped midway. He gave one last look to the couple who were walking farther away and then to his father who took a deep sigh.

"This is not the right place or time." he whispered and Leo nodded reluctantly. It was not like he did not understand that they could not go against the throne directly but he could not bear to see his sister suffering.

He turned only to get bumped in Evan who was looking at  the distance with so much interest that she did not even notice him frowning.

He snapped his fingers in front of her only for her to jump at her place.

"What is it?" he asked and she looked back and then at him.

She pointed at the distance towards the pair of girls whom she had insulted just a while ago.

"The girls, I was trying to flare them up so that they could create a scene. But they left silently. Now they are bringing an old man with them." she whispered as she walked closer to Leo. so that others did not hear her.

But the position looked too intimate to the spectators and so was Eve who wished she could ask the painter to portray them. So that she could show it to Eli later.

"They are twins of marques Felisco de Arta. he is famous for his grumbling nature and high nose. You have chosen a good target. If you are successful in flaring the marquess too our marriage is bound to break in the party." he whispered back into her ears and she giggled. Finally this was going to end today!

Her eyes twinkled as she thought of plans to flare him up. But her laughter and giggles, her bright eyes meant another thing for everyone.

Eve held her father's arms and showed him the scene too. William nodded and smiled, finally his efforts of pairing them were paying off or else he had thought that it would take mother to bring them closer.

"My lord! Other nobles are waiting for your presence." william nodded and followed the servants interesting Eve to leave them alone too so that they could spend more time alone.

"Then I shall go or else he would not speak his mind. I will come later when my father comes back too." Evan nodded and Leo left from there too.

Eli stood there with a calm face though her heart was beating fast. She could see her freedom coming closer to her with the face of a glaring man. She had never thought that she would be so excited to see people coming to fight with her.

The twin girl pointed at her and the man nodded. And they walked to her.

"Are you the girl who claimed to be the new mistress of the duke Thawyne palace?" he asked in a cold tone as if he would beat her instantly. She faked that haughty face again. She gave him a look full of disdain and snorted with pride.

"Who are you to ask me that? Bow down your head!"