Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"My lady, his highness, had asked you not to attend any guests. Staying in the summer palace for next two months is your punishment.'' The maid could not understand what in the world was happening!

Aren't they all alleging that their lady had tried to kidnap Lady Evangeline from her marriage. And it was the very reason that the marriage was postponed.

Then why in the world that Evangeline was coming to visit their lady.

Though others look at Olivia as if she was a villain, they knew that she was a kind woman.

It is just that she was nurtured as a proud noble and ranks mattered for her. If not, she had helped them whenever they faced any problem. She was worried that she would be scolded again.

The last slap she had received from her father was already enough for them to bear. Her cheek was still red and swollen, yet she was meeting Thawne again.

"My lady, you may fire me, but I will not let you meet Lady Evangeline. She is like a curse to your life.

You have fallen from your grace and always hurt since the day she had come. If it would have been in my hands…"

"That is enough! You should not forget that she was future archduchess and would lead all other nobles.

She would be the second in rank only after the empress that could be her sister in law too.

Are you sure you want to get beheaded by speaking ill about them.'' The maid flinched as she heard the cold voice of Olivia who was giving herself a last look into the mirror.

"I.. I did not mean to insult anyone, my lady. I am just worried about you.'' The maid bowed her head lower and spoke in a soft voice.

She knew how powerful their family was, but that did not mean that they had the right to trample over Olivia.

Olivia sighed as she stared at the ugly face of her maid. If it would have been the past, she had been brewing the same thoughts and seething over them too.

But now.. When she came to know the truth about Leo, she realized that she still liked him even when he was not a noble.

Only then did she realized that skills and charm had nothing to do with nobility. It is just a farce that nobles use to show others that they were special.

She even realized that she wanted to be loved rather than envied by others this time.

"I know that you are worried. But do not forget reality and do not try to sow hatred in me. Now you can go and I did not need company while greeting the lady.

Go and help the kitchen since they have less staff here!" taken aback by her words, the maid stared in horror but immediately retreated her gaze when she saw Olivia's expressions getting colder.

"Yes, yes.. My lady." The maid bowed her head and left the room before Olivia could scold her further but just as she closed the door, her expression turned malicious.

Her eyes shone full of hatred when she looked at the closed door and sneered as she walked towards the servant quarters instead of helping the kitchen staff as ordered.

Olivia looked out of the window as she sighed. Her hands touched her swollen cheek as the image of a raging father flashed past her eyes.

She could not blame him since it was expected after he had received a threatening letter from the duke of Thawne.

Her eyes fell on the coming carriage and her expressions turned darker. Soon, she heard the knock on her door,

"Come in."

"My lady, your esteemed guests have arrived." she could see Evangeline coming out of the carriage with a smile on her face and unconsciously a smile came on her face too.

"Bring her respectfully to the indoor garden and serve her the best meal. I will be there in a minute." the maid bowed her head as she left silently without asking much like the other maid.

Olivia took a deep breath and walked towards the mirror she was sitting in front of and took out a letter from the cabin.

Holding the letter tightly in her hands, she walked towards the indoor garden where Evangeline was already seated and was served tea.

"Welcome, lady Evangeline. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Evangeline raised her head but did not bow or greet in exchange except nodding her head lightly as she took a sip without waiting for Olivia to be seated and served.

Her actions were full of arrogance that even maids turned to look at Olivia. They were sure that their mistress would throw and tantrum and were already devising a plan to defuse the tension building in.

But unexpectedly, Olivia did not say a word. She just smiled and walked towards the table and sat as if nothing happened that forced them to look at her come again to make sure she was their mistress, Olivia.

"You have all done hard work!" She nodded her head with satisfaction as she looked at the number of dishes that were served, bringing another layer of surprise on their face yet happiness welled in their eyes.

"As a reward, I am giving you a half day holiday. Today is the last day of the fair. Go and enjoy yourself. Do not worry about dinner and think of coming early. The snacks are enough to last for the night.

You can take the staff carriage and here, i think this would be enough to buy a gift for all of you.'' She took out a bag full of gold and silver coins that would be enough for them to buy half of the fair.

"But my lady, how can we leave you alone?" They all stared at Evangeline with sharp and vigilant eyes as if she was an enemy and Olivia was a small kid that could get hurt by her.

"It is okay, Lady Evangeline is here for negotiation. We need some peace to decide how peace could be ensured in both houses again."