Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Adele looked at the man in front of her with confusion. There was no way she would accept that she had a secret that could bend the emperor.

If it would not have been for that boy, she would have died a long time ago. That was her bargaining chip. What would she get for sharing it with him and who knew what was in his mind.

What if he was just fooling her to see her cards and then threw her away like used clothes. No! Not in this life.

A look of bewilderment passed her eyes with that thought in her mind as her brows furrowed,

"I do not understand what you are talking about, my lord! Your father, the emperor, had felt pity on me and he liked my soft heart. That was why he chose me as your consort.

Sister Eli is a bit cold and hardly talks to others. That was why she was not loved enough. I am sure she would.." she gulped the rest of her words when he stood up and came closer to her.

His hands held her arms tightly so that she winced. His eyes looked at her face intensely as if he could read her real thoughts.

"I do not want to know how Eli is! I know my father well.

He did not give the position of empress to his brother's daughter. How could he offer it to you without any reason?

Do you think I did not know you are keeping an eye on me whenever I go out?

Or do you think I did not know you have played the trick to sell the grains that belonged to the Thaeyne family?

I even know the small bottle of poison you hide in your clothes and waiting for a chance to mix it in my food.

You are only waiting to sleep with me a few times right?

I am sure you will not even wait for me to make you pregnant. You will just sleep a few times with me and then kill me.

If you did not became pregnant in the meanwhile you wull hire a slave to do that for you while giving the child my name!

Or you are already pregnant with the man you are hiding in the stables!

What was that slaves name again, Max! Right?" dread filled her heart as her eyes widened and her lips parted but no words came out.

She was looking shocked beyond words that not a single sound came out yet her ashen face and the sweat forming on her face gave her away.

"He is a noble from your fallen empire that was brought here as slave. Isn't it?

I have never thought that a selfish and cold woman like you could fall in love! But that does not mean I will not support it.

But there should be something equal I should get in exchange too!" finally letting go of her arms, he turned and waved his hands to the knights who bowed his head.

Her face was still paled yet she took a deep breath and opened her eyes again,

"Your highness, I do not know what you are talking about. There must be some misunderstanding.

I am deeply impressed and am in love with you. Why will I look at any other man! You are so perfect and kind and…" she walked closer to him as she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him from behind.

Trying very hard to gain his trust again, she looked at him with a pleading face as if she was wronged.

"My lord, there is someone who is slandering me. Why would I keep poison with me even if I wanted to give it to you? Wouldn't I have kept it hidden somewhere no one would be able to find it?" she blinked her big eyes as she looked at him waiting for him to melt and nod at her.

"Is that so? So lady Adele is claiming that she did not love anyone except me and she would be with me forever?" her eyes filled with joy and a wave of relief washed over her face as she nodded her head when she heard his melting voice.

She knew no man could escape from her charm. He would soon bend in front of her and ask her for forgiveness.

She did not have enough chances to meet him or else he would have been hers for long.

"Yes, my lord. I want to be yours and if you do not trust me then I can prove it to you by giving you the only thing I have, myself.

I am yours my lord. I am ready to give myself to you before marriage too." she closed her eyes as she held the button of her gowns waiting for him to nod and asking other knights to leave, when his eyes turned darker with a ray of light passed his eyes with a sinister look on his face.

"If that is the case, then I should give you a gift to show your appreciation of your love and efforts towards me." her eyes raised to his face as if looking for hints.

She knew that he was not a fool to trust her that easily when he knew the truth already. But she was not in a state to refuse or think further.

With a smile on her face, she shook her head, "there is no need my lord. I am not materialistic to need gifts. You trust me that is more than enough for me.'' She tried to hold his arms and lean on it as she looked at him with a face full of love when she heard footsteps behind her and the familiar voice that froze her.

"Since I have accused you of deceiving me with this man, as a gift and an apology I want to present you with his head! Taking his life I will repent for questioning you, my lady!"