Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Hannah coughed hard while rubbing her chest. The food was mixed with so much pepper that her whole mouth and chest burned just by taking a sip.

She felt that she would not be able to take breath with that burning throat. Picking up the jar of water, she drank all in one gulp when she heard the sound of laughter.

Her face burnt with anger and embarrassment as she ran to the door and opened it.

The maid who had given the dinner and a few other maids were standing there and laughing hard.

They did not feel any embarrassment or worry after getting caught but they felt smug.

They looked at Hannah with disdain as they laughed.

"Why did the precious lover of his highness not like the food?" asked the maid who had served her dinner.

She sneered at the flaring Hannah as she went in to pick up the plate of food.

"Since the princess did not want to eat the food belonging to paupers, I should take the plate away." she said with sheer sarcasm and mocking gaze on her face when the other maids laughed again.

"You! What do you think you are doing?" Hannah shouted harshly but no one paid any head to her. The day when she had the power and could control other maids were gone.

Now they were looking at her as if she was a fool. They have disdain for her all over their faces.

Hannah's hands clenched into a tight fist and her chest heaved up and down with anger. She felt humiliated and wanted to teach them a lesson.

"Ha! Do you think that I would let you take the food away? I am going to show it to Ethan when he returns.

You will get punished for your cheap prank." she screamed again like a banshee as she tried to snatch the tray from the maid but the hold of the maid was tighter.

"Ha! What made you think that he would come to you again. He had already taught you a lesson but it looks like you have not learnt it yet." but she still did not let go of the tray but even used more pressure so that she would not lose it.

Hannah fused but did not say a word.

She knew that Ethan was angry but she also knew that he was not going to give up on her. Not that soon.

She took a deep breath and then used more force when suddenly the maid let it go. As a result whole food fell on her dress and she lost her balance falling on the ground.

All the food was over her and the plates fell all around her shattering into pieces.

All the maids gasped at the scene.

"Oh my, what have you done? Why were you snatching the tray from me when you were the one who told me that you did not want to eat anymore.

If anyone would see, they would think i am the person who is trying to bully you.'' The maid bowed her head as if she was afraid that she would be blamed for the incident when Hannah furrowed her brows.

She was sure the maid was mocking her just a second ago. Could it be that she was finally afraid since there were proofs of her actions.

She stood up with a smirk on her face. A shard of the glass pierced her feet and she winced but looking at the afraid maids she ignored the pain and looked at them with an arrogant look.

"So, you do know that I still hold the power and yet you dared to raise your head in front of me. You deserve to be punished for that.

Just you wait when Ethan comes, I will teach you a lesson by talking back to me. He will only listen to me and then you are going to bear the consequences." she smirked and spoke aloud as she looked at their ashen face with a gloating smile on her face.

"Oh really, so you think that he is a fool who will dance on your fingertips?" came the voice from behind when she scoffed.

"Of course, he is my…" her eyes widened and she stopped mid way. .this voice.. This voice is!

Ethan came in the room and stood in front of her with his frozen eyes and deep whirlpool forming in them.

His face had no sign of anger yet she shivered looking at him. This was a trap! How could she be such a fool to fall into it when she had tricked others all her life.

She ran to the man leaving all her respect and confidence as her face filled with anxiety. She held the arms of the man and then squeezed a few tears out of her eyes. She looked miserable with a ruined dress and blood coming out of her feet that turned the ground red.

"Ethan, that is not what I meant. They made a fool of me. They tricked me into believing that you are not here.

And they.. They spiked my food with a lot of spices. And in the end they even pushed me onto the ground.

They all think that you are ot with me anymore so they could do anything with me.

They are bullying me and now.. Now…"

"Now they forced you to speak all those words. No! Wait, they must have casted a spell on you to speak all those words from your mouth with that arrogance, right?" his voice was filled with sarcasm as he jerked her hands away from his arms.

"Do you think I am a fool, Hannah? I have been in the room since you were trying to snatch the tray from the girl and fell on your own accord.

She apologized to you sincerely but you only rebuked her and showed your illusionary power.

It made me think that i am nothing but a tool in your hands that you can dispose any moment."