Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Leo's eyes snapped open with a tremble in his body. He looked shocked at what just happened.

"Was it just a dream?" he mumbled as he stood up but once again his eyes widened.

He was not near the fireplace in front of his tent but he was standing in front of the palace.

He was sleeping on the road? But how did he get there?

The words of the woman from his dream rang in his ears and he recalled how she had told him that she was going to help him in saving his wife and daughter.

Evan was in danger! He ran inside without caring about the muds in his clothes and dust.

The maids were shocked to see him return and bowed their heads instantly when he passed through them but he did not stop or greeted them back like always.

"Evangeline!" he shouted once he returned to the hall and looked around.

He had only crossed the entrance and the butler came running. As the butler, it was the duty of Theo that he take care of his master and always greet him at the door with all the staff but he was shocked to see Leo there.

Didn't the last letter say that it would take a long time for them to come back.

"Your highness!" Theo bowed his head with respect when Leo finally stopped.

His look of panic was baffling and worrying.

"Where is Evangeline?" he asked in a trembling voice as if something bad had happened that only confused Theo.

"She must be in the music room, your highness. The lady often spends her time playing music these days." he pointed at the second floor where the music room was.

Leo did not wait to nod or say thanks as he ran again. His face had restless and fear that confused all the staff who started whispering while looking at his departing figure.

"I am sure the letter had just arrived yesterday that the master had left the palace four days ago.

How could he reach here in four days?" mumbled Theo as he ran being Leo. he did not feel at ease looking at his worried figure.

Leo skipped one or two stairs as he kept running on the stairs too.

The others were baffled by his strange reaction.

The sound of the music started to flow in his ears just as he reached the second floor and his heartbeat quickened.

"You were the one, I chose! It was the destiny to be true, and now I am waiting for you.." her soft voice mixed with gentleness and longing fell in his ears when he reached the door.

He could see her back. She was looking fine. Though he could not see her face, he was sure she had a smile on her face.

He took slow steps inside the room. As if he was afraid that the whole scene was just an illusion. As if, no matter how much he would walk, he would never be able to reach her.

His body was still trembling with fear though he could see that she was sitting in front of him.

"I will play for some more time. And I did not need anything. You can leave!" he could hear the annoyance in her voice.

She did not even turn to look who it was but just asked to leave by hearing the footsteps. That made him wonder how much she was nagged these days.

Her stature had widened. She looked fat. Which month was it! If he was correct, this was the last week of the seventh month.

Four months have passed since he was gone! He felt regret and guilt for not being with her on this journey.

"Evan!" he called her in a whisper as if he was taking the name of the god for prayer.

His hands held her shoulders that trembled after hearing her own name.

"Evan, how have you been?" he asked again as his voice turned wetter. Though his face filled with relief.

He was glad and relieved that she was fine. No more than that he was grateful to god. He still did not know what he would have done if she would not… he shook his head.

He would not let his thoughts run wild. She was fine and she was with him. That was all he needed to live.

"Is.. is it you?" she was not the only one that was trembling but her voice was filled with fear too.

"Or is it just another illusion that you have come back?" Then she chuckled and shook her head.

She did not even turn to look at him but started to play the song again.

A soft smile on her face but her eyes filled with longing.

"Do you have any idea how many times i have imagined you standing behind me when i have played this song?" she said in a complaining tone as her cheeks puffed up. A habit that she had since the start.

But her face was glowing as if magic was immersed on her. That reminded Leo of the woman he had seen in his dreams.

And then her words. It was just not a dream or he would not have been here. No! He couldn't believe that she was fine, just because she was looking like one.

With that thought, he held her in his arms and started walking out when she blinked.

Her eyes widened and her mouth turned agape.

With her trembling hands, she touched his cheeks. More like poked it and it only released a gasp from her mouth.

She blinked and then pinched his cheeks this time when he looked at her with an amused look.

"I can see that you have turned more wilful when i was not here. Hmm? What are you doing with my cheeks now?" He hid his amusement and tried to glare at her but the woman just laughed.

"Oh my god! You are back!"