Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"My lady.. My lady.." the worried voice of the maid filled the palace when Eli frowned.

She had already told everyone not to disturb them while the maid was shouting!

She opened the door with a cold look on her face when she found that the maid was sweating and her whole face turned white.

"What happened?" she asked with a look of worry when the maid shook her head.

"The lady, mistress hannah is gone.'' Eli frowned further.

She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her and asked in a low voice.

"What do you mean by gone? She must be resting in her room since she is pregnant." she asked but the maids shook her head again.

"I have already checked the bedroom of the mistress and the painting and music room where she spent most of her time. She is not in a condition to explore other rooms, she had vomited just half an hour ago and she was looking sick again."

"......." Eli looked around.

"Maybe she had gone for a walk. Look into every corner of the palace before saying such words. Ask all the other maids to help you but only ask those whom you can trust. Rumors did not take time to spread. And then come and tell me where you found her, did you understand?" Although Eli never ruled the family, she had always been the elder daughter of the family, getting unparalleled respect and loyalty in the heart of the staff.

The maid bowed her head respectfully and left with hurried steps when Eli's heart sank.

Though Evan had never told her what she and Hannah talked about, she knew that Hannah was the pawn in the hands of his majesty.

He had only blown an explosive and ran away in the morning. There might be a chance that he would contact his loyal pawns to help him.

If Hannah had gone.. Could it be?

No, she shook her head. The girl was pregnant with Ethan's child. And she had seen how much Hannah loved Ethan. There was no way that she would leave like that.

Eli did not wait for the maid to return as she walked to the room of Hannah where the maids had seen her for the last time.

The room was empty as the maid had said. There was no sign that Hannah even laid on the bed. The bedsheet was arranged perfectly.

She lit the lights and looked around, though she was not sure what she was looking for. But there was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was well arranged.

If she had not walked out of the room or the main door then it only meant that she had used the secret passage.

Each room of the palace had a secret passage. It was made at the time when his grandfather used to rule the empire. He had made it in case they were seized or a war happened.

So, they could run away and hide. And if she remembers correctly, the secret passage of this room was from the balcony.

She walked towards the balcony and stared at the candlestick when he felt that it was not placed perfectly.

Had she really taken the secret passage to leave them? Her eyes were filled with doubt even when she did not want to accept it.

Just when she took a step ahead she felt something struck on her heels and looked down.

It was a crumpled piece of paper. She frowned and picked it up and started reading it when her eyes widened.

"Hannah, I know that you have been living too well and I am surprised that you have even given up on the father you have come this far for.

I heard that your mother had accepted the truth too. Is that why you are gaining the courage to stand against me and loving my enemies?

Sigh! Since you are so happy, I did not want to disturb you but then, I am bored.

So, I had decided to go and meet your mother. She had been too lonely too. Now that I think about it, she had told me that was only alive to meet her husband. If she is not going to be with him anymore, why was she even alive?

I will ask her when I will meet her and tell her how you have kept your own father captive in your palace and now living happily with his enemies.

If she would decide to leave the world then, as her well wisher, i would help her. But you do not need to worry. We both will not disturb you.

But I will come to meet you when you give birth. After all the child is my blood relative too. Goodbye Hannah but this is not the end.

If you change your mood, you can meet me in the infirmary of your mother tonight.

I will give you time to explain yourself for the old time sake." he was blackmailing her and that fool left without telling us.

She shook her head with fear and disbelief as she ran and pressed the bell.

The maid came running immediately.

"My lady we have checked all the important places of the palace and garden but we are not able to find the mistress. I am afraid something bad has happened to her. She was looking worried since morning and her complexion was too pale." she said with worry when Eli nodded her head hiding her anxiety.

In the time of danger, she could not trust anyone freely.

She had to hold on.

"Yes, I understand. It is my mistake to worry you all. She had told me sometime ago that she was worried about her mother and was going to meet her in the infirmary. I shall go and bring her back now that it is late. Can you tell me where her mother is living?" asked Eli with a smile