Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Evangeline blinked too many times yet she did not understand what just happened, why were both sisters looking at her apologetically when they didn't even like her in the first place.

"Please, do not cry." finally she realized that her eyes were welled up. But it was not because of their harsh comments. Truth to be told, their comments were not at all harsh.

Evangeline was expecting more drama, more sarcastic comments like she had seen in the theater when a rich noble fell in love with a commoner. His family even tries to kill the girl to get rid of her. If she compares, these girls did not even stand a candle against those families.

In fact, they were sweet! They were concise and hurt looking at her tears.

"I.. I am not crying because of your comments, my lady." replied Evangeline embarrassed as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Then why are you crying suddenly?" This time it was William who asked as his apologetic expressions changed into confused ones.

"I missed my family looking at your interactions." replied Evangeline. There was no way she could tell that she was jealous of their bond.

The man's eyes softened listening to her reply.

"You do not need to feel lonely, Evan. We are your new family now. Right Eve and Eli?" Evangeline looked at the man with a stunned expression even though her family had not called him this intimately like the man was doing so. As if they were actually a family. Even her nickname matched the other girls as if we all three were sisters.

No, Evangeline shook her head. She was thinking too much. They were nobles! And she could not trust them. There must be some reason behind his sweetness, or maybe he was just guilty for the death of her father but there was no way that his son would accept her. She would be bound in a loveless marriage where she could get only this man's pity. She would not let that happen!

"Father, I agree that she is alone and a bit pitiful but that does not mean that I will accept her as my brother's wife. I will never accept this decision." said Elizabeth, wiping her face elegantly. Even wiping my face could be worthwatchnig i never knew that. "I am done with the meal. I have to go and finish my painting. So, please excuse me." she replied as she bowed her head a bit.

"Me too." said Evelyn, and I realized she was the tail of her elder sister. She stood up, bowed and both sisters left the dining hall.

"You do not need to worry about them. They will take some time to accept you. But they are kind hearted girls." the one thing she was worried about was that only they would also accept her!

She only nodded as the man wiped his face too. "If you excuse me, I have some things to finish too." she nodded as the man left too and finally felt relief as their manners were like an invisible wall over my stomach.

Their manners were not letting her eat but once they left Evangline looked at the food with shiny eyes. She took all and ate as she could creampies, eggs, beef, steak. She ate until she burped and then rubbed her stomach satisfactorily.

"I want to take a walk. Can I go to my father's grave again?" She asked the same kind maid who had brought her here.

As others were looking at her with disdain.

"Sure, my lady. You are allowed to go anywhere inside the castle. And I am assigned to serve and guide you, my lady." the maid replied with a kind smile and Evangeline took a breath of relief. At least she was not bound to a room. This way she would have chances to make a better escape plan.

This time when she moved, she looked around carefully. The walls were adorned with paintings of old and young people dressed regally. She even saw various pictures of both girls alone or with their father. Then her eyes fell on the picture of a man sharing the portrait with them, he was looking younger yet taller to both of them, and they all had a sweet smile on their faces.

The man had black hair and dark eyes that were just looking like night just opposite to the golden hair and blue eyes of the girls. Yet he was looking mesmerizing, his portrait was so lifelike as if he would move any moment and will hold her hand. His eyes were like obsidian orbs. She felt greatly attracted to them.

"My lady. This is your future husband, the heir of the dukedom, Leonardo Thawyne." told the girl enthusiastically but all i could do was nod.

"There is another solo portrait of him there." She pointed at the other wall and I turned to see it.

As if the angel had turned into a devil. The warm smile he had with his sisters has changed into a cold smirk that even made her shiver. His whole aura has changed completely. He was looking like a devil who had come to earth to suck the souls of mere humans. Breathtaking yet extremely dangerous.

"My lady, if you are feeling cold, you should not go to the graveyard at this moment, it is a windy night." advised the maid but I shook my head. I need to go and inform him that I would not listen to him anymore.

This is our final goodbye and in the morning, I will start my new life away from all this chaos. Tomorrow i will run away the moment i will get the chance.