Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

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Leo, who was already grumbling, stopped in his tracks when he looked at the staff that was running a monk like an earthquake had hit the palace. He remembered the ashen face of the night and the pale face of the staff now confirmed his thoughts.

Could he turn and take Evan back to the academy or hide her in the training ground? He was about to turn back with thought when he remembered that she had told him not to interfere in her life and let her stay in the academy.

She wanted to taste how vicious nobles could be! Very well! Now she would know why he was trying to protect her!

He took a step back and turned towards the palace again. With a blank face, he entered leisurely in the palace as if he could not see the panic in the eyes of the maids.

"Leo." he heard Eve calling him and he turned to look at her.

Eve was biting her nails while looking at all the preparation. Why was she alone in the palace today! She was cursing her luck. Her father had left for the royal palace with the messenger and taken Eli with him, while Evan and Leo had gone to the academy before them. She had thought that she would laze around in the garden leisurely all day when she got the news that a hurricane was coming. And before she could even let the news sink in and think of a plan to save herself, the hurricane even arrived. Now she was standing in the middle of the crisis. When she had thought that she was about to drown alone, she found the last straw that could help her.

"Leo!!!" she ran towards him forgetting all the manner of the ladies she was taught. After all, her life was at stake. She only stopped when she grabbed his arms and held them tightly.

Usually Leo would have looked at Eve with cold eyes and scolded her for her actions. But this time, he could see her panic and did not throw her hands away.

"Is she already here?" she nodded before he could even ask any further.

"How did this happen? I mean.. Hadn't she visited and lived here for months when mother left us. It had only been a month of peace and now she is here again. Leo, I want to go to our summer house. It is becoming too cold here.'' She looked at Leo as if he was her last hope but he just took a deep sigh and shook his head.

"Running would not help. She would not let you go anyway!" With those statements, her last hope was shattered too. She took a deep breath as if this was the last time she would be able to do that. After that she would be drowned too deep into the water.

"At least pray for my easy death!" she mumbled as she let go of his hands and walked towards the sofa with an ashen face, her face was looking like her soul had already left her body, and she was a walking dead. She slumped on the sofa with a thud. Her eyes were down casted and her hands were laying on both sides as if they had no life.

Leo continued to look at her when the image of Evan sleeping leisurely in the carriage passed through his mind and he finally understood what was happening.

His face turned grim and his eyes turned cold when he uttered,

"She had not come here for you!!!"

"My lady!"

"My lady!" the maid called Evan in her low and soft voice. She was afraid that if she raised her voice even a bit higher, the hurricane would come to know that she was slacking from her work. Her eyes continued to look around as she tried to wake up the sleeping girl who had a relaxed face.

She wondered how long it was going to stay! Finally the maid took a deep sigh and entered the carriage. She held the shoulders of Evan and nudged her.

"My lady. Please wake up! We have to go before the hurricane arrives." finally feeling the touch of someone, Evan flustered her eyes but did not open them.

The face of the maid was worse than crying. Why did the lady not understand her dilemma?

"My lady lord had asked me to wake you up, why don't you go and sleep in your room." 'if that would be possible after entering into the palace.' added the maid in her heart. She felt pity on the girl who was sleeping without knowing her doom was waiting for her. Should she let Evan sleep for a bit more time, as it could be her last sleep!

No! She shook her head at her absurd thoughts.

"My lady, I have cooked your favourite soup and even made fish for you. If you do not wake up it will turn cold so I better serve it to my lord." as if an alarm had been finally pressed by the maid. Evan opened her eyes and looked around. After blinking a few times, her eyes got adjusted to the bright light of sun,

"What did you say?" she asked with anticipation as she looked at the maid with her big doe eyes like a small kid who was tempted by treats.

"I have cooked a delicious meal for you. Shall we go in so that I can serve you?" asked the maid with a smile. She even forgot the fear of hurricanes for a minute.

Evan nodded her head like an obedient kid and stood up from her seat. They walked out of the carriage and finally the maid took a breath of relief when she saw that the path was clear. But before they could take a step in, a strong and sharp voice was heard,

"so, you are Evangeline, the future duchess of the Thawyne family?"