Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

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"My lord, we have not found anything yet!" Andrew ran a hand in his hair as he looked at the other corner of the room himself.

There was no way that the woman had nothing. To get the favor of his father upto a limit of announcing her as the new empress and his wife, she must have something that his father wanted.

He had already caught many spies that were sent by Adele to follow him. But he still did not know what she was hiding.

All of those spies were proven useless as they did not have any idea about her plans.

But if he did not find anything that could stop his father then he was sure no matter what proof said, his father would punish the duke and his family.

That was his main goal and if he would try to intervene then Eli's truth would be at risk.

"Look again, there must be something." he instructed the knights who exchanged glances but nodded their heads and started searching the room for the fourth time.

They did not even know what they were looking for specifically.

"Master the girls are not fools. Why would she hide something important in her room when she knew she could not trust the guards here?

If I would have been at her place, then I would have hid my secrets where no one could find them."  Andrew closed his eyes as he had that doubt too.

She was not a fool to keep her secrets out in the open but he was desperate and did not have much time to wait for that.

"It can not be helped then. Go and bring the girl to my room with respect. It should look like I have a change of heart." a frown formed on the face of the aide but then understanding dawned in as he nodded his head.

"Yes, your highness.'' He turned to look at all the knights who were still searching the room, making a mess out of it.

"Retreat, there is no need to look into the room anymore. Palace everything as it was and then leave." taking a breath of relief, the knights nodded their heads who were already tired beyond belief.

Andrew walked towards his room which was dark. The cold in the room was bone chilling but he did not light the woods in the fireplace as he sat on the sofa and pinched the space between his brows.

He had heard the maids gossiping on how the grand duchy is going to face their end today for their betrayal to the royal family.

"Your highness, princess Adeleade is here to meet his highness." his eyes snapped open when he heard the sound of his aide and pain and anguish started to fill in them.

"Send her in alone!" The aid who had taken a step in stopped in his tracks and made way for the woman who had raised a brow.

She was looking vigilant and though she was smiling as if she was happy and shy, he could see the sharp look beneath that fake smile.

She took slow steps in as she scanned the dark room for possible threats. Last time when she had acted like he had kissed her in front of Eli, he had given strict orders that she would never be able to come in.

But that only worked in her favor as the maids blamed Eli for sowing discord between the couple due to her jealousy.

Everyone believed that Eli could not let go of her position and power . That was why she was acting weak and hurt in the presence of the crown prince while she was cold to everyone.

Adele was happy as long as she was getting the favor of everyone. She did not care much about Andrew since he did not hold real power in the palace anyway.

And as long as it was about George, she knew his achilles heel and knew how to control him.

"Your highness, you have called for me." bowing her head she greeted him while sneering at his pathetic state in her heart.

Who would believe that he was the single heart of the biggest empire on the continent when he looked like that!

Pathetic! How could she marry someone like him? Her eyes filled with disdain as she looked at his lonesome figure in the dark room. If her empire had not lost the war with their empire, she would not have spared a fiance to this kind of weak prince who thinks from his heart.

"Yes, you must know about the trail running on the family of Thawynes?" her face immediately turned from a worried look to pain and hurt.

"Yes, my lord. I am so hurt whenever I think about how much my sister Elizabeth would be suffering!

I could not bring myself to forget about her even for a minute. Would you give me a chance to go to her and give some warmth? She must be feeling alone." with a tear squeezed in her eyes she was looking the epitome of love and concern for her.

"Hmm, that would not be needed. I have thought that their family was strong and powerful and being with Eli would make me strong too.

But the way it crumbles down. I am not only disappointed but I feel resentment. The pillar I was thinking of leaning on crumbled.

So, now I need a new one. Forget about her, she is old news now. I want to know what you can offer me Adele.

My father trusts you a lot and has chosen you as my wife. Tell me why shall I accept you as my wife.

The offers you have given to my father to enter in the palace. I want one of them for myself too. I did not want to live as the crown prince all my life, I want to ascend as emperor too. Would it be beneficial for me when that time comes?"