Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Leo had finally calmed down Eve and took her in her room. She got anxious every time their aunt came because she was a strict disciplinarian. She had often been punished badly due to her actions and childish attitude. Therefore she always gets too nervous when she hears that aunt Gabriella is going to come. This had always been the case as their aunt was in too perfect at giving punishments, whether it was a staff or the member of the family.

Her behavior was no less than a hurricane for the whole palace. Therefore, rather than aunt Gabriella she was known as the hurricane. But William never raised an eye or spoke against her elder sister even once. She had always told her kids that all she was doing was for their betterment. 

Gabriella had single handedly raised and nurtured William when their parents died. He was too young to handle everything, yet as the rule of the empire he was the lone heir of the whole property even when it was his sister who was at her prime age and capable enough to rule the estate.

She managed everything perfectly, and taught William even after knowing that she would get nothing in return. It took golden years of her youth and she even passed the age of marriage due to taking care of the estate and her brother, William. She had to marry a count because of that which was beneath her respect. Yet she did that without any complaint. 

For all this, William felt greatly indebted to his sister and therefore, he never questioned her actions. For him, his sister was always right. She had reasons to behave the way she did and even he could not be as devoted to the palace as she was!

Leo knew everything but he also knew how much his aunt had pride in her being the noble blood. She had never accepted her status as the countess, she even called herself as the daughter of duke. Then how could she accept Evan who had no background. 

So, he hurried to reach the hall. Afraid that Evan would be bullied and insulted by his aunt. But when he reached there, it was just the opposite! Evan was mercilessly scolding his aunt while she was standing there dumbfounded. She did not even reply to her even once.

  He would have placated his heart by thinking that she was trying to behave wicked as he always asked her to. But her eyes were telling how serious she was! Whenever she acts, her eyes filled with mischief, but they were beyond serious now. 

His eyes narrowed when she told Gabriella how eager she was to leave this family and his eyes narrowed at her face. Though he did not want to marry her either. But his chest felt heavy when she spotted all those words.

"Had you had enough?" he asked as his eyes squinted on her face. His whole aura turned cold as if the place that was burning hot like the south turned frozen in a second.

They both turned to look at him and turned silent.

"Leo!" was all Gabriella said. She was not at all pleased with the sudden interruption but she could not show that to Leo, the future heir of the dukedom.

While Evan just closed her mouth. She folded her hands in front of her chest and ignored the man entering.

Leo walked towards both of them with slow steps. His actions were regal and defined, even normal walking turned exceptional when it was done by him. Gabriella could not believe that Evan was not at all attracted to the man or his wealth. Even a blind could get tempted with it!

But when she saw Evan from her peripheral vision she was not even looking at Leo. her face was contorted as if she had seen a piece of trash that would ruin her day and she was astonished. No! She shook her head. It could be an act to prove her lies!

"Aunt, I came as soon as I heard that you had come. How have you been?" he asked with the same indifference but there was respect in his tone. It could be seen that he respected her a lot on his face. Then he looked around and frowned. "Why are you standing at the door? Let us go in and sit. Shall I order your favorite tea and snacks?" he asked with the same soft tone. His words were no less than music for the ears of listeners.

"Ah! Only you care about your old aunt. Tea and snacks would be great!" as if her whole aura had been changed. The woman who was showing fangs to Evan had turned into an amiable old lady who is meeting her grandchildren. Evan blinked at the sudden change.

She should have been habitual by now! The nobles had many layers on their faces. She shook head at her own naivety.

"What are you doing here? Go and rest in your room. Your food will be sent there. Do not come down and disturb the aunt." he instructed her in a cold tone. A smile of satisfaction formed on the face of Gabriella. She knew that her nephew could not like a commoner like Evan. he had been admired by all the higher noble ladies yet he did not spare a glance to them. Then how could he be bewitched by a girl like Evangeline!!!

Small doubts that had appeared in her mind when she came to know that he had personally escorted her to the academy were dissipated completely by his actions.

"With all my pleasure." Evan didn't even want to spend time with a crazy man and a snobbish woman. She turned her head and walked towards the stairs.

"Leo! Why are we even keeping her in the palace? You should have denied your father the moment he had chosen the girl for you. But do not worry, I will handle the matter personally now."

"..........."