Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

  Eli gave her an assured look but was not able to comfort Eve when Gabriella looked at her with colder eyes.

"How dare he force you? Did he forget who we were initially?"

"......."

"Wow! I had never thought that she would be so furious when she would come to know about the crown prince!"  murmured Eve when she held the hands of Eli, "she even sent that lizard back before continuing the topic." she exclaimed with a bright face. Though she dreaded the presence of her aunt, she was delighted that Gabriella had taken their side!

Eli just shook her head and did not comment over her sister's overenthusiastic behavior. Her mind was still swirling over her fathers retreating. How strongly he was ready to even leave the dukedom if asked! But when it came to Evan, he did not reply a word! Why was he so adamant to marry her to Leo or was it because Leo had started liking Evan too! She was so lost in thoughts, yet no matter how much she thought, she could not fathom the reason behind his father's behavior.

"Eli!! What are you thinking about so absentmindedly that you didn't even notice the pillar!!" asked Eve with a grumble as she held Eli's hands tightly. Eli blinked and then looked at Eve and the pillar in front of her.

Eve was looking annoyed and worried that Eli felt a pang of guilt. "I am worried about Evangeline. Do you think she knew how to make food that nobles eat! I know that she has cooked all her life but it must be simple: soup, bread and vegetables.

Aunt would criticize her a lot." in the end a frown formed on her face, that was filled with worry/.

"Aren't you going to help her for the meal? Just guide her about the recipes. If you want, I can also come to help you.'' Eve replied, blinking her eyes. "Wait let me remember what the aunt like most!" she scratched her chin as she started thinking seriously about it.

Eli felt guilty when she looked at her sister getting genuinely concerned about the lunch and believing her lie so easily. Eve was still as naive and innocent as she  remembered in her memories when they were young. Her little sister did not learn to lie or understand the lies at all! She knew that Eve looked up to her with admiration and here she was hiding things from her and lying to her! 

"Evelyn!" Eve turned rigid when she heard Eli taking her full name. She only did that when she was furious or disappointed with her.

"I promise, I did nothing. I remained silent all the time and did not create any trouble these days." to assure her, she even pinched the skin of her neck and swore in a panicked state, making Eli's eyes soften instantly.

She patted Eve's shoulder with a smile, "I know! You have grown up well, dear! I want to ask you something." a curious expression filled Eve's eyes as she turned and looked at Eli with her big animated eyes. It hardly happened that Eli wanted to ask her something, as she always had more knowledge and awareness about everything around them.

"Mmm" 

"Have you never thought about your marriage, Eve? Father had chosen a bride for Leo first but never looked for a groom for you! If you have anyone in your heart then you can even tell me. I will try my best to convince my father to accept him." her lips parted up in disbelief as she heard Eli, while her face turned red. Her eyes had enlarged but not a single word came out from her mouth. Cold sweat could be seen forming on her neck as she stood there frozen.

Eli felt amused as she laughed with her lips and face. "Why? You will not share your secrets with your sister!" ask Eli with a face filled with disappointment that was over exaggerating.

"Eli! What are you talking about? I love you and my freedom a lot. I did not want to marry at all! I am glad that that father had forgotten about my marriage. Or it might be that even he did not want to part with me" her voice came out rather incoherent and panicked in the start but it turned smug when the sentence ended, gaining another chuckle from Eli, who shook her head at the over indulgence of her sister.

"Sigh! You have to marry though. It is a pity that you did not have anyone in your mind. I will ask my father to look for a perfect groom for you later.`` Eve turned rigid again when the words left Eli's mouth. Yet she tried to cover her pale face and fumed.

"I am not going to leave this family, no matter what! So, it would be better if you do not look for a groom. I will never leave you and father! Hmph!" She folded her hands in front of her chest and puffed up her cheeks. Eli chuckled again and pinched her cheeks.

"You will never grow! Will you?" though she was chiding her voice was soft and indulging but eve still nodded with fake resentments.

"No, I will never grow up. I will always be your little sister! Now go and take a rest. And do not worry too much. Evan will handle the aunt.`` She hugged her sister but then pushed her towards her room. Eli took a sigh and nodded as she walked back to her room and decided to not think about the matter of her annulment of marriage anymore.

But just when the door was closed, Eve took a breath of relief. Her smugness was gone and a dreaded expression filled her heart. She leaned on the wall and closed her eyes to control her fast beating heart.

"Phew... it was a narrow escape! For a minute, I thought that she knew about my little secret."