Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Why? Are you afraid that I will know that you cry like a baby when you are given medicines and applied ointment?"

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

She knew that he behaved coolly because he did not want to worry them. But that did not mean that he was not hurt.

"I have not called the physician so that no one would get worried. But even if I am not one, I know how to bandage. I had once bandaged you before too." she reminded him as she replied in a haughty voice. "Now do not be stubborn like a kid and turn around." her tone was stern that even he blanked for a second.

From where had she gained such courage to order him?

Even she realised a bit later that she had used a strong authoritative tone. She raised her head a bit and saw him glaring at her!

"Please!" she blinked her big animated eyes with pleading expressions. She tried her best to not show him any fear on her face but her trembling legs gave her away. But when she looked at him, her eyes fell on his will built muscular chest again. Her eyes stayed there for more than required, when she heard him snort.

"You may have the skill for bandaging but I am afraid you are more interested in staring at my chest than taking care of my health!" his tone was full of mockery as his eyes narrowed on her face. 

She clenched her hands and squinted at him, 

"Ha! Who are you? Do you think you are the most handsome man of the empire?" she asked while gnashing her teeth.

"Yes!" there was no hint of doubt in his voice, that she stumbled for words. If anyone else would have said that, she would have snorted and told me not to be delusional. But when it comes to Leo, she had no words to refute him.

She just looked directly at him with a stern face, "are you going to let me bandage or not?"

".........." he did not say a word but his stare had turned so strong that a normal person would have already fallen on their knees. But she had decided that she would not bow down this time.

The room had deafening silence. Leo's aide who was standing there, tried to turn invisible by taking slow steps backwards.

He finally raised a brow when she did not cower back while he continued to stand there with all his pressure that he was enough to pressurize even the head of the knights due to his murderous aura.

Even when he was not uttering a word! His gaze was strong enough to tremble everyone as he stood there tall and grand as if he was above all of them and the mere humans could not even touch them.

When she felt that he was tall and grand, she did not want to give up, to show that she was equal, she tried to stand on her toes as she continued to look into his eyes.

She did not realise that she had come too close to show him that she was fearless. Her hot breath touched his chest and he trembled. 

His eyes flickered with the heat that passed through her body. In the next moment, he turned around and took out his shirt silently. 

Evan blinked. She had given up hopes that he would listen to her as he was glaring at her ever so fiercely. 

She was dumbfounded at his sudden change in behaviour. But then her face filled with glee. She could not believe that she won from the iceberg who was harder than a mountain when it comes to taking decisions.

But her smile froze when her gaze fell on his back. She had expected that his back would be red, but it was a scalded body. Blisters could be seen to be formed and she was sure it would only swell further.

The blisters had covered his whole back and the place had turned redder. 

"Why did you not say anything?" she mumbled in an aggrieved tone. She did not know why she was feeling suffocated and in pain when he was the one who was hurt!?

This was the second time that he was hurt because of her. And every time he showed that he was fine, so that she would not feel worried and guilty.

She blinked and looked above to control the tears from falling on her face. 

"I am sorry." her voice was so slow and soft that it was almost inaudible yet he heard her clearly as they were standing too close.

Leo's eyes flickered, he tried to turn back but she held his back and he stopped. His lips parted, but no words came out. He wanted to tell her that it was not her mistake and she was not wrong but he stayed silent.

He did not know why, he felt warmth when he saw her getting worried for him while he always felt annoyed when Eli and Eve did so!

But her silence was unnerving him. He wanted to turn and see her expressions but she did not let him.

"Would you start bandaging or are you enjoying the back view too?" he asked with a raised brow as his lips curved into a smug look.

A smile curled on her lips too as she shook her head and mumbled, "narcissist!"

She put the first aid box on the nearby table and opened it with a fish! She picked out the ointment that had been made by her for her blisters three days ago.

"I.. i have made the ointment for blisters a few days ago. I did not know if it was up to your standard. Please bear with it for now until the physician of the palace make one for you." she replied with some hesitation. No matter how many times she had made it, she was not a qualified physician after all. It was mostly a homemade remedy her mother used to make for her when she got burnt while cooking. Before she could speak further to convince him, he murmured.

"I am ready to let you apply even if it has poison!"

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