Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"So I will ask again, do you have any idea how many coins we have in our treasure?" his calm voice did not have any ripples as he continued to sit there majestically. 

"Of course, there are a total of 118 coins that had a grandfather portrait on it. It shows our 118 generations that had been part of this empire." her voice was filled with pride as she looked at the coin with both pride and disappointment. 

Leo nodded and then stood up. Opening the button of his coat, he took it off and threw it on the nearby chair.

"Then let us go and check. How many coins are left in the treasure!" his gaze fell on Evan who was looking aggrieved while looking at him and he was sure that she was cursing him again in her heart. But this time he did not feel amused by it, a stuffy feeling started to fill his heart whenever he looked at her.

Giving a last gaze to the black box that was still speaking he walked out of the hall.

"You!!" Gabriella could not believe that he ordered her just like that and even left before she could deny.

"Don't you think that you will be able to escape from here because you have spellbound all the men of the palace. I am still here to maintain justice and discipline." The matter of earring was long forgotten. Now it was about the respect of the Thawyne family.

With her piece of threat, Gabriella stomped her feet and turned to follow Leo, clicking her heels on the floor.

"Shall we follow them?" Eli mumbled as she looked at Evan with a complicated gaze. Even she was suspicious of the girl now. How could she have the coin if it was too sacred and rare.

Evan took a deep sigh as she knew her fate was locked! That old lady would not let her go unscathed. She could feel the doubt in the eyes of Eli too, but could not say a single word in her innocence, as she did not want to drag Leo in the fuss!

She meekly nodded and Eli nodded back, 

"You have to lead the way. I did not know the way to the treasure room." 'Just a few minutes ago, i didn't even know a place like that existed in the palace' but she knew if she would say that loudly, they would only think that she was making excuses to show that she was innocent. 

So, she kept her screams to herself. Eli looked at her and then at the black box again with her eyes narrowed but Evan just stood there silently. She was telling the truth. She did not know!!  'Did you still want me to lead the way and then get lost in the large corridors!' 

"Come with me then!" was all Eli said in the end as she walked and Evan nodded and followed with a big sigh.

'Leo! This time you have messed up really big! How could you take out such precious jewels!' She shook her head at his foolishness as she continued to walk forward only to end up bumping into Eli who had stopped walking.

Evan rubbed her forehead and then looked above only to see a big door that had four knights standing on both sides. They all were glaring at her as if she had insulted their ancestors.

She shrunk back a little when she felt the intent to kill from everyone.

"So tell me which one of you has the guts to let a mere commoner enter in and take anything she wants? If you still tell the truth, I will only give you the death penalty and let your family live. Or else I will announce the punishment to all your families!" The cold words rang in the silent corridors like danger bells.

"..........." now she knew why they were glaring at her. Where did that untrustworthy man go? She looked around but Leo was nowhere to be seen. When she heard footsteps behind her. 

She turned only to meet his eyes. They were so dark like a blackhole, she felt as if she would drown in it, if she continued to look at them.

He passed her another glance, before leaving her there and walked towards the door.

"........" why did she feel that he was furious with her! Should she not be the one to be furious! Why was he throwing tantrums?

"My lady, the door is always locked and we did not have its keys. Even if we think of betraying the palace, we can not open the door, let alone anyone entering the room." the man pleaded as he pointed at the locks.

The door had three big locks, which needed different keys to be opened. But Gabriella had lost all her reasoning. She was not ready to accept that Evan had not been to the treasure room.

But before she could blame them further, Leo walked forward and opened the lock with the keys in his hands. 

"Clink"

"Clink"

"Clink" 

One by one all the three locks opened and the door was pushed by him. "Creak" the door was an old iron door that made the sound of the creak while opening.

Gabriella was the first to enter, followed by Leo and then Eli and evan.

The room was dimly lit but the shine of gold and sparkling stones were giving the room a mysterious and majestic look.

Leo lit up the lights and soon the whole room sparkled like a big piece of diamond. 

Large and small boxes of gold coins, diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds and much more were laid here and there.

The room was splendid, even Evan was stunned to see the sheer amount of wealth they had.

"So do you know where the coins are?" her gleaming eyes were taken back from the jewels when she heard Leo's cold voice and nodded.

"They are in the centre, below the portrait of your grandfather."