Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Of course, I pledge on the name of my family that I will only punish the real culprit. And i will give you proof so that you can be satisfied with the decision too." Though he was talking to Gabriella, his gaze swept past through Aurora who gulped. A guilty expression passed through the eyes of Aurora but she covered it soon. 

There was no way Leo could find proof against her. Till she continued to behave innocently and confidently, there was no way he could blame her! He was just trying to intimidate her! She changed that in her mind and then looked at them with an aggrieved face.

"Aunt, do not forget about mixing spices in your food too." she added as she looked back at her aunt who nodded.

"What kind of spices?" Evan looked at both of them in a confused manner! Were they trying to frame her for more things so that she would rot her whole life in prison.

"My lord, i.." he tilted his head to look at her when her hot breath caressed his cheeks. It gave him an electrifying feeling as if thunder had stuck his body. He did not know why he was being too sensitive from her touch and proximity.

He did not even know why he had not let go of her hand and created such a ruckus. But when she continued to talk about leaving him again and again, he just could not bear it! He wanted to rip her apart for the wish to leave him!

No! He wanted to investigate the matter completely before letting her go. But right now was not the time about thinking about her, it was about ending the matter for once and all.

"You have to trust me this time." he whispered in her ears and smirked when his whole body turned stiff. She did not even blink when his smooth and velvety voice rang in his ears. Satisfied with his affect on her, he turned to look at the spectators that were looking at him with a stunned gaze.

In the middle of the serious discussion they both were having their loving conversation. Did they even care about the rules now? Would Leo even support the truth now? Gabriella was beyond furious when she saw their display of affection.

"Wait! I" but before she could interrupt, Leo raised his hand and his expressions turned cold again.

Leo's lips curled up in a mocking smile as he asked, "how do you know about it? After all, you were not at home when the incident happened and your aunt had not clarified it even to the maids of the family."

Aurora, who was fuming with anger looking at the couple, froze. Her face turned pale when she remembered that her aunt had not made any issue out of the matter. She used Gabriella!! It took her so much effort to mix spices in her dishes only, yet she did not react and wasted all her efforts!

If only she had been this furious at that time, Evan would have already left the house a long ago.

"That! Aunt told me about it later when I went to spend time with her in her room!" she replied with confidence and then looked at her aunt who was staring at her with a stunned face. 

Gabriella bowed her head. She did not need any further hint to know who was the culprit. All this time she had thought that Evan was trying to take revenge, since Aurora was not even present there when the accident happened. But who would have thought.

She looked at Evan with a complicated gaze. Though she was not responsible for this matter. She had still stolen the earrings and other jewels!! With that thought her eyes harden again.

"Is that so? I did not remember you going to your aunt's room since you visited me the moment you came back and then took a long time bathing and getting ready for eating dinner and then came back to my room with food and drinks! Is that right?" he asked the knights who were serving Aurora and Gabriella.

"Yes, my lord." Both of them nodded their heads instantly and Aurora gritted her teeth.

"Are you keeping an eye on me like a culprit, my lord?" her tone was blaming as she wiped a tear from her eyes, "aunt had told me about it when we were going to have dinner together!!" she wiped the tears and then looked at Leo to make him feel guilty but his cold expressions did not change at all.

He chuckled as if he had heard a great joke.

"I am just keeping my eyes open to make the right decision. Yet you are making it like I am trying to wage a war between both families. Are you sure you are blaming me for it, lady Aurora?" His words stunned her but she did not say a word.

If her father would come to know that she was the reason for the rift between the families then he would lock her in her room for lifetime.

She shook her head and tried to bow but the grip of knights did not even let her do so, "I apologize my lord, I did not mean that. But I am not the culprit you are searching for! If only you look at the broader view, you will be able to discern that too" 

"Aunt Gabriella," he did not reply to Aurora but turned to look at his silent aunt that would have been scoffing and blaming him till now if Aurora would have been right! Yet he wanted to see whom she would support! truth of her foolish niece that was still not realizing the gravity of the matter.

"Is Aurora telling the truth? Did you inform her about the incident of spices during dinner?"

[Wish you a merry Christmas everyone. sorry for the late chapter. i went out to celebrate with my family.]