Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"What? Are you leaving? Where and why?" Evan, who was just going to sit, stood up abruptly as she stared hard at her so-called father who was having trouble in hiding his evil grin.

"I have contacted a few old friends. One of them is willing to take me under his wings. Do not worry about me much, I will be fine.

I am glad that this family loves you enough. And now that you know the truth, I am sure you will be able to fight for your rights even without me.

I did ot want to trouble you anymore, my daughter!" He was already feeling pain in his jaw by speaking so much nonsense but looking at her face full of guilt filled him with joy.

Yes! She would feel guilty towards him so when one of them would die, even in her dreams she would not think that it was him!

The plan was perfect! He wondered why he had not thought about it before and waited for so long in that dark room like a fool.

"But father!" he shook his head before she could give a possible reason to stop him again.

"There is no but, Evangeline. It would be better for everyone that I leave.

But before that, would you give me a last chance to apologize for my mistakes. I want to brew tea for all of you!" brewing tea, it has been the best way to ask for a favor or apology in their culture for decades.

So, no one would doubt his sincerity. And since the tea leaves and water would come from their kitchen, they would not doubt him and drink it carelessly.

He could already see them falling on the ground with pain and dying one by one.

It would be best if they all die and Evan would be blamed or Leo. If he would end up in prison that would be the best revenge.

The strong intent to kill all of them started to leak from his eye when he felt pressure on his shoulders and came out of his thoughts.

"Father! What are you thinking about?" he blinked as he noticed everyone was looking at him, especially William. His eyes were already sharp.

No! He could not give him a chance to suspect and reject his offer.

"Yes! I was thinking about the time I have spent with my wife. If only she would have been alive now.. Sigh! I should not be sad at this moment." he rubbed his forehead as he squeezed out fake tears from his eyes.

"Oh father!" Evan's face turned nostalgic as the mention of his wife.

Even if she was not her real mother, the lady had kept her quite well. She was a wonderful woman who made sure that Evan would grow into a beautiful person.

"Here, the tea had already been brought!" Edward hid a grin when he saw that it was the same maid who had brought the poison to him in the basement.

If she had brought it, it would only mean that he was going to win this round.

"You will give me this last chance, right?" he asked, squeezing more tears out of his eyes when the girl nodded with wet eyes too.

"Of course, it would be my honor to have this chance!" but even when she had said so, Edward kept looking at the other members of her family who still had a cold expression on their faces.

Feeling the hesitation in his eyes, Evan turned to plead to her family, who nodded their head reluctantly except William who looked away.

"He is fine! Shall I help you in brewing tea?" asked Evan in a soft voice but Edward shook his head.

"No! Stay away?" His sudden shout earned him many frowned and cold glances that were full of doubt which made him panicked.

"I mean it is my repentance so I should be the one doing it. You just sit there. Do not worry, I have learned it well in these past months when no one was there to serve me tea!" With a sigh and voice full of pain, he held her shoulder and made her sit on the plush chair and then walked back towards the trolley.

The maid nodded at him and distracted the other maids who were standing beside him. With a vicious grin on his face, he slowly took out the bottle and mixed it in the hot water while adding tea and dried leaves of chrysanthemums to hide the smell of poison.

Mixing well, he turned and poured the hot tea in the cups and walked towards them with a sad expression on his face as if he was burning in his remorse.

"I apologize to all of you once again for the troubles you have faced because of me. If you would drink the tea, I would think that you have forgiven me." he bowed his head, not to give them respect but to hide the evil expressions on his face.

They all exchanged glances but under the watchful eyes of Evangeline, no one dared to deny and nodded their heads bringing joy in the face of Edward.

"My lord, there are a few guests, who are asking for your permission to join you on the table." a frown instantly formed on the face of William as not many nobles dared to invite them at his home without prior appointment much less at dinner in these wee hours.

"What if there might be an emergency?" Before he could deny, Evan held his hands and shook her head.

"We should not return someone without knowing the reason. What if they have come to ask for help?" With the way she showed her rights, William forgot all the anger he felt as a bright smile formed on his face. He beamed like a kid who got a sudden present before Christmas and nodded his head readily.

"Yes, of course, bring all of them in with full of respect!"