Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Ethan had just closed his eyes when he heard a girl voice behind him while the door was in front of him. He jumped on his feet and stood up only to see that it was a young girl around her age who was greeting him as brother.

She had an amiable smile on her face that made her cold expression soften. She had dark golden hair and green eyes giving her a slight resemblance to him.

"You are my sister?" staring awkwardly at her, he did not know what else to say since it was his first time meeting a person who was not hostile to him but he could not be sure about her intentions.

"Were you the family mistress you were talking about?" Adele lowered her head when she felt the stern look of Eli hearing the word mistress.

"You are higher in rank from the princess of a fallen empire who had lost her noble rights and was nothing more than a hostage. You shouldn't call anyone as your master and mistress carelessly.

They all would bow down your head in front of you, not the other way around!" Tell them to those who had beaten him because he was stealing food from the dustbin. He wanted to sneer and told her the truth when she chided him in a stern voice but decided against it and only nodded his head.

Her words made him curious about his family for the first time. Though he knew that he was rich, but to be in a higher rank than a princess!

Could it be that he was a lost prince who became victim of palace politics.

"I am here to take you home, my lord. You can rest there and slowly learn about your real identity.

But if you have questions that you want me to answer right away, please do ask so." instead of getting seated comfortably, she remained standing making him a bit flustered.

She looked more like a stern old lady from the shops rather than a family member. Not that he has any experience on how the family behaved.

But he was having a hard time challenging her authoritative voice. He had thought of so many sarcastic comments he was going to pass them but staring at her eyes, his mouth just did not open.

"That.. can you tell me who i am exactly?" he had asked the same question to his mistress but she only told him that his family would explain that personally.

"You are the eldest son of the archduke, Lord Thawyne. He is the richest person of the empire and is also the head of the administration." a voice full of pride, she replied to him as she walked towards the table and picked up the napkin and then walked toward him.

"You are the fourth powerful man in the empire after your majesty, the crown prince and your father, you hold absolute power and strength that you do not need to bow or request to anyone." finally her face turned a bit gentle as she wiped the sauce from his face.

"Do not be too flustered. I will teach everything to you slowly but for now, shall we go?" embarrassed he took the napkin and wiped rest of his face, making sure that he did not make fun of himself and then nodded.

"Your father is waiting for you outside. He is a bit overwhelmed so he is not able to express his happiness at this moment. But trust me, he love you a lot." patting his shoulders when he looked at her with confusion, she shook her head but did not explain to him further.

Knowing her father well, she knew that he was not going to believe as it was too much of a coincidence. If she would have been at her place, then she would have doubted too, but she knew that Andrew would not lie about this matter.

Though she was not sure, she did not want to leave a chance to take away the rights of this young boy just because of her suspicions.

Ethan could see how her face turned dim in a minute and wondered if she was really happy while meeting him. She had not hugged him or said any emotional line.

Her welcome was too formal. Is that the way nobles behave? But even if that was the case, was he really welcome in such a strong house!

Archduke! Fourth in command? Could it be that he would be a royal now. He shook his head at that thought.

He should not put too many hopes only for them to break at the end of the day.

"You do not need to think so much. Your family loves you a lot and it was only a misunderstanding.

I will explain it to you later." as if reading his thoughts, she softened her voice and patted his shoulders again.

She did not know if she had the right to explain or show him love since she was no one to him. If he was the true son then she was nothing but a fake daughter who had stolen the love that should be given to him.

Drowned in their own thoughts, they both walked out of the room where two men were standing except Adele. Ethan knew one of them from yesterday then the other old man must be.. His father?

He stood straight like a soldier while waiting for him to come closer. He did not know when he started anticipating how the man would react.

Would he hug him with tears in his eyes or would he behave like his sister, soft but lacking in emotions or would he…

But the man did not even look at him. He stared coldly at Eli as he muttered,

"I can see how bold you have become. Going against my decisions now? Very well, now shall we go home or you want to waste more time here?"