Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Hannah trembled like the dried leaf in the cold winds. If she would get caught then what would happen to the revenge of her mother.

How would she save her father from that dark cell and his majesty would kill her.

"That.. that.. I did not know what you were talking about, my lady?" her voice shivered a bit as she bowed her head when she heard the sound of chuckle.

"Oh my, did I scare you? I was only saying that the medicine you fed me was worse than a poison. I am feeling like I would vomit after eating it.

But I think you get scared by my sudden words." Evan theatrically covered her face with surprise as she sat on the sofa when she noticed the rigid body of the maid slowly relaxed again and raised a brow.

An enchanting smile formed on her face.

"My husband had left for some work, and I was getting bored in my room. So, I decided to spend some time here.

But you looked too shocked to see me." For a mere maid to walk this leisurely and having such kind of expressions, Evan felt a bit strange when looking at her.

She looked at the maid that had followed her from her room. Jenna, she had served Evan before she was even the young lady of this house.

"Jenna, would you bring some warm tea for me?" the maid nodded and left for the kitchen when Evan turned her gaze back on the maid.

"I have not seen you before. What had you appointed?" Though her tone was casual, Hannah could feel the look of suspicion in the eyes of Evan.

She knew that it would be in vain to lie now or she would get caught.

"I have been brought by lord Ethan, the eldest child of this house as his personal maid, my lady." Evan's eyes flickered and turned a shade darker.

"And here I thought that you work as a physician. How easy it was to misunderstand me looking at how you served me medicine. What medicine it was, again?" she asked with a carefree attitude.

As if she was only a bit irked as a noble that a new maid was appointed without her knowledge but she had nothing to say so she was throwing a tantrum, but in reality her eyes were observing Hannah's every action vigilantly.

"Ah.. I am interested in medicine, my lady. So I am trying to convince the physician to teach me a few things about medicine.

But each time he sent me away with some errands. I did not want to confuse you, my lady.

But I got afraid when I looked at the cold eyes of the master in the room." there was nothing wrong in her identity and paperwork.

She looked like a graceful lady with her own charms. But what pinched Evan was her confidence.

She had never seen a maid talking while looking into the eyes of his or her master.

She had felt the same in the room too when she came to give medicine. She had an arrogant smile on her face, giving Evan a hallucination that she was superior to them.

Not only that, she could feel a strange feeling whenever she looked at the face of the woman. As if she had a striking resemblance to someone she knew too well in the past.

"Hmm, where did you work before? If you do not mind telling me!" Hannah stood straighter as now she was sure that Evan was doubting her.

She had thought about it but she had never expected Evan to be doubtful so soon.

"I used to work as a caretaker of the palace of princess Adelaide, the future empress of the empire.

I was lucky that I met lord Ethan there. We have worked together for a while.

I may have crossed the line as he had always treated me kindly. We were friends there. If I dare to believe that, he is a gentleman who still remembers me when his life changed so much." she replied softly when Evan nodded.

"Oh, look at me! I am being so talkative today. I guess I am missing company in the palace.

But what about your parents? Are they not worried about you when you suddenly change jobs?" Evan did not know why she felt her heart clenched once she asked the questions as if she suddenly did not need any reply.

As if she knew that she would not like the reply.

"My mother is in the local physician's inn. He is trying to treat her.

She is a worrisome woman who gets sick easily. My father is no more, my lady.'' A hint of pain and helplessness could be felt in the voice of the woman, confusing Evangeline who did not know why, continued to look at the maid.

"Oh, I am sorry. Life would have been tough for you." Hannah sighed and then shook her head.

She was never going to spend time in front of Evan that she had suffered. She wanted to give her an illusion that she had lived a better life than Evangeline.

"No! I am a happy person, my lady. Such an esteemed woman should not be worried about my problems.

If you would like, she will go and bring your tea. It is taking too much time." Evan blinked as she was not expecting the turn of events suddenly.

"Caring for every servant of the palace is my responsibility and I did not feel tired by it.

Go and do your work, I am sure Theo has given you a bunch of tasks to be completed before living.  She waved her hands when Hannah left from there but her eyes continued to spare into the empty space for long before Jenna came back with a bowl of soup in her hands.

"Ask Arden or Reynold to meet me. I have an urgent matter to discuss with them."