Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"I am sorry for creating so much trouble for you!"

"At least you have self awareness to know that!" his cold voice resonated as he pressed his wound a bit while tying a knot of the bandage and she winced.

"......" and here she thought that he had changed into a warm and caring person.

"Here, this is the dress I have brought from your room. Change your clothes or you will be sick.`` He passed her the clothes which she took without speaking another word as she did not want to flare the man further.

But he continued to sit there without moving an inch. She waited but it didn't look like he had any intention to leave?

"Umm, Leo, do you want me to go to the bathroom to change my clothes?" she looked embarrassed now when she saw her condition. Though she was still wearing her gown, her unbuttoned gown had slid a bit down and was giving a good view of her body and the water had made the lacy corset almost transparent. 

More than cold she was embarrassed to continue wearing that piece of clothing.

Leo blinked, only then did he realise that the girl was injured and exhausted. Her eyes had turned dreary and her voice was hoarse. Her whole body was shivering with cold and he sighed.

"Wait!" He took the dress back from her, that made her confused.

Then he stood up, holding her dress in one hand and then forwarded his other hand towards her. A grateful smile formed on her lips as she held his hand with her uninjured hand and held her wet dress on her place with her other hand. He pulled her up with a bit of force as her knees were trembling.

"I think your legs are numb again. Change your dress and then I will help you in going back to your room." she nodded and he helped her in reaching the bed again when she dragged her body sloppily, he held her hands tightly to give her the strength.

When she sat there, he gently placed the dress beside and turned to leave the room. Closing the door shut, he walked into the balcony instead of going out as he was sure he might bump into the aide again.

The cold winds of the nights helped him in controlling his emotions and soothing his physical discomfort. He looked at the distance lost in his thought as his hands instinctively moved towards his coat where he had hid the frame.

He felt a bit guilty but he knew that it was for the safety of his family that he had to uncover her identity. He was not afraid that she had wrong intentions towards him or his family, yet he could not let go of mysteries that were surrounding her.

"Leo, I am done. You can come back." he almost dropped the frame when he heard her voice and his guilt only increased. 

He took out the frame and hit it under the cushion of the chair in the balcony and then walked back to the room.

She turned to look at him when he came back and smiled, "thank you for taking care of me. I am feeling much better. I should leave for my room now."  she bowed her head while sitting on the bed, as she was not sure if she could do that after standing up.

"Wait!" He took hasty steps towards her and she frowned.

"My lord, I do not think that I should stay here further. I did not know when my body turned out of control again." she bit her lips as her face turned red. She was embarrassed to accept but she knew she was like a dormant volcano that could erupt anytime.

His eyes darkened hearing her words, but he controlled his emotions and spoke in a calm voice, "I know that, that is why I am stopping you. I.." her eyes widened and she stood up abruptly from the bed before he could even complete his words, she spoke in a righteous tone.

"Do not tell me that you have decided to sacrifice your virtue because of me? I will not accept it!" she shook her head and took a step further backwards to clear her intentions.

"......." why did it feel like she was a spoiled noble man and he was a poor maiden whose innocence was getting sacrificed and suddenly he had a change of heart and wanted to save her.

"Stop spouting nonsense all the time!!" his cold words shut her mouth instantly. She pursued her lips, but her eyes were determined that she would not stay here further.

"I have bought medicine from the physician for you. It will help in removing the discomfort from your body and help you in sleeping. You will be normal once you wake up tomorrow." he took out the medicine from his coat and her eyes sparkled like a kid who was offered the gift before Christmas.

"Really, then why did you not tell me earlier? Here, give it to me" she forwarded her hands to snatch it but he took it back.

"You can not take it in my room. I will escort you to your room, so that you can sleep there after taking medicines." he could not imagine him sleeping in her room. He would burst out with pent up frustration just by looking at her sleeping figure.

"Yes!" she nodded in satisfaction and stood up with the help of his hands again and they walked towards the door.

Leo took a breath of relief when no one was standing in front of the door and they walked silently to her room.

He took the glass of water and mixed the contents of a small bottle in it and she drank it without another thought, showing how much she trusted him.

"Thank you for everything you have done today, my lord. Though it would not have happened if you would have trusted me at once!"