Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"You still seem to be busy, is everything fine?" Leo looked at the worried face of his sister who did not even notice his presence from the past one minute.

He had knocked the door since he cared about the privacy of his sister but she didn't reply so he entered. But even after taking the steps in and sitting there  for a while she was still only turning the parchments and writing letters. Not even once she turned to look at his direction while her lips formed into a frown. 

She glared at the letter as if it was her mortal enemy and she wanted to shred it into pieces. Her grumbling face was rare to be seen and so was her lost figure.

That was when Leo decided to intervene. Listening to the sudden sound, Eli raised her head and found Leo already sitting on the other side of the table. He was looking at her with concern.

That was when she realised that her worry was showing on her face. She shook her head and picked up the nearby letter on the table and passed it to Leo.

"Father has been asked to go for a tour of the areas suffering from low rains, he will not be here for two more days." she replied as he started reading the letter.

"Are you worried about that?" he asked as he tilted his head. A professional look on his face while the concern on his face turned into confusion.

"No! But I will handle the matter." but before he could ask further, she continued, "since father is not here, you should take care of the knights and administration work both. If you need any help then take Eve with you. She should learn a few things too." 

His eyes narrowed on her face but she feigned ignorance and kept her face blank while her hands clenched into a fist. She knew how the matter had started and who was responsible behind it. 

Since she was the matter behind the problem, she should be the one to solve it! She did not need anyone else to meddle in it, even if it was her brother.

Leo continued to look at her face for a long time before taking a deep breath and shaking his head.

"You are still too stubborn!" he muttered but she just scoffed, "look who is talking!" Then her gaze flickered as she looked at the letter in front of her.

"I heard that you are taking Evan to work with you too. If you want, I can assign a few tasks to her so that she would learn better." his eyes stirred when he heard that.

He knew that Eli did not trust Evan and her background like him. Yet she was ready to offer her the tasks! All the tasks she had are related with the royal family or the administration of the empire, if things go out! The results could be dire.. Yet she was ready to take the risks for him! Or was she trying to test Evan by giving her some less important tasks to see if she could handle the matter well and maintain privacy?!

"That would not be needed. I am just taking her to see how she would behave there. I know you have doubts about her, and so do I. Rest assured, I will not take any decision that could affect the family." Eli sighed listening to his assuring tone.

She still treats him like a younger kid sometimes! She should understand that her young brother was a wise adult now. 

"I did not mean that. Of course, I trust you over everything." he raised a brow as if asking, really! To her and she coughed with red cheeks.

"Alright, then both of you keep going. I have some matters to settle myself too.`` She looked at the letter in her hands and he frowned but knowing that she did not want to tell him, he took a deep breath and let it go.

"Mm, then i shall not disturb you further." he stood up ready to leave. His face glum as he turned to leave but then he turned his head and added,

"Eve, do not forget that your younger brother had grown up into an adult and he will do anything to help you. he is always here to handle the problems nad you do not need to suffer anymore." he stood there for a few seconds for her to response but she did not say a word and he sighed. 

"I know, you are grown up, that is why you are getting married. Now leave! I have to settle a few things too!" she replied with a chuckle and he frowned but did not say anything further and left from there.

She took a deep breath and her straight shoulders fell. She slumped on her seat and leaned once she was sure that he had left.

"I know you are always here for my help, brother. But I can not accept that I am the reason behind the troubles of the family." she whispered as her face filled with a bitter smile.

She pressed the bell in front of her table and a maid entered.

"My lady.'' The maid bowed respectfully as she waited for the instructions.

"Is the carriage ready?" Eli took hold of all the files and three letters in front of her and stood up.

"Yes, my lady. The carriage is ready and I have informed lady Eve to look after the palace while you and my lord would not be here." Eli nodded in satisfaction as she closed all other files on the table and walked towards the door.

"I need three knights to accompany me to the royal palace and a messenger would help me pass the letters before my arrival there."  The maid halted for a second before starting to following her again.

"Are we going to the royal palace to meet the crown prince my lady?"

"Yes, i want to gift him something."