Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"My lady, his highness did not meet anyone without an appointment." came the apologetic voice of the maid who bowed her head, hoping that Eli would understand and leave. But she was not in a mood to be sympathetic and sensitive.

"Did you tell him that I am here?" Eli took no initiative to stand from the sofa. Her eyes were deep and serene just like a calm lake but no one could fathom how many storms were hiding beneath it.

"That.. that.. My lady, the lord, had asked me not to disturb him the whole day once he had returned from the main palace." her face broke into cold sweat when she looked at the cold eyes of Eli. 

Yet she did not have the courage to go and disturb the crown prince who was more than furious. She had seen the red eyes of the man that was out to murder outhers if anyone came into his sight.

"So, you are asking me to return back even when you have not informed me about my presence to his highness." The chill that the maid felt after hearing the cold voice of Eli was another blow on her weak heart.

She knew that it would be wrong. After all, Eli was going to be the empress. If it had been past, the maid would not have dared to stop Eli. but now that she was not the future wife of the crown prince but only his concubine. She did not feel that much fear.

"That! I am just following the instructions of his highness. He had strictly denied me to disturb him." 'and she did not care much about the person who had already been stripped off her post.' Eli could see the hint of arrogance and mockery in the eyes of the maid. Who was definitely trying to pick a fight with her.

A cold smile formed on her lips which turned her face more enchanting than before, "very well. If you did not have the guts to stand in front of his highness. Then I do not think you are good for this post. So, you better leave and I will handle the matter myself.`` What Eli wanted to say was to leave the place for now and resume the work once she had left, but the maid felt humiliated.

It had taken a lot of effort for her to rise up in ranks and get the chance of serving his highness personally. In this tough competition, she had won above all. Would they not laugh on her if a person who was not even in power would dismiss her for the time being.

She would only be a laughing stock if she would go out. But if she would be able to chase the ex empress out, then no one would be able to raise their head in front of her ever. She would be regarded as the one with the power.

A mocking laugh formed on her face as she continued, "my lady seems to be forgetting that only the royal family had the right to dismiss the staff of the royal palace. 

By any chance are you forgetting that you are no more the main wife of his highness. Shall I ask the physician to prescribe you medicine for improving your memory?" She covered her mouth with both hands as she faked a gasp and asked with a concerned face but her eyes were filled with mocking, Eli could notice very well.

She did not want to fire the maid, she just wanted to end the matter as soon as possible so that she could leave peacefully but every time she came to the palace they created a new drama!

A few months ago these maids did not leave her side telling how talented and wise she was. And they were eagerly waiting for the day she would come to live in the palace as the wife of the crown prince. Their eyes seem to be shining whenever they see her and now! Now they all were ridiculing her! Showing off that they are the one in authority.

"Ha! To even think that I would have a peaceful time here was my wishful thinking. But since you have started the drama, do not blame me when things did not end up your way!" The enchanting smile of Eli did not fade away. 

She still had that elegance and aura even when she was crushing others beneath her feet. The maid trembled as she felt scared for a minute. But her confidence grew again when she remembered the words of Adel.

Adel had promised them that they all would get promotions and a lot more bonuses if they made sure that the crown prince and the daughter of the duke did not meet. Poor girl did not want to create further issues and dramas, and the crown prince had personally denied meeting everyone.

She was only doing her work by stopping Eli, so there was nothing she needed to fear. With that thought, her expressions turned confident again as she continued with her defiant attitude 

"Are you trying to threaten a lowly maid just because she did not listen to you and do her work meticulously? I had not expected that you could be this petty, my lady! But even if you fight me till the end, I will not let you go in.`` She raised her voice a bit so that other maids could hear her and she could gain the support and sympathy of others while they all looked at Eli with disdain. There was no way Eli could win with her now when she had been demoted to the post of future queen.

[Hello readers, I am adding one more tier like every month of 10 new chapters. So, the story would not show updates for the next five days from 1 Jan to 5th of Jan. I hope you will kindly wait. Thank you.]