Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Wait! I want to change the vow!" taken aback with the sudden intrusion, the priest adjusted his glasses as he tried to sound patient!

"The vows can not be changed that way, if you want to add promises, you can always do so once i will announce you husband and wife!" with a kind smile he tried to persuade leo and even Evan nodded to it!

"We can make as many promises as we want! But let me have my marriage first! It has been with so many hitches that I am.." 'pissed off to death!' she halted in mid as she did not want to sound crazy by the priest.

"That is not what I mean!" he stared at both of their bewildered faces and realized that it would be hard to explain.

"In the name of God, I, Leonardo take you, Evangeline Thawne, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

"........."

"It is your turn Evangeline!" she blinked but continued to stare at him with confusion!

"Leo!"

"Didn't you say that we will discuss it later! So, for now, just do it as I say!"

"In the name of God, I, Evangeline, take you, Leonardo to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

"Leonardo and Evangeline, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"

"Yes, we do!"

"Yes, we do!"

"Will you honor each other as husband  and wife for the rest of your lives?"

"Yes, we do!"

"Yes, we do!"

"Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his church?"

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"Yes, we do!"

"Yes, we do!"

"Good! Now I announce to you husband and wife in the name of god! Now you may kiss the bride!"

They both stared at each other with starry eyes, the moment they were waiting for had finally come.

Though she had so many questions in her heart, an ominous feeling that had started to fill her when she had seen her father in the fair!

She tried to close her eyes and looked away, but the same feeling returned today when he gave his name to her!

It was not out of consideration or love but dark was lurking under the light and she knew that this beautiful dream could break apart!

But she suppressed all the thoughts as she stared into his eyes. Even if it for a moment, she wanted to enjoy the love they have for each other.

He stared into her eyes that were like a galaxy to him. Though his hands had held her so many times, yet at this moment, it trembled as it cupped her cheeks.

The smile was brighter than the sun on the day after the rain. And it was his now! She was his!

The thought felt so surreal after all the events he had faced in these four days. It would be a lie if he would say that he was not afraid of losing her.

But looking at her bright and glorious face, the trouble and risk seemed to be worth it. His forehead touched hers and he took a deep breath.

"I am really happy, Leo! I can not explain how important it was for me!" her eyes started to well and he brought her closer into his arms and kissed her gently.

She did not know how important it was for him! How he was walking on eggshells in the past few days, afraid that she would not want him anymore once she would know the truth yet not telling her due to the burden he owed towards the family who had always taken care of him as their own!

He could not let them suffer but at the same time he did not want to deceive the woman he loved! He was so torn that he had felt suffocated and unable to breath these past two nights.

But now that she was in his arms and he could feel her breath on him, he felt like everything had fallen back into its place.

He kissed her softly with so much tenderness. There was no urgency or desire in it! There was no force or demands. It was a soft kiss as if he was praying to her. He wanted to show her how much he loved her with that kiss!

The way he was holding her in his arms, as if she was a rare treasure that would be stolen if he would let her go!

"Cough cough! Now you can leave her to breathe!" The words followed the soft chuckle of the priest as he shook his head.

The young generation is slowly opening to society without being embarrassed!

Evan bowed her head when she realized that they did not let each other go after so long and bowed her head to apologize but the priest waved his hand as he was escorted by a knight from another secret passage.

Evan leaned on his shoulders as she saw them going away! She was afraid that when this moment would end, she had to face the truth that was already knocking on her door.

But call her a weakling, she did not want to listen to what he wanted to whisper in her ears except professing his love for her.

"Leo, I love you so much! And no matter what happens, we will fulfill the vows we have taken!"

"I love you, i promise i will not let go of your hands even if death do us apart!" with that he brought her closer and kissed again!

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