Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"I apologize for all my crimes and I am ready to accept any punishment!" the man folded his hand and bowed his head in front of Evan who was so shocked that she did not even blink.

Her mind was swirling over and there was so much for her mind to accept that it was shutting down.

"I want to change our names in the vows!"

"I have met your father at the fair!" She remembered the hints Leo was giving her all this time yet he did not tell her the truth.

Maybe he was waiting for the duke to tell her the truth.

"Will you still love me if i would not be a noble anymore!" how she had mocked him thinking that he was being absurd!

"Evangeline, father did not want to hurt you!" She felt Eli's hands touching her back while she was staring at her as if she was looking at her for the first time.

Even her eyes filled with unshed tears that brought tears in the eyes of Evangeline instantly. She couldn't take her stare away from her face.

"Evangeline!" the man whispered and finally she blinked and turned to look at her father whom she had known for a long time but realized only now.

He was still bowing his head in front of her and asking for her forgiveness! Could she blame him when he did not know the truth!

Moreover, could she hate them when they have loved her so much!

"So, you want me to get married to save your empire or you want me to get married so that you can call me your daughter again?

Why did you want me to marry Leo's father? Could it be that you can keep him with you even after the truth comes out?" Her every word pierced his heart.

He knew that he was being selfish till the end. He was only trying to get all of it. He wanted to keep her closer but at the same time did not want to lose Leo who had given all his life for the benefit of the dukedom.

"I.. I know that I have been selfish! But that kid has given his life to us. I could not see him thrown out!

You may think that I am not a good parent or a selfish ruler but I could not let Leo go!" his eyes filled with guilt and his body trembled as he was afraid that she would not accept him anymore but that could not force him to hurt the young boy who had grown up by looking up to him.

"Would I ever be able to call you father publicly?" She understood and respected that her father wanted to continue giving Leo the post he had worked hard for.

But she still felt a bit disappointed that she was not given the love and position she should have had from the start.

The man chuckled as he shook his head. "Did you forget that you have already started calling me father a long ago." with that his eyes turned hard,

"But if you are asking me to tell the truth to the public, then I would leave the decision to you.

But the way your marriage has been broken, I am afraid the truth would be out publicly.

Therefore, I wanted some time to tell you the truth, but I told you abruptly. Now, I left the decision to you, if you want to marry Leo or not and if you want to claim your position as my young daughter or not.

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I can only repent by giving you all the rights! But just remember one thing, I love you  just as I love Eli and Eve." Evan could feel that his body was trembling and the pain and sincerity in his eyes were real.

She knew that she should have told him that I have forgiven you. But she could not force herself to do that.

"I.. I am still in shock and I need some time to think about it! Give me some time!" the man could only nod as he looked down in guilt.

For some reason he had thought that he had disappointed her. Her eyes were looking dim. A wary smile formed on his face, what else he was even thinking?

She had suffered all her life and now he expects her to forgive him just because he had asked for forgiveness!

More tears started to form in his eyes that even Eve and Eli trembled.

They wanted to ask Evan to think again but William shook his head stopping them.

"You are right. Why don't you go and take a rest for a while. I will send your meal into your room!" Evan nodded and took hurried steps.

She did not know why she was feeling suffocated into the room. Her heart was feeling heavy when the memories of her childhood were flashing in front of her eyes.

Her mother loved her enough but she had never taken a stand for her against her father! She had been often scolded and even slapped when it was not even her mistake.

She had felt bad all her life and hoped that her father would love her but it never happened till the end.

If she would have been here, if she would have received the love and care like Eli and Eve, wouldn't her past would have been different?

Wouldn't she be loved by everyone and live a carefree life? She could have followed her heart without worrying about anything.

She felt wetness in her hands and blinked. When she looked down, the glass that she was holding to drink water when she entered the room was broken at some time and its shards had pierced her palms yet she could not feel any pain!

Was she being too greedy to only think about her, though the thought formed in her mind, she could not force himself to forgive them instantly.