Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

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"My father. Are you talking about your highness. If so, I did not want to hear it anymore."

The man panicked when she stood up with a frown on her face.

"No! No, my lady. I am talking about lord Edward. I was in the basement when he was brought there. He is being harshly treated by my lady.

The maids are lying to you and all the orders are given by the young lord. He is still planning to use you by manipulating you, my lady!" her eyes turned colder as the man treated her like a fool!

Did they think she would really lose her sense of judgment if they kept repeating their lies.

"Why will I believe you then? What if you are one of them!" The man panicked and raised his head to finally look at her when he noticed she was looking at him with a cold gaze while her hands were folded in front of her chest.

"You can come with me and I will show you. I know that it is hard to trust but not everyone is against you, my lady!"

"....." she continued to stare at him for a few seconds while the man could feel the pressure of her gaze. He had thought that she would agree readily.

Who would have thought that a foolish girl had her guards up.

"If I could be proven wrong. Then you can punish me any way you want. '' he added as he was sure when the girl would see her father rotting in a small room, she would not only apologize to him but also reward him handsomely for his timely help.

He just had to endure her nasty temper for a while. With that thought, he bowed his head again and he finally heard the words he wanted to,

"If that is the case, then lead the way. If what you said is true, then I would make sure to punish everyone whole and you would be rewarded.`` Yes! His eyes filled with greed as he tried to hide the wide grin forming on his face.

He knew that she was easy to handle. She was nothing but a weak girl that tried to put a brave front in front of everyone and had no idea about right and wrong.

"I did not read the reward , my lady. I will be glad that I am of some help to you!" with a sincere look in his eyes, he bowed his head and turned to show her the basement.

What would a reward do for him if he could regularly benefit by being closer to her.

Most nobles did not have any idea on how to handle their things and asked their maids to take care of them. From buying new clothes to arranging them.

Therefore there were many chances of embezzlement. By making bills of a higher cost than the real value of the clothes and taking a few dresses and selling them in the market, one could enjoy a good amount of wealth.

He could already see how his future was going to change from now. He was so lost in counting the wealth he was going to have that he failed to notice the smirk formed on the face of the girl when he turned.

As they continued to walk towards the backyard where the servants stay, the place turned empty as all of them were working in the villa and they would only return by evening.

"How far is it?" she asked as she looked around. The place was cold and dark.

It felt a bit eerie since it was all empty and she rubbed her arms with her palms.

Thinking that the sheltered girl had never faced the darkness, his eyes filled with disdain as he continued to walk.

"We will be there shortly, my lady. Can you see how cold this place is? Have you ever thought that they would keep your father here!" with a sad face as if he was the one facing all the torment, he tried to store more hatred in her heart.

"Tsk! That is bad! We have to act fast now." though her words matched what he had thought. Why did her tone turn so sharp and full of disgust?

He turned and was about to ask what she meant but before he could do so. Two knights were covering the lady and just as he turned, they covered his mouth and dragged him forcefully into a nearby room.

Just as they both entered, one of them came out and bowed his head while the sound of struggling could be heard before getting complete silence.

"We know how to handle him, my lady. The lord has already given us instructions. You do not need to worry." Eli nodded as she knew they both were the close aides of Leo and were hiding in the dark all the time to make sure that she was safe.

With the chaos in the palace, she would not be surprised if her father had asked someone to take her life too.

"Thank you, I will remember your loyalty." the knight bowed as she turned and walked out from the dark area.

The carriage was already waiting for her at the entrance with two maids.

"What are you two doing here?" The maids flinched at her cold voice but did not budge.

"His highness had asked us to accompany you in case you face any danger while meeting with lady Olivia, my lady." There was a rumor in the whole empire that Olivia had kidnapped Evan from her marriage.

Though they still did not know about Edward, everything thought that she did it out of jealousy and hatred towards Evangeline.

"Ha! And you think you both are strong enough to help me during adversities. Wouldn't it be better if i take a few knights with me.

Tell your highness, that I refused to take you with me. If needed, then Arden would go with me."