Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Evelyn fanned her face when she felt the heat rising on her face. Was it due to the strong wine or because of the person speaking sweet nothing while standing too close to her for maintaining her rationality.

Well, at least she realized that it was not her illusion before she could make a fool of herself.

"My lord, I have already told you that you should refrain from making such jokes.

If my brother would have been here, he would have sliced your neck already." though she was complaining, her cheeks were still red but he was not sure whether it was from his words or the alcohol.

She drank it pretty fast so that it could affect her. That made him realize that he did not know about her torrent capacity of alcohol. Well, he did not know much about her in any form.

"Now I think that it is good that you forgot about me. I should court you slowly so that I could get a chance to know more about you.

I am asking your family about courting you when they come back, my lady. I am here to get your permission before that in case you feel burdened by my actions." Though he gave her a choice, he had already decided, if she would say no then he would only coax her further until her no would turn into a yes.

Her eyes widened as she was not expecting him to talk about their marriage directly. Was that the reason why he returned?

But he had never shown interest in her when she tried to confess her feelings through actions.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Is that what it is?

It took her a few seconds to control her emotions and collect her emotions back that had been scattered all over the place.

"My lord, don't you think that it is too early for that. We have just met and now you are asking me if I should give you my permission to court me!

I wonder what gave you the confidence?" She raised her eyebrow and stared at him as if his answer would decide his future.

If he failed to impress her with his answer, she would say no and throw him out of the palace.

But instead of his confidence faltering, a wide smirk formed on his lips. He picked up the glass the maid had just served and took a slow leisure sip while swirling its contents in an enchanting manner.

The light of the sun falling on his left profile, accentuating his pointed nose and bright lips and squared jawline while his other part was looking a bit dark, yet spell bounding.

"Because I am handsome enough to gain your attention." her lips parted but no words came out.

She realized that her gaze was lingering on his face for more than required. She was literally drooling over him. What happened to the cold act she was going to put on?

She cursed herself in her heart as she looked away.

"You are mistaken. I am just curious about your weird actions. When it comes to handsome men, I have high standards due to my brother and his highness, the husband of my sister." she passed a snort as if she was humored and then picked up the snacks from the plate and started munching on it.

Her expressions were showing a dish of cheese worth more attention than him.

The servants working there could feel the smoke coming out of the head of the young man from afar. But a few of them were worried for the lady since no one else was at home.

What if the man turned violent or misbehaved after hearing a rejection.

A few of them exchanged glances and whispered into each other's ears when one of them nodded his head and ran away.

"......." did her cold voice mean that he was not upto her standards? But he was one of the most handsome men in his empire.

If he would count the number of girls who wanted to marry him there, it would take a whole week. But the girl was treating him like he was a peasant.

"Well, you have not seen my charm yet, my lady. If you would give me a chance then I am sure that you would fall in love with me or is it that you are afraid to give me a chance because you feel the same." challenging huh? She must say that he knew all her pressing buttons and knew how to get an affirmation from her.

"Are you challenging me, my lord?" In spite of knowing it, she still felt inclined to his words and smiled. Damn! He was right, she could not stand challenges.

"I am just stating the facts, my lady. Look at your face, I think it will bloom and flush whenever you see me. If you don't know me then it only means that you would not be able to keep your gaze away once you start to know me and be mine.

You are bound to end with me, my lady." What confidence! She must say that her heart was swooning over his action but at the same time she wanted to beat him with her heels for thinking that he was such a hero or god!

"What if it did not happen?" well! Since the bet was lost already, at least she should act like she was at an advantage and it was going to be a tough task so that he would put in more effort.

If not, he would only ask her to marry her. Then how would she see him suffering?

"Then I will spend the rest of my life as your knight, serving you by giving blood oaths.

But if I win, you are going to spend more than a week on my bed without moving even an inch when I will punish you for forgetting about me in such a short time!"