Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Are you sure that you did not want to wait for his return?" Evan knew the answer after looking at the carriage and the luggage that was already taken by the maids out of the palace, still her eyes looked at Eli with hopes but soon they were broken when Eli shook her head.

"I know that you need me Evan and so on as a father but I could not stay here anymore.

I tried to endure it but I failed. You know that I am not welcome here anymore.

The vassal families already know and are making pressure on Leo. But now that he is gone, they have started to show their dysplasia more.

Last night, I received a letter asking why I am still living here. Not to forget that you are called to attend a meeting with them this evening.

In the absence of all of us, you are the one who has to handle everything. I know it is a lot of pressure but i.. I do not have any choice but to leave it on you." Evan sighed. That was not what she was asking.

"Do you think that I would not be able to convince them?" Eli shook her head. They have already crossed the time where convincing others would matter.

Even staff had started to understand that she was not their eldest miss anymore.

"Once I would be announced as empress, I would be able to help you again. Please wait for me patiently. I would soon come back with more power in my hands." Evan could feel the pleading in her voice and could only close her eyes and nodded her head.

Eli came closer and wrapped her arms around Evan. When she first met Evan, she had never thought that they would be able to come so close. It felt like it was only a matter of yesterday.

"I will miss you a lot." she whispered when Evan sighed again.

She felt suffocated suddenly and held Eli tightly in her arms.

"Where are you even going?" she asked with a worried tone. She could not understand how the family that looked so close and lovable started to scatter where Evan was not able to hold any of them.

As if an invisible force was pulling them apart.

"I.. I have found my real family. Well, Andrew had found them. He investigated the matter and found out that it was stolen from the family of count Herbets.

They are coming to meet me today. I did not want to tell others about it. So, I have accepted their invitation to meet them in the plaza rather than asking them to come here.

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They belong to the countryside so they did not know many nobles in the capital.

They do not know that I was living here as the daughter of a duke. I think I need time to tell them everything." Eli had a look of hesitation on her face as she stole her gaze away from Evan who realized that there was more to the story.

But she did not want to pressurize Eli. She knew that Eli was wise enough to make the right decision.

"As long as you know what you are doing. But.. I would still wait for your letter and invitation to your new house. You know that I would not be at ease until I know that you are doing well at your new house. Right??" She wanted to ask how Eli was sure that it was her real family since there was no record but she did not want to scratch her wounds further.

She knew how Ethan had behaved rudely with Eli and she even knew who was the predator of the whole incident but this was not the time to accuse Ethan and scold him.

He was under the influence of Hannah badly and time and efforts were needed to show him what was right and wrong. Until then she would only wait and endure.

"You do not have to worry about me. But I will surely write a letter to you. But Evangeline, I want you to keep this matter to yourself until I settle there.

My position in that family is weak too. I do not want that anyone from this family would…" she stopped as she stared at the maids who were standing on every corner of the room.

But her half said words were enough to warn Evan who nodded her head. A look of worry and tension had filled her face which looked lethargic.

Three deep lines were formed on her forehead when she rubbed it.

"I do not know. I think we should wait a bit and put in more effort. Everything would be fine. Once father wakes up, he will solve the problem.

He would set everything right." no one knew if she was assuring Eli or if she was trying to explain herself that there were still hopes.

"I know. I have never doubted it. But Evangeline, I want to meet my real family too and spend some time with them before getting married.

Andrew is already looking for dates and talking to his father. It would only be a matter of some time when I would get married.

And I am sure that you would be there to celebrate my happiness with me.

I apologize that your marriage celebration dinner had been canceled so many times. Maybe we will be able to celebrate it together." she chuckled as she rubbed the hands of Evangeline who nodded her head and then hugged Eli again.

She smiled but at the same time felt tightness in her heart. She had already stopped eating anything that the physician or Hannah brought for her yet the feeling did not leave her.

"Maybe.. We are going to celebrate it with the presence of one new member.

Eli, i.. I am going to give you a small niece that would make sure that you would return to the palace soon."