Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Sister, even if you do not like me, you should not take out your anger on the poor staff. If you want you can punish me anyway you want for taking your place. But trust me I never wanted to do so. It was a political decision.. And Leo, he did not give me any choice! 

I have to marry him to keep my nation safe." a tear formed on her eyes as she wiped it and bowed her head, that was right! She bowed to hide the smirk that was escaping from her face.

All the maids looked at her worriedly. She was a brave and selfless woman in their eyes who had even accepted to marry the prince of the nation who had destroyed their empire just to save them from slavery and keep them safe.

She was even ready to sacrifice herself and still getting tormented by the girl who was beneath her in the position. They all admired Adel while looking at Eli with scornful gazes.

For them, Eli only cared about herself. She had no love for her empire that was why she and her family were throwing tantrums since the day Adel had come to the palace. Did they think that they have the sole right over the crown prince? How presumptuous!

That was why they had decided they would only support Adel not Eli. 

"My lady, you do not need to apologise." said the maids in a soft tone as they stood around her, making Eli look like a stranger between them.

"That is right, you should always smile. Have you brought the flowers for the room of the crown prince?" asked another maid and finally Adel nodded her head. Her face was still looking pale and scared, yet she smiled at the maids who were trying to cheer her up.

\'What a bunch of fools. It was so easy to convince them!\' she smirked in her heart as she looked at their worried faces.

"Yes, I was taking a walk in the garden where I saw so many beautiful flowers. I knew that his highness was busy and would not get the time to enjoy the beauty of nature. 

So, I brought a few flowers for his room. He might notice them and admire them if he would be free. But since his highness had denied you to let anyone enter. I think I should give up on my thoughts." she took a deep sigh as she looked at the flowers with a dejected look.

All the maids shot a dagger at the maid who had said so. They knew that whenever the crown prince asked them to not disturb him, it only meant to not come to him for foolish reasons. He had never asked them to keep urgent matters at bay due to his rest.

They understood that she had said that to keep the daughter of the duchess away. So, they looked pitifully at Adel who did not create any fuss like Eli who was threatening them and arguing with them.

"It is alright. We are sure that you would not disturb his highness. The fragrance of flowers would only help him in calming down. You must go and present the flowers to his highness." they assured him and her eyes sparkled while looking at them with a hesitant face.

"Are you sure?" her hands moved towards her hair and she tucked them behind her ears with a sweet smile on her face that instinctively brought the smile on the face of all the maids too.

"Of course, go ahead. We will guard the door so that no one will disturb you!" They looked at her with a meaningful glance and she nodded back while looking at Eli with a smirk and triumphant face.

She was sure that Eli would burn with jealousy looking at the difference in the treatments they were receiving! Did she think she still had the right to speak in front of them? Such a delusional girl! But Eli had no change in her facial expressions. Her eyes were eerily calm and her face had a strange tranquillity that Adel felt insulted.

It was like monkeys were jumping in front of a lioness who seemed to be bored by their vain attempts to get her attention. Adel\'s teeth gnashed but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She could not let go of her sweet image. She was an innocent princess who was here to protect her empire only.

"Thank you. You all are too kind to me." she replied to the maids and then tried to enter the room. There was no way that Eli was not affected, she was just trying to pretend. But she would make sure that her facade would break soon. 

She opened the door while moving her hands on the knob and then entered stealthily. She was not sure how Andrew would react, so she just wanted to enter and sit there silently and put flowers in the vase and come back. Who would know what had happened except her! But this would be enough to break the confidence of Eli.

With that thought, she braced her heart and entered in closing the door silently. 

The maids turned to look at Eli with a proud face too. As if telling, see, now you understand the difference? But Eli did not turn to look at them. She sat there silently as she needed to meet Andrew no matter what.

She knew that he would be out of the room for a walk in an hour or two. When he would come out then she would request him to solve the matter. Without the discussion she could not leave. Since she did not have any choice, she did not want to react to these foolish comments.

The maids looked at each other but then continued to do their work. Since Eli did not say anything, they could not create the issue by initiating the conversation.

"Aah.. what are you doing Andrew!"

".........."