Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Why are you still awake?" he asked as he walked closer and then sat beside her.

Holding her hands, he rubbed her palms softly.

"How did she die?  How could it be that none of the staff asked for her all this time?" she felt as if a knot was formed on her heart which she could not get rid of.

"No! I know it is a very strange matter but you do not need to worry about it. We will look into the matter.

You should rest." he kissed her forehead gently and forced her to sleep but her eyes did not look assured.

"Evangeline, you need to sleep. Come here." taking out his shirt, he hugged her and kissed her nape.

Trying his best to assure her, he continued to kiss her until she fell asleep. Once she fell asleep, he stood up and stroked her hair. His eyes had turned dim and dark as he took a deep breath.

He walked out of the room wearing his shirt back. A few knights were already waiting for him.

When he was walking to his fathers office, he saw Ethan coming out of it with a bag of gold coins again and his eyes narrowed but he did not say a word.

"Father, it is me!" knocking the door, he entered with the knights.

"I am going personally in the investigation with the count. I will make sure that the murderer would be found. You do not need to worry so much." William raised his head and stared at his son but did not say a word. His eyes were looking lost and the stains of tears could be seen on his face.

Though their relationship had been estranged lately, they were closer to each other and grew up together. He had always looked up to his sister.

Her face was still rosy and beautiful. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as tears could be seen forming in his eyes again.

"You should stay and handle the matters of the family. I will personally go and investigate the matters." he stood up and without hearing any objection from Leo, left the room.

"But father…"

"Do you think you are the decision maker since you have been announced as duke now?" he asked in a deep voice when his eyes turned domineering that Leo lowered his head.

He did not dare to challenge the authority of his father. William stared at him for a few more seconds before leaving the room with the knights.

Eli and Eve were still sitting in the hall greeting the vassals who were going to stay here for a few days.

They turned to look at him when he shook his head and left for the room.

—----

"I have already told you that I am not authorised to do so! Why don\'t you wait for the father to come back. As far as I remember you only received a bag of gold yesterday night." though Leo was sure that Ethan would not feel upset about the death of Gabriella but who would have thought that he was this inconsiderate.

The whole night was so heavy on them that none of them slept.

Evan tossed and turned in her bed full of sweat as if she was the guilty one. Yet the man had the nerve to ask for money.

"Is that so? But Theo told me that father has given you all the authorities while leaving.

Do you think that I would accept your excuses? The truth is.. You did not want me to spend the money so that everything belongs to you and your family.

I am telling you, once I will win the trust of my father, he will announce me as the heir of the dukedom since I am his legitimate child.

Then no matter how much you and cajole Evelyn, you and Eli would not be able to rule the house.`` His eyes were full of contempt as he slapped the table hard with full force. His cold eyes were looking at him as if he was nothing but a pest sucking on their wealth.

"Go ahead. Shall I call Eve here? You can cajole her as much as you want. But I have work to do. So, please leave." No matter how much he flared and shouted, Leo continued to work on the file and did not raise his head as if the matter was not worth his attention.

Ethan gritted his teeth as he walked out. He walked straight out of the place and sat in the carriage.

"Take me back." he grumbled and soon the carriage started. Whole time he continued to grumble and curse Leo. Because of him, he was not getting his position and respect.

Whenever he tried to do anything, he was stopped by Leo. Leo had disabled him so much that he had to beg him for money when he was nothing but a fake. It was all due to him.

His eyes were filled with hatred for him. It took him a few minutes to take deep breaths and calm himself.

He controlled his expressions as he did not want to worry her further.

Soon the carriage stopped and he walked out of it towards the small house. A girl was waiting for him at the door.

She smiled as she saw Ethan and came running towards him.

"Ethan, I thought that you would not come. I was worried that I would become a nuisance to you." tears started to roll her eyes but her face was filled with relief.

You did not know how happy I am to see you."