Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"You need to cut down on your sweets. Why don\'t you give that last piece to me!" he pounced on her plate but she already pulled her plate away and then looked at him with furrowed brows.

"What are you talking about?" her face looked like she was shocked with his statement, "that is your little sister!  You should be more respectful to her." she claimed as she ate the last piece in a hurry, afraid that he would try to snatch it again and even licked her fingers slowly, staring back into his eyes with a smirk on her face.

"I am only eating twice as much as you because I am giving her her share too!" she explained but the boy just scoffed at her.

"You are a liar! I have seen babies with my sister Stella. They only drink milk since they do not have teeth.\'\' He even pointed at his mouth to show her and then crossed his hands in front of his chest and looked at her with a black face, as if she was a fool and did not know anything. "Your daughter is younger than her kids. How could she eat pie? You are just a pig to eat so much."

His voice filled with defeat and helplessness, "it is your husband that is pampering you a lot and indulging you that you are being willful." he said, surprising Evan who stared back at him. "Have you seen any other men in the town working so much and doing all the household chores with his wife?" he asked in a tone full of disdain, "not to forget that yours is a knight!"

"Ha! That is how a man should support his wife. After all, the child belongs to both of them.`` She ruffled her hair with full force since she knew that he was too touchy about his hair and as expected he scowled at her while taking a few steps away from her.

"Brother! Evan is bullying me again." Martin, who was looking at the whole scene with his eyes dim, stayed silent even when his brother shook him hard.

"Carl, behave! Or else I will complain about you to my mother!" he warned and the boy grumbled a few words but stayed silent at his seat.

He even lowered his head and did not say a word further but his face filled with unshed tears as if he had borne heavy grievances.

"You did not need to be too harsh to him." said Evan walking closer with the last piece of the pie and placed it in front of Martin who had not touched the food at all.

"He is still a kid!" he shook his head and then looked at his sulking brother and sighed, "he is ten! He should be mature now." Evan wanted to say further but it was their personal matter so she restrained and only nodded her head.

"You should go and do some rest. You must be tired after helping aunt Martha whole day.\'\' The woman had already retired to the bed after the food since her health was not that good either.

Evan looked at the dish and the messed up table when Martin shook his head.

"Do not worry about all this. Me and Carl would clean everything." he stared at Carl who grumbled again as if he was dissatisfied with the decision of his brother. Still he stood up from his seat and walked to him.

"Go.. you need rest!" Evan nodded and ruffled the hair of Carl again who shot a death glare at her before losing his head, afraid that he would not be able to go unstitched if he continued.

And it would not be only a scolding this time. He would tell his brother later when he would have his own wife to make pies for him. Hmph! Both are meant to him/.

Evan nodded and soon left towards her home. It would be better that she and Jenna would complete all the house chores, so that Leo would be able to have some rest after a long journey too.

But just as she reached closer to her house, she saw a luxurious carriage standing in front of her small house that did not match the surroundings at all.

The carriage did not have any flag that confused her further. She stood there, unsure if she should go further or not when she noticed Arden coming out of the carriage and took a deep breath of relief.

She took hasty steps towards her house as it had been ages since she had last seen this man.

"My lady!" The man turned back hearing the sound of the steps and his face filled with joy that reflected on her face too.

"Arden! It has been a long time." he nodded as he looked at his back and held the hand of a woman and brought her forward.

"I was busy wooing the woman for me!" he laughed with an indulgent look on his face when Evan blinked.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Are you already married? Did I miss the feast? I am suddenly hungry again!" She held her belly with both hands as she took hasty steps towards them and then hugged Olivia as if they were long lost sisters.

"Congratulations dear, I am so happy for you!" she muttered in an earnest voice when Olivia felt stunned. She froze at her place for a few seasons as she was not expecting such warmth from Evan whom she had always tried to bully and hurt.

"We are not yet married, my lady." said Arden with a flushed face. "I have only brought her here to take your permission and so as from the lord."