Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Evan looked at the maids and then at her. She did not mind serving food, forget about serving, she did not even mind cooking food for the family. That's what she had done all her life. But could her goal be this simple? The way Evan had talked to the lady, she was sure that the lady wanted to teach her a lesson? Could it be that there was a special way to serve food among royals, and she was going to insult Evan for not following the way!? 

Eli looked at aunt Gabriella too with a questioning gaze. 

"Aunt, Evangeline is a guest, she did not need to.." 

Aunt Gabriella turned and looked at Eli with a piercing gaze that she turned still. It took a second for Eli to compose herself but before she could say further, aunt had already curled her lips into a mocking smile.

"And here I thought that you are well versed in all the rituals and rules of the place. Didn't William always compare you to me when it comes to handling the affairs of the palace. But I can see you still need a lot of training." her tone was elegant yet her eyes were filled with superiority. "Do not worry, i am here, i will train both of you properly this time.'' Eve shuddered just by thinking about the training they were going to get this time. 

She wanted to protest and say that she had done nothing, yet she knew it was going to only irk the lady further.

"It is the ritual of Thawyne family that every new bride would serve the food personally to the matriarch of the family as a symbol when she enters for the first time in the palace. Though she had entered a long time ago, this was the first time we were having a meal together.

I am not even asking her to cook for me. What was wrong in serving a meal? Or could she not even do that? Your mother had also cooked and served the meal when she had come for the first time in the palace. Only then did I say yes to her. Do not forget that she belonged to the royal family and Evangeline is just a commoner with no origins yet this ignorance!?

But if you want to deny then…" she looked down and shook her head, without saying a word, she started sipping her soup. Her expressions were filled with disappointment yet others took a breath of relief. Even Leo, who did not say a word since he knew that his words only worked as oil in the fire, relaxed and continued his meal.

He had thought that his aunt would test her knowledge about the nobility or comment on the way she looked but who would have thought that she would ask her to cook!

But he was relieved that the matter sorted out so easily. When he moved his hands from the fork it was disgruntled. He looked back at the maids who nodded and started serving the meal again.

"I will do it!" but the peace on the table did not stay for long. They all forgot to look back at Evan who was silent all this time. 

Gabriella smirked while keeping her head low. So, she still could read girls like Evan like an open book! But when she raised her head, it was full of confusion.

"Pardon!" She feigned ignorance but others were confused too. When she did not reply the maids had already served the meal.

"I will cook lunch and serve you personally!" Evan replied in a calm voice. But the moment words left her mouth, the spoon fell back in the soup from Eve's hands. When she looked at them, they all looked like she had accepted to be sacrificed on the guillotine. She still did not know why everyone looked so pale and shocked when she accepted to cook! Did they think that she did not know how to cook? That could not be the case. Anyways, she decided to deal with them later and looked back at the aunt Gabriella, whose lips had curled upwards.

"Very well. At least you are not afraid of facing your responsibilities. I will send the menu to you after breakfast. And I am looking forward to the meal you will cook for me.`` Her tone was pleasing to the ears and her face did not have any malice and a bright smile formed on the face of Evan. her animated eyes sparkled. So, it was that easy to please her. And here she thought that she had to face a war of wits! She shook her head and took another sip of her soup. So it was right, everyone's way of heart goes through their stomachs! When it comes to cooking, she was sure that she would be able to cook a delicious meal!

Her relaxed and smiling posture was contrary to the man who was gnashing his teeth at her folly! did she even know how much hard work had he done to protect her. yet she jumped into the fire at the very first chance. How could she be this dumb? But he did not know how to deny it when she had already said yes!

"Aunt, shall I assist her in cooking? That way I would be able to learn a few things too?" asked Eli with a serene smile on her face. She had felt how tense Leo was all this time. Eve had often told her that Leo was in love with Evan but till now she had never believed in the fact, but now that she saw him staring at her all this while and the myriad of emotions passing on his usually blank face, she was sure that Eve was right this time! 

"Of course, since you are no more betrothed to the crown prince.. You should learn cooking and household chores too. Who knows where you will get married this time!"