Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Eve frowned when he ignored her and started having his meal again but she was not among those who would give up so easily. She walked with a bright smile over her face and sat beside Evan. Eve gave a knowing look to Evan too, who only felt baffled by her strange behavior. 

The maid served Eve breakfast but she did not even give it a look as her eyes were settled on Leo. 

"Eli, you did not open the door for me last night." started Eve as she finally moved her gaze away from Leo and looked at her sister. "You know I was there to tell you something I saw last night while I was walking towards my room. In Evan's…" 

Screech!

Leo, who was slicing the steak with his knife, scratched the plate with a piercing sound that filled the dining table."..."

His gaze was enough to create goosebumps all over Eve' body. The words that she wanted to say got stuck in her mouth. Her eyes grew wide with shock as she looked at the plate that was almost slashed in half. Her mouth turned dry and her hand instinctively moved towards the glass of water. She gulped all the contents on the glass in a single gulp.

She felt chilly over her neck as if it was her neck that was slashed in half! She trembled with that thought and gulped again.

Leo turned to look at her after putting his cutlery down and asked her rather nonchalantly. "Is something the matter? What did you see last night?" 

Eve was smart enough to get the hint and shook her head vehemently.

"Nothing, I was telling you. I tried to knock on Evangeline's door when Eli did not open the door. But even Evan did not open the door for me!" she replied with an awkward laugh and Leo nodded in satisfaction.

Even others who were looking at her with confused expressions shook their heads and started eating again.

"You should not use so much force while cutting the meat." chided Duke William lightly and Leo nodded his head.

"I apologize father, I was busy listening to Eve. so, I did not notice how much energy I was using in it." he replied sincerely and started eating his meal again. When everyone got busy eating again he finally took a breath of relief.

Leo's ears had perked up when Eve had mentioned last night and when Evan's room was included, he did not need to hear further to know what Eve was talking about. If she told everyone on the table what she had seen. No one would believe him even when he tried to give an explanation. And what would Evan think about him! Would she think that he was trying to take her benefit! No! Why was he worried what Evan would think about him!? It was her mistake in the first place! She was the one to be blamed!!!

He glared at the girl with that thought. Evan, who was having her meal with enthusiasm, felt chilly on her neck and looked above only to find Leo glaring at her. She blinked with a confused face.

Why was he so furious with her? Did she do anything that he disliked? No she was not even making noise while having her meal! Then why was he so angry! She was baffled by the looks he was giving her. Shouldn't it be her that was glaring at him?

But before she could open her mouth and ask, they heard William asking, "What have you thought about joining the academy Evangeline?" The question came unexpectedly, making Evan at a loss of words.

  When no one had replied to the monique yesterday, she had thought they were against her joining the academy. So when they asked about it now, she did not know how to reply.

The academy was about dance and music. Evan did not know about fromer, but she would love to learn more about music. Music was her only solace. But going to the academy of nobles and spending her time between them was not something she was planning to do in the long run. 

They all looked at her but she did not respond. A warm smile formed on WIlliam's face. "It is ok, take your time and think about it. In fact, why don't you go and take a look at the academy, then you can decide what you want!" he offered again and before she could reply, he looked at Leo and instructed him, "why don't you take her to the academy and show her the whole area. You both can have your lunch out too. Take your time. We will not wait for you." The meaning was clear. He wanted them to spend time together in the name of going to see the academy.

His eyes and tone were telling that there was no place for discussion. Leo knew his father too well, so all he could do was nod and obey!

"Yes father." was all he said but before he could continue his breakfast, he saw Eve elbowing Eli and he glared at her. 

Eve trembled when he glared at her and forgot even about cutting her meat and took it whole in her mouth. Only to choke on it later. 

The meal was rather full of emotions for everyone. Just when it finished and everyone took a breath of relief for different reasons. A knight came and announced.

"Your highness, there is a messenger from the royal palace who has come to meet you." Eli looked at her father who gave her an assured look and nodded to the knights.

"Ask him to wait in my office, I will be there in a minute." The knight nodded and left the room when Eli and Leo followed him.

"Leo, you should go and get ready, Evangeline, Leo will meet you in the carriage in fifteen minutes, dear. Be ready." Evan knew the matter was serious. She looked at William and then at Leo but nodded her head silently and walked to her room.. It was not her place to interfere in their family matters anyway.