Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"My lord, my lady has asked you to meet her in the wine hall when you come back." Leo stopped in his tracks when he heard that. They only go there when they celebrate an occasion, so why was she called there!

"Then I shall take my leave!" she bowed her head, relieved that she was free for today. She was so tired that she dragged her body towards her room. She would sleep whole until late, no matter how he would knock on the door or ask her to come out, she was not going to come out.

But before she could even enjoy the mini thought of hers, his cold voice resonated in the air,

"Where are you going? You are coming with me!" as the words left her mouth, her smile froze.

"My lord, I think there is some misunderstanding. Lady Elizabeth had only called for you." 'So you better not drag me and let me go and sleep!!' she eyes him as if she was telling that if he persisted, she would have a fight for it.

"Did you forget that we only have a week, so we better start looking for chances!"

"....." did he even retreat! Either for money or for her freedom, he forced her to do his bidding only!' she sighed as she knew that if she would still deny, he would find another way to drag her.

So, it was better that she would nod and follow him to better get done with it. With a satisfied expression on his face, he nodded and started walking towards the wine hall!

"What if this wine hall by the way?" if she was going to follow him, better know what she was supposed to do there.

She had heard the meeting hall, dining hall and what was wine hall supposed to mean?

"It is as you heard. The wine hall is the place where you are supposed to have wine! My parents were fond of wine when they were young so they have made a room for that where they spend their evening and have wine together while having romantic dinner.

Later when we grew up, we started using the room for having small celebrations. 

"Oh, so is there a celebration tonight! Sigh! If i would have known then i would have eaten a bit less!" her face filled with disappointment when she realized that there would be a nice meal there and he shook his head.

"Since you have helped me, I will treat you to a nice meal tomorrow." She raised her head and looked at him with a stunned face.

Did he really offer her a meal? Or was he planning something else? How could he be so humane towards her? She couldn't help but look at him suspiciously and he had done nothing but tricking her all this time.

Looking at her reluctant face, he felt fury! Did she not want to have the meal then why was she making that face?

"If you did not want to, then suit yourself!" he added in an icy gaze and took hasty steps towards the hall. 

'See! She knew that he could not behave well with her!'  she cussed him again in her heart as she walked towards the wine hall.

As the door creaked open, Evan saw that both Eli and Eve were giggling and talking.

Her eyes widened as she looked at them. She had never seen them sitting so carefree! They turned to look at the door and Eve hicked.

"So, you are finally back. We have been waiting for you for a long time!" 

"And I can see that you have drunk enough while waiting!" looking at their carefree attitude, even the tone of Leo turned warm as he walked leisurely.

"Yes! We are celebrating and waiting for you to be part of it!" giggled Eve as she patted the space beside her, "come Evangeline! Let's see how much you can drink?" 

"Have you ever drank before, Evangeline?" Evangeline had thought that Eli would look at her with a stern tone, but even her voice was warm and bright and a hint of reddish could be seen on her face.

Was she drunk too?! Thought Evan as she shook her head.

"No! I have never drunk wine or other things, but I had a bit of  champagne at the last party!" she replied with an embarrassed face. It was common for the nobles to drink in social gatherings but in the commoners, drinking was attributed to only man even that was called sin.

Mostly those who do nothing but gamble and ruin their family were taken as drinkers. Or else no one drinks.

But for nobles, it was a trend!

"Why are we celebrating though? Is father coming back home?" asked Leo as he sat opposite to her sisters and pulled Evan who was standing there lost in her thoughts.

She glared at him who had dragged her like she was a sack of potato with no will of her own.

But when she looked at the glasses of wine in front of them, she decided against it and sat there silently. 

"Hmm, no.. I felt like it has been ages since we have celebrated a good time together. So, I wanted to have a glass of wine with my family. Isn't it enough of a reason?" Evan, who had finally found the plate of crabs on the table and was about to pick it up, halted in her actions.

She raised her head and looked at all three of them. She knew that if she was not invited, it was the quality time of siblings. What was she doing there as an extra!

It was this mistake of this man who had started dragging her everywhere without her will. He should be the one to blame!

"My lady, I am too tired and want to retire tonight. Please excuse me!"

"where do you think you are going huh? do you think you are not part of family?"