Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Olivia looked at Evan proudly listening to the reply Eli gave her but Eli was not done yet.

She held the hand of Evan and then looked straight into the eyes of Olivia.

"But I will always support my family members above strangers." she added confidently with a tone that was filled with pampering.

Sound of clapping brought everyone out of their daze. Evan blinked as she continued to look at Eli with complicated emotions. Even if she had said that for the sake of her family. She was still grateful to her.

"Did you hear that? Now I hope you will learn to behave in front of the new duchess of the palace." Evan added haughtily. Olivia's face turned ashen. Never in her life had she been treated this way. This was the first time she had been insulted publicly but there was nothing she could do or retort.

"You are doing a mistake." was all she said as she turned and left the area. Others who are waiting for a good show gulped. Olivia the daughter of the duke who had the highest standing in the empire was insulted, then they would not stand a chance if they said anything about the origins of the girl.

They all agreed that she was cherished way too much by the Thawyne family. They shot daggers and sneered at Evan every now and then but when she turned and looked at them, they passed a courteous fake smile.

"You better not create another drama." Eli warned Evan in a low tone but Even did not listen. She had a mission to complete.

"Why? Who had the courage to stand against me? After all, i am the star of today's party?" she replied in a high pitch so that everyone would listen to her haughty tone. She waited for others to pass sarcastic comments to her or create another scene. But no matter how much she waited nothing happened.

They did not come to her for friendship or enmity. Mostly just avoided her as if she was not there at all. This made Evangeline worried. If nothing happened then she would not be announced as a wicked woman.

She looked around and found two girls sitting in the corner and eating silently. They were looking for shy and weak girls because of their silence and slim figure.

She smiled as she chose them as their target. If she would bully the weak then everyone would surely treat her as a wicked woman. Right?

She walked towards them leisurely with a wicked smile on her face.

She sat on the empty chair on their table and gave them a glance as if waiting for them to wish her. They both looked at each other and then at Evan but said nothing.

"Have you not learnt manners?" asked Evans tilting her head and then looking at them with disdain.

"Excuse me!" one of the girls looked at her with a glare.

"Didn't you know you should greet the host when you come to the party? I have personally come to you yet you did not bow your head courteously?" Evan knew how important respect was for the nobles. To bow in front of a noble was the biggest insult for them. She was sure it would be enough to win the battle.

She wanted to end this before Eve and Eli became free and came to look for her. She looked at the distance where both of them were entertaining other guests and engaging them in small conversations.

Taking a deep breath, they both wished her through gritted teeth, "good evening, lady Evangeline." Evan had thought that it would be difficult but it was easy. She looked around to get a sour look but they did not even get the attention of others. She was afraid that she would not be called a wicked girl this way? she clenched her hands with determination. She would not give up that easily.

She raised a brow at them again and they looked at her with trembling eyes, "call me lady Thawyne!" She demanded and they clench their fists.

"Are you perhaps challenging us?" Evan did not get what they were talking about yet she was delighted that they raised their voice so she nodded her head haughtily. Her chin raised high in the sky.

"What can you do about that? You are supposed to do what I will ask you to.`` They looked at her with a sour face. If possible they would have strangled her right there but they were scared of the ferocious eyes of Eli that give Evan a chance to do as she wished.

She could hear the whispers again and so as a few gasps. Evan danced in her heart when she saw both of them standing up and leaving the party. They walked straight out of the garden without even looking back once. This should be enough to turn everyone against her. Right?

"You did that on purpose. Didn't you?" Evan heard the cold voice of a man behind her and she nodded. Finally! The victory was so close to her. The footsteps came closer to her and her heart thumped faster in her chest. Ten, nine.. She started counting on her leaving the palace when the man came in front of her and took the seat.

She raised a brow when he said nothing but continued to look at her with amused eyes.

The man was a piece of art. She had thought that Leo was already a prince from the fairytale yet this one was giving tough competition to him. Every nobleman was handsome. She could not help but entertain this thought as she looked at the man in front of him. His hair was made of pure gold and his emerald eyes were so serene. His pale lips and pointed chin, his strong and wide shoulders and straight posture. He was looking fairer than all the ladies present there.

"Have you seen enough?"