Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Father" 

"I can see that you are learning to disobey me. Is it because of your rising position?" the words came rather harsh from duke William and Leo bowed his head. Not even in his dreams had he thought that his father would take his actions and challenge his authority.

"I only want to know about the message father, you are the head of the house and dukedom and would always be!" his voice was resolute, as if he was taking a pledge. Even duke William who was trying to keep him away from the matter was stumped for words. He felt pride in his son, whose eyes were gleaming with determination.

"Then you should learn to follow my words. I will inform you later about the message from the royal family.'' Leo knew that his father was doing that intentionally. He was using this trick to keep him away from the matter. But he still did not want to go against his words. So, all he could do was nod. 

He looked at Eli, with hope that she would talk to the father, but she only passed him an assuring smile. Even though she did not want to come with them. He sighed, his eyes turned cold and then he turned and left without saying a word.

"Sigh.. he is upset." murmured Eli and duke William patted her shoulders. 

"He will be fine in a while. Including him in the matter is no less than starting a civil war. From the behavior of the crown prince yesterday, I am sure that the messenger had not brought any good news!" Eli nodded, she knew that too well. Andrew had cleared it not even once but many times that he was not ready to accept the annulment of their marriage. But not even once did he say that if she was so against being his concubine then he would marry her.

A strong sensation filled her chest when she remembered yesterday's event. To say that she was not touched when he tried to treat her injury, even when everyone's eyes were on him, would be a lie. But she could not accept being mistress of the man just because he showed her concern. All those moments would be between him and his wife in the future and then she would only be a spectator instead.

"No! Eli! You could not be weak." She took a deep breath and locked all the feelings bubbling in her heart, deep inside her heart and filled her mind with determination to leave him.

"Do not be too hard on yourself, Eli. Why don't you go for a tour of our estate? We need to check the welfare of our vassal families once a year. Would you like to go with the staff this year? I was thinking of doing it personally for the past three years, but due to the death of your mother and the turmoil after that, I was not able to do that!" Eli stayed silent. She was at a loss of words, she knew that her father was trying to help her only but running away from the situation was not something she had ever done. Her deep eyes filled with complex emotions and William sighed. He did not want her to suffer so much. Eli as the eldest daughter had always been a responsible and disciplined child. But because of that she was not able to live her childhood. All the eyes had always stayed on her. 

And when she was 4, she was announced as the future wife of the crown prince, which only increased her responsibilities. Everyone watches her every action like a hawk as many were vying for that position for their daughters. So, she had to take every step after so much consideration. Not only that she had taken training for being a perfect empress from the age of 11 and now after getting preparation from past 12 years, the long awaited marriage was cancelled. It had not only made the whole Thawyne family as laughing stock but even the reputation of Eli had been badly hit.

Everyone was blaming her for not being a competent match to be the empress that was why she was rejected at the last minute. She was offered the position of mistress because the royal family felt pity on her. Some even said that it was because she had hypnotized the crown prince from her beauty and forced him to not leave her by using her tears.

That was the reason that the Thawne family had stood up and initiated the annulment of marriage. But who would have thought that the crown prince who had decided to marry the princess of another empire personally would be so against it and create a scene in the party. All the empire was baffled by his behavior. 

But it had made one thing clear, he would not annul the marriage at any cost. William rubbed his temples, no matter how much he tried for his kids to stay happy and carefree, he could not even give them basic happiness and freedom.

He just wanted to go and beat that dumb man and ask if you love my daughter then why in the world did you want to marry someone else!

They both walked towards the office of duke Thawyne lost in their own thoughts. The knight bowed his head and greeted them.

"My lord." He opened the door for them and the messenger sitting on the sofa stood up and bowed his head in front of them too.

When the knight had informed them about the messenger, they had thought it would be an ordinary messenger but who would have thought that the personal aide of his majesty, the emperor would come to deliver the message. His position was no less than a chancellor in the royal palace. He was the eyes and ears of his majesty.

"I was not expecting to see Sir Valen here personally."

"I apologize for coming unannounced but the matter was too big to be delayed."

"..........."