Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Leo, you fraud! I curse you for getting a wife that spends your money like water and then you have to beg for every silver coin!!" she could not help but curse him while gnashing her teeth. He had tricked her again and again.

......"

Just when she finished cursing him, she took a deep breath. Her stuffy chest was feeling lighter now. But the same could not be said for others. They looked at her as if she was a witch who could be burnt alive anytime. And they would be included in the massacre, as they had witnessed it.

Especially the knight, he was looking so aghast that he could faint from the shock anytime but Evan did not even shed a glance to them. She took a deep breath to control her urge to beat Leo and walked towards the dining room. At least, she wanted to utilize the purpose of her looks for the time being or she would not be able to bear the shock of losing so many gold coins.

When she walked towards the dining room, she could feel everyone's gaze was on her. In the previous party, she did not attend this well because of her looks. But this time, she was looking so perfect that when she reached the dining room, all the voices there stopped. Everyone looked at her with surprise or shock. 

She was dressed in a beautiful ball gown or white color that made her look elegant, with a waterfall braid bun, and delicate makeup was accentuating her innocence. Her bright animated eyes were shining like stars. Even Gabriella could not help but look at her with a surprised face, she had left everyone far behind when it comes to look and presentation. She was not expecting this from Evan when she had met her last night. That time, Evan had messy hair and sleepy eyes, she was looking not at all presentable!

But she could not accept that a mere commoner was looking this beautiful. After all, beauty was not the basis of choosing a wife for Leo. with that thought, she brought the nonchalance back on her face.

"You are late!" she mumbled and Evan's eyes instinctively fell on the table. Gabriella, Eve, and Eli were only there. Both duke William and Leo were missing. But then she noticed there was a new member on the table too. A young girl who was dressed up even better than her. She had a sweet smile on her face and her face was looking soft and delicate. Eve signaled Evan to sit down, but the girl was lost in looking at the food and then at the new member that she neither noticed the signals of Eve or the darkening face of aunt Gabriella.

"I know that you did not have any manners. But do you need to prove it every passing second?" came the cold voice of aunt Gabriella and Evan finally looked back at her.

"........." 'do not tell me that even standing silently was a part of bad manners!!' She knew that she was not liked by the aunt due to her origins, but targeting her on everything was just over the top! Yet she kept that professional smile on her face and did not reply. As Leo had said, she could not argue with the aunt, so she had to bear with it for a while.

"Not only do you not apologize for being late! You are also staring at guests. Even if you are jealous, you should not show it on your face! Your emotions should be kept for you only." continued the old lady with an arrogant yet angry face when Evan did not reply but continued to stare at her.

"I apologize for being late, matriarch!" Evan bowed her head and finally pride filled Gabriella. The arrogant and pleased look was back on her face with that smile that she was above everyone. She was too disturbed the way Evan had talked back to her last night. It had hurt her ego, now that Evan know her place, she felt strong again! Her high raised chin and relaxing expression dissipated the tension a bit. Now she had a pleased and relaxed smile on her face.

Finally when she was not scolded anymore, Evan sat on the empty seat beside the girl as she was already sitting on her designated seat that was beside Leo. Now she was sitting in the last seat. 

The food was served but no one had started eating yet as everyone was waiting for the men to come and join them for breakfast. Just after a few seconds, a pair of footsteps could be heard and Leo entered.

"Father had gone out due to some urgent work. I didn't even get the chance to inform him about your aunt's presence. I apologize for my incompetence, but i will make sure to inform him personally when he would come back." the duke was responsible for the administration of the whole empire, so he was often not present for meals with the family. It was a common scene so everyone only nodded.

Gabriella was glad that her brother was not at home. Though he always listens to her, she was not sure how he would react when she would go against Evan. so, she did not want him to take part in the meal, now that god had listened to her, she was over the moon. But she could not show it on her face. So, she faked a bit of disappointment. 

"Now that we are aging, we should spend more time with the family, but I understand how busy he was! So, I will not complain. I will personally send food in his room when he would come back.'' She did not only show how sensible and understanding she was but also how much concerned she was about her brother.. "Anyways, Leo, meet Aurora, she is my niece, and the daughter of countess Lizbeth."