Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

She could not believe that Eli could be this cruel and harsh to the one who had done everything for her as far as going against his father.

But the man just smiled. Was he serious?

"You! Are you not angry at her?" her face filled with disbelief when she saw him smiling like a fool. She wanted to punch him to get that smile off of his face and bring some sense into him.

"No! Why would I be? I am happy that she loves me a lot." huh! Did she miss something? Didn\'t the girl ask him to stay away with her and did not meet her ever again.

How did he even conclude that she loved him? Looking at him, as if he had gone crazy, she walked closer and checked his forehead.

"What are you doing?" he frowned as he pushed her away. He did not like to be touched by any woman except Eli.

Reading the thoughts clearly on his face, she rolled her eyes, "I was just checking if you have any fever! You are talking like crazies. Anyways, i have completed my part of the deal, now i have nothing to do with it.

I will wait for you to complete your part of the deal but do it soon, your majesty is already doubtful of my actions these days." he nodded as he knew that after the visit of strange men in the court, his father had been at edge.

He had increased the men to find the visitors and his spies on him and Adele had increased.

They were still keeping a watch on them while thinking they both were spending quality time in his chamber.

Thank goodness, they did not know the secret passage from his chamber by which they have come here.

He nodded and she finally turned to leave but her eyes were still filled with pity for him.

"If you only knew how much the girl loved me!" Andrew shook his head as he looked at the distance. Should he go and listen to a few more cruel words from her now or should he wait for tomorrow when she would be in a more sensible mood to talk.

"Sigh! I just couldn\'t wait to get beaten. Am I a masochist now?" he shook his head as he knew she was going to beat him if he followed her yet his steps did not listen to him as he followed him towards the exit.

On the other side,

Eli felt her body getting heavier and heavier as she continued to walk out of the palace.

"Shall I escort you to your palace, my lady!" thinking that she was heartbroken by seeing the prince and the princess together, a few knights came forward who remembered her kindness towards them.

Though she looked cold, she was a keen observer and made sure that they all were treated fairly. When they came back from the war, everyone paid attention on the war heroes but only Eli was the one who had made sure they were taken care of and they later come to know that she had sent help to the knight\'s houses that had gone to the war either they belong to her family, royal palace or were commoners.

She had personally monitored the supply of necessary goods at their houses so they did not suffer in the absence of their men.

Though she did not show, she did a lot for everyone. She was a kind soul just hidden under that calm face that barely showed emotions.

"Oh, I did not want to trouble you, I am fine and my carriage would be waiting for me in the nearby spot. You do not need to worry." twilight had already covered the whole sky and soon it would be dark while her palace was miles away.

The knight was feeling hesitant in letting her go alone.

"Then allow me to escort you to your carriage, it is not safe to travel at this point of time alone." with a more persuading but respectful tone, he repeated but she still shook her head.

"As I said, you do not need to worry. I can take care of myself." This time her tone was resolute so the knights had to give up as he nodded and retreated when she walked out of the entrance with pride.

She could hear a few snickers of the maids who passed sarcastic comments like how pitiful she was or how she was trying to get what did not belong to her. Cold! Heartless! Adamant! Arrogant!

More and more words were used to describe her but her face stayed calm like a vast sea that could not be affected by small pebbles thrown into it.

The person who was trying to insult her felt embarrassed and raged when she did not react at all while they continued to shout like baking dogs earning laughter from other sides.

But just as she had reached away from the palace and no one was able to see her, her knees gave away. She felt on the ground with a thud and the tears she was holding all this time started falling out of her eyes again.,

The silent sobs soon turned into muffled cries and loud wails as she continued to sit on the muddy path and cried as if the world was going to end.

"I have no home to get escorted to!"