Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

The man ducked his head and looked at the ground, unsure of how to react to her shameless comment.

He had been habitual of shy and embarrassed women around him, so her behavior was a breath of fresh air but even surprising.

How could she be so nonchalant around him?

"Um, I apologize that my shirt is a bit dirty." Having mud on his clothes was a common thing but going out with the owner of the palace was the rarest thing that still felt surreal.

"It is fine. I do not like clothes on you anyways." she shrugged as she turned. "We will go out shopping, then lunch in a good inn and then a fair for the evening and then a late night dance in front of the campfire." she announced as she started taking slow steps toward the exit making sure that he was following her.

He did not try to catch up to her and walk beside her but followed her like an employee should.

She did not care or said a word. She knew that her actions were abrupt and strange for the man.

In fact, she did not know why she did it? Why did she approach a complete stranger when she did not even know a thing about him.

Since then she has become this spontaneous!

She shook her head. She had already come so far.

She looked at the others leaving their work and staring at them with stern eyes when a smirk formed on her lips.

"Your colleagues are curious about you. Shall we give them a little show?" she asked with a cunning smile on her face when he blinked.

He shook his head readily. He was sure that he would be too embarrassed by the little show she was talking about.

By his rejection, instead of feeling annoyed, she felt relieved for some reason.

She shook her head as she reached the palace where carriages were kept.

"We will take this one, thank you." The coachman bowed his head and a foot guard came forward to open the door for her.

He was about to close it when she turned and held it for the man who looked embarrassed as all the eyes turned to look at her.

"My lady, the workers have their own carriages. If you want to take him with you, I will arrange one for him too." said the guard who felt strange that a stableman was following the strange sister of the princess.

"That would not be needed. He is coming with me in this one or I will take the one offered to him." with that she was about to come out of the carriage when the man stopped her abruptly.

"How could that be!" he glared at the man responsible for the situation with cold eyes, "you go in? Are you planning to keep the lady waiting?"

The man bowed his head and walked in the carriage.

It was more grandiose from the inside than the outside. The seat was so soft and pure white that he was afraid he would dirty them with his clothes.

The curtains were of pure silk and a small trolley was arranged in the middle which had water and a few dry snacks and fruits that could be eaten anytime.

He was amazed to see the red velvet covering the inside walls of the carriage.

"You did not need to think too much about it. It is just a carriage used to travel." she said with a look of assurance but he was anything but assured.

He was already regretting his decision to come out with her. It was only going to embarrass her through and through. He was just a worker,  while she..

What was he even thinking!

"You do not need to think too much. All you have to do is enjoy. Take it as your day off. Where would you like to go then?" she asked, trying to sound easy to approach but her cold face and indifferent expression were not helping.

"I would have gone to a peaceful place or to the market to see if i earn some extra money." he scratched at the back of his head when she nodded.

"Then I will pay you more. So relax." he closed his eyes and shook his head. The woman was not even listening to him well.

"Why do you want to date me?" he asked when he felt the silence would kill him.

"Because you are handsome. Haven\'t I already told you that?" she blinded and looked at him with confusion when he crushed himself.

Of course, she did! But who would believe it?

"Then, are you thinking of marrying me" it could not be that simple right?

"After dating, if I felt like it."

Why was her reply short and vague? He felt like he still did not know anything.

He shook his head and gave up. He could continue when she would start one.

With that thought, he decided to enjoy this one in a lifetime opportunity.

He picked up the precious glass and took a sip of water. Even the water of the nobles tasted different.

Then he picked up some snacks and started to munch on them.

It was so different from everything he had eaten so far.

He smiled as she started to enjoy the ride with things other than the strange girl

By the time the carriage was stripped, he had already eaten everything that the trolley offered him.

"Are you still hungry? Would you be able to eat more if we went to a sweet shop?" she asked as she picked up a handkerchief and passed it to him.

He took it with an embarrassed look and cleaned his face.

"I can eat a lot more if I\'m worried about it, my lady." she laughed and then nodded her head.

At least he was truthful when asked.

"Then we will start by visiting the nearest shop for sweets. Tell me if you need anything there."