Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Evan who was about to enter Leo's office turned to the other side and left when she heard what Olivia said and how Olivia guarded  the door and didn't let her enter. Even the knights were not sure about whom to support and whom not to. As they looked at each other with awkward faces, Evan did not want to create trouble for them and left from there silently.

Her steps were hasty as if she wanted to run away from there as soon as possible. The words of Olivia were crossing her mind again and again that she did not notice that Raymond was standing in front of her and bumped into him.

"Owwww" she rubbed her nose and forehead as she felt the pain and fluttered her eyes when she found Raymond was standing in front of her.

He was not dressed in his knights uniform but in a casual white shirt with black pants and boots. The thread of the shirt was tied loosely giving him a look of a young boy. He was looking more handsome and young. With both hands in his pockets. He was standing there leisurely when he felt the bump and then saw her rubbing her forehead with a frown.

He quickly straightened himself and asked in a concerned tone, "are you okay, my lady?" 

She blinked and saw that it was Raymond she had bumped into and it was her mistake since she was not paying attention to where she was going, she nodded her head silently.

As he was standing against the sun, the rays of sun fell on her face and gave him a glow and warmth and with that soft smile on his face, he looked friendlier and warm. The two dimples that fell on his cheeks  were making his face adorable but his muscular chest and broad shoulders were giving an aura of masculinity.

"Why are you standing here lost in your thoughts!" He scanned her surroundings and frowned when he did not find Leo around.

He was happy to see a beautiful girl talking and caring about him when he finished the match. He had decided to know more about her after the fight when his friends told her that she was Evan, the future wife of their master.

Only then did he understand why his master was so angry. He took a deep breath and let her thoughts go but just when he changed his clothes and walked out, he saw another noble girl walking towards the office of Leo.

He frowned but did not think much of it and was about to leave when he heard the knights gossiping about how the master did not like his fiance and that was why he did not pay any attention to her and treat her badly. 

That thought made him hurt too and he was perplexed. He was still lost in his thoughts when Evan came and bumped into him. Her eyes looked hurt too. Could it be that the knights were right? She was not treated well by the master.

Her animated eyes were looking lost and her bright and fair face was looking dull. He was about to give up on her before but now that he felt that the relationship was only forced and the master would not even take her as his wife, he felt like he should give it a chance before giving up on her fully.

But should he ask her directly?

"I was just roaming around to see the scenery!" She replied not wanting to drag the matter and talking about Leo and Olivia.

"Oh! I was about to go for lunch, would you like to come with me?" his bright eyes were looking intently at her as if he was expecting her to say yes only. 

"Umm, I do not think that it would be appropriate! I am fine here!" she shook her head in denial and about to turn to leave when he moved and blocked her way again.

"I know that you must be waiting for the master, but he was going to have lunch with a noble. So, he might not take you out. And staying hungry is not a good thing to do. So, come with me, I know a good place nearby." he said with a soft tone, his face was bright and his tone was filled with concern.

But all Evan could think was.. "Did Leo call me to inform me that he was going on lunch with Olivia and I should order something here? Or was he going to ask me that I shall come with both of them!" no! She did not want to see their face while eating it was like a torture for her.

"Then.. I will go with you!" she replied in a soft voice as she shivered from the thought of eating out with them.

"Really?" he smiled when he heard her acceptance. Though he wished, he had not expected that she would accept it so easily. Did it mean that he still had a chance? His heart filled with joy when the thought crossed his mind.

"Then wait for me for a minute. I was going on a horse but now I will go and ask a friend to lend me his carriage." he scratched the back of his head as he replied to her with embarrassment. Since he was from a middle class family, he had never thought that it was important for him to buy a carriage and he enjoyed the touch of cold breeze on his skin. It gave him a carefree feeling but he could not ask to travel that way to a lady. Could he?

"Oh! Do not do that!" Just when he was about to run away, she held his hand to stop him, "I love horses more than carriages. The touch of gentle breeze makes me feel carefree and closer to nature. I can share a horse with you."

"........."