Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"She should be the one to decide." replied Leo without any hesitation or prejudice.

"......."

Though the statement was simple, it was too rare to hear that. Most men have the right to decide what their wife could do as it was a highly patriarchal era where all the rights belong to a man! And being a woman was a crime in itself. There are very few who give the right to women to decide for their future.

"Very well, then I will arrange a test for her."  everyone nodded in unison except Evan.

The old woman smiled and her eyes softened when she looked at Evan who was standing there awkwardly. He was not able to make head or tail of the situation. Only a month ago she was living a simple life and now she was struggling to make her place in the noble society, she did not want to be a part of it in the first place.

"Evangeline.." 

"Evangeline Rossador, my lady.'' She was not sure how to address her as she did not know her position but the lady did not seem to care about the honorifics.

"Yes, so miss Rossador, can you sing too?" she asked, though it was unlikely. Those who play and dance were already rare as it takes a long time to only get mastery in one field. Being trained in all three was rare but she asked to arrange the test for her but she was surprised when Evan nodded her head.

Evan was looking hesitant by the attention she was getting, but when it came to music, her eyes sparkled unconsciously. She had a deep affinity towards music.

"Ah, is that so? Can you sing for us then?" asked the old lady who was still calm, completely opposite to the two who were squinting their eyes. They were already facing competition from the other one. If she would be good at singing, then there was no way they could win against the old lady! She was too cunning.

Evan looked at Leo instinctively. Everything was so surreal for her that she felt in a stupor for a few minutes. But when she came back to her senses, she wanted to deny and leave this place. It was not where she belonged.

Leo, who knew her internal thoughts very well, was not ready to let her go! He did not understand why but he did not like it when she tried to run away from the noble society. He did not understand why he was forcing her there, but he knew it would only benefit her in the future. When she did not reply or sing even after waiting for a long time, Leo sighed.

She was a one stubborn girl who did not bow to anyone, but it was fine! He knew her weakness after all.

He walked closer to her and moved his face closer to her. It looked like he was whispering words of strength in the scared girl who had turned stiff when asked for a performance but in reality he asked her.

"I still remember you asked me to change your reward from jewels to gold, silver and bronze coins. I was thinking of doing so after reaching the palace. But if you would not sing then we will not be able to go back anytime soon. And I would be tired if we reached late, so I did not know when I would get time to do that again. Alas, then.." 

"Wait! I will sing. I will sing now!" she cussed him for taking advantage of her weakness but she knew that she did not have any choice, from that day, not even once had he talked about her rewards, no matter how many times did she mention it. So, she could not let this chance go!

A smirk formed on his lips. He knew that no matter what, the mention of rewards and money always worked on her. She had come back to her bootlicking and flattery form where she would listen to whatever he would say! He missed this Evan who could be a docile pet while at other times she was like a wild cat who was ready to scratch him everytime he tried to go closer.

"Very well, then let us start" said the old lady who was looking at their conversation with interest. Her eyes were sparkling with mischievousness, that was just opposite to her calm and expressionless face.

Leo took her hand and moved towards the sofa. He did not want her to stand and sing like a performer. Not only would she get tired, it was beneath her dignity. So, he sat on the sofa near the ladies while holding hands of Evan who was waiting for him to let go of her hands.

She sighed when he noticed that he had no intention of letting her hands go. He was like a parent who would not leave his daughter to move away from his eyes even for a second, afraid that she would be lost in the crowd.

She could not even fathom what he was thinking with his blank face that was devoid of every emotion.

"Do you need music in the background?" asked Miss Parker as she took out a violin from her bag and gave a mischievous smile to Evan whose eyes enlarged when she saw the violin in her hands.

'So, she did know how to play violin! Was she taking the test then?" before she could think further or say another word, miss Parker had closed her eyes and started playing the violin

The world around her blurred, Evan could not think or see anything else, the music had bound her and her feet started tapping unconsciously, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the rhythm. 

Words started to form in her mind and her lips started to move automatically.

"Gone are the days when I was alone.. I have you in my arms now.." 

"...."