Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Decorate the main door with more flowers." scolded Ethan as he walked out of the palace.

His eyes were filled with excitement. After a long time the atmosphere of the palace was lively.

The smile on their faces could not be hidden. He looked around at the palace that was decorated with lightning.

"The owner of the palace is coming back." he could not help but smile. Today is going to be their memorable day.

Not only was he getting his family back, but he was also getting engaged today.

Soon his family would arrive and so would the guests.

"My lord, would you like to check the menu once again?" Ethan retracted his eyes from the door towards the chef and nodded his head.

He followed him to the kitchen counter and checked all the prepared food and dishes.

All of them looked appetizing. The hard work of the palace could be seen in it.

He nodded with a smile that was soon reflected on the face of the staff.

"Everything looks perfect!" he said with a smile as he walked out of the kitchen. He checked everything personally.

From the dishes to the decoration, from the sitting arrangement for guests to the music everyone was busy preparing for the best.

"My lord, you should get dressed up too." said Theo with a look of a father whose son is going to get married.

He looked happy with happy tears in his eyes. The happiness of the family was returning. 𝙛𝔯𝒆e𝔀e𝗯𝓷𝗼𝘃e𝚕.𝒄𝗼𝗺

Ethan nodded. He looked at the door again. He had thought that they would be here as soon as the case would be filed.

The court had already accepted all the proofs but the case could not move further until his majesty would return.

He had the right to defend himself and for that.. He had to come back but the question is.. When he would come back!

He shook his head as he did not want to think about those negative thoughts. He was going to celebrate their success with his family today.

Theo brought his dress. It was a velvet suit with a cape of black color with rubies adorned on it.

He looked no less than a prince of fairy tale with his tall and fair stature and his blue eyes that seemed to be deep as ocean and captivating.

"You are looking handsome." complimented Theo which brought a chuckle on the face of the man.

He laughed with a bright look on his face for the first time.

"Umm, would you like to go and see your fiance?" asked Theo with a cautious tone when the smile on the face of Ethan froze and his eyes sank deeper.

"My lord, if you do not want to be with the lady, why are you getting engaged with her anyways?" asked Theo with a sigh.

He could not understand the thoughts of the youngsters. He felt like he was getting too old.

"It is not like we need her statement now. If you are still in doubt or could not forgive her, put her in prison or let her go! Getting engaged to her just to torment her and yourself. Is it even worth it?" Ethan looked away. He did not have any reply for that but…

He closed his eyes. Had he forgotten Hannah? No!

Did he want to let her go? No! He did not need to ask his heart about it. He could not let her go!

He was betrayed and in exchange he wanted to hurt her but leaving her was never his choice.

"You did not need to worry about it. The guests would be here anytime. I want you to send someone and check when Leo and Evan are here with their father." the old man sighed as he looked at Ethan with worry but nodded his head and left from there.

Ethan continued to sit there for a while before closing his eyes at the end of the day. And then standing up.

He was about to go to the hall but when he saw a lot of maids walking to her room, his feet moved there without even realizing.

The smile of laughter could be heard from afar.

He did not walk in but stood at the door. He could see her dressed in a red gown that matched her rubies. She had blue sapphires as design and her face was looking full of happiness.

After a long time, she was smiling with the maids who hated her. He knew that the maids had tormented her a bit but he always feigned ignorance because he wanted her to deal with it.

And look how she had made them friends.

"I am sure lord would not be able to take his eyes away from your face tonight. Who knows you would end up in his room tonight." chuckled a maid when she glared at her.

"We all know he is getting married to me to force me to speak the truth in front of everyone and admit my mistakes. He would not care if I am alive or not once he is done with me. Let alone about how I look." she accepted plainly.

Her voice was neither too weak nor too cold, surprising him. He had thought she would hide their secret to keep their strong image but once again the young girl surprised her.

She looked at herself in the mirror with a smile. Happy that she was looking beautiful and had the power to hold the eyes of many at once.

"You should think positive! Who knew that he might fall in love with you again?" asked one with a smile as she patted her shoulders when the girl laughed wryly but then shook her head.

"I did not get my hopes high. Ethan.. He already has someone in his life and I am just a pawn for him now.

I am still here because I owe him this evening and truth."