Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

"Let the bride have one dance at least!" and just like that her resolve losen!

He nodded as he stared back at Evan who was still not sure what was happening outside, "may i have the dance with the lady."

He held her hands with a soft smile on his face as he started swaying to the soft rhythm.

"Leo, what has happened in the palace! Do Eli and Eve know where I am and what about father!" she whispered as she imagined their condition.

Here she was enjoying her time, while they would be looking for her like crazies! How would she face them when she would tell them that they married secretly!

Wouldn\'t it break their heart!

"Do not worry, we are not going to tell them that we have taken our vows, so it would not hurt them!" as if reading her thoughts, he caressed her cheek as he muttered that loud enough for everyone to hear into the room./

They all gulped and bowed their heads while Evan frowned!

"That was not the main point here! Hiding from them would be worse!" his eyes softened when he saw three deep lines forming on her forehead.

He knew that it was worse, but they did not have a choice! There were so many moles and rats around them. Or else how he would have controlled everything.

"I know, give me a week and I will settle everything. Then we can have another wedding in front of them. A little white lie would not affect.

But after the dance, I have to unconsciously touch you again!" guilt filled his eyes when she stared deep into them.

She still did not understand what he was trying to do and why but when she noticed how hurt he was, she did not have the heart to blame or complain to him.

"This is the last time I am hiding from you. Tonight, I will find a way to tell you everything. But if you did not come back to the palace, father would start burning the whole empire!" instead of replying to him, she leaned on his chest and closed her eyes.

Her mind was swirling with so many thoughts yet his heartbeat started to calm her agitated mind.

They both swayed into the song silently when he continued to rub the back of her hands in his palm as if he was trying to assure her that he would handle everything.

Olivia sighed as she looked at the couple who had just gotten married yet they have to separate!

Arden turned to look at her with bewildered eyes. He wanted to apologize to her but did not know how to! The guilt was burning him, why had he not given her a chance to explain or trusted her.

"Olivia,"

"You did not need to apologize, I have forgiven you!" his eyes widened as he was not expecting her to accept his apology even before he had asked her, this only made him guiltier!

"But that does not mean I have forgotten what happened! From now on, I do not want to keep any contact with you! It would be better that we forget we were acquaintances once!"

A wary smile formed on his lips as he nodded. He had no right to deny her. She was right! He had hurt her enough to not force his presence on her.

But just as he was thinking whether to apologize properly to her again. She closed her eyes and leaned on the chair.

Her face had an obvious expression that she was trying to ignore his presence.

He fidgeted at his seat like a kid who had been wrong but wanted to make amendments. He wanted a chance but did not have the courage to ask for it in front of the stern eyes of his parents, Arden stared at her with the same eyes.

In the end, he could only sigh and leave from there without disturbing her further. Just as he stood up and turned to leave, the eyes that were closed all this time opened, and stared at his retreating back.

Her eyes were filled with a hint of mist as if she had lost something precious while she continued to look at him with the time they had spent together flashed past her eyes.

But when she remembered his eyes full of hatred and distrust, her hands clenched into a fist and her face turned cold.

No! She would not give another chance. The past only makes her feel more miserable. Once this episode of her life would end, she would make a new start at a new place!

Soon the song ended and everyone turned to stare at the couple who had a look of pain in their eyes instead of the happiness and smiles that should be adorning them.

"Do we have to part our ways now!" she asked as she raised her head, her eyes had turned a bit misty as if she was afraid that something bad would happen and she would lose him as soon as she let him go.

He stared hard into her eyes and when everyone had thought that he would take her into his embrace again and console her softly, he frowned and flicked her forehead stunning everyone.

Even Evan was not expecting that kind of reaction. She rubbed her forehead and then glared at the man who did not know how to be sweet at all!

"Why did you do that?" a look of aggrieve filled her face as she pursued her lips and rubbed the place he had hit her.

"What nonsense thoughts are forming in your mind. Huh? Are you forgetting that we live in the same palace?

Even if that would not be the case from now on, I would still find a way to sneak into your room every night.

After all, I still have not tasted you! I want my fill now after being calibrated for years.

Though you are not wearing the wedding ring, you are still my wife, and to remind you that, I have brought this!" with that he took out a silver chain with a diamond ring in it.

The chain was long enough to hide the ring beneath her dress. He held her and placed the chain on her neck and then kissed her forehead where he had flicked just now.

"Now are you ready?" He took out the handkerchief that she had seen before getting unconscious and her eyes trembled.

"Can I not pretend to be unconscious! That way you will not even need to drag me!" Leo\'s eyes narrowed at her face and then he turned to stare at Olivia who shrugged her shoulders and he sighed! Both of them are too stubborn to deal with!

"Alright, show us how good an actor you are! Since my father is too attentive and hard to fool!"