Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

It has been two days since Evangeline has settled in the inn. After getting anxious for so long, she finally has learnt to open the door with a relaxed mind. But there was still an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach that was not ready to go. Especially today, today was the date when that infamous heir of the duchy, Leonardo was about to return to the palace and meet her. Would the man be happy that she was gone and he did not need to marry her or would he be furious that a mere commoner rejected him and ran away. And he would come to find her so that he could take his revenge on her.

The door knocked at this fixed time again, and Evangeline moved to the door to find that same grumpy young boy. He glared at her as he passed the tray, "why do you always take so much time in opening the door?" He always grumbles no matter how much time it takes and she smiles looking at his cute expression.

"I apologise, Stefan. Will you go to town today?" asked Evangeline, she had asked him enough questions to know the name of the boy and that he worked in town all day while serving meals here in the morning and night. He was a hardworking boy according to her and she did not even realize when she had developed affection for him, but the same could not be said for the boy who always looked at her with annoyed expressions.

"I work there. So of course, I will go or they will cut my wages." he replied as he turned to leave when Evangeline held his shoulders.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked with confusion when she nodded.

"I want to go to town today. Will you take me with you?" he tilted his head at her strange request. What was there to take her as they were in the middle of the town, the market was only a few steps away but looking at her pleading face he nodded.

"Alright, meet me at the entrance door in half an hour. I will wait only for five minutes and then I will leave." he added as he walked away with hasty steps.

Getting the reply she needed Evangeline smiled and started finishing her meal which only consisted of bread and a glass of juice. She did not have anything to wear, so each night she was washing the same dress and sleeping with only a bed sheet wrapped on her body. Today she would find some work and analyze the market.

Then in a day or two she would sell other jewels and start selling musical instruments here. And with time she will start her music classes too. She had planned everything in her mind. But she forgot that future was uncertain and she was still on the run.

Looking at herself one last time in the mirror, she walked out and found Stefan already glaring at her while standing at the door.

"Where do you want to go, Miss Marry." he called her by the name she had told everyone here. Afraid that someone would ask if they had seen Evangeline, then they would deny instead of saying yes!

"I want to know a jewelry shop and some clothes shops. I even want to look for a musical shop and are there any musical classes for teaching kids?" she asked with excitement as she finally felt that her dreams to start a new life are going to be true.

"There are many jewelry shops on Beacon street but I never went into one. You can see stalls and clothing shops all around. I do not have any idea about shops selling musical instruments. But there is a dance class where I go to serve tea. Girls of rich families come there to learn piano and dancing. If that is what you want to learn, that is a good place and the owner is kind hearted too." she smiled and nodded, if she could get a job there, it would be better since then she could use the jewels to buy a house first. Then with her salary she would buy the instruments slowly and start her own classes later.

"Can you show me the way of the classes." he nodded as he went to a small shop and bought a lot of tea cups.

"Only if you help me in holding them." he passed a long tray to her to hold and lead the way. Adjusting the cups in her hands she finally reached a shop. The sound of music can be heard from afar and her heart filled with joy.

"My lady." the boy greeting bowing his head, too different from the way he glared at her in the inn.

"Oh Stefan, the girls were waiting for their tea. Go and serve them quickly so that we can start our lessons for today." replied the lady when her eyes felt on Evangeline, "oh, you have company today!"

"My lady, I am Evangeline." She held her dress and bowed properly as she was taught in the palace of Duke William, the only man she had found kind.

"Yes, how may I help you?" asked the lady cutting the chase, and Evangeline was glad that she did not need to lie further while introducing herself.

"I was a music teacher in my town. But due to the death of my parents and a robbery I ran from there. Now I am looking for a job. By any chance do you need a music teacher?" The old lady who was tall and thin yet her eyes were sharp and witty looked at Evangeline with keen eyes.

"I already teach them piano. So, I do not think I need someone else to do that." came the sharp reply of the lady breaking all her hopes. "But i have another proposal for you."

"........"