Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Chapter 1 - The Sudden Death!

"Evangeline, I am home." Edward Rossador knocked on the door after coming from work. He had a smile on his face but soon it turned into a frown when the door did not open even when he had knocked on it a few times.

He sighed as he opened his bag and found the key in it. Opening the door, the first thing that welcomed him was the sound of music.

"Evangeline! Are you even listening to me?" the man called his daughter though he knew that he would hardly get a reply. And true to his thoughts only the melancholic sound of violin greeted him back.

He climbed stairs with a dark face as it has been more than hundred times that he has told her not to play music all day, but she did not listen at all!

"Evangeline!! It has been thirty minutes since I entered the house!" This time the man shouted as he held my violin and the girl opened her round emerald eyes.

"The sound of music was so strong that I was having trouble calling you! It's already sunset yet you have not cooked food!`` She could tell that he was definitely upset by the tone he used.

"I am sorry, papa. I did not realize how much time had passed.`` she said, as she stood up abruptly and looked out. True to what he has said, the sky has already turned red and the birds have long gone for their nests.

"What is new in that? Didn't you always forget about time and your every responsibility once you held this piece of nuisance in your hands.''she bowed her head low, as her father again started his harsh words against music.

She could not understand how someone did not like music. But it was not her place to argue. It was already enough that he was not being angry enough to give her harsh punishment.

"I am sorry. I will go and warm the food now. Why don't you go and wash your hands and then come to the dining room." he sighed and shook his head as he left the room. Only when he was far enough did she take a breath of relief as she escaped the calamity with a narrow path.

She looked at the attic with longing, the place where she did not want to leave no matter how much time had passed.

It was a dark room which was dependent on the sun to brighten it. Father never allowed her to use the lantern here, saying it would remind her of going down and doing other tasks.

Except for a small table and a few chairs in the name of furniture there was nothing except musical instruments. There was a piano, a few violins, cello, fiddle, and various other instruments. This is the place where she spent all day teaching music to the students. Giving one last look to the room she walked down and entered the kitchen.

Thank goodness she had cooked enough food when she made her lunch. As her father only had breakfast before leaving for work and ate dinner after coming from work, she was not worried that he would scold her again for giving the food that was not cooked fresh.

After warming the soup and meat. She set the table.

Edward walked into the kitchen with an annoyed face, but the smell of tasty food calmed him. He sat on the table as she served him soup and then one meat and two vegetable dishes. But the portion was not enough for two people.

"Have you eaten your dinner?" he asked with a frown as he took the spoon and started having the soup.

It was against the rules for women to eat before the man of the house and he was a traditional man and liked the way it was!

"No, father. I had a late lunch. So I am not hungry. I will only have soup later." she replied as she looked at the face of her father that had started to turn angry. She did not want to face any further argument on it.

"Hmm" giving a curt reply Edward started eating again, without much care that was going to skip her dinner.

"You should pay attention to other things rather than wasting all your day. Have you washed the clothes?" asked her father as he enjoyed the food. This was the only thing which stopped him from throwing all those things out. She was perfect in everything she did.

"Yes papa, I have already ironed and arranged them in your bag." she replied and he nodded in satisfaction.

"I am going out for three days to the northern part for trade. I want you to take care of the house properly. Do not go out of the house after sunset. Lock the house properly and do not open the door for everyone." said the man as he saw her nodding half heartedly.

"Evangeline, are you even listening?" he asked in a strict tone and she shivered.

"Yes.. yes, father." she replied abruptly.

"Evangeline. I am leaving this house for the first time in such a long time. I want you to be responsible and take care of it. If things go well, I will earn a lot this time and then we can move to the city." he wiped his mouth after having a satisfying meal.

"Yes father." she nodded as her father stood up and left. She rubbed her stomach as she looked at the empty plates.

Taking a sigh she took the empty dishes to the sink. There was nothing left in the kitchen except some stale bread which she ate with some water.

After cleaning the dishes and kitchen, she blew out the candles and walked towards her father's study with milk in her hands.

"Father, your milk." She kept the milk on the table.. And then walked towards the book rack and took a book on music and her father shook his head.