Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Chapter 40 - Hard But Warm Cushion

Evan cussed the man again in her heart. Why did he enjoy threatening her so much! Even in a small matter like walking in the orchid, he had to threaten her to leave her alone. She would have agreed to show him that she did not care but she was so busy enjoying the breeze and the ride that she did not notice the way. And it was too dark and she was sure that they had come too far. If her presence was not needed in the morning, she would have stayed the whole night there but she knew tomorrow was an important day.

"Suddenly I am feeling sleepy too. We shall go and rest, tomorrow is a long day." her voice was full of flattery though she was fuming in her heart. Leo nodded in satisfaction listening to her reply

"At least I would have another ride of the horse before leaving this place." The thought gave her some peace as she walked towards the horse.

"Wait." he was about to hold her waist when she stopped him. He raised a brow at her sudden outburst which she only realized later that her voice was a bit hgh. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she looked at him with an awkward smile.

"Umm, my lord." she started awkwardly with a smile, "if possible, could you help me in learning how to climb the horse?"

"What would I get in return?" she was speechless at his quick reply. God had wrongly made him a knight, he must be a miser trader who could not let anyone go without his benefit.

"Isn't it the duty of the knights to help the citizens?" she asked in a righteous tone making him amused.

"I am not a righteous one then." Of course you are not as she wanted to say when he responded and she was glad that she stopped herself and only nodded.

"What do you want then?" she asked as she knew that he would not help her and she was never going to get a chance as she would never have a horse as majestic as this one and not even she would see these vast lands filled with rare flowers which were no less than heaven.

"I will help you in climbing the horse, but in exchange you have to go and apologize to Eve." The name made her feel guilty. She was planning to apologize to her but Eve did not come to her room then she got so entangled in the training that she even forgot her name, much less about Evelyn. She was sure that Eli was a strict teacher but reality was more painful than she had thought.

"I promise, I will apologize to her before leaving. But I think I should not apologize to her if I am playing the role of a wicked woman.`` After a moment of silence, he nodded and whistled. The horse moved towards them as if he had recognized the sound of its master.

"Shift your body weight onto your mounting foot and swing your other leg over the top of the horse. If mounted from the left, your left hand should still be holding the reins, but you can grab the pommel of the saddle as well if necessary" he instructed her as he held the horse. She nodded with an excited face.

Her face was shining brightly as she saw the horse coming towards them and she ran and held the straddle of the horse.

"Alright, let me do it." she nodded her head and moved towards the horse and he followed behind.

"Be careful not to bump or kick the horse with your foot as you swing it over the top." but it was too late. She had already kicked the horse and the horse had started galloping in the air.

"Aaahhh" she screamed as she held the reins tightly but it only made the horse run faster due to the pressure. She held the horse tightly with all the strength as her eyes turned shut instinctively due to the high speed. The horse was talking to the air in no time making Evan scream again while Leo was speechless. He could not believe that she was able to move Blaze. He was a bit laidback because he knew that Blaze did not take anyone's instruction except family.

"Damn woman, do not put much pressure on the reins. Blaze, stop running." but it was too late. He was left behind while they both were too far from his reach.

No matter how he ran, he was no match to a skilled horse. He stopped after running a bit as he took deep breaths.

On the other side, Evan was too afraid that she started pleading with the horse, "oh lord, oh god, do not throw me down. Do not throw me down. I beg you my dear horse, please stop." when Leo was sure that Blaze was irked and there was no chance that it would stop so easily, he sighed.

"Now there is only one way left. But for that you have to hold the reins and maintain your balance Evangeline." he shouted and the girl nodded.

"Please, stop the horse by any means." her heart was beating too much and she felt nauseous. Her head was spinning and she was sure if it continued she would soon be dizzy. He looked at them hesitating but he knew there was no other way. She would soon lose her balance and fall if it continued. So he nodded and then whistled.

The moment the horse listened to the sound of the whistle, it stopped with a jerk. Leo ran again to cover the short distance while Evan, who was already feeling dizzy due to high speed, fell on the ground. She closed her eyes as she was sure that her bones were going to break with a lot of other injuries. But the hard blow she was expecting, did not come.. Instead she felt the strong yet warm cushion under her body.