Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

His lips curved into a mocking smile as he said, "I recall someone telling me just now that she does not know how to dance."

"Indeed, I am not very good at it, but I am willing to learn!" Evangeline perked her head up and stood straight and still, just like an obedient student.

She stared at him anxiously. She did not want to lose the offer. All her future was dependent on it. 

"Do not think too much, my lord. We have to win the bet." she blinked her eyes as she tried to flatter him. He knew that she was only interested in the rewards yet he nodded. 

Olivia who was looking at everything from the sidelines gritted her teeth. Leo had never danced before even when the empress or the princess had requested him. Now he was the one who was offering rewards to a commoner for dancing with him. She could not accept this either she won or lost, she could not let Evan dance with Leo.

"My lord, this is the opening dance of the party. Even the ball dance had not started. She didn't even know the rules of nobles' ballroom dancing!!" with that she gave a cold mocking look to Evan but when she looked back at Leo, her eyes were wide and bright like an innocent rabbit, "What if she embarrassed you in front of everyone?" asked Olivia hurriedly as she blocked their way. He tilted his head and then looked at the girl who had dared to block his way. This was the first time when someone had shown the courage to go against his decision or tell him what he should do and what he should not.

All the nobles standing closer to Olivia took two steps back when they saw the look in his eyes while Olivia stood there frozen when she received his cold look. Just a second ago when he was looking at Evan, his eyes were warm like spring but now he was looking at her with eyes full of cold blizzards that could kill everyone in an instant. Though Leo had shut her mouth tightly, Evan knew that it was a bitter truth. Though she knew how to waltz. It had been years since she had last danced with her mother and She had never danced with nobles, so she did not know their rules. She was going to embarrass him with her clumsy steps. But at the same time she did not want to part with the money she was going to receive.

With pursed lips and fidgeting hands, she asked weakly, "Can't I learn it now?"

Her heart ached for the reward that was so near, but so far away from her!

"Of course." the man answered with a deep voice that emitted a hint of sexiness. And before she or anyone else could react, he held her hands and took her to the centre of the ballroom. His large hands were able to cover her long slender fingers completely. Her hands were looking frail and delicate between his fingers.

His gaze flickered as he held her hand tightly. But before she could notice it, his expressions turned blank again. But the way he was holding her had changed. He held her precisely as if he was afraid that a bit more pressure would be able to break her hands.

Everyone was frozen with shock when they saw the hands that had held nothing but a sword and dagger all his life were holding a delicate hand so normally as if it was meant to be held by him. If any noble had doubts about the marriage before and claimed it as the one sided infatuation and delusion of Evan, it was clear as day that the marriage was set in stone and it was looking more of a love marriage than an arranged marriage.

They could not help but look again and again to the sensational couple who had become the centre of attention. Unfazed by the eyes of everyone, Leo continued to hold her and then he moved his other hand and wrapped it on her slim waist and pulled her towards him.

He reached out and hooked on to her slim waist before pulling her toward him. The action brought a lot of gasps from the woman who was still dreaming of being there. 

While Evan was still in shock. Though she had asked him to teach her. She was sure that he would just give her a cold look and deny straightforwardly. But not only did he accept, he even brought her in the centre of the stage to teach her.

She was still stunned and only came back to her senses when she felt his strong arms around her slim waist and his warm breath caressed her face.

"Hold my waist with one of your hands and hold my shoulder with the other one." she blinked when she heard that. Only then did she realize that every eye was set on her. Her hands turned sweaty as she looked at the glares, gasps and twinkle in their eyes. Yet one thing was common among them. They all were waiting for her to make a mistake so that they could laugh at her. 

It was different from playing piano as she was confident about it, but dancing with a man with a strong aura. He was part of royalty and she was no more than a pauper in his eyes. She could feel his overbearing and powerful aura. Even if he said nothing, his one look was enough to make everyone shudder. It was enough to make her heartbeat go wild.

It had been seconds that Evan did not move and Leo finally realized that something was wrong with the girl.

He raised a brow as he looked deep into her eyes as if asking what the matter was?

"I am nervous"

"Continue to look at me as if i was a walking statue of gold and you would not be nervous anymore."