Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Theo blinked as his expressions turned awkward. He was not expecting the man to be this ignorant about his own family. That made him wonder if he even knew who he was and where he was!

"Master, I apologize, but it has been a year since the duchess died. You.. you did not have a mother, my lord."

"Oh!" then the chance of getting a good start was gone. He did not feel any pain or hurt for the mother he had never met. It was just a pity that he was not even able to see how his real mother was and ask her why she left him when they were wealthy enough to manage his upbringing.

"How about I order a meal and give you a quick introduction about your identity in the meanwhile." trying to sound as cheerful as he could with his gruff body and sharp voice, Theo tried to soften himself as he felt bad for the boy.

At least, when Evan had come here, she had support of his highness and young lord. Surviving in the estate without any support is impossible especially after the recent trial where the duke lost his position.

He would be mocked for being incapable and cruel while Leo would be criticized for being a greedy opportunist.

More and more nobles are going to plot against them at this time and handling an innocent boy like him in the middle of the crisis would be difficult.

Ethan thought for a second before nodding his head. He had come here for money but even for that he needed to know whom he should ask for money.

Theo pressed the bell and soon two maids entered.

"Penny, Lily. you are going to serve master Ethan from today. Make sure that the guest did not face any trouble while living here.

Bring a nice meal for him and arrange a designer for his clothes.

Tend to his every need at your utmost priority and if you face any trouble come to me directly. I would not spare any mistake or carelessness. Understood?" both maids nodded their heads and left from there soon after while Ethan smiled warily.

As he had thought, he was just a guest there. No matter how well he was treated they would still expect him to leave after a while.

He lowered his head as he did not want to show his disappointment even if there were only maids. He did not want to look weak in front of any of them. No matter how many days he would stay here, he would not let them feel that he needed pity.

He would ask for good compensation since they were so rich and would start a new life. That made him remember Daisy! What would she be doing alone in the house?

He did not even tell her that he was leaving the job there.

Oblivious that his one word had changed the thoughts of the young boy and he had misunderstood their intentions, Theo took a seat and smiled.

"Your father is archduke of the empire while your mother is the first daughter of marquis Tensalme. They both had a love marriage years ago and you are their first child.

You would think why such esteemed nobles abandoned their first child but there is a misunderstanding.

The lady had given birth in their native home and when the lord visited them and she opened her eyes, there was a girl in her hands.

The couple never knew that you existed. They gave all their love to the child, thinking that it was theirs.

We have been only told today about your existence. You were taken away due to political reasons and your kidnapper was ordered to kill you. But he felt pity and left you in an orphanage in another empire to make sure no one would ever find you as his life could be jeopardized.

But thanks to princess Adele who found you and realized how similar you are to duke, she told us about you. And…" It took them a long time to tell his whole incident with a look of disappointment in his eyes.

Theo tried his best to explain to the child that no one knew about his existence, that is why no one ever searched for him.

But that did not answer why his father was not happy to see him after so long. If he was a lost child, shouldn\'t they be shedding tears and hugging him telling how much he meant to them?

He sneered inwardly at the beautiful story they had woven in such a short period of time but nodded his head nonetheless like a kind child who was surprised and felt bad for his parents too.

"Therefore, I request you to be a bit mindful of the duke. He is still in a state of shock but once he is sure of your identity, he will love and cherish you like other kids.

He is a kind man and so are your other siblings. I can call them to meet you whenever you are ready, young master." he offered but Ethan shook his head. He must devise a plan before meeting others.

He had already behaved like a dumb kid in front of the girl and his so called father. If he wants to live here leisurely, he must gain the sympathy of the other two.

Only then he would be able to extort a lot of money from them.

"I think we all need some time. So tomorrow will be better." Theo nodded in understanding as he did not want to overwhelm the child who was still confused about his identity.

"But I want to know who is the girl that was taken as the eldest child of the family." the one who had stolen my place.

"Ah! That is lady Elizabeth. The one who came to escort you to the palace."