Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Evangeline felt ecstatic like a kid who had gained his favorite toy before christmas. She held the reins like with determined eyes. It felt like she was going for a war, the way her eyes burnt with the will to ride the horse. But before she could pull the reins, a strong pair of hands took the reins from her hands.

Her back hit the strong chest of Leo when she tried to move.

"Why are you sitting on my horse?" she asked exasperated. She was trapped between his hands and the reins with a little space to move. This was more than she had bargained for. Why was he sticking close to her when he should be sleeping soundly in his room?

"Your horse?" Leo was amazed at her choice of words. It was his favorite horse, the one who had fought with him side by side in the war. This was the first time he was sharing it with someone. If anyone else had called this horse, theirs. He was sure that he would have punished them accordingly. Yet he knew that she did not have ill intent when she called the horse hers.

Evan felt embarrassed, she was so excited that she did not realize she had started taking the things as her own, after a long time, she felt she was with her family.

"I mean, why are we on the same horse?" she asked in a mature voice after controlling her thoughts.

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"Because you do not know how to ride the horse!" he stated the obvious, not understanding why she was even asking this question!

She knew that she had not ridden a horse before but she had thought that she could just copy him when he would ride one.

"Umm, I have seen many horsemen driving the carriage." she replied in her defense and he chuckled.

"And you think my Blaze is equal to riding a carriage?" there was a challenge in his voice. As if he was asking, do you want to die? And she shook her head instinctively.

"Now sit properly, you do not have much time." she nodded as she knew that she did not have any choice. He held the reins and then pulled it gently. Kicking the horse, he shouted, "haiyya"

The horse neighed and started walking. The gentle breeze caressed her face and the smile on her face was worth watching.

She was like a kid who had seen the world for the first time. She was looking left and right, afraid that she would miss an important detail if she did not see it.

He was amused and amazed too. She was so easy to please over small things such as horse ride. Didn't women always need to be pampered and weren't they reserved? She did not fit the definition of woman he had seen in the society, yet at this moment he was glad that she was not like others.

He did not realize when he got addicted to her smile and his lips curved up too.

In the vast green field, the horse was galloping. The wind was playing with her hair, as it was freely flowing and playing on his chest. Its smell was full of lavender, fresh and peaceful. Yet it was itching his chest and the sensations he was feeling were never felt before.

And before he could think further his hands moved as if they had developed a mind of their own.

He held her hair and she stiffened. The horse neighed, as if it sensed the change too. It came to a halt slowly and she turned to look at him. Her face was flushed red as her hair was still in his hands. Even he did not realize what he did until it happened. But he could not let her know that.

"Your hair was itching my chest.'' he reasoned as he held them closer to her neck and she moved to adjust them on her neck. Whole time she was stiffened like a rock. Even her breathing was stopped. She only let go of the breath she was holding when he let go of her hair and she created as mch space as possible between both.

Blaze started again but the speed was slower. They passed through a fountain that had small candles floating in the water. It was a sight to behold. Soon she forgot her uneasiness and looked at the scenery with amazement.

Noticing the awe in her eyes, Leo let go of the reins and the horse, that was slow, became slower. He moved towards the fountain and stopped it.

"Do you want to sit here for a while?" she nodded her head and before he could say anything she jumped from the horse, making his eyes widened.

Though she stumbled a bit, she did not care. She ran towards the fountain and sat beside it. She noticed that it had many silver, bronze and gold coins floating in it.

"It is a wish fountain." he cleared her doubt but his reply only increased it.

"It is said that if you throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish with pure heart, it will come true." though Evan did not believe in wishes coming true, she wanted to give it a try. She had never believed in fairytales yet she had the desire to fall in love and then marry a man who cherished her forever and she also wanted to have her own music room. Where she had all kinds of instruments. Suddenly she missed the town she had run to. She was sure that her wishes would have come true if she would have stayed there.

"Do you want a coin?" asked Leo as he looked at her looking at the pool with eyes full of longing and she nodded but then shook her head.

"If you want to give me a coin, give me a few more so that I can fulfil my wishes without the wish fountain."