Aurora was stunned to hear his words. An ugly scowl formed on her face and she clenched her hands to ignore beating him. How could he say so to a woman? That is also so brazen!!

The unshed tears in her eyes started to flow like a broken dam and her head bowed further low to hid the seething rage in her eyes.

"I.. hiccup, i never thought hiccup, that you did not find me pretty!

" even though she had determined that she would not let him go today without getting a bit of praise from him.

He had to take his words back and show care to her or else how would she control him after marriage! Her eyes filled with determination with that thought.

"At least, now you know.

" he replied nonchalantly as he stood up and placed both his hands in his pockets. It was a simple posture yet he looked so regal and noble as if he was above all of them!

While her face turned red with anger and humiliation. She was proud of her beautiful eyes and dimple cheeks. Her face was one of the most beautiful when it comes to noble families. That was why she had higher dreams of marrying a duke only. But the man in front of her was testing her patience!

"Leo!

" She looked at him like a pitiful dog that had been suddenly abandoned but all he felt was the annoyance of asking the same question again and again. He was regretting the decision of testing her by himself. He should have asked Mason to do it too.

"Martha, go and bring my aunt's lunch for the lady. Her memory has been getting affected due to staying hungry.

" what he meant was.. She was mentally retarded as she was not even able to remember the reply he had given a few seconds ago!!

She was more furious than dumbfounded by his continuous insults but when she heard that he was again asking for her aunt's share of food, she forgot about her rage for once and shook her head.

"There is no need. Since you did not like my presence, I am leaving for my chamber. I will only come back when you call me personally!

Martha! Serve my food in my room only!

" with that she walked out of the room, seething in anger.

His eyes narrowed at her attempts to avoid the food.

"Martha, make sure that you confirm whether the lady had tasted the food or not!

"

Though confused, the maid bowed and left. Standing alone in the room, his gaze fell on Eve who was walking towards the garden and a smile curved on his lips.

He descended the stairs and walked towards the garden but when he reached there, she was nowhere to be found. He frowned as he was sure he had seen her coming there.

"Have you seen Evelyn here?

" he asked the guard who nodded too that only created three deep lines on his forehead.

"My lord, your presence had been required urgently in the palace.

" The knight came running towards him with a pale face but Leo didn't even spare him a glance. His eyes were still looking for his sister!

"My lord, Matriarchal and lady Evangeline are having a heated argument. Your presence is urgently required.

" his head snapped towards the knight with red eyes that even the knights staggered on his steps.

"I.. i ap

" the knights knelt instinctively and apologised for disturbing him. He had thought that he would be interested in knowing the matter and he was the one to decide in the absence of his father but he had not expected him to fuming when disturbed.

Leo took big and hasty steps towards the main hall of the palace where everyone was already present. Aurora had tears welled in her eyes once again, while his aunt was fuming. His domineering streak was at maximum as she punched the table in front of her which cracked instantly.

Eli was standing in a corner but her face was blank as if she did not even understand what the matter was about!

Gabriella turned her head and looked at Leo with cold eyes when she heard his footsteps. A mocking smile formed on her face and she started clapping in a low and cold manner.

"I must congratulate you for your and your father's choice when it comes to the future duchess! Not even she was a commoner with filthy blood in her veins but she was also a vengeful and greedy person.'' Though she was talking about Evan, she did not spare a single glance to the girl, while keeping her eyes on Leo all the time whose gaze stayed cold and blank.

"I had already said that I am not greedy! I had not taken anything from anyone!

" There was frustration in her voice as if she had already told them many times yet her words went unheard again.

"And you can say anything to me, but I will not accept it if my blood is insulted. My parents are respectable people.

" she added in a raging tone too.

"Ha! To use his death to force the other person to marry you! I wonder what a noble deed it was!

Who knows did he even die or was it just an act to gain a chance to usurp all the wealth of the Thayne family! But as the matriarch of the house, I would never let a pest like you create a hole in our family.

" then she looked at the knights who were standing behind Evan silently

"Did you not hear me! I asked you to throw the girl on the road and close the door so that she would never be able to enter again!

" Her domineering aura forced knights to listen to her at once and then moved towards Evan and held her arms to drag her out.

"Who cares to stay here anyway! But I will not go with the allegation of being a thief!

"