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"What is the matter?

" he asked when he could not hold for long. He could feel everyone's eyes were set on him but it was not the admiring look he received like always but shock filled eyes which made him confused.

nThe man shook his head but then nodded, making Leo's frown deeper.

nThe man shivered as he felt the swordsmanship aura of Leo which was too much for him to bear.

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"Congratulations for your marriage, my lord.

" replied the man with a smile which was worse than crying.

nBut thanks to his reply, Leo became dumbfounded and his strong aura turned normal again. Everyone took a breath of relief and took it as a positive sign and started congratulating him with more vigor and excitement.

nOn the other side, Olivia gained her senses back and glared at Evan who was standing there with her hands folding in front of her chest with a smirk on her face. She was looking proud and haughty as if she was looking down on everyone present there.

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"How rude? You are not yet married to the lord Leonardo yet you have the audacity to call yourself as the new duchess and the mistress of the house. Not only that, you are threatening me, the daughter of the Duke Grasitias who had an equal footing in the empire!

" her tone was not filled with disdain anymore but ferocity. She was ready to kill if needed and her red eyes were enough proof of that.

nBut Evan was still standing there calmly. There was not a hint of worry or nervousness on her face completely opposite to her inside where she was screaming and her heart was about to burst with fear.

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"Does that matter? I am the chosen bride. And if not today I would be married to Leo in a week or two. Our marriage is set in the stone.

" she replied with a chuckle as if whatever facts were presented by Olivia were all baseless and meaningless.

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"A week is still in the future. You are not married yet! And as a commoner you will never be qualified to marry a noble family like Thawyne. So, it is your wishful thinking. A person should only dream according to his financial capacity and origins.

" she replied as she looked at others for support who nodded their heads too.

nBut Evan was unperturbed. She did not care what others said or supported her.

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"The decision would be taken by the Duke, the owner of the palace, not by you, Lady Olivia. Or are you perhaps jealous that I was the one chosen in spite of your begging to be chosen as the future wife of Leo.

" Evan rubbed the spices right on the wound of Olivia. She was deeply hurt by the fact that a girl from humble origin was chosen in place of her. If it would have been a higher noble than her, then she would have still accepted it. But Evan.. no! She did not deserve that place.

nChuckles and laughter could be heard as Olivia stayed silent.

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"Aww, it is okay. A person should only dream of things that she could have, our dreams should not be bigger from our reach.

" she said in a soft tone as if she was feeling concerned for Olivia. But everyone could feel pity in her voice.

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"How dare you?

" a harsh tone resonated in the air as Olivia raised her hand to slap Evan who closed her eyes instinctively. It was a conditioned response as she closed her eyes whenever her father had slapped her in the past. She was told not to retort or reply back! It was for her benefit only. It was ingrained in her heart and mind that she needed to be punished for her bad behavior.

nBut then she remembered that she had to behave wickedly. Wouldn't it be most wicked if she slapped the daughter of a duke instead of getting slapped by her. But it was too late, she had wasted enough time in thinking. She opened her eyes with the determination to hold her hand tightly.

nBut her eyes widened when she saw that Eli was already holding Olivia's hands. They both have their eyes locked on each other as if waiting silently who would give up first.

nThis was the first time someone had taken her side and protected her. Her eyes welled up with tears. She looked above and blinked a few times to not to cry and hug Eli.

n'I have to behave wickedly. I have to behave wickedly' she chanted in her heart.

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"Are you forgetting that raising a hand on the family members of a noble family may create rift between our families, lady Olivia? This could be the reason for estrangement among the old related families or even a civil war if we decided to take revenge for it?

" asked Elizabeth, gaining pin drop silence from the roaring crowd.

nThey were even afraid to take a deep breath, in case they would also be included in the war or would be blamed for taking sides. It was not a simple sarcasm anymore but the name of families was included.

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"Are you taking the side of a commoner instead of me, Lady Elizabeth?

" The tone of Olivia was challenging. It was clear that she would drag the matter to higher authorities and one wrong answer could affect the image and position of Eli.

nBoth Evan and Eve looked at Eli with worry. She had always been a perfect person yet she was criticized many times today.

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"You must be having a misunderstanding, lady Olivia. I will never choose a commoner above a noble.

" Evan could feel her heart shattering yet she understood the dilemma of Eli so she did not have any complaint while a smirk of the winner formed on the face of Olivia. But Eli was not done yet so she added

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"But I will always support my family members above strangers.

"

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"........

"

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