"Only a weak man is dependent on marriage for the welfare of his empire. Or else he would have depended on his wisdom and strength to make his empire strong. Evan bit her lips when she saw the cold eyes of the man sitting in front of him. She cussed herself for her habit of speaking her thoughts out loud but it was too late to regret. The words already had their impact.

"Do you think that you know better than me? Or do you think you are wise enough or strong enough to speak against me. Do not forget that you are just a commoner." She wanted to tell him that the truth was bitter and he was only fuming because he did not have any reply to her statement but she did not want to make a big issue that would drag the Thawyne family too. She just wanted to make a scene that was enough to throw her out.

She bowed her head and apologized, "I apologize your royal highness, as you said i am just a fool who did not understand anything. I will not repeat my mistakes again. Now if you please excuse me. I need to meet other guests." Her tone was soft and humble yet he knew that she did not feel any remorse about what she said.

He nodded his head and she turned only to find Leo standing behind her. He was looking furious. A look of puzzlement crossed her face. Why was he raged?But he did not give her the time to speculate further. He held her hand and hid her behind him as if he was taking the stance that she could not be touched without his consent. Andrew raised a brow. This was the first time he was seeing Leo with a woman. Didn't he feel agitated whenever women tried to come closer to him and did not even hesitate in insulting them or avoiding them when they crossed his path again and again. Was the rumor that they were getting married true? He was taking the rumor as a joke till now but the eyes of Leo were telling how serious he was towards her protection even when he knew that she did not have any threat from him.

He looked back at Evan. he should have paid more attention to the girl as commoners had different motives to marry nobles. They could not be trusted that easily. He decided to investigate her further after returning to the palace.

"Your highness, the star of the empire." Leo bowed his head and she followed his steps.

"Lord Leonardo, I must congratulate you for the unification of two new kingdoms to the land of empire." Although he congratulated him, there was no glee in his voice. His blank voice and face confused Evangeline.

Shouldn't an emperor be ecstatic that new lands were captured. Yet he was looking more enthusiastic when he was talking to her.

"It is my honor to serve the empire, your royal highness. Forgive my impudence, but I wanted to escort you towards the area where other nobles were waiting for you. Marques Falcon is discussing about the new policies of tax and Sir Gilbert is looking for you too.`` The cold Andrew was emitting could be felt by Evan too who did not understand what the situation was about.

"I will go there too. I am waiting to meet father and Eli before going there.'' The hands that were holding Evan tightened and she felt all the blood flow stopped but she did not say a word as she could see the anger in his eyes. Only mention of Eli was enough to enrage Leo who looked like he would kill the crown prince this instant.They were once close friends and grew up together like family but now that Andrew had decided to marry someone else in spite of their marriage being fixed years ago. The rift between both had increased. They had started to talk formally, initiated by Leo who did not like the presence of Andrew around him anymore.

"I apologize again. But I think there is some misunderstanding, your royal highness. My sister had appealed to annul the engagement. She did not want to be the mistress of the star of the empire.'' Though his words were polite, the rejection was clear in his voice but it did not faze Andrew at all.

"But you are forgetting that the appeal is not accepted yet. So, I am still her fiance and I have the right to meet her on social occasions and so does Duke Thawne." Andrew replied nonchalantly as if he could not notice the anger in the voice of Leo.

"I will still suggest that you should come with me, your royal highness. The subject needs your guidance."

"You are wise enough to guide them, Lord Leonardo. Why don't you go and help them. After all, your position as the future duke was just a step lower than mine." Andrew's eyes started to roam around as he looked for Eli while Leo continued to look at him gritting his teeth.

"My sister did not want to meet you." he replied bluntly as other ways were not working. Finally Andrew looked at him with a smirk on his face.

"I will only believe when she would deny me personally." he was not ready to give up on meeting her which confused Evan.

She had thought that the man did not like Eli or he was in love with the princess he was going to marry. Then why was he so adamant in meeting Eli. shouldn't he be avoiding her and be glad that she did not want to marry him.

Or had his pride been affected therefore he was not ready to let go! But she could feel the pressure and rage of Leo by the way he was holding her hand. She was sure that there were going to be marks at that place.

"I would not go without meeting Eli."