Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 56 - GDD Chapter 56

Alia couldn’t say a word. She almost stumbled as she ran out of the room. She couldn’t believe that the child in front of her was the one who used to be so close to her, the child who was supposed to be a simple and innocent little boy.

Alia leaned against the wall of the corridor panting heavily. So it seemed that the pure person was only herself, she was really naive!

Alia’s worldview completely collapsed at this moment. She suddenly discovered that the world is not as simple as she imagined. The priest who was supposed to be kind and benevolent was a scheming villain in the words of others. A young child who should be innocent and pure could actually be so terrifying. Alia clenched her fists tightly in front of her chest, she suddenly feels a little confused now, what should she do after this?

“Miss Alia?” Suddenly, a gentle male voice came from beside Alia.

Alia turned her head suddenly as if she was burned by something and Evan’s gentle smile appeared in front of Alia’s eyes so suddenly.

Her heart thumped, and the whole person became nervous.

“B… Reverend Bruce?” Alia was a little guilty and short of breath and she didn’t dare to look at Evan at all.

Looking at her being like this, Evan sneered inwardly, and said softly, “Miss Alia, why are you here?”

As a guest of Cornwall Manor, wandering around the manor at will is not a very polite behavior.

Of course Alia could understand what Evan meant and her face flushed immediately as she spoke quietly, “I…I want to use the bathroom.”

Such an excuse is not very decent in this day and age, but Alia could only think of this at this time.

Evan didn’t make any embarrassing expressions, he just smiled and said, “Then I’ll ask you to walk further down the hall. The dinner time is coming and you have to go down quickly.”

Biting her lower lip, the shame in her heart and her disdain for Evan twisted into a ball in her heart, but in the end she could only nod her head without saying a word.

Evan looked at Alia’s bowed head and sneered in his heart. In the original book, Little Edward was not a simple child. He was sensitive and dark, but all his feelings were pinned on the gentle Alia. He did a lot of terrible things for Alia but it is different now. Alia has no chance to have further intimate contact with Little Edward like in the original book. Instead, this person has been replaced by him, so he is not surprised with today’s results.

Evan stood there with a cold expression and watched Alia walk stiffly into the lady’s washroom. Mrs Sanders has long been unhappy with the Hester father and daughter in the Delanlier church and after going through the previous incident, this cold and serious lady’s senses about him had already turned 180 degrees. Ford harbored such deep malice towards him. He was not a fool, naturally. He won’t be allowed to act at will while still in his own territory.

There was a sneer at the corners of Evan’s lips. Ford wanted to choose a well-controlled puppet, so he would give Ford a surprise and let him feel how good the control of the puppet Alia truly is.

Evan went downstairs and he saw Duke Wilson standing among the guests from a distance. The admiration from the guests surrounding him was endless, but the expression on the Duke’s face was very flat. But the moment he saw Evan, his eyes lit up, he left from the crowd, walked to Evan and said warmly, “You are finally here.”

Evan looked up at the Duke and smiled softly, “Lord Duke.”

Seeing Evan come down, the people all gathered around to chat with Evan. Now Evan standing by Duke Wilson’s side is a popular person, plus his status as a priest, in the eyes of these people makes his status even higher.

Colonel Mel is a faithful follower of Duke Wilson. He nodded at Evan with a smile and said, “Reverend, compared to the last time I saw you, your face looks much better. How is your body now?”

Evan smiled politely, “Thank you for your concern, my health is much better.”

Colonel Mel gave Duke Wilson a meaningful look and suddenly said, “Then when will I hear your mass?”

Evan was stunned for a moment, and then smiled, “I will return to the Delanlier church this weekend, and you and your wife are welcome to come to worship.”

As soon as Evan’s voice fell, Duke Wilson’s whole body stiffened. He looked at Evan in disbelief and asked in a low voice, “You want to leave?”

Of course he wants to leave. He has now stayed in Cornwall Manor for a long time, which is not proper. If he stays any longer, it is inevitable that someone will eventually gossip.

“My lord, my body has recovered. I am very grateful for your care these days but serving God is my duty. I have been lazy these days and the affairs of the church are very complicated. I can’t leave Mrs Sanders alone to deal with it.”

Evan’s tone was gentle and polite and his words were well-founded, so Duke Wilson couldn’t find anything to refute for a while.

“But you…” The Duke opened his mouth with a dark and complicated expression as if he was planning a murder.

Before the Duke could say anything, Butler Chris came over and whispered, “Sir, it’s time for dinner.”

Duke Wilson’s face was very ugly and Butler Chris was taken aback, and the rest of what he wanted to say did not come out.

“Bring Edward out of the room and take the guests to the dinner table.” The Duke said in a stiff tone.

Butler Chris nodded immediately, and didn’t dare to say anything about the game that he had arranged before as he quickly retreated.

Butler Chris turned away while Evan had already turned his head to chat with Colonel Mel. Colonel Mel is a well-informed person. His previous military experience gave him a clear understanding of the world and he was much more profound than other squires. Evan did not violate the harmony when chatting with him.

It’s just that Colonel Mel’s words of admiration for the previous Duke Wilson made Evan feel a little bit sour. He used almost all the words of praise he knew to describe the previous duke, as if he is just like Jesus Himself who came to this world, and how great his image was.

Of course, Evan is not stupid enough to question how many layers of beautification these words have and how they have been glorified. He just smiled and listened to Colonel Mel’s praise for the Duke’s outstanding military capabilities.

At this moment, Evan felt the burning gaze behind him. He pursed his lips as a smile appeared at the corners of his lips. He didn’t need to look back to know whose gaze it was, but this time he was going to disappoint Duke Wilson. So many days of close contact is obviously enough, and his strategies and tactics, he still has to carry them out, until Duke Wilson speaks.

Butler Chris tapped the wine glass in his hand and said loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to invite you to dinner on behalf of Duke Wilson.”

He stretched his arms in the direction of the manor’s restaurant, with a respectful and humble expression.

The people in the hall began to walk towards the restaurant one after another but Duke Wilson was still standing there. Evan was about to leave with Colonel Mel, but the Duke suddenly called him, “Reverend Bruce!”

Evan turned his head in surprise, Duke Wilson’s expression was a little gloomy, “Please stay, I have something to tell you.”

Evan was a little surprised, but still nodded, but Colonel Mel, who was with him, was a little bit surprised. He smiled oddly, turned and left.

“Lord Duke, what is it?” Evan asked tentatively.

Duke Wilson looked at Evan with a heavy expression, pursed his lips and said, “Are you really going to leave?”

Evan was relieved and smiled, “My body has fully recovered, and of course I can’t keep staying here with you.”

Duke Wilson saw the change in Evan’s expression and he felt a little annoyed, he didn’t have the slightest nostalgia at all. “Evan!” he murmured a little irritably.

Evan was taken aback, “What’s wrong with you?” He looked at Duke Wilson with a look of surprise on his face.

Duke Wilson was so angry that he wanted to scold him, but he didn’t dare to say anything. He clenched his fists tightly, the anger in his heart almost jumping out of his chest.

“Evan, don’t go!” Accompanied by a young child’s crisp voice, the figure of a child crashed directly into Evan’s arms like a small cannonball.

Evan was hit hard and he staggered, but he still hugged the child who was holding his waist tightly with both hands. Evan caressed the back of the child in his arms somewhat dumbfounded, and asked softly, “Lord Edward, what’s the matter with you?”

Edward’s behavior finally eased the sullenness in Duke Wilson’s heart, he suddenly realized that it was not bad to have such a sticky child.

“Reverend.” Duke Wilson cleared his throat and said in a low voice, “Look, Edward has had no mother since he was a child and he has become so dependent on you. Please consider Edward and don’t leave.”

Evan, while stroking Edward’s back, there was a smile on the corners of his lips. His patience for so many days was really not in vain.

“My lord, I am flattered by your friendship with Lord Edward, but my duty is to protect the glory of the Lord. As a priest, if I live in the manor all the time, I am afraid it will be inconvenient, especially now that Mr Ford is still here, I can’t ignore his strength. I ask for your understanding, but please rest assured that whenever I have time, I will definitely come to visit you and Lord Edward. This is my promise.”

Although this is the result he wants, he can’t change his decision because of this. He will definitely stay in this place in the future, but he can’t stay in this uncertain time.

Edward held Evan’s arm tighter. He raised his head, looked at Evan with a very innocent look, and whispered, “Is what you said true? You can’t lie to me!”

He is still too young and has no strength now. He had already heard about the power of the church when he was five years old, and now neither he nor his powerful father could do anything.

Duke Wilson’s face was ashen. He also understood Evan’s implication at this time. Now Ford is eyeing Evan. If there are really bad rumors, he would not be able to keep Evan, the public opinion of the society is enough for Evan’s life to go down the drain.

“Of course I won’t lie to you.” Evan stroked Edward’s hair very gently and said softly, “Lord Edward, today is your birthday. Everyone is waiting for you in the restaurant, so don’t let everyone wait for a long time.”

Edward nodded obediently as he let go of Evan’s arm. He gently held Evan’s hand, he turned to look at the solemn Duke Wilson and smiled shyly as he said, “Father, let’s go in together.”

Duke Wilson suddenly came back to his senses and was stunned when he saw Evan holding Edward, but Edward was very bold and walked to Duke Wilson, took his hand, pulled him and Evan and walked towards the restaurant together.

And this scene completely fell into the eyes of Alia, who had just come out of the bathroom. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, and the jealousy she felt bit into her heart like a poisonous snake.

T/N : Trouble looms. Of course, I’m sure you guys know which two people are going to cause this trouble.