Erwin stared at the letter for a moment when he's done reading. "Huh. I wasn't expecting Spire's handwriting to be have so many curved lines. It's difficult to read it."
Evan leans closer to his dad to check the letter. As Erwin had said, there are a lot of curved lines, a cursive that Evan thinks was taught to her. At least, Evan is assuming it is that way.
"Spire said there's a second letter from Sir Theobald?" Evan asked.
Erwin took the second paper from the envelope. "Yeah, it's right here." When it passed by his nose, there was a scent from it. Erwin placed the paper closer to his nose.
"What's wrong, dad?" Evan asked.
Erwin pushed the paper closer to Evan. "It has a scent. I think it's a type of wood."
He take the letter back and opens it, clearing his throat before he began to read.
-----
Greetings Evan Rotewed,
I, Sir Theobald Valrepite, am sending you this letter to let you know that my daughter has gotten the letter back from Stardust for the Entrance Exams. Though it is not your prerogative to know, I am still giving you this information to begin my proposal.
As you know, my daughter had survived a kidnapping. It was a hole in my foresight, I must admit. Now, if you and your parents will agree, I would love for you to be my daughter's companion, just to keep an eye on her whenever I can't, starting the Entrance Exams. I will, of course, welcome you to my family when you do agree.
I understand that you have not yet awaken an ability as of yet, but I would rather a weak yet trusted and watchful eye on my daughter than a strong, watchful yet untrusted stranger.
After you send a positive response with our messenger, we can meet on the day before the Entrance Exams to negotiate our terms. But if you decline, you will not be forced. I still hope you can be my daughter's friend, at least.
I hope you and your family are safe. Have a good day!
Yours truly,
Sir Theobald Valrepite
-----
Erwin's eyebrows furrowed after he read the letter, almost the same way Evan does whenever he is confused or irritated with something.
Sylvia's chopping stopped after she finished listening on what the letter contained. "Sir Theobald is getting our son to bodyguard his daughter?"
Evan blinked his eyes slowly before he sighs. He has no idea if he Spire would like that idea. Based off of what her letter had said, it didn't seem like she knows what her father wrote.
That could become a headache.
Still, Spire likes his parents, which Evan agrees with. That was probably why she sent a letter in the first place.
"I'm opposed to that." Erwin says, placing both the letters back to the envelope and giving it back to Evan. "Even if you, buddy, is the strongest child there is, I'm not about to put him in danger trying to get a noble daughter out of harm's way."
Evan pursed his lips slightly after hearing that. "What do you think, mom?"
Sylvia took a shaky breath before continuing to chop her vegetables. "I do agree with your father. But it's still your choice."
Evan looks at their expression. Both of their eyes reflect worry for him. He knows that if he did choose to accept Sir Theobald's proposal, it would mean that he can finally have a means to get paid.
He has no idea how much, but it would still help his parents. Not to mention that Spire is a noble. It is a one's in a lifetime opportunity to take.
"Mom, dad." Evan says, looking at them both. "I know you're both worried for me. I get it. But, I do want to agree to the proposal. Even if I'm Category Z, and this could just be temporary, Sir Theobald trusts me. You read and heard it in his letter."
Erwin looks at the side and closed his eyes. "Evan, son, if you're just doing this because you think you need to help us at your age, stop." He opens his eyes and placed a hand on Evan's shoulder. "We've been handling a lot of things, yes, but me and your mom, we accept the burden. You don't have to carry that load to yourself this early. This bodyguard work... It's too risky. You're our only son."
Evan understands that, really well, in fact. But he still wants to try.
He took a deep breath and nods his head. "Okay, dad. I will think more about it and then talk to you and mom tomorrow when I have my choice ready. I will make sure to keep what you had said in mind."
Erwin can only nod his head. He smiles softly as he pats Evan's hair, ruffling it until they get messy. "Come here, buddy!" He chuckles as he hugged him.
Evan giggles as he hugged his dad back.
Sylvia watched the scene with a warm smile on her face. "Hey you two, can you help me with the meal preparation? We can eat dinner much earlier when you too."
Evan pulls back and nods his head. "Of course!" He made his way towards Sylvia to help.
With his back turned to his dad, he missed the way Erwin's smile shook and then fall for a moment before it back up when he stood up and walked to meet with his wife and son.