CHAPTER 61: SYSDI 61: ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL 4

"Evan Rotewed, nice to see you again." A tall man, the same fox-like ears as Spire and clothed in military clothes greets them as Spire enters with Evan in the study.

The servant that led them in bows and left the room as quickly as possible, with neither of the nobles paying any mind.

The study is a spacious room that just looks the same as a living room except way more luxurious and there are bookshelves filled with books surrounding expensive looking sofas. The table is shorter, transparent and the designs at the side were opulent.

There is a hanging lamp overhead, reminding Evan of torches except they were not lighted by fire but just light, like the sun outside. The entire room felt warm and cozy.

Evan bows his head. "It is nice to see you too, Master Theobald."

The man chuckles, jovial at the honorific. "Evan, Sir Theobald is fine. Master is reserved for those servants working underneath me. You are not one."

Did Evan somehow misheard or misunderstood what Theobald said in the letter? He said that Evan would be working as a bodyguard right? That would mean he is going to work under Theobald.

Then... why would he insist of being called Sir instead of Master?

His confusion must be obvious because Theobald waved his hand dismissively. Spire had already sat on the sofa on Theobald’s right while he gestured for Evan to sit on the sofa on his left.

"I know the proposal I sent is confusing. I did say that you’re going to work as my daughter’s bodyguard. It will give your parents some piece of mind."

Evan sat on the sofa as Theobald spoke. When he says that, Evan’s eyebrows furrowed. "Then, what am I really doing here?"

Theobald paused, looking at Evan before turning to his daughter, patting her head. "You have heard about my daughter’s kidnappers, yes?"

At Evan’s nod, Theobald continues. "The thing is, I’m suspecting something amiss. Not your concern yet, of course, but I could give you a little information. How many men were there when you saw Spire?"

Evan thought of the question. He remembered that he had came back and there were talking in the background. There were four- no- five pairs of footsteps, and he remembered only three spoke.

"Five that I heard of." Evan replied. "I remember only three voices were heard but I could be wrong. If I hear it again, I can tell you if you want."

Theobald nods his head. "The thing is, Spire is able to protect herself. However, those men weren’t able to find her in your house. How did you send them away?"

"Father, he didn’t send them away. We were just in the room and they just left on their own." Spire replies.

Evan watched a flicker of uncertainty in Theobald’s face. It seems like he is doubting something. He has no idea what is in his mind, but Evan is not about to pry.

"Either way, the reason why I got you in is because no one would suspect that you are a watchful eye for my daughter. I hope you don’t take offense, but you appear and act like a commoner and would fly under the radar from the other nobility." Theobald says.

Evan finally got what Theobald really wants. His work is not really truly a bodyguard, but just someone who can gather information without anyone’s interest turning towards him.

He remembered reading espionage on one of the books he had before. Maybe this is what this meant.

"So, you mean that I am to spy on others?" Evan asked, seeing if he had understood what Theobald meant.

The elder man hums. "If you call it spying, then yes. It’s really more of being observant to your surroundings, when asked." The hidden implication is true.

Although he in difficult to understand, Evan more or less understood what Spire’s dad wants from him. If he was asking about the kidnapping and Evan is here to be bodyguard without anyone knowing, that just meant that he needs to listen for anyone talking about anything in hopes of seeing which people were responsible.

Instead of saying anything else, Evan just nodded his head. Even if he isn’t sure about all of this, he knows that this would still give him favors for the Valrepite family.

Theobald seems satisfied at his silent acceptance. "In a different topic, I heard you have sent documents for Stardust Academy. Did you get any answer yet?"

"I did. I received a letter back." Evan replied. "That would mean I will be first batch along with Young Lady Spire."

Theobald nods his head approvingly. "Good, good. That means I don’t need to apply to get you a security role to be in. Everything seems to be going well."

He stood up, which in turn made Evan and Spire do the same. "I will get a servant to send you to your new room. If you have any requests, just tell it to the servant outside your door until 5pm and he will tell you if it’s possible. We have a training hall by this side, downstairs at the basement if you need to. I will see you around, Evan."

Evan watched as Theobald walks to the door and it was opened for him and closed when he leaves. Evan is left with Spire, both of them still standing up.

"We do have schedules." Spire says, cutting thought the silence between them. She pulled out a paper from her dress’ pocket. "Here. You can read it while you are settling in your room."

She then made her way towards the door. "And Evan," she paused. She turns around for a moment to look at him, her fox ears twitching a little before drooping. "Never mind. I’ll see you around by dinner."

The door is opened for her before closing again. It seems like there is something that Spire wanted to tell him, but refused to say so. It felt weird for Evan. It was like there is something wrong that he couldn’t quite place. What is this feeling?