Chapter 466 - Teatime? Ⅱ (2/2)
Rowan makes a murmuring sound but takes great care when accepting the cup of tea from Evan. However, this time her left hand did not tremble, which caused Evan to blink in surprise. It was not that her left arm was weak, but rather an external factor such as nerves?
”Biscuit?” Evan asked as he held out one of the smaller trays of biscuits.
Rowan presses her lips into a thin line of reluctant acceptance as she takes only one from the offered tray. The sounds of the two of them sipping their tea is heard for a minute or so, before Rowan carefully sets her teacup down in the china tea saucer, before briskly looking up at Evan. ”Let us get down to business, Avery, why exactly have you come? We are certainly not friends, nor did we part on such amicable terms for you to visit, come out with it, Avery. I don't have all day.”
Evan gracefully sets his tea down, before glancing at Rowan. Bowing his head, he sincerely says, ”First, I wish to sincerely apologize for my actions that day. I was arrogant, a foolish fop, and I was far easily swayed by a close friend all for my vanity. That being said, I can assure you, beyond wishing to return the beating I received at your hands, I am no rapist, and I would never have permitted such vile actions to occur under my watch.
Still, I do understand that there are no excuses for my actions, and I do not require your forgiveness for my actions as they are inexcusable. But once more I wish to reiterate that I wish to make amends and to least present my sincere apologies, Prince.”
Rowan slowly nods her head in understanding and reaches for the biscuit on her left side. She suddenly winces in pain at feeling a sharp agonizing pain in her left eye again. It had been getting worse with the passing of each day, and her eye was slowly becoming more and more sensitive to the light. But worst of all at times she could see a grayish like sheen appear in her mirror reflection, before vanishing. Whatever it was, she had to hide it for now. She could not afford to burden her grandfather nor aunt. There was something else going on, and Aunt Georgine nor her grandfather would speak of it.
Taking a deep breath, Rowan exhales loudly as the pain in her left eye once more grows dull enough for her to reply. ”Avery, I do know that you are sincere,” Rowan confessed, ”but I do not believe that we will ever truly be called friends. And knowing you, this cannot possibly be your only purpose when coming to Prince Manor this afternoon. There must be something more, which is what I want to know?”
Evan makes a wary face as he raises his teacup to her, before taking a sip. ”If you must know, Prince, I seek a godmother for my son. His mother is dead, and I wish protection for him in these growing troubling times,” Evan gravely admitted. ”I will pay any price, Prince, and though I wish for you to accept, Prince, your aunt would be just as acceptable.”
Rowan is startled for a moment before her eyes narrow. ”You should what my answer is already Avery without even asking. And as for my Aunt, what makes you think I can convince her?”
Evan flashes Rowan a confident grin, before replying, ”Because it is well known that Georgine Prince dotes upon her great-niece and nephew. She would certainly take into consideration my request if you mentioned it to her.”
Rowan leans back in her seat neither acknowledging nor disagreeing with the statement. Studying Avery again, she notices that his eyes already have a bit of dark eyeshadow on his face. The childish arrogant gaze of a school bully is gone, and all that remains is sorrow, intelligence, and most importantly that of worry. But more importantly, the gaze of a parent willing to protect their child and pay the price for it.
Sighing, Rowan finally says, ”Very well, Avery, I will speak on your behalf. However, I do know a ceremony is required to acknowledge the godparents, will it be a private or public one?”
”Private,” Evan confessed. ”It will only be close family members and on one else in attendance since I am still in mourning.”
”I see,” Rowan quietly said, before tilting her head to him in a tiny bow. ”I apologize for my belated expression of condolence for your loss, and on the birth of your newborn son.”
”Thank you,” Evan quietly answered, before biting a bit forcefully into his biscuit to cover any emotions of grief. He had to be strong, there was no other alternative.