The Abandoned Baroness is one of the Black Knight’s favorites

"─ ─ Gilbert, are you there?

The place is the royal palace office. By way of example, Gilbert, who was working as Mathias' escort, was pulled back from the vortex of thought to reality with repeated calls for names.

"Yes, Your Highness. What is it?"

In the first place, it was Matthias who thought about other things during the conversation. Gilbert hammered carefully to avoid expressing himself, but he also knew that there was no point.

"The Count Franz bastard brought his fiancée, Baroness Lannish, to this evening's party."

Mathias raised the edge of his mouth and said to Gilbert in a slow tone. Speaking of the Baron of Lannish, it is Sofia's biological home.

I see. It is unusual for His Highness to be concerned about the legacy of the Earl. "

"Of course, it's about Miss Sofia's house. Gilbert will care. ─ ─ I heard an interesting story, but are you interested?

The words do not allow Gilbert to refuse while asking questions. While nodding intricately, Mathias deepened his smile.

"The Count Franz's illegitimate son is Lord Alberto, but he was engaged about seven years ago. My fiancee is Baroness Lannish.... what does this mean?

Gilbert accidentally frowned between his eyebrows. Matthias also made a serious face, as if the laughter to date were a lie.

"The Baron and his wife died five years ago."

"─ ─ Oh, that's right. I wonder who Alberto's fiancée is."

Gilbert had no intention of hiding his mood at the earliest. Mathias' expression seemed to care about Sofia or to be irrationally angry. Mathias, who is often thought to be a man who can't eat, is not known to be a kind person who cares about others.

Seven years ago, Baroness Lannish was called Sophia, then ten. But Sofia is now under Gilbert's protection in the Marquis of Forster. Gilbert consciously took a slow breath and opened his mouth.

"Sofia is now working at Forster Mansion, moving forward a little bit. I don't dare get involved."

Gilbert didn't want to suffer any more from Sofia trying to move forward in a new environment while working unfamiliarly. Matthias nodded when he spoke honestly.

I see.... but it bothers me. Gilbert, will you help me?

Gilbert nodded after a short tour. Either way, when Mathias is interested, it is equal to not having the right of veto. Gilbert would not have said no if he had anything to do with Sofia.

"Yes, take me as your escort on the day."

"Nice to meet you. Still... women bring unexpected information."

Mathias relieved his shoulders and smiled bitterly.

"Your Highness?"

Gilbert speaks of the bitter smile. Mathias is the only one with that look.

"─ ─ I heard about it at the tea party. Anything, it seems that Alberto is popular with the ladies. When I see the rumored fiancée I've never been with at a nightclub before, she's boiling."

Was that so?

Gilbert wonders who Albert will bring to the party that day. It's natural to think of him as the baroness now, but I can't wipe out the discomfort. It is clear that at least something that prevented Sofia from staying at home was Baron Lannish's. However, since they were related to the Earl's family, it seemed that the whole family was in distress.

I can see wrinkles between my eyebrows. Gilbert thanked me from the bottom of his heart for being allowed to look disrespectful.

"I see you haven't heard anything from Miss Sofia."

Gilbert, who also tried to contest Mathias, who had a slender tone, closed his mouth with a bang on the office door. Looks like a visitor. Matthias erased his previous expression and gave permission to enter with the Prince's open face.

"Sofia, what happened today?

The words that I heard nothing changed to the words that I heard what happened. Is it because of Sofia that I feel comfortable with my little changes? It is Gilbert's recent routine to have a conversation with Sofia after a bath. I thought I liked the look of Sofia's child, which I would show when my hair was magically dried.

"Today... an off-duty cook gave me a snack and a cookie for a servant. It's so delicious."

Sofia, who was talking as usual, took a small package out of her one-piece pocket and gave it to Gilbert.

"─ ─ What is this?

"Baked goods. From what I received today, I thought it would be good for Gilbert...."

It seems unreliable to lean down little by little while talking. Gilbert opened the package and carried the baked goods to his mouth on the spot. Smells light and fragrant, which Sofia left behind.

"Thank you."

"Ah, um, I'm sorry. It might have been something that Gilbert was used to eating...."

Gilbert didn't know why Sofia apologized. It is often said that there are not enough words and no expressions, but did that make you anxious?

"No, I think it's delicious. But if you like it, you can eat it."

"... yes"

Sofia had a modest smile that she had recently shown to Gilbert. A smile is a disgusting expression that contains some negative emotions. Gilbert refutes what Matthias told me today. I thought I'd ask Sofia directly, and I opened my mouth and stopped. I didn't want to see my expression shade. It seems that something good has happened today. I wanted you to sleep with happiness in mind. Gilbert let go of his connected hands and stroked Sofia's hair slightly more glossy than when he met her, but still more dull than the ladies he saw at night clubs.

"─ ─ Good night, Sofia. Go back to bed before it gets cold."

Though I think it is cute to dye my cheeks, the color of sorrow does not disappear from that expression. Sofia stuck her neck in Gilbert's hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.... good night."

Gilbert closes the door after dropping Sofia off a little early on her way home. In the room alone, no one could ask me if I breathed.