89 On a special birthday (for Gilbert)

"Carina, what should I do?!

Sofia held her head in her room. Carina is brushing Sofia's hair with a bitter smile.

"I don't know, Sofia. That's what I've been saying for the last few days."

"But I don't know what to do...."

Sofia is so worried because Gilbert's birthday is two days away.

A few weeks have passed since Baron Lannish returned. The other day, a royal castle night party was held to mark the end of the social season, making you feel the end of winter and the beginning of spring, even if you don't like it. While still in the cold season, pale green buds began to swell on the branches visible from the room.

It was a real coincidence to learn that Gilbert's birthday was approaching. What Hans casually said about Gilbert's age during his usual study group.

"Miss Gilbert is 25... Ah, no, she'll be 26 next week."

I think Sofia's own birthday consciousness was rare. Until then, I had never been aware of Gilbert's birthday. Sophia hastily checked with Hans to find out Gilbert's birthday.

"I'd like to celebrate, but he hasn't celebrated in years."

When it comes to the birthday of a noble, let alone the Marquis, it is basically to call a nobleman to the mansion and throw a party. However, it was held when Gilbert's parents lived together, which was no longer the case when Gilbert joined the Order and succeeded the Marquis. Said that it was also due to the reluctance of the celebrated person to take trouble.

"Hmm, that's right. Sophia would be happy to say congratulations, but Miss Gilbert..."

"That's it, to the boulder..."

Sofia celebrates Gilbert's birthday for the first time. Not only words, but also gifts and memories.

"If you can't decide, why don't you ask everyone?

Carina wrapped the carefully brushed Sofia's hair around and halved it up with a barretta.

"I see. Maybe there's something we can do."

Sofia slightly reworked the hem of the young grass dress that Carina had chosen for her.

"─ ─ So, did the young lady come to me?

"Yes, if the chef knows what Gilbert likes..."

When I called the kitchen from the prep room, the chef, who was free during the servant's meal time, smiled at me.

"Well, Gilbert doesn't say that very clearly, but he also seems to like sweetness. Perhaps we can prepare a treat and a cake for our birthday?

"Birthday cake...! It's kind of nice."

I think Sofia was looking forward to it every year when her parents were alive. On a white, round cake, Sofia's name is written only that day. It seemed very special and important.

"Yes, yes, yes. If you're ready, just tell me the other morning and I'll make it."

"Thank you very much! I'll think about it."

"Ah"

Sofia stopped at the chef's voice as she lowered her head and tried to leave. Looking back, the chef laughs in a little trouble.

"Chef?

"No... I called you a little girl, but I wondered if you should call me Sofia."

Sofia looked at the offer. He used to be one of the maids, but now he's staying as Gilbert's fiancée. And now Sofia is Baron Lannish. I felt like I understood that the chef was in trouble.

"No ─ ─ Chef. Please leave it as it has been for now. One day... I'm actually looking forward to being called my wife..."

I became embarrassed as I said it. Now Gilbert is also called Gilbert by his servants, but if he marries Sofia, he will be called Milord. At that time, Sofia is secretly looking forward to being called her wife with excitement and a mixed feeling.

"─ ─ Okay, miss. I'll be looking forward to calling you" ma'am. "

"Thank you! Then I'll ask the others."

Now Sofia turned her heel and left the prep room.

"Is it Gilbert's birthday?"

"... yes. Um, can I help you?

The next speaker was the maid chief. The maid looks as serious as usual and Sofia is a little awkward. I used to be a boss, and my cheeks twitched in the form of a smile on my own.

"You don't have to be so nervous, Sophia."

The maid chief smiled elegantly. Sooner or later, I began to call Sofia by nature, and I respected the maid captain in my heart that he had only been Christina's maid.

"Ah... sorry"

"No, it's not... it's my birthday. Mr Gilbert has shown difficulty in being celebrated by others. You're smart without that ability. At a party of nobility, you'll still feel a lot of confusion."

"─ ─ That's right."

Gilbert is certainly sensitive to his surroundings and attitudes. I always pass it on as nothing, but it's not synonymous with not caring.

"Our servants share the same desire to celebrate Mr. Gilbert. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Sofia thanked politely and badly and left the scene.

"It's the right thing to do to get here. Sophia, you don't need flowers to celebrate."

Next up was the gardener. When I was out in the courtyard for dinner with Carina, I sneaked up on her. Even though he may be over sixty years old, he is in good spirits.

"Thank you, flowers...?

Sofia, who had no feeling of giving flowers to a man, leaned her neck. The gardener sneezes and laughs at his wrinkled, tanned face.

"Not as a gift, but as a decoration. Decorating tables and walls will make it gorgeous. At this time of year, there are already roses in the greenhouse. I have more flowers to decorate one room."

"Roses...?!

Sophia is not very familiar with flowers at Baron Rainish's Mansion. It seems that the baron's servants were very incapable of taking care of it. Somehow I have a noble impression. Could it suit Gilbert's black knighthood ─ ─ so delusionally, Sofia dyed her cheeks and shook her head.

Is something wrong?

"Ah, no...! I'll think about it for a moment."

Sofia laughed to hide her awkwardness and decided to escape. It's embarrassing to think and be illuminated if you don't get up again.

"If you tell me that morning, I can do my job. Can you think about that?"

"─ ─ Yes! Thank you very much."

I immediately bowed and turned my back. The fever hasn't cooled down yet. But a rose flower might also be good. Gilbert's gift is likely to have chosen a sword, shield or horse motif, but perhaps flowers would suit her.

"So, Mr. Hans. What do you think?

Sofia headed straight to Hans's office.

"─ ─ Is it a birthday celebration?"

"Yes. Um... can't I?

Sofia slightly lost confidence in Hans, who lay hands together. It's a day Gilbert never liked to celebrate. I'm not sure what I tried to do on my own was good.

"No, I don't mind. I'd rather celebrate Gilbert's birthday, too."

For Hans, Gilbert is his beloved master. My thoughts are still strong. What Sofia wanted to celebrate was also a source of joy for Hans.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Sofia is happy and smiles naturally. Hans laughed jokingly at Sofia, who began to wonder what to do.

"But it's a corner, and you might want to have a little surprise or something."

"Surprise...?

That would surprise Gilbert. Hans started telling Sofia how to surprise her on her birthday, and she quickly came up with a plan.