"After that, why were you there?"

After the tea party, I guess.Sofia carefully chose the word.

"I was having a tea party with Carina.Well, when I was with you, I couldn't eat much because I was nervous... so I was glad to have a small slice of cake. "

Gilbert raised his mouth slightly to Sofia's words.That's all it takes to soften the air.If everyone knew Gilbert like this, they wouldn't be afraid for nothing.Whether or not he knew what Sofia was thinking, Gilbert stroked the back of Sofia's hand to spoil it with the fingertips of his hand.

"Really?... Mother praised you for your behavior at the tea party."

"I'm so glad it's true...!"

Christina's behavior and behavior seemed to be an understandable example to Sofia.The figure that gently guides Sofia, who has been married without anything, overlaps with her own mother, who has already disappeared.Acceptable joy was also linked to Sofia's confidence.

I need to talk to you.

Gilbert said as if he remembered.Sofia leaned her neck with a lighter heart than before.

"What is it?"

"The other day, the key to the costume room.It would be creepy to say that nothing was stolen.However, servants often enter Sofia's rooms.... I can't lock the entrance. "

"Yes...."

There's nothing I can do about it.When Sofia was gone, the servants cleaned, took care of the magic tools, and arranged the room.Sometimes I feel sorry for being exhausted, but I have to get used to it.

But I was afraid that someone I didn't know at all might be in my room.No one does such things out of goodwill.

"So, if you'll excuse me, Sofia, I'd like to put a magic tool on the entrance to the room to record the footage."

Sofia glanced at the proposal.

"Is there such a thing?"

Gilbert nods and explains.

"I just received a reply to my inquiry about the Magic Tower in the Imperial Castle.It's a magic tool that leaves footage when it senses a person's magic in a specific area. "

The Magic Tower of the Royal Castle is a research facility for royal magic equipment.It seems to be developing and managing magic tools used by royalties, knights, etc., and confirming before using them.It seems that Sofia has only read a book.The Magic Tower also handles a lot of magic equipment that is not distributed to the market, but is this something like that?

"I don't mind... are you sure you want to do this for me?"

Can I use it for Sofia alone?I don't know much about Sofia, but it was originally used by the royal family or by knights for missions.That's what I heard, but Gilbert nodded like nothing.

"Oh, they owe me a little."

Can I borrow it?

Gilbert laughed as if Sofia hadn't thought.The laughter that comes from the inside of your throat is when something interesting happens.

"Thank you, Sofia. I'll take it tomorrow when I climb the castle.I'm only going to tell Hans and Carina about this, so stay with me. "

"Yes, I understand."

Gilbert gently touches Sofia's honestly nodded head.When I was stroked to brush along the hair stream, I felt that the anxiety that could not be said slowly melted.

Are you off today?

That's right.

Gilbert stood up and turned off the lights in the room.Sofia wrapped the teaware around the edge of the table.This way, the servant will take care of it in the morning.

The room lights go out. Sofia leaked from the door and headed to the bedroom.Small lights are shaking in the bedside lamp that was previously lit.Gilbert was in front of the bed.Lie on the bed with your hand.Gilbert followed, trapping Sofia in her sheets and her chest.

This is how Gilbert has always hugged Sofia since she began to have nightmares.Sofia was delighted at the kindness of not being spoken of.Even if I wake up in the middle of the night, I know Gilbert's here and now it's real.

Good night, Mr. Gilbert.

Good night, Sofia.

The lipstick just by gently touching falls on the forehead.Sofia closed her eyes with happiness.

All I hear repeatedly is Gilbert's heart.Sophia, who was originally tired, was quickly drawn to sleep by the calming sound.

"─ ─...... Sofia, I'm sorry. It's my fault....."

I felt like I heard such a voice just before I fell asleep.