[Gilgamesh stops himself just short of saying that's pretty funny and hides his sneer behind the rim of his glass. Lovely, gentle, kind, what did it matter? The point is that they were talking, just as they should have, praising her and praising him, just as planned. Even with all that inherent fondness for their marchioness, it was pretty funny that extra little bit of difference an extra little bit of coin made.

But none of this plotting shows on Gilgamesh's face, as he just continues to beam at her like she's the prettiest thing in all the world. She may as well be, for what she can do for him now and in the future.

Soothingly, he curls a hand over her shoulder and shakes his head.]

Of course I did. You've managed so well lately, surpassed all my expectations... and yet you remain the same strapping young magus from the day we first met. Full of eagerness, full of promise, full of life.

[Gilgamesh doesn't reach for the box quite yet. Let the suspense build. Let the moment come, then strike, like the lion upon the gazelle.]

I had something made for you. In honor of your studies and what we've made, and have yet to make together.