[Gaius can't recall a time he's ever heard her sound so...enamored. He can't even recall a time he's even seen the young woman blush, the color washing across every inch of her pale face and neck.]

[But it's certainly endearing to see, his startled expression softening out to something...well, still somewhat confused, yes. But there's a fondness there, too, and a gentle, reassuring squeeze on the hand he holds when she sounds almost defensive over the admission, for reasons he can't for the life of him understand.]

Your souls were... The business with the sharded souls you explained to me before, correct?

[Not that he entirely understands that, even now. But he can imagine the gist of it. And Ardbert, whatever he is to her...the way she speaks of him is enough to know that she's happy.]

[In the end, that's more than enough for him.]

This Ardbert, then. [There are benches nearby, that he leads her over to. Making sure to stay close enough that he doesn't have to see another shiver from her, and fully expecting carbuncle to follow them.] While I've no doubt that you could handle it yourself if needed, I can only hope that he's treating you with all the care you deserve, else I may need to sit down and speak with him myself at some point.