"You look lovely," the foreign diplomat Matthew had been dancing with complemented him. "If not a bit pale, why don't you wait here? I'll bring you something to drink." He deposited Matthew in a secluded alcove.

Matthew gracelessly flopped onto the sofa when the other man left, fanning himself.

"Something wrong?" Gilbert asked from the other end of the sofa, where he hadn't been a moment before, as he sipped his own drink.

"He wouldn't stop talking," Matthew reached for Gilbert's glass. "Give me that."

"You could ask," Gilbert objected, but let him take it anyway. "I could always get one for you."

"So could anyone else here," Matthew raised an eyebrow at him. "But you are neither a servant nor here to flatter me."

"Who says I'm not here to flatter?"

Matthew's eyebrow crept higher.

"Would you like a few minutes away from this?" Gilbert offered him his hand, which Matthew took without hesitation.

Matthew's glass shattered on the garden path, "You could warn me!" he gasped.

"I'm sorry," Gilbert gently pushed Matthew's hair from his face, "I didn't know it would have that effect on you." He blushed. "I've, uh, never taken anyone with me before."

Matthew slapped his shoulder. "Now you can't say that," he sighed.

"I'm sorry," he apologized again before gently tugging Matthew down the path. "Come walk with me?"

"Isn't that why we're out here?" Matthew followed him, eventually stopping at the same fountain they had stood by a few days ago.

"So you wore both?" Gilbert asked, referring to Matthew's suit, which was both Spadian purple and Diamidian gold.

Matthew shrugged. "It was what I wanted. Although I just feel silly now."

"You look wonderful." For some reason, the complement meant more coming from Gilbert than from the diplomat.

"Thank you," Matthew said as he sat down on the edge of the fountain.

Gilbert sat next to him. "I'm not forbidden from marrying, you know." He broke the silence. "I just can't have a bias toward or against any kingdom."

"Gilbert, why are you telling me this?"

"I don't know," the Joker sighed. "I guess I just want someone to know."

"But why me?"

Gilbert splashed him. "And here I thought we were friends."

Matthew softened. "We are," he amended. "I didn't mean to imply-"

"Good," Gilbert's smile faded a bit. "Because for everyone I've met along the way, you're really the only one I've befriended."

"You should meet more people," Matthew teased. "I'm not very good company."

"Good enough," the Joker gently protested.