Chapter 11 - Behind The Smile

Before the Ball

"Noelle, this is Mr. Rowan," Count Nimbel said to his daughter, who stood before the mansion's towering window. "The finest makeup artist in the Happy Carnival."

The young lady turned gracefully. Sunlight spilled across her delicate features, making her emerald eyes shimmer like polished glass.

She offered Rowan a courteous bow.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rowan. I've heard so much about your work."

Behind Rowan, another figure stepped into the room.

A handsome young man with golden hair and sea-blue eyes.

Noelle's gaze drifted past Rowan and settled on him.

"...It's been two years."

Sebastian offered no reply.

Instead, he stepped forward, bowed with effortless elegance, and gently lifted the back of her hand to his lips.

"It's good to see you well, Lady Noelle."

Their eyes met. Neither of them spoke. Too much had been left unsaid over the past two years.

Noelle was the first to break the silence.

"Shall we begin? Mr. Rowan must be exhausted after such a long journey to Pimadona."

Rowan smiled knowingly.

"With pleasure."

Count Nimbel let out a hearty laugh.

"Then Sebastian and I shall have a chat on the veranda while my daughter is being prepared."

Sebastian inclined his head and followed the Count out of the room. Noelle's eyes lingered on his retreating figure until he disappeared beyond the corridor. Only then did she quietly lower her gaze.

---

Inside her chamber, a maid was already waiting. An elegant collection of cosmetics, jewelry, and gowns had been arranged neatly across a long dressing table.

Rowan examined them with an appreciative smile.

"Only the finest would suit the Count's daughter."

He lightly picked up a crystal perfume bottle.

"As expected of Lady Noelle."

Noelle smiled as she took her seat before the mirror.

"Make me the most beautiful woman at tonight's ball, Mr. Rowan."

Rowan closed his fan with a soft snap and bowed dramatically.

"Leave everything to me, my lady."

---

On the Veranda

The veranda overlooked a vast garden bathed in the gentle light of afternoon. The summer sun was mild, its rays filtering through the sprawling branches of ancient trees and scattering golden patterns across the stone floor.

Count Nimbel took a slow draw from his cigar before exhaling a stream of fragrant smoke into the breeze.

"I've heard the disappearances of young women have become increasingly frequent."

Sebastian rested his hands on the stone railing, his eyes following the servants below as they busily carried tables, flowers, and decorations for the evening's celebration.

"That's right."

His voice remained calm.

"After remaining silent for years, the Shadow Bandit has begun moving again."

His gaze hardened.

"Several young women disappeared in Great City..."

A faint crease formed between his brows.

"...and we were too late to save them."

Count Nimbel let out a slow sigh, exhaling a ribbon of cigar smoke through his nose.

"Even so... why come to Pimadona?" he asked. "You haven't set foot here in two years. And in all these past twenty years... not a single young woman has disappeared in this city. Strange, isn't it?"

"Pimadona is home to one of the oldest libraries on the continent."

Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on the garden below.

"There's something I need to verify."

"The library?"

"Yes."

A withered leaf drifted lazily through the afternoon air. Sebastian caught it between his fingers. With a simple flourish of his hand, the brittle leaf shimmered for an instant before transforming into a fresh green one, vibrant with life.

"Besides..."

He watched the leaf resting in his palm.

"There have been countless rumors among merchants and travelers."

His expression grew unreadable.

"They believe the Shadow Bandit will appear in Pimadona."

Count Nimbel stiffened.

"Then Pimadona won't be safe anymore."

Sebastian blew gently across the leaf in his hand.

It scattered into countless tiny leaves, dancing away with the wind.

"We still don't know what his true objective is."

His eyes followed the drifting leaves as they disappeared into the afternoon breeze.

"But I have a feeling..."

"...he isn't here for the women."

"He's searching for something else."

The Count's face darkened.

"In that case, I'll double the guards around the mansion."

Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on the horizon.

"This time..."

"...I'll stop him."

The afternoon breeze swept across the veranda, lifting strands of his golden hair until they veiled part of his face. Count Nimbel could no longer read the expression hidden beneath them. Yet behind those windswept locks, Sebastian's sapphire-blue eyes still burned with the same unwavering resolve the Count had watched for the past twenty years.

It had never faded.

Not even once.

---

Later

"Thank you, Mr. Rowan."

Lady Noelle smiled softly as she admired her reflection.

"The rumors were true."

"You truly are a remarkable artist."

Rowan slowly folded his fan before offering an elegant bow.

"Bringing out a lady's beauty is the greatest pride these hands could ever know."

At that very moment, Count Nimbel and Sebastian returned to the chamber.

The Count's eyes widened the instant he saw his daughter.

"Oh!"

He spread his arms dramatically.

"Just look at you!"

"My beautiful daughter looks like an angel descended from heaven!"

Noelle let out an embarrassed laugh, her cheeks blooming with a faint blush.

"Father, you're exaggerating."

Yet despite her words... her eyes instinctively searched the room for someone. They finally settled on Sebastian. He looked at her in silence for a brief moment before offering the same warm, gentle smile he always wore.

"I don't think the Count is exaggerating."

He inclined his head politely.

"Tonight, Lady Noelle is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman in Pimadona."

For a fleeting instant...

the blush on Noelle's cheeks deepened.

She lowered her eyes, unable to hide the quiet happiness blooming inside her heart. Count Nimbel gave a satisfied clap.

"Then I won't keep you any longer. You still have a festival to prepare for tomorrow, don't you, Sebastian?"

Sebastian gave a slight nod.

Lady Noelle offered a gentle smile.

"Thank you for coming all this way, even after such a long journey."

Rowan opened his fan with practiced elegance.

"There's no need to thank me."

His lips curved into a graceful smile.

"Having the privilege of making a beautiful lady even more beautiful is a reward in itself."

Count Nimbel chuckled warmly.

"In that case, allow me to see you out."

He led the way toward the door, with Rowan following behind.

Before leaving, Sebastian turned back once more and bowed politely to Noelle.

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

He had taken only a few steps when a soft voice stopped him.

"...Sebastian."

His footsteps came to a halt.

Slowly, he looked over his shoulder.

"Yes, my lady?"

There it was again. That same gentle smile. The same courteous smile he offered everyone. Noelle clasped her hands tightly before her, gathering every ounce of courage she had.

Then...

She hurried toward him. Before Sebastian could react, her fingers caught the collar of his coat. Standing on the tips of her toes, she closed the distance between them. A fleeting kiss brushed against his lips.

For a heartbeat...

Time itself seemed to stop. Sebastian stood motionless. Not out of anger. Nor shock.

Only...

because he hadn't expected it. Silently, he lifted a hand and gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He lowered it with the utmost care. Not harshly. Not coldly. Yet he never returned the kiss.

Only a quiet, invisible distance remained between them.

"I should be going."

His voice was as gentle as ever.

And somehow...

that gentleness hurt the most.

Noelle lowered her gaze. Her fingers tightened around the folds of her gown until the fabric wrinkled beneath her grasp.

"...Even now..."

Her voice trembled.

"Even after being kissed by the most beautiful woman in Pimadona..."

"...you still don't react."

Sebastian remained silent. Several moments passed before a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"How could I not?"

He slowly reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Noelle's ear. The gesture was so familiar. So tender. Just like it used to be.

"I am honored to receive a kiss from a lady as beautiful as you."

For the briefest moment... hope returned to Noelle's eyes. But it vanished just as quickly when Sebastian withdrew his hand. He offered one last courteous bow. Then turned away. His footsteps echoed softly through the corridor until he disappeared beyond the doorway.

Noelle never called after him. She simply watched his retreating figure... until there was nothing left to see.

---

Back at the Ballroom

The music still filled the grand ballroom as Sebastian and Rosella completed the final turn of their dance. Rosella's breathing was slightly uneven. She let out a light laugh, pressing a hand against her chest where her heart refused to slow down.

Not from exhaustion...

But from happiness.

All her life, grand ballroom dances had existed only between the pages of books.

Tonight...

She was living inside one.

Sebastian watched the smile blooming across her face.

It was so light. So carefree. As though every invisible chain that had bound her until now had quietly fallen away.

Rosella smiled brighter than ever. She had never been this happy.

"I told you."

A faint smile touched Sebastian's lips.

"You're a wonderful dancer."

Rosella lowered her head shyly.

It was only a simple compliment.

Yet somehow...

it warmed her heart more than all the applause she had ever imagined receiving.

For the first time in her life...

She felt she truly belonged in a place as beautiful as this.

Not as a village girl. Not as Happy Carnival's newest apprentice.

But simply...

as Rosella.

A girl dancing because she wanted to. Because she was happy. She let out a long, contented breath.

"I'm having so much fun..."

She placed a hand over her racing heart and laughed.

"...that I think I need a moment to calm down."

She looked toward the balcony.

"May I get some fresh air?"

Sebastian smiled.

"Of course."

"I'll stay here."

Rosella nodded.

The hem of her deep crimson gown swayed gently with each light step as she made her way toward the balcony.

Sebastian watched her leave.

Without realizing it...

a small smile found its way back onto his face.

Somewhere along the way...

seeing Rosella smile had begun to make his own heart feel lighter.

---

The cool night air greeted her the moment she stepped onto the balcony. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of blooming roses from the gardens below. Inside, the orchestra continued playing. Outside, only the whisper of leaves accompanied the quiet night. Rosella rested both hands upon the stone railing. She lifted her gaze. Above her stretched an endless sky. Countless stars glittered across the heavens, as though someone had scattered diamonds over black velvet.

Her eyes slowly shimmered with tears. Not from sorrow. But because the world before her was simply... too beautiful.

"What a beautiful world..."

She whispered softly.

"...A world that was once only inside a book."

A gentle smile lingered on her lips.

"Thank you..."

She wasn't even sure who she was thanking. Perhaps the book. Perhaps Clover.

Or perhaps...

the mysterious fate that had led her here.

Just then...

Another voice answered.

"Is that so?"

Rosella froze.

A chill crawled up the back of her neck. Slowly, she turned around. In the darkest corner of the balcony, untouched by the lantern light...

Someone was standing there.

A black cloak swayed gently in the night breeze. His face remained hidden beneath the hood, leaving only a pair of eyes faintly visible through the shadows.

Rosella instinctively took a step back. Only moments ago, her heart had been racing with joy.

Now...

It pounded with fear.

"W-Who are you?"

The figure took another step toward her. Slow. Unhurried. He offered no answer. Yet those calm, measured footsteps frightened her even more than if he had rushed at her.

Rosella continued backing away until her back struck the stone railing. There was nowhere left to run. Her throat tightened. She wanted to scream. But the sound refused to leave her lips.Just as the cloaked man slowly lifted his hand— A blur shot in from the side.

THUD!

The cloaked figure was thrown hard onto the balcony floor.

Isaac stood protectively in front of Rosella, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His sharp eyes never left the stranger.

"Who are you?!"

He took another cautious step forward. The moment he caught a better look at the man's black cloak, his eyes widened.

"...Don't tell me..."

Before he could finish... The cloaked man moved. With astonishing agility, he vaulted onto the balcony railing. His movements were so effortless that the second floor seemed no higher than a single step.

"Hey! Wait!"

Rosella instinctively reached out her hand. But she was too late. The man leaped.

"No!" Rosella cried.

His body crashed into the rose bushes below. He rolled across the grass once before rising smoothly to his feet and disappearing into the darkness beyond the garden. Rosella held her breath.

"...He's alive."

Relief had barely settled in her chest when—

"Tch."

Isaac had already jumped after him.

"Isaac!"

Rosella rushed to the railing. Her heart lurched as Isaac vanished into the shadows beneath the trees. Without another thought, she gathered the hem of her gown and ran back inside. Her breathing was ragged. Inside, the orchestra continued playing as though nothing had happened. The ballroom was still filled with laughter. Amid the crowd, she spotted Sebastian speaking with Count Nimbel.

"Sebastian!"

She ran straight toward him. Unable to stop herself, she crashed into his chest.

Crash!

The crystal wineglass slipped from Sebastian's hand and shattered against the marble floor. Red wine splashed across the polished tiles, staining the sleeve of his white shirt.

Sebastian immediately grasped both of Rosella's shoulders.

"What happened?"

Rosella struggled to catch her breath.

"The Shadow Bandit..."

She swallowed hard.

"I think... the Shadow Bandit is here."

"Isaac went after him."

Sebastian's expression changed instantly.

The warmth vanished from his eyes.

"Where?"

"The balcony!"

The joyous atmosphere of the ball shattered.

"The Shadow Bandit?"

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Is he really here?"

"Impossible..."

Count Nimbel shot to his feet so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly across the floor.

"Guards!"

His commanding voice echoed through the grand hall.

"Seal every gate of the mansion!"

Servants scattered in every direction. Guests erupted into panic. The music stopped. Only moments ago, the ballroom had been alive with dancing. Now it had become a sea of confusion.

Sebastian wasted no time.

"Rowan!"

The two men sprinted from the mansion.

Outside...

The courtyard was empty. Neither Isaac nor the cloaked man was anywhere in sight.

Sebastian knelt briefly, his eyes tracing the fresh footprints leading toward the estate gates.

"They've already left the mansion."

He rose immediately.

"We split up."

"I'll search the city."

"Take the river."

Rowan nodded before turning toward Count Nimbel, who had only just caught up with them.

"We'll need your horses."

---

Moments later...

The thunder of galloping hooves shattered the night's silence. Sebastian urged his horse forward at full speed, racing through Pimadona's winding streets. He searched every alley. Every rooftop. Every narrow passage where the Shadow Bandit might disappear.

Meanwhile...

Rowan led several guards toward the western side of the city, following the riverbanks. Torchlight flickered across the dark water as they searched beneath bridges and along the forest's edge. It wasn't long before Rowan spotted Isaac sitting at the end of an old stone bridge near the outskirts of the city.

"Isaac!"

Rowan hurried toward him. The young man sat slumped against the bridge railing. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Sweat clung to his brow. When he looked up, frustration and disappointment were written plainly across his face.

"I almost had him..."

His fist tightened.

"But..."

"...he disappeared into the forest."

Rowan let out a quiet sigh. His gaze drifted toward the woods ahead. Dark. Silent. Endless.

"Search the forest!"

"He can't have gone far!"

The guards immediately scattered, their torches weaving between the trees.

---

Deep within the forest...

The cloaked man finally stopped. He leaned heavily against the trunk of an ancient tree, his breathing uneven. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he tried to steady the frantic rhythm of his heartbeat.

From somewhere in the distance...

Torchlight began piercing through the gaps between the trees. The voices of the guards echoed through the woods.

"They're still searching..."

He slowly opened his eyes. There was no fear in them. Only a weariness that seemed to have accumulated over countless years. Drawing another unsteady breath, he pushed himself away from the tree. Then he disappeared once more into the depths of the forest.

As though the night itself had reached out...

...and quietly swallowed him whole.