Chapter 14 - Us and The Water

"...What..."

Rosella's whisper was barely audible.

"...is really going on?"

---

After that...

The fight had ended.

But the atmosphere around the Happy Carnival camp never truly returned to normal. The laughter that usually drifted between the tents had vanished. No musicians idly strummed their guitars during breaks, and no dancers practiced while teasing one another. Everyone worked in silence.

Some washed clothes by the small stream. Others dusted off stage props still coated with dirt from the road. A few opened small roadside stalls, selling handmade trinkets and souvenirs to help cover the troupe's expenses while the performances remained postponed.

Each person buried themselves in their own work, as though no one wanted to speak about what had happened.

Rosella chose to remain silent as well. She didn't dare approach Sebastian. Nor Rowan. And Isaac...

The young man had disappeared without a trace after the fight.

Rosella sat beside several of the girls near the washing area, slowly scrubbing a wooden plate. Her hands kept moving. Her mind did not. Every so often, her eyes drifted toward the leader's tent. The canvas flap remained tightly closed.

Just then, Rowan walked over.

"Rowan?" Sahila looked up.

A faint smile appeared on his face, though he looked far more exhausted than usual. "Have either of you seen Isaac?"

Sahila shook her head. "No. He hasn't come back yet?"

"Not yet." Rowan let out a weary sigh.

His gaze swept across the camp, as if hoping Isaac would suddenly emerge from one of the tents.

"Where did that kid wander off to..." he murmured under his breath.

Turning away, he added, "Then I'll go look for him."

He had barely taken a few steps when someone tugged gently at the edge of his shirt.

"Rowan."

He turned around. Rosella stood behind him, her eyes filled with quiet concern.

"If you're going to look for him..." Her fingers tightened around the fabric ever so slightly. "...may I come with you?"

A gentle smile returned to Rowan's face. He reached out and softly ruffled her hair.

"No." His answer was simple. Bending down slightly until they were at eye level, he said,

"You stay here." 

For a brief moment, Rowan glanced toward the men's tents. Behind a half-open curtain, Sebastian stood silently watching them. His expression remained as cold as ever. Rowan looked back at Rosella.

"I don't want another fight." He gave her head one last gentle pat. "So be a good girl...and do as I say, all right?"

Rosella bit her lower lip. She didn't want to agree.But in the end...

She gave a small nod.

"...Okay."

"Good girl." Said Rowan gently.

Night gradually settled over the camp. The sky darkened little by little as oil lamps were lit one after another, casting warm golden light between the rows of tents.

However...

Isaac still hadn't returned. Neither had Rowan.

Sebastian remained inside the leader's tent alongside Magnus and several soldiers from Pimadona. Their voices drifted faintly through the canvas walls, low and serious, as though they were discussing something that wasn't meant for anyone else's ears.

The camp that had been overflowing with music and laughter only yesterday now felt strangely unfamiliar. Cold. Oppressive.

Rosella hugged her knees to her chest. She had tried to wait. But with every passing minute...

The weight pressing against her heart only grew heavier.

"I can't just sit here..."

Slowly, she rose to her feet. Sahila was busy helping the other women prepare dinner. No one was paying attention to her. 

Rosella quickly grabbed her brown cloak, draped it over her shoulders, and pulled the hood low enough to hide her unruly curls. Moving carefully, she slipped between the tents. She froze whenever she heard footsteps. She hid behind wooden barrels. Then behind supply wagons.

Finally, with one last glance over her shoulder, she quietly slipped out through the edge of the camp.

Moments later...

Her small figure disappeared into the streets of Pimadona.

Without her noticing...

A pair of unseen eyes followed her from the shadows.

---

Rosella pulled the hood of her cloak a little tighter around her face.

If Isaac wanted to be alone... where would he go? A tavern? No... That sounded more like Sebastian. A weapon shop? Maybe. Or...

She let out a quiet sigh. She had no idea where to begin. Even so, her feet eventually carried her toward the only place that still seemed worth checking. A weapon shop whose doors remained open despite the late hour.

The small brass bell above the entrance chimed softly as she stepped inside.

Ting...

The shop was empty. Wooden shelves lined the walls, displaying swords, spears, bows, and daggers that gleamed beneath the warm glow of oil lamps. The air smelled of steel and machine oil.

Rosella walked deeper into the shop, her eyes wandering from one weapon to another.

"Excuse me...?" No answer.

Creeeak...

A door at the back of the shop slowly swung open. Rosella instinctively turned. A broad-shouldered man stepped out.

His massive frame nearly filled the doorway, while a thick beard covered most of his face. Without realizing it, Rosella took a cautious step backward. The man, however, greeted her with an unexpectedly warm smile.

"Good evening, miss."

His deep voice was surprisingly gentle. "What brings a lovely young lady to a weapon shop?"

Rosella blinked. "...Huh?"

She scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Um... actually... I'm not here to buy a weapon."

"Naturally." The man stroked his beard with a chuckle. "I could tell."

"So... What are you looking for?"

Rosella relaxed almost immediately. Despite his intimidating appearance... He seemed incredibly friendly.

"I'm looking for someone. A young man."

"A young man?" The man's eyes widened. "Your boyfriend? Did he run off with another woman?!"

Rosella shook her head so quickly that her curly hair bounced beneath her hood.

"N-No! It's not like that! He's my friend... from Happy Carnival."

The man's face lit up instantly. "Happy Carnival?!"

Rosella flinched at his sudden excitement.

"I'm their biggest fan!" He clenched both fists dramatically. "I already bought tickets to see Sebastian's magic show! So why was it postponed?!"

His expression shifted from excitement to despair in the blink of an eye. He even crouched in front of Rosella, clutching both of her hands with tearful eyes. Rosella could only offer an awkward smile.

This man...

His emotions change faster than the weather.

"Well..."

She forced a nervous smile. "They've been busy because...the Shadow Bandit appeared in town."

"...The Shadow Bandit?" The man froze. A heartbeat later, his eyes flew wide open.

"THE SHADOW BANDIT?!" His booming voice echoed throughout the shop, making Rosella instinctively cover both ears.

"No!"

He grabbed his head dramatically. "Why now?! Why did he have to show up exactly when Happy Carnival finally came to Pimadona?!"

He began pacing back and forth across the shop. "I've been waiting months for this performance..."

Tilting his head toward the ceiling, he sighed dramatically. "Why must fate be so cruel to me..."

Rosella could only laugh awkwardly.

He's nothing like I expected.

With a body the size of a bear and a face fierce enough to scare away bandits, she had assumed he would be terrifying. Instead...He was even more theatrical than the actors in Happy Carnival.

Rosella cleared her throat. "B-But don't worry."

The man spun around immediately.

"The performance hasn't been canceled."

"...Really?" Hope instantly returned to his eyes.

"It has only been postponed."

He wiped away the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. "Thank goodness..."

Pressing a hand against his chest, he released a long sigh of relief. "For a moment... I thought life had lost all meaning."

"Ha... ha..."

Rosella laughed stiffly.

I wonder if Sebastian would be happy knowing one of his biggest fans is a giant middle-aged man like this...

She cleared her throat again, steering the conversation back to why she'd come.

"Anyway...back to the point." She smiled awkwardly. "Um... Mister..."

"Hugo." The man proudly thumped a fist against his chest. "My name's Hugo."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hugo." Rosella gave a small nod. "Would you mind helping me find someone?"

"Of course!" Hugo answered without hesitation. "Tell me what he looks like."

Rosella paused to think. "He's still young..."

 

 

 

"Hmm."

"His hair is auburn."

Hugo stroked his beard thoughtfully as he nodded.

"And?"

Rosella pictured Isaac's face once more.

"His eyes..."

She paused for a moment. "They're green."

"Green like emeralds."

"Oho..." A knowing smile slowly spread across Hugo's face. Completely oblivious to it, Rosella continued.

"He's tall..."

"Mhm."

"And..."

She hesitated. "...his shoulders are fairly broad."

"Broooad shoulders..." Hugo repeated, nodding with exaggerated seriousness. Rosella tilted her head.

"I suppose so... He also dances pretty well."

Suddenly, Hugo snapped his fingers. "Aha!"

Rosella's eyes immediately lit up. "You know who I'm talking about?"

"Of course."

She took an eager step forward. "You do?"

Hugo pointed at her with absolute confidence. "He's the man you're in love with."

"Wha—"

Rosella nearly choked on her own breath. "W-What?! No! That's not it!"

Hugo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"If that's true... Then why do you remember his shoulders?"

Rosella froze.

"...Huh?"

"Most people only remember someone's face."

Hugo stroked his beard as though explaining an undeniable truth. "But you even remembered how broad his shoulders are."

He gave her a meaningful nod. "That can only mean one thing. He's a handsome fellow."

"WAAAAAH!"

Rosella's cheeks instantly turned scarlet.

"I wasn't thinking about that at all!"

Hugo chuckled.

"Relax. This is Pimadona. A city overflowing with passion. There's nothing wrong with falling in love."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS!!"

Hugo let out a dreamy sigh, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling.

"Come to think of it... I'd like to fall in love someday, too."

Rosella blinked.

"Just imagine... I come home after a long day's work... A beautiful woman welcomes me with a smile. She helps polish my swords... Wipes down my armor... Then she says..."

He clasped both hands dramatically over his chest. "'Hugo... don't work too hard today.'"

"...Ah. What a beautiful life..."

Rosella stared at him expressionlessly. The giant blacksmith had already begun dancing with his own imagination.

There he goes again...

She cleared her throat.

"So... Mr. Hugo."

"Hm?"

"Have you actually seen the man I'm looking for?"

Hugo rubbed his beard again. "Hmm..."

He appeared to be thinking. Very. Very hard. Rosella found herself unconsciously holding her breath.

"Hmmmm..."

"Hmm..."

Finally...

He shook his head.

"No."

Rosella stood there in stunned silence.

"..."

"...Then why did you spend so long thinking about it?!"

Hugo shrugged casually.

"I just wanted to make sure."

"Make sure of what?!"

"That I really don't know."

"THAT DIDN'T REQUIRE THAT MUCH THINKING!"

Hugo burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Sorry! Sorry!"

---

Rosella stormed out of the weapon shop with an irritated pout. Standing in the doorway, Hugo waved enthusiastically. "Come visit again sometime, pretty miss!"

Rosella didn't even bother turning around. 

"No, thank you..." she muttered under her breath as she continued walking. Behind her, Hugo simply chuckled as he watched her disappear down the street.

---

Meanwhile...

Across the road, hidden within the shadows of another building, someone was still watching her. A man with a cloak melted seamlessly into the darkness of the night. He remained perfectly still, keeping a careful distance.  Not once did his eyes leave Rosella's hurried figure. 

Completely unaware... Rosella never realized she was being followed.

She let out a weary sigh.

"Haa..."

"Where did Isaac disappear to?"

The streets of Pimadona had begun to empty. One by one, the shops closed for the night. Only a handful of oil lamps still illuminated the road leading toward the river.

Rosella wandered aimlessly. She peeked into narrow alleys. Glanced toward the gardens. Yet there was still no sign of the red-haired young man.

Before long...

Her footsteps led her onto the old stone bridge stretching across the river. The night was silent. Only the gentle murmur of flowing water echoed beneath it.

Then...

Plunk.

Something splashed into the river. Rosella stopped immediately. She looked to her right. Then to her left. No one.

"...Who's there?"

Silence.

A few seconds later...

Plunk.

The sound came again. Rosella swallowed nervously. Slowly, she approached the stone railing. Standing on tiptoe, she leaned farther and farther over the edge. Her curly hair dangled freely beneath the bridge.

Darkness.

The only thing she could see was the moon shimmering across the water. She leaned just a little farther.

"Isaac...?" she whispered.

Suddenly—

"ARGH!!" A loud yell exploded from beneath the bridge.

"AAAAH!" Rosella screamed instinctively.

Her body jerked backward. The hands supporting her on the railing slipped.

"...Huh?"

For one terrifying second...

She lost her balance.

Then—

SPLASH!

Rosella plunged straight into the river, sending water soaring into the air.

Isaac reacted instantly. He grabbed Rosella's arm before the current could carry her away.

"Grab my hand!"

Still panicking, Rosella clutched his wrist with all her strength. With one powerful pull, Isaac hauled her back toward the stone steps beneath the bridge. A narrow staircase descended from beneath the bridge to the riverbank.

Only moments earlier, Isaac had been sitting there alone, tossing pebbles into the water to clear his mind. Who would have thought...

The one who would fall into the river...

...would be Rosella.

"Cough...!"

Rosella rolled onto her side, coughing violently as river water spilled from her mouth. Isaac stood nearby, dragging a hand down his face.

"...Seriously."

He let out a long, exhausted sigh.

"Why..."

He looked down at her with an expression caught somewhere between frustration and disbelief.

"...why do I always end up saving you whenever you fall into the water?!"

"Cough! Cough!"

Rosella could only keep coughing. Seeing her struggle to breathe, Isaac's irritation slowly faded. Awkwardly, he crouched beside her and gently patted her back.

"Easy. Slow your breathing."

Rosella gave a weak nod between coughs. Isaac sighed again.

"Next time, don't go wandering around. You should've stayed at the camp. It's already dark." What were you doing out here alone?"

Rosella slowly lifted her head. Wet curls clung to her cheeks. The tip of her nose had turned red from the cold river water.

"B-But..."

She swallowed.

"...I was looking for you."

Isaac fell silent. That simple sentence erased every complaint he had been about to make. For a fleeting moment... His expression softened.

Only for a moment.

He quickly looked away, staring back at the river. "...You didn't have to."

His voice was quiet. "I'm an adult."

He picked up a pebble and skipped it across the water. "So why would a little girl like you come looking for me?"

Rosella frowned. "...Little girl?"

She sat upright. "You're only three years older than I am!"

She pointed accusingly at his face. "And you're just as childish!"

Isaac whipped around. "Huh? What did you just say?"

"You're always childish!" Rosella stomped her foot against the stone. "Always!"

Isaac folded his arms. 

"Listen. Whether it's three years... One year... One month... Or even one day... I'm still older than you. And that makes me more mature."

Rosella snorted. "Tch. There you go again, hiding behind seniority."

Before she realized it, the next words slipped from her mouth.

"If you're so mature... then why did you run away after fighting with Sebastian?"

...

Silence.

The night breeze whispered across the river's surface. Isaac said nothing. The light in his emerald eyes quietly dimmed. Only then did Rosella realize what she'd said.

"...I'm sorry." she murmured softly. "I didn't mean to..."

Isaac remained silent for several long moments. Then he stood.

"Come on."

Rosella looked up.

"You'll catch a cold."

He held out his hand. "Let's go home."

Rosella stared at it for a few seconds. She slowly placed her hand in his.

Isaac pulled her gently to her feet. Side by side, they walked away from the riverbank. Neither of them spoke again.

Yet somehow...

This silence felt far gentler than the one before.

---

Far away from the glow of the oil lamps, a cloaked figure remained hidden behind the shadow of a building. His hood concealed most of his face.

Only a pair of quiet eyes followed Rosella's retreating figure...

...until she disappeared into the night.