Chapter 7 - Sweet Words

The sky was brilliantly clear that morning as the wagons rumbled along the red dirt road.

After a quick breakfast, the members of the Happy Carnival packed up camp without delay. They still had several days' journey ahead before reaching the next town.

Rosella now rode in the third wagon, the one under Rowan's charge.

Seated beside him at the reins, she chatted away without pause. The two laughed so often that Rowan's unmistakable, booming laughter carried all the way to the wagons in front.

"What on earth are they talking about?" Issac grumbled, knitting his brows.

Sahila laughed.

"Ro's simply that much fun to be around."

---

When night fell, the troupe made camp once again.

They hunted for game and gathered whatever edible plants the forest had to offer. After three days on the road, Rosella and Rowan had become nearly inseparable. Wherever one went, the other was rarely far behind.

Today was no different.

Rosella had already slung a woven basket over her arm, ready to follow Rowan into the woods to forage for herbs and wild vegetables.

Over the past few days, she'd learned an incredible amount from him. Whenever they had spare time, the two of them would pore over Rowan's encyclopedia together, and every page seemed to reveal another wonder she'd never imagined.

Just as Rosella was about to catch up with him, Sebastian called out.

"Rosella."

She turned.

"You're going with Issac today."

Rowan stopped in his tracks.

"What?"

He looked over his shoulder.

"Rosella's coming with me."

Sebastian met his gaze evenly.

"She needs to spend time with everyone, not just you."

Rowan folded his arms with an exaggerated huff.

"Oh? Is someone jealous because your darling Rosella likes me better?"

Sebastian didn't even blink.

"I said she should get to know the rest of the troupe."

"And she is getting along just fine." Rowan pointed accusingly toward the camp. "Issac's the problem."

Rosella hurriedly stepped between them.

"It's all right, Rowan." She smiled awkwardly. "Maybe Sebastian's right. I should try getting to know Issac better."

As if summoned by name, Issac wandered over, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

"Try getting to know who?"

Sebastian nodded toward Rosella.

"Keep an eye on her."

With that, he headed into the forest with the rest of the hunting party.

Sahila naturally fell into step beside him, as she often did.

Rosella watched them disappear between the trees.

"...Are they together?"

"You mean Sebastian and Sahila?" Rowan asked.

She nodded.

"I don't think so. They're just close."

A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Why? Feeling jealous?"

Rosella immediately shook her head.

"No way."

She crossed her arms with a small pout.

"Sebastian's a flirt. He flirts with every woman he meets."

"Oh..."

Rowan pressed a hand dramatically to his chest.

"Poor Sebastian. I almost feel sorry for him."

Then he turned toward Issac.

"Oi, you little gremlin."

Issac frowned.

"What now?"

"Take good care of our girl."

"Hah?!"

Before Issac could complain any further, Rowan waved them off with theatrical elegance and disappeared into the forest.

Rosella trailed after Issac, scanning the forest floor in search of edible roots and tubers. Issac, meanwhile, complained the entire way. She already knew he disliked her.

"Issac!" she called.

"Call me Senior."

"Huh?"

"Senior. I've been with the troupe a lot longer than you."

"Oh..."

Rosella blinked. "O-Okay... if that's what you want."

She cleared her throat. "...Senior?"

"What?"

"How old are you?"

Issac shot her an incredulous look. "Hah?! Why would I tell you that?"

"I was just curious."

"Tch. Less talking, more walking. We need to find something before it gets dark."

The grass grew thicker as they ventured deeper into the forest. Fallen branches littered the ground, forcing Rosella to watch every step.

"Issac! I mean... Senior!" she called again. "Slow down! You're walking too fast!"

"Quit whining and keep up!"

"Issac! Hey! Wait!"

Her skirt caught on a thorny branch. By the time she managed to free the fabric... Issac was gone. Nothing remained but towering trees and the rustling of leaves in the wind.

"Senior?! Issac?!"

Her voice echoed through the forest.

---

Meanwhile, completely focused on the hunt, Issac spotted a rabbit darting through the undergrowth.

He drew his bow.

Thwip!

The arrow struck true.

"Ha! Got one!"

He turned with a smug grin.

"Ro—"

The smile vanished.

"...Rosella?"

She wasn't there. His heartbeat lurched.

"Ro!"

Dropping the rabbit where it fell, Issac sprinted back along the trail they'd taken.

Then—

"AAAAAHHHH!"

A terrified scream tore through the forest. Issac froze for only a split second before charging toward the sound.

---

Rosella ran for her life. Branches whipped against her face as the snarling pack thundered after her.

"Wolves...!"

She stumbled over an exposed root. Just then, a hand seized her wrist.

"This way!"

"Issac!"

Without slowing down, he dragged her through the trees. The wolves chased after them relentlessly, closing the distance with every heartbeat.

"Damn it..."

Issac clicked his tongue.

There are wolves in this forest...

"ISSAC!"

Rosella's horrified cry made him look up. His feet skidded to a stop. A cliff. There was nowhere left to run.

Below them, a river rushed violently through the gorge.

Behind them...

The wolves emerged from the trees, baring their fangs.

Issac drew a sharp breath.

"Ro."

He looked at her.

"Trust me."

Rosella's entire body trembled.

Still...

She nodded.

Without another word, Issac wrapped one arm around her waist.

Then he jumped.

Splash!

The thunderous impact echoed through the valley, sending flocks of birds exploding from the treetops.

---

Miles away, Sebastian's hunting party stopped in unison.

Birds.

Too many.

Taking flight all at once.

Sebastian frowned.

"...Something's wrong."

---

Rosella fought desperately against the current.

She'd never learned how to swim.

"I-Issac!"

The freezing water swallowed her words.

"Ro!"

Issac lunged forward and caught her hand just as the current tried to tear her away.

Her body was already growing limp.

Gritting his teeth, he wrapped an arm around her and fought the river with everything he had. By the time they reached the bank, both of them were utterly exhausted.

Issac collapsed onto the muddy shore, coughing violently. Rosella lay motionless beside him.

"Ro?"

Panic flashed across his face. He crawled over and shook her shoulders.

"Rosella!"

No response. His heart sank. He quickly positioned his hands, preparing to begin CPR.

"Cough!"

Rosella suddenly lurched forward, choking as river water spilled from her mouth. Issac froze. Relief flooded through him so powerfully that his knees nearly gave way.

"Are... are you all right?"

Rosella's lips were pale. Her soaked clothes clung to her shivering body as she stared blankly at her wrinkled fingers, numbed by the icy water.

For a long moment...

She said nothing.

Then—

"Waaaaah...!"

The dam finally broke.

She burst into tears. She had never been chased by wolves. Never fallen from a cliff. Never nearly drowned.

Everything that had happened today was more terrifying than anything she'd experienced in her entire life. Issac watched helplessly.

"...I'm sorry."

---

Darkness settled over the forest. Searching for the others at night would only get them killed.

"We'll stay here until morning," Issac said quietly. "They'll come looking for us."

He gathered firewood, built a small fire, and caught a few fish from the river. Rosella remained where she was, hugging her knees in silence. After a while, Issac held out one of the roasted fish.

"Eat."

She didn't move.

The crackling fire filled the silence between them. Finally, Rosella spoke.

"...Why do you hate me?"

Issac stared into the flames.

For a long time...

He didn't answer.

"...I'm glad."

Rosella murmured the words so softly they were almost lost beneath the crackling fire. She rested her forehead on her knees.

"...It doesn't feel very nice when nobody likes you."

Issac paused in the middle of taking another bite of his roasted fish. Silence settled between them once more.

After a while, he spoke.

"...You've gotten pretty close to Rowan."

"What do you two even talk about?"

Rosella's head shot up. "Lots of things!"

Her sudden enthusiasm startled him.

"We've been reading Clover's encyclopedia together! Rowan's really smart. He knows so much about everything."

There wasn't the slightest hint of exaggeration in her voice. She genuinely admired him. Issac let out a quiet snort.

"You really love knowledge, don't you?"

"I do."

Rosella smiled faintly before lowering her gaze to the pebbles at her feet.

"If you're not pretty... then you have to have something else worth showing people."

Issac fell silent. For a long moment, only the fire crackled between them.

"...What's Clover like?"

Rosella blinked.

"Huh? You've never met Clover?"

"I've only heard stories about him."

He poked absentmindedly at the fire with a stick.

"I know there was an old man named Clover, but that's about it."

He shrugged.

"Besides, I'm not as noble as you."

"I didn't join the Happy Carnival because I wanted to save people."

Rosella tilted her head.

"Then... why did you join?"

She caught herself halfway through.

"I mean... Senior."

Issac clicked his tongue.

"Just call me Issac."

Rosella blinked.

"...Really?"

"I changed my mind."

He shrugged.

"I joined because I saw one of their performances. That was enough."

Rosella's eyes lit up.

"Oh! I saw your sword dance in Garden Bay!"

"You were amazing!"

Issac nearly choked. A faint flush crept across his face.

"D-Don't throw compliments around like that."

He looked away with an irritated click of his tongue.

"It's not going to make me like you just because you flatter me."

Rosella looked up at the star-filled sky.

"...Isn't it nice to be complimented?"

"Huh?"

"What's so special about it? I hear compliments all the time."

Rosella smiled to herself.

"...That's because you're used to them."

Then she turned to him.

"But they're not ordinary... to me."

Issac met her gentle smile. For a brief moment... He couldn't find a single word to say. He quickly looked away.

"...You'll get used to them eventually."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Morning arrived.

Sebastian and the others resumed their search for Issac and Rosella. Rowan had spent the entire night in a foul mood after the pair disappeared.

"This is your fault!"

He jabbed an accusing finger at Sebastian.

"You insisted on sending that girl with the brat. He doesn't have a single mature bone in his body!"

"Easy, Rowan."

Sahila sighed.

"I'm sure Sebastian's worried too. Besides, he's the one who allowed Rosella to join the Happy Carnival in the first place."

Her smile softened.

"He probably feels responsible."

"You always take his side!"

Rowan huffed dramatically.

"What? Are you secretly dating him?"

He snapped open his fan with a flourish before pointing it at Sebastian.

"And don't think I'll forgive you just because you're handsome!" With that, Rowan stormed deeper into the forest. 

"Don't take it personally. Rowan loses his temper faster than anyone," said Sahila.

Sebastian remained silent.

---

"Hey!"

Someone standing atop the cliff shouted.

"Over there!"

"It's Issac!"

Sebastian immediately ran toward the edge. Far below, Issac was waving both arms. Beside him, Rosella was still asleep against a rock.

Rowan leaned over the cliff.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!"

His booming voice echoed through the valley.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO MESS AROUND!"

"WHEN I GET DOWN THERE, I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU HALF TO DEATH!"

Issac swallowed hard.

...I'm dead.

---

By the time everyone reached the riverbank, Rosella had just begun to wake up. She blinked groggily at the familiar faces surrounding her.

"Um... Sebas—"

Smack!

The sharp sound silenced everyone.

Rosella froze.

Rowan's eyes widened.

Even Sahila looked stunned.

Sebastian's hand slowly fell back to his side. A red mark spread across Issac's cheek.

Issac lowered his head.

"...I'm sorry."

No one spoke. Rowan had been ready to scold Issac himself... But even he had never seen Sebastian this furious. Sebastian was usually the one smiling. Usually the one calming everyone else down. Sahila quietly stepped forward.

"I'll talk to him."

She gently took Issac by the arm and led him away.

Sebastian said nothing. He simply watched them disappear into the trees. After a long silence, he turned toward Rosella.

"Let's go."

He held out his hand.

Rosella looked at it...

...then slowly shook her head.

She stood on her own. Without another word, she hurried after Issac. Rowan watched her leave before turning back to Sebastian. His playful expression had vanished.

After everyone had returned to camp, Rowan pushed aside the flap of Sebastian's tent without so much as asking for permission.

Sebastian, who had been cleaning his sword in silence, didn't even bother to look up.

"Sebastian."

His voice was unusually serious.

"...What's gotten into you lately?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"You can't possibly have feelings for Ro. She's not your type."

Sebastian brushed his hair back with one hand. "Of course not."

His answer came without hesitation. "You already know she doesn't belong in this world."

His gaze remained fixed ahead. "She could become a valuable asset in our search."

Rowan's brows drew together. "...Asset?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Sebastian finally looked at him. "Have you forgotten why we're here? We joined the Happy Carnival to rescue the people who've been taken."

"You want to save your little sister."

"I want to save my mother."

His expression darkened.

"...And Alyssa."

Realization slowly dawned on Rowan.

"So that's why you allowed the Book Bearer to join us."

His voice hardened.

"You intend to use her as bait."

"Clover will come back for that girl."

Sebastian's jaw tightened.

"And when he does... We'll capture him."

"We'll stop that old man from spreading those ridiculous books."

Rowan stared at him for a long moment. Then, with a disappointed sigh, he opened his folding fan and hid the lower half of his face behind it.

"...I wish I hadn't heard that from you, pretty boy."

His eyes, however, remained cold.

"That's... deeply disappointing."

He glanced toward the path where Rosella had disappeared.

"Ro's a good girl."

Without another word, Rowan turned and walked after the others.

Sebastian remained where he stood.

Alone.

Silent.

Lost in thought.