Despite Milo's attempts to convince her, Seraphina was firm in her decision. The staff scrambled to bring her a selection of masks, but Milo wasn't having it. "Oh, no way! This one's a disaster. Get rid of it." "Seriously? This is the ugliest mask I've ever seen." "Are you serious? This resembles something you'd see at a gaudy costume party. There's no chance it will go on that face." "This is an insult to her beauty! Come on, bring something better." The masks were tossed aside one by one, leaving the staff at a loss. "That's all we've got," one of them finally spoke with a shrug. "What?! That's it?" Milo exclaimed, throwing his hands up in dramatic disbelief.Then he turned to Seraphina, looking triumphant. "See? Even the universe agrees—you're not meant to wear any of these." Ignoring him, Seraphina picked up the most superficial mask from the table—a plain, unadorned cat mask. "This one will do." Milo gasped, clutching his chest as if she'd mortally wounded him. "No, no, no! That's so boring—it doesn't suit your vibe at all!" "I like it," she replied, her tone steady. Unbeknownst to many, Thomas had stealthily slipped into the room to witness the unfolding scene. His gaze focused on Seraphina, who held her simple mask with quiet resolve as she stood firm against Milo's antics. Something about this moment moved him profoundly. Thomas quietly instructed his assistant, "Go get the sandalwood box from the alley." Shortly after, the assistant returned with the sandalwood box. Thomas walked straight up to Seraphina and held it out to her. She blinked at him, confused. "What's this?""Open it," he stated simply. Inside was a silver fox mask, intricate and delicate, embellished with numerous tiny diamonds that shimmered brightly. "Wow!" someone whispered, breaking the silence. The room filled with soft murmurs of awe. The mask wasn't just beautiful—it was a masterpiece, shining like it belonged in a museum. "This one's perfect for you," Thomas remarked, his voice calm but confident. He picked up the mask without asking for permission, stepped behind her, and carefully placed it over her face. While the staff marveled at the mask's craftsmanship, Thomas had already finished fastening it for her. As he stepped back, the room fell into stunned silence. The staff stood frozen, their thoughts racing. Did we just see that? Thomas personally helping someone put on a mask?! Unfazed—or maybe simply uninterested in the reactions around him—Thomas adjusted the mask with practiced ease. He briefly fixed his gaze on Seraphina before speaking in a soothing, deep voice that was nearly a whisper. "You look stunning," he complimented, his tone low yet captivating. Milo snapped out of his shock first. "Oh, darling, this is next-level amazing! You're absolutely radiant—it's almost too much for me to handle!" His over-the-top reaction snapped everyone else out of their daze, and the usual backstage chaos resumed. "Alright, get her changed! It's almost showtime!" the stage manager urged. Moments later, Seraphina and Thomas stood by the stage entrance. The subdued lighting created dancing shadows, and his eyes—now partially hidden behind his silver mask—glinted in the soft glow. Sensing his gaze, she looked up and met his eyes. "Feeling anxious?" he asked, his voice gentle.Before she could answer, he smiled faintly and added, "Here's a tip—imagine the audience as a bunch of talking lemon trees. Trust me, it'll help." She let out a soft laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing. The sound of her laughter brought an unmistakable warmth to Thomas' expression. His lips curled into a subtle, almost private smile that enchanted all who saw it. Michael and a few nearby staff exchanged wide-eyed glances, frozen in disbelief at what they'd just witnessed.