Mark's giggle echoed faintly along the stone corridor as he pulled his short golden cloak tighter around his shoulders, almost like a child clutching a blanket. His eyes glimmered with mischief, lips curved in that sly little smile he always wore when things were unfolding just as he wanted.
But then—
"Enjoying yourself, your highness?"
The voice came from just behind him, light and teasing. Mark turned his head, and there she was: Mina, though not in her usual form. She wore the plain disguised of the orange maid, blending perfectly among the other servants who hurried past. Her dark eyes sparkled with mockery as she walked beside him, hands clasped neatly as if she truly belonged there.
Mark tilted his head, smirk lingering. "Mina. I see you've decided to crawl out of your master's shadow again."
Mina giggled, a sound at once playful and dangerous. "How could I resist? You set such an interesting little trap, and now it's all coming together. I thought I'd watch the fun."
