Chapter 87: Surprise, It’s a Mystery
"Huh...?" Cynthia blinked in confusion.
Before she could say another word, Marcus grabbed her wrist with a mischievous gleam in his eye and tugged her along.
A grin tugged at his lips—one of those troublemaking, too-charming-for-its-own-good grins that only ever meant one thing: chaos was coming.
In the span of a few quick steps and hushed laughter, they darted into a narrow alleyway near the city’s central square, the cobblestones slick with mist and moonlight. Tucked behind the shadow of a merchant’s stall and half-collapsed crates, they crouched low, hidden from passing eyes.
"What are you planning...?" Cynthia asked, voice lowered, pressing a little closer to Marcus as she peeked around the corner. Her shoulder brushed against his chest, her breath visible in the cool air as she followed his gaze.
"Waiting for some unlucky guest to be subject to a few... well-placed pranks." Marcus chuckled, eyes scanning the square like a hawk looking for prey. His tone was too casual, too cheerful, and entirely too pleased with himself.
Cynthia let out a soft, half-disbelieving laugh. "This isn’t really my style..."
Marcus simply gave her shoulder a gentle pat, his grin unwavering. "It’ll be fine. Live a little." His voice dropped into a teasing lilt, and for a second, it almost sounded like an invitation to something more than trouble.
"Any moment now..." Marcus murmured, peeking toward the inn’s door like a rogue laying a trap.