Mistaken For a Couple

Chapter 6: Bayrn Amusement Park (1)

Priscilla rushed home, panting.

"This isn’t good."

In my room.

Looking in the mirror, I looked like a total wreck. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call myself a beggar.

Blood was dripping down my left arm, my wig was half off, revealing a glint of my radiant blonde hair. And my lenses—who knew where I’d dropped them.

Only my left eye was still black. My right eye was its natural, bluish shade.

While I was running away, sirens suddenly blared and a swarm of imperial troops and police flooded in.

I had to stop the bleeding, stay hidden, and slip back home without being spotted.

‘That man I bumped into earlier… someone I’d never seen before. Was he with the military?’

If I’d known, I’d have stabbed him right then and there.

I grabbed the shard of metal embedded in my left arm and yanked it out.

Spurt—

Blood sprayed across the mirror.

"Shit. That fucking hurts."

I grimaced, biting down the pain, and disinfected the wound before wrapping it tightly with gauze.

I tore off my bloodied clothes and changed into clean ones. Now, at least, I didn’t look like a wounded person.

I wiped the blood off the mirror, adjusted my wig and lenses, and stepped out into the living room.

Clack—

The front door opened and shut. I heard someone come in.

Rahan was back.

***

Wearing his usual business suit, Rahan walked toward the house, a deep frown etched across his face.

He’d lost the suspicious figure. Even after a full-scale manhunt with support from the Rungsa Police Department.

All he had to show for it was a single strand of vivid red-brown hair and a single dark-tinted lens.

‘From those clues, I can assume this person is a master of disguise.’

Meaning, the appearance he saw wasn’t real.

‘It’s going to take a lot more effort to track them.’

After failing his mission at the abandoned factory, Rahan had reported everything to the Commander. Though the man hadn’t said much, disappointment was clear on his face.

And understandably so—if the information the defector was trying to pass on had really been top-secret intel from Naifel’s upper ranks, it would’ve been a huge diplomatic win for the Bayrn Empire.

They might have even used it to bring an end to this cursed war that had dragged on for eighty-one years.

Rahan sighed heavily as he opened the door to the house.

Priscilla was standing in the living room.

“You’re back?”

“Ah, yes.”

Being greeted at home was something unfamiliar to Rahan. It didn’t help him feel at ease—it just made relaxing even harder.

If only he hadn’t been scammed, he wouldn’t have to keep rubbing elbows with this woman.

Priscilla, wearing an apron, headed toward the kitchen.

“Um, I’m grilling mackerel and it’s a bit much for one. Want to eat together?”

“Gladly.”

“Then go wash up and change.”

After a shower, Rahan sat down at the table.

A warm, neatly prepared dinner was waiting for him.

Sitting across from him, Priscilla stared at his face for a moment before asking:

“Did something happen?”

Startled.

Rahan froze, spoon halfway to his mouth.

But it only lasted an instant. No ordinary person could’ve noticed.

“No.”

“Your expression…”

“Priscilla.”

He looked up, eyes locking with hers as he called her name. Priscilla blinked.

“I’d like to eat quietly today.”

“Oh… I’m sorry. I was being nosy.”

“…I’m the one who should apologize.”

“No, it’s fine. I crossed a line. Sorry.”

And so began a long, awkward silence.

What an unpredictable man, Priscilla thought.

Still, why snap at someone who was just trying to show concern?

Grumbling inwardly, Priscilla began eating.

He hadn’t been this cold yesterday.

Something must have happened at work.

But it wasn’t her business to care.

An oddly loud but silent dinner continued.

Priscilla thought:

‘That imperial officer I saw… I should’ve gotten a better look. He must’ve been the one Kilo was meeting. I bet he’ll get in my way again. Next time I see him, I’ll kill him, no questions asked.’

Meanwhile, Rahan thought:

‘That damn rat from Naifel. A master of disguise. There’s no point in trying to find them like this. I need to strike first. They’ll try to get that intel out of the country. But where?’

To catch the rat, he needed to think like one.

The dinner table was quiet—yet unbearably noisy.

***

The next day.

Priscilla, up early, yawned as she stepped into the living room.

On the couch sat Rahan, already watching TV.

“You’re up early, even on a weekend?”

“Ah. Morning. I just woke up early.”

She went to the kitchen for breakfast. There were some dirty dishes in the sink.

‘Did he already eat?’

On the counter, a plate covered with another plate caught her eye.

When she lifted it, she found two pieces of toast, jam, and two sunny-side-up eggs.

Priscilla glanced toward the couch.

“This for me?”

Still watching TV, Rahan replied:

“I’ve been getting free meals lately. I’m not good at cooking, but I can toast bread.”

The toast was still warm.

Priscilla smiled faintly as she sat down and began eating.

It was good.

She decided to cancel what she thought yesterday—that he was an asshole.

***

“Where are you going?”

Rahan asked as Priscilla stepped out, dressed nicely and fully made up.

“Oh. Just have something to do.”

“On the weekend?”

“You know. One of those personal things.”

“I see.”

With that awkward exchange, Priscilla stepped out with a heavy bag in hand.

Inside were a change of clothes, a wig, and a pair of lenses.

Normally, she would’ve disguised herself at home, but—

‘Doesn’t he ever leave on weekends? Living together like this is such a pain.’

She couldn’t risk him seeing her in disguise.

Priscilla recalled the morning transmission.

[Agent Papa. Mission: Safely extract the stolen intel from the defector to home country. Location: Bayrn Amusement Park. Time: 2PM.]

‘Bayrn Amusement Park, huh.’

A place even more crowded on weekends.

But that’s what made it perfect.

She touched the USB hidden in her coat.

Would that officer show up again?

…Hopefully.

She’d kill him this time.

Priscilla boarded a carriage bound for the Bayrn Empire capital, Karzion.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Rahan stood up from the couch the moment she stepped out.

His communicator buzzed—Jerid was calling.

“What is it, Jerid?”

“Commander. Intel just came in from our agents in Naifel. Your hunch was right. Today at 2PM, the stolen intel will be handed over at Bayrn Amusement Park.”

Rahan clenched his fist.

He had suspected the handoff would happen soon—but this soon?

“I'm heading out now. Raise the intel alert from level 5 to level 3. Surround the area ASAP.”

“Sir, yes sir!”

***

Karzion, capital of the Bayrn Empire.

Despite being a vast empire, it couldn’t escape the trend of population clustering around the capital.

As a result, Karzion was always packed on weekends.

And if it was at the so-called Park of Dreams and Hope—Bayrn Amusement Park—then even more so.

Priscilla pushed her way through the crowd.

An attendant stopped her at the gate.

“Guests, please queue behind the line!”

“Here. Free pass.”

She pulled out a forged pass and flashed it.

It looked legit. And with the crowds, no one had the time to scrutinize it.

“Oh! A free pass holder? May I have your name?”

“Priscilla Herchil.”

“Yes, Ms. Priscilla Herchil. You’re all set. Have a magical time at the Park of Dreams and Hope—Bayrn Amusement Park!”

She accepted the pass and walked in.

‘Still four hours until mission time.’

She’d arrived earlier than expected.

Looking down at her heavy bag:

‘I can’t walk around in disguise for four hours. I didn’t have time to buy new props. I’ll need to use the pay from today’s mission to restock.’

Naifel had agents in Bayrn too.

It was a covert mission—but Bayrn might already know.

Always assume the worst—that’s a spy’s mindset.

‘Then, while I’m here… might as well enjoy myself a little?’

She left her bag at the locker near the entrance and looked around the amusement park with gleaming eyes.

Cotton candy!

Churros!

Bunny-ear headbands!

All sorts of stuffed souvenirs!

Oddly enough, they were all things she liked.

‘Hehe. Should I go for the churros first? Or cotton candy?’

Her spirits lifted as she skipped forward—when suddenly:

‘Huh?’

She spotted a familiar figure.

‘Rahan? What’s he doing here?’

***

“Jerid. Status report.”

[All units and local police are in position. The park is fully surrounded.]

“Not a single rat leaves. Got it?”

[Understood!]

Rahan arrived at Bayrn Amusement Park.

Suddenly, someone tapped him from behind. He turned around, startled.

Standing there was Priscilla, with her long blonde hair and shining blue eyes, smiling up at him.

“Rahan? What are you doing here?”

“P-Priscilla?”

Thankfully, he was in plain clothes.

If he’d been in uniform, she would’ve realized he was a military officer—and someone on a mission.

They were still sharing a house. Being discovered like that would’ve been trouble.

But…

Why was she here?

Did she overhear the transmission?

“Rahan? Why are you just standing there? I thought you were watching TV at home.”

“Oh. It’s the weekend, and I was getting bored at home.”

So she hadn’t heard.

He sighed inwardly with relief.

“What about you? Why are you here?”

“Same reason as you, I guess? Oh! This is perfect timing! Let’s hang out together.”

“Eh? Together?”

“We’ve already seen each other—kinda rude to pretend otherwise. Wouldn’t it be more fun than going solo? Unless… you’re here with a girlfriend and I’m third-wheeling?”

Priscilla thought to herself:

‘This is a chance. There’s a risk he might recognize me, sure—but I doubt it. Still, better to play it safe and build an alibi.’

“I don’t have a girlfriend. You? Are you here with a boyfriend?”

Rahan thought:

‘Shit. If I stick with her, I can’t issue commands on the fly. But… maybe that’s better? If I bump into the rat while with her, she won’t suspect I’m an officer.’

The two of them smiled at each other.

“No boyfriend here.”

“Same boat, huh?”

“Why does that feel a little insulting?”

“Shouldn’t I be offended first?”

But neither of them realized…

That, from afar, someone was watching them both—with sharp, suspicious eyes.