The click of your heels echoed through the dimly lit hallway as you turned the corner, your long white gown sweeping dramatically behind you. You straightened your hat, lips curling into a smirk as you spotted your target—your boyfriend, dressed as Ethan Winters, standing frozen at the end of the hall.

With deliberate steps, you approached him, tilting your head slightly, letting your crimson-painted lips part into a sinister grin.

"Well, well... There you are~" you purred, voice dripping with playful menace. "There's nowhere for you to run."

It was all part of the act. You expected him to turn, to bolt, to play along with the chase—because that was how this was supposed to go.

But instead of running, he did the last thing you anticipated.

He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around you, burying his face against your chest.

Your entire body tensed. The role of the towering, elegant lady of Castle Dimitrescu suddenly felt very hard to maintain when you could feel the warmth of his breath against your skin. You could hear the playful laughter bubbling from his throat, muffled against your dress.

Your hands, which had instinctively risen to push him away, instead found themselves resting against his back.

"You—" Your voice cracked. You cleared your throat, trying to regain your composure. "You're supposed to run away, dear!!!"

He only hugged you tighter.

"No," he murmured simply.

Your face burned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go at all. But as you sighed in mock exasperation and let your arms wrap fully around him, you figured maybe… just maybe, you didn’t mind losing this little game of cat and mouse.