12 O’Clock Marionette

Julian feigned concern as he looked at me.

“I can’t help but think about it now and then, especially after that joke you made last time.”

The one where I flatly denied that Cruello was treating me well?

He was still thinking about that? Should I call him perceptive or just persistent?

This time, however, I could answer much more smoothly.

“Of course, he treats me well.”

“I see… Still…”

He gave me a strange smile.

A sudden gust of wind blew past, ruffling my hair.@@novelbin@@

Julian reached out naturally toward me.

“There’s a leaf in your hair.”

Gently, he plucked it away, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

Why is he so invested in smiling like that?

“I should have properly thanked you earlier, Siora. I appreciate what you did at the court ball.”

“For what?”

“The snake wine I was carrying still had a live snake in it. Thanks to your warning, I avoided being bitten.”

“Snake wine? You were carrying something like that?”

What the hell?

Why would someone bring snake wine to a ballroom?

He’s a truly bizarre person.

Daedire chimed in.

“When you put it like that, it does sound highly suspicious.”

“I already told you, Daedi. It was a gift.”

“But gifts are usually chosen with the recipient’s taste in mind… Ah, never mind. I suppose it could be your taste, Julian.”

“It is not my taste.”