12 O’Clock Marionette

I already knew the meeting date.@@novelbin@@

It was supposed to be ten days after I met the investigator.

To confirm the exact date, I checked the calendar, thinking hard. Hmm.

"February 8th."

I knew it was coming up soon, but only one day remained?

The sudden realization doubled the pressure.

Of course, I wasn’t obligated to deliver the robe to this so-called "direct senior"—someone I didn’t even know—but since I was the only one who could, I couldn’t ignore it.

But February 8th… February 8th…

Why did that date feel so familiar?

"Did I have another appointment that day?"

"Lady Siora, it's Betty. Are you in the study?"

"Yeah, come in. What is it?"

"His Grace the Duke has sent a message."

"Cruello…?"

"He said he’s extremely busy for the time being and won’t be able to make time, so even if you don’t hear from him—"

"Cruello!"

I cut Betty off with a loud shout.

She widened her eyes in surprise, but my mind had cleared instantly.

Right! February 8th! Tomorrow was Cruello’s birthday.

"And he says he's busy?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. He said he would contact you later."

I recalled how exhausted he had looked, sleeping in the parlor, his face worn with fatigue.

What could possibly keep a puppet duke so busy?

At this rate, his birthday might as well be his death anniversary—it wouldn’t make a difference.

Still, since we were engaged, I should at least buy him a present. Ares was dead anyway.