12 O’Clock Marionette

Since I had lost the Crimson family’s protection, I wandered aimlessly.

At the very least, I needed to get away from Winterbell Manor.

The day was the warmest it had been in a while, my brown robe was lined with thick fur, and I had both money and a sword, so I was well-equipped.

But ultimately, I had no destination.

"Ugh…."

It was depressing that I didn’t have a single friend I could ask for shelter.

I missed a warm home.

I really, really wanted my bed back at the Bonetti estate.

And while I was at it, I was curious about how the Bonetti siblings were doing.

Surely, they wouldn’t actually believe that ridiculous nonsense about me being the Black Serpent, right?

I shook my head vigorously, but then I suddenly stopped walking.

A few steps ahead, a woman in a thick fur coat was moving along the street when two soldiers stepped in front of her.

…Something about this felt off.

"Halt. Show your face."

"Excuse me? H-Have I done something wrong…?"

"We are searching for a wanted criminal. You only need to remove your hat."

Oh, come on! Can’t they at least give me time to think?!@@novelbin@@

Cursing internally, I slowly side-stepped into a nearby alley.

There was a pile of large crates, so I crouched behind them.

Unfortunately, they were empty, so I couldn’t lean on them.

"Hoo…."

A wanted criminal, huh? Gee, I wonder who that could be.

The woman walking in front of me had been about my size, which only made me more certain.

I hadn’t expected the Imperial Court to sit back and wait, but seeing them act so quickly still stung.