12 O’Clock Marionette

Chapter 75



“A day late, but that’s your fault for being late, not mine.”

“Ah… How did you know?”

“How—did—I? Are you underestimating me, or do you think it’s normal to not know your own fiancée’s birthday?”

“I know your birthday, darling. It’s June 13.”

So, Siora’s birthday is June 13.

I didn’t know that.

“I wasn’t trying to interrogate you. Hm, thank you. I’ll put it to good use.”

Cruello, looking somewhat unreadable, took the sword.

As the blade emerged from its scabbard, it gleamed beautifully in the sunlight, making me feel oddly proud.

His reaction was lukewarm compared to what I expected, but I knew he liked it.

Back when I was Amy, I had wanted to gift him a sword, but I died before I could.

How many years had it been? This time, I finally gave it to him properly!

I didn’t have it custom-made, but still—this one’s probably more expensiv—

Hm.

“…You should change the scabbard.”

I casually advised.

Why did they bother engraving the Crimson Duke’s crest on the damn thing?

Honestly, the Crimson Duchy always did unnecessary things.

Cruello’s eyes widened slightly before he suddenly burst into laughter.

***

After shaking off the soldiers, we arrived at Cruello’s new hideout.

He said he had prepared it just in case.

While he registered the spatial coordinates and set up various defenses, I sprawled out on the sofa, watching him work.

Mages weren’t as convenient as I had imagined.

They reminded me of swans—gliding gracefully above water while paddling furiously beneath.

I decided to try getting along with Pebula again.

“I’d love to take things slower, but solving your problem is the top priority, isn’t it?”

Finishing his work, Cruello sat across from me.

“First, I need to understand why I’m being suspected of involvement with the Black Serpent.”

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