“You want me to bring what’s in that trash can?”

“Yeah, kid.”

Augustus patted the back of the man who was a head shorter and smaller than him.

“Ouch, boss! That hurts.”

“Hey! I told you not to call me boss.”

Augustus glared at him.

“If I can’t call the boss ‘boss’, what should I call you?”

The man quickly lowered his tail and muttered.

“Don’t glare at me. I won’t call you boss anymore. Anyway, what am I supposed to bring?”

“What do you need to know for? It’s to make everything bloom.”

The man’s face brightened at the hint of revolutionary success.

“So keep a good eye out and bring it. Got it? If anything dangerous happens, just run.”

“What? This was a dangerous job? Then I don’t want to do it.”

Nicknamed Mouse, he was one of the Rose Faction members working under Augustus, small but agile.

He was useful in many ways, but had one flaw. He was a coward.

‘Some revolutionary you are, you chicken.’

Augustus clicked his tongue inwardly but smiled outwardly.

“Just get whatever’s inside, got it? Now.”

Augustus pushed Mouse’s back.

At that time, Augustus had no great expectations. He only hoped that Jeksi would admit defeat and hand over full authority for this plan to him.

But there was something there!

* * *

Thirty minutes before Augustus arrived at the scene, Jane found that trash can.

She put the envelope containing the check into the trash can without hesitation.

And hid herself in the darkness.

Jane, experienced in running from debt collectors, was adept at concealing her presence. She was also good at finding good hiding spots.

Jane put on a black hood, pressed herself against the wall, and waited for the culprit to appear.

It was so quiet that her heartbeat was audible. So she could easily notice when someone approached.

Jane didn’t make the amateur mistake of turning her body or head towards the sound.

Becoming one with the wall, she closed her eyes and focused on the sound.

Then she heard fumbling noises.

There were two people talking, and judging by how one was called “boss”, there was a high chance an organization was involved in Jeksi’s kidnapping.

The conversation ended quickly. The lower-ranking man bounced over to the trash can and retrieved the item.

“It’s here! It’s real!”

The one called boss smacked the smaller man for his excited voice.

“Lower your voice, and from now on, be quiet as a mouse. Don’t tell anyone about what happened today.”

“Tch, where’s my pay?”

“You young punk, only care about money? Get out of here quick.”

The boss shooed away the young man. Then he looked around and staggered out to the street, pretending to be drunk.

Jane only started following the boss after seeing the subordinate disappear. The man was completely off guard.

Sweat soaked her hands and forehead, but it felt too wasteful to turn back now.

‘I’ll just check if Jeksi is safe.’

Jane swallowed her fear and followed the man.

Contrary to Jane’s expectations, the man knocked on the door of an ordinary house. Then Jeksi opened the door and came out. It looked like a wife welcoming her husband home from work.

“Welcome back. Did you find anything?”

“Here it is.”

When the man held out the envelope Jane had prepared, Jeksi smiled brightly and checked the contents.

Soon her face hardened.

“Only 10,000? Is this woman joking?”

The man also frowned.

“See, what did I tell you? Neither the duke’s wife nor the duke cares whether you live or die.”

“Hah… So this is how they’re going to be? They don’t care if I die or not!”

Jeksi growled.

“Hey, quiet, shh!”

The man tried to calm Jeksi and checked their surroundings. It was unlikely anyone would be watching this ordinary village and shabby house before dawn, but checking was a habit.

“Let’s talk inside.”

“Alright, stop pushing me, get your hands off.”

Jeksi irritably pushed away the man’s hand and opened the door.

Jane, who had been frozen in shock, suddenly came to her senses.

‘They shouldn’t go in. I need to hear what they’re planning!’

But it was too dangerous to go near the house to listen.

As Jane stamped her feet in frustration,

“…Let’s… change… the method. Kidnap… someone who can shake… the duke…”

Unable to contain her anger, Jeksi muttered as she went inside. Though the voice gradually faded and Jane couldn’t hear everything, she could guess Jeksi’s next plan.

‘Someone who can shake Cain! She’s planning to kidnap Joseph!’

Jane’s legs suddenly gave out and she staggered.

* * *

Cain returned home at dawn. After sending out the Black Hawk regarding Scarlet’s visit, and reviewing new information related to the incident from 7 years ago, he far exceeded his planned return time.

In the past, he would have slept at the gentlemen’s club, but because of his promise with Jane, Cain reluctantly got in the carriage.

“We’ve arrived.”

Cain, who had dozed off in the carriage, opened his eyes.

“Tomorrow, no, today. Take your time getting out. If there’s any urgent business, I’ll come see you.”

“Work should be done as it comes. I’ll go straight to the office, so you rest.”

Cain gave Nathan a short vacation. Nathan, who was about to refuse, quickly accepted.

Seeing Scarlet’s actions, it seemed like another big incident would happen soon.

It’s best to rest when you can.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Nathan bid farewell to Cain’s back as he entered Somnium House.

Cain returned the greeting by raising his hand and headed inside.

Somnium House was quiet as a mouse.

Cain stood in the entrance and took a deep breath.

He could feel the history of the Hastings in the air.

From the unique scent emitted by the old building, Cain felt the weight that came with the name Hastings.

They had long lived as a pillar of the kingdom, reigned over other nobles, and at times fought as equals with the king.

He was proud of that family. When he was young, he even boasted about being a Hastings.

He believed they had a history without blemish, a path of glory. He took pride in that.

Sometimes he even believed the Hastings were more noble than the royal family, who had created pools of blood to gain the throne.

But…

The Black Hawk’s report.

And Phil’s letter.

Do you want to know the truth, Your Grace? The price of truth is high. If you still want to know, I will come see you.

The moment he received that letter, Cain knew. That everything the previous Duchess Hastings’ masseuse had said was true.

The time to tell Jane the truth was approaching.

He felt ashamed that he had to tell her himself about the wrongs his parents had committed, the blemish on the Hastings. In truth, he was afraid.

Afraid that the path he had walked was wrong.

Afraid that he couldn’t undo his mistakes.

Especially to Jane…

Thinking of her made his chest feel tight, as if a stone was pressing on it.

Should he tell her, even though it wasn’t certain yet?

If it was Jane who calmly listened to the story of Jeksi and Arthur, Jane who sympathized with Joseph, wouldn’t she understand his choice too?

Yes, let’s tell her.

No, not now.

A battle raged in Cain’s mind.

Then he recalled Jane scolding Scarlet.

She said there was a proper way to apologize. To clearly state what you did wrong.

So it would be better not to say anything yet. The truth hadn’t been fully revealed. He should tell Jane after meeting with Phil.

This wasn’t avoiding it, but a preparation period for a proper apology.

Cain took a long, deep breath. The air of Somnium House still weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Cain roughly ran his hand through his hair as he climbed the stairs.

His steps naturally headed towards Jane’s room. Then he remembered it was too late to visit her.

Jane must have been very tired today. After the boat ride, Scarlet had turned her world upside down.

Not content with ruining Jane’s day, Scarlet had even come to Hays Company.

And putting on a rather pitiful expression, she said,