D-Day
Morning.
Cain woke up in the gentlemen’s club, not at Somnium House.
Somnium House had been emptied out since yesterday evening.
Cain had sent everyone away, not leaving a single person to brew coffee in the morning.
Cain knew better than anyone the dangers of what he was doing.
He also knew that if he failed, those around him would have to share responsibility for his actions.
In fact, even if he succeeded, some responsibility would still need to be borne.
Cain was prepared to take responsibility. However, he did not want his people to suffer harm.
So he spent two long months sending the people of Somnium House away.
He wrote recommendations to better places, sent them to school if they wanted, and gave ample money if they wanted to take a break from work.
He offered conditions that made leaving a much better choice than staying.
Nevertheless, there were those who insisted on staying.
Norbert, Mary, Sor, and Joseph’s personal maid and Haley.
With no other choice, it was decided to move those people to a safe house.
And last night, Norbert and the others left for the safe house.
Cain returned to Somnium House.
Looking around the empty entrance, a hole opened in his chest. And a fierce wind blew in.
His chest felt cold and empty, making it unbearable to stay there.
He had thought a house was just a physical space for sleeping and eating, but seeing the empty Somnium House made him realize he had been wrong all along.
Somnium House, which had always welcomed him back, and the servants who had guarded this place were his spiritual home and sanctuary.
Feeling bitter about being left alone, Cain had to leave the place.
“I confirmed that they are sleeping safely.”
Nathan, who had escorted Norbert and the others to the safe house, returned.
Seeing the irritable Cain, he brewed coffee and handed it to him.
Cain rubbed his dry face and accepted the coffee cup.
“Report.”
Cain sipped the coffee.
“Let’s have breakfast first. It’s going to be a long day.”
Cain tapped the desk irritably, as if not wanting to say anything more.
Nathan sighed and opened his mouth.
“The peach’s movements have been tracked. We’ve planted trees according to the route. We’ve secured support declarations from 60 out of 100 nobles. We’ve secured 7 conditional supporters.”
Cain nodded after checking the list of supporters. It was two short of the expected number, but this was enough.
It was enough to prevent the angry public’s blade from turning into indiscriminate hatred towards nobles.
Cain didn’t care whether the nobles fell or not, but he had to prevent the overthrow of the system from leading to war.
“Internal collaborators?”
“Twelve undercover banquet waiters, four musicians, and six people who will enter as guests using obtained invitations. A total of twenty people.”
“The peach’s royal guard?”
“According to the information we obtained, there are 100 inside. 50 on the first floor, 30 on the second floor, and 20 whose positions are unknown.”
“The Black Hawks have worked hard.”
Cain downed the cold coffee in one go while listening to the report. Then he rang a bell.
“Bring the meal.”
Nathan’s eyes widened. He doesn’t eat when told to, but now…
“We have to face 100 with just 20 people. We should eat when we can. You sit down too.”
“It’s been a while since you gave an order I don’t mind following.”
Nathan sat down immediately.
A comfortable breakfast, which might be their last, took place.
* * *
“I’ll check your invitation.”
The doorkeeper stopped a lady with black hair wearing glasses.
“Mom, I need to use the bathroom.”
The child holding tightly to the lady’s hand whined. The doorkeeper’s gaze lingered on the child’s face.
“I’m going to wet myself, Mom.”
The child’s fidgeting feet and rubbing thighs showed how urgent the situation was.
“Wait a moment. I’m looking for the invitation, aren’t I?”
The lady rummaged through her small handbag. Her impatient movements betrayed her urgency.
“I put it here…”
“Take your time, madam.”
People lined up behind the lady started giving looks, wondering why they weren’t going in quickly.
“Mister, I really need to go.”
The child let go of his mother’s hand and tugged at the doorkeeper’s trouser leg. The lady sighed and pulled at the child’s collar.
“It’s alright. Please show me the invitation.”
The doorkeeper wanted to just let them in. If the child, whose face had turned red, were to wet himself at the entrance of the banquet hall, it would be a big problem.
The child would make the mistake, but he would receive the punishment.
The doorkeeper, who had adopted ‘thin and long’ as his life motto, wanted to avoid that situation at all costs.
He was also conscious of the people behind them who were getting angry, wondering when they could enter. The wife of his superior was in that line, which made it worse.
However, he couldn’t let them in without checking the invitation. Special instructions had come down from above today.
‘Thoroughly check invitations and identities.’
The order was concise, but it was a burdensome task for two people to do within a limited time.
As a result, gaps were created.
“Found it! Thank you for waiting. Here, please check…”
“Check complete. Please go in.”
The doorkeeper only looked at the cover of the gold-rimmed invitation and let the mother and child in.
He could tell at a glance that the invitation was genuine. The invitations had a pattern that could only be seen when light was shone on them.
That was why the doorkeepers stood under bright lights.
“Thank you, mister!”
The sound of the child urgently running to find the bathroom in the banquet hall could be heard.
The doorkeeper ignored the child’s thanks and held out his hand to the man standing in front.
“I’ll check your invitation.”
* * *
“I did well, didn’t I, teacher?”
Wolfgang, who had burst out of the bathroom, looked up at Jane with shining eyes.
The child who had been fidgeting in front of the doorkeeper saying he urgently needed the bathroom was Wolfgang.
And the woman pushing up her glasses was Jane.
Jane had received a banquet invitation from Merche with Lloyd’s help. She relayed the recent atmosphere in social circles.
Cain must know this too.
Jane felt frustrated.
The fate of someone who turns their blade against their own group was predictable. Knowing this, Jane couldn’t believe that Cain had readily stepped forward for this task.
And what was even more surprising was that he made no effort to hide this fact.
Why did he do that? As if talking to herself, Jane muttered, and Merche answered.
Jane had noticed early on that Merche sympathized with the Rose Faction’s ideology. That’s why she had thought of approaching her.
As expected, Merche willingly helped Jane attend the banquet.
However, something unexpected happened.
A noble, a woman, and a mother with a child.
There was no better combination to lower people’s guards.
At first, Jane objected. Wolfgang could be in danger.
Clearly, something big was going to happen at the banquet hall.
Jane was infiltrating in case Joseph was in danger, so if something happened, Wolfgang’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed either.
But Merche eased Jane’s worries.
Jane couldn’t understand why Merche was helping her to this extent.
Just giving the invitation would have been an unforgettable favor.
Jane thought Merche’s expression was excessive.
Wolfgang had changed because Merche was a good person. Children eventually take after their parents.
However, Merche and Wolfgang’s thoughts didn’t change.
And the day of the event arrived. Jane dyed her hair black, put on glasses, and fixed the revolver Cain had given her to her thigh.
“Mom, will Joseph come today too?”
Wolfgang, waiting for his uncle in front of the bathroom, asked. Jane felt for the position of the revolver over her dress.
“Yes. Definitely.”
To Helena, Joseph was the last shackle holding Cain back.
“I want to play with Joseph.”
Wolfgang tapped the corridor with the tip of his shoe.
“Joseph would be happy to hear that. Have you thought about what you want to play?”
“Ride horses, kick balls, and swim too.”
Wolfgang’s voice gradually grew louder.
Wolfgang’s face, which had been tight with tension until just now, was relaxed.
‘Children should smile.’
Not be weighed down by responsibility.
‘Joseph should be like that too.’
Jane listened to Wolfgang’s chattering voice while thinking of Joseph.
“Wolfgang.”
A deep voice was heard from the end of the corridor. Turning around, there was the big-bodied Merche. Jane unconsciously opened her mouth and stared at Wolfgang’s uncle.
The siblings looked as if they had been cast from the same mold.
“I heard from my younger sister. I’ll take Wolfgang with me.”
Jane realized she had been staring at the man too intently and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry and thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do when you’re undertaking such an important task. But let me say one thing… Don’t tell Merche that she looks like me. She hates it.”
After saying that, the man picked up Wolfgang and disappeared.
Wolfgang struggled, saying he needed to say goodbye to Jane. The man’s large hand patted his back firmly.
The sound of him sternly telling Wolfgang not to be mischievous was heard several times.
It seemed Jane wouldn’t be able to fulfill the man’s request.
Merche would ask how her first impression of her brother was, and Jane couldn’t say that the two people who even had similar speech patterns didn’t resemble each other.
She would be displeased, but would end the conversation with a chuckle.
I should prepare Merche’s favorite tea leaves to improve her mood then.
There were many people to thank after the task was done.
Jane, who liked giving, hoped that moment would come soon.
So let’s quickly get Joseph and leave the banquet hall.
Jane’s steps towards the banquet hall gradually quickened.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
