Jane’s hand holding the gun trembled violently.

Jane, who had never been in a situation where she had to kill someone to save someone else, gasped under the pressure of this situation.

However, she gathered courage, not wanting to block Cain’s path to become the vanguard opening the cage of history.

Suddenly, she thought of Count and Countess Whitney.

But Count and Countess Whitney couldn’t open the door. They only left the path to the door.

Cain was holding that door. Now he just needed to open it, but he couldn’t turn the doorknob.

Because of Joseph and Jane.

Jane could clearly see Cain’s wavering figure.

Though not looking at Joseph, all his senses were directed towards the child.

Unlike his calm outward appearance, he was inwardly searching for a way to safely extract the child and Jane while also succeeding in the revolution.

As that wasn’t working out, he was pretending to persuade the queen to buy time.

‘I’ll end your worries. So open the door with strength.’

Jane raised the revolver.

Her hand no longer trembled.

* * *

Sometimes, a single gunshot changes everything.

The single bullet Jane fired did just that.

She shot without hesitation at the man aiming his gun at Joseph.

The banquet hall was thrown into chaos. As the queen’s guards rushed towards Cain, Cain’s subordinates blocked them.

Following the sound of swords being drawn, fierce fighting ensued, and the nobles fled in panic towards the exit.

“You, you, you finally!”

Helena screamed furiously.

Cain looked around searching for Jane. He saw men rushing towards Jane who had taken care of Joseph.

Cain didn’t hesitate to raise his gun.

Bang, bang, bang, bang.

With just four shots, he took down four men.

“If you want war, I’ll gladly oblige.”

And finally, his gun pointed at Helena. An aide rushed to protect her, but it was too late.

Bang, the last gunshot rang out, and not long after, fireworks were launched.

One shot.

The celebratory fireworks announcing the coup were like a declaration of war.

Waaah, cheers were heard from afar.

The era of absolute monarchy had come to an end.

With just one gunshot.

* * *

The queen’s army crumbled easily. There were groups that fiercely resisted, but on the board meticulously set up by Cedric and Cain, they were mere rabble.

The queen didn’t die. Cain suppressed the nobles’ resistance by keeping the queen alive.

Helena accepted Cain’s proposal. However, the content of the proposal was slightly modified. Due to the added charge of final resistance, Helena’s assets were reduced to one-fifth.

And while the Reconstruction Committee established the foundations of the state, she agreed to stay in a castle far from the capital.

The news reported it as going down for recuperation, but it was essentially exile.

Thanks to Cain and Cedric’s efforts, the sacrifices were limited to a few. While their deaths were regrettable, it was fortunate that they gained much in exchange for the worthy sacrifice.

On the other hand, Cain had to give up his flesh.

“An order has been issued from the citizen army to arrest you.”

Cedric came and said. Cain, who was looking at his parents’ portraits in the empty Somnium House, simply nodded.

“Jane and Joseph… we’re protecting them.”

“I see.”

“Won’t you see them?”

“I don’t deserve to.”

He had to atone for the sin of living as the queen’s dog and driving Arthur to his death, and take responsibility for what the Duke and Duchess of Hastings did to Count and Countess Whitney.

And a scapegoat was needed to appease the angry public sentiment.

There was no one more suitable than Hastings, who had flown the highest.

“Since you aided the coup, there will be mitigating circumstances.”

“That’s not bad news. What about the reinstatement of the Whitney family? When will it be revealed that Joseph is Arthur’s son?”

“The Whitney family will receive a separate medal from the National Reconstruction Committee. Arthur’s name will be at the top of the donor list. Joseph will receive Arthur’s medal on his behalf.”

The National Reconstruction Committee used their heads. Is it to capture the hearts of the moderates by dramatically concluding the revolution?

Joseph’s story is perfect for touching people’s hearts.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth, feeling like the child was being used, but Cain trusted Cedric and didn’t add more words.

“Who will handle my trial?”

“The National Reconstruction Committee’s…”

For a long time after that, Cedric relayed the confusing political situation.

It didn’t register well in Cain’s ears.

He just wanted to see Jane and Joseph.

“…There’s also public opinion sympathizing with you. After all…”

“That shouldn’t be. If I receive sympathy, it makes Jane and Joseph too pitiful.”

“Cain, you were in an unavoidable situation too.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have done it.”

I shouldn’t have left Jane, shouldn’t have easily trusted my parents, and shouldn’t have let Arthur go in vain.

Each time, I should have held on risking my life, doubted, and helped escape like this time.

“You should go now. Ah, I’d like to know when they’re coming to arrest me.”

“Why? Are you planning to escape?”

“You look like you’re hoping for that.”

Cedric sighed, saying he was caught. Once, he hated Cain.

Because he was an obstacle blocking his path, and the man who received Jane’s love.

But not anymore.

Cain was a person just like them, caught in the whirlwind of a turbulent world.

No, he might be the last romantic of this era who gave up everything for love.

“Don’t make that strange expression. I just have some things to sort out.”

“If you tell me, I’ll do it for you.”

“You focus on kneading the National Reconstruction Committee well so that Arthur Pan’s beliefs melt in. As for Joseph and Jane…”

Cain frowned deeply. He couldn’t continue speaking easily. He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, and occasionally cleared his throat as if it was getting choked up.

“Please take care of them.”

That was all he could say.

“I’ll come tomorrow morning, just before sunrise.”

He said that was the last courtesy to Hastings.

Hiding the sight of his arrest from the citizens, that is.

It wasn’t what Cain wanted, but he was grateful as it bought him time.

He only conveyed his thanks, as Cedric must have surely been considerate about this too.

He turned his gaze from Cedric to look at his parents’ portraits.

He became an unfilial son for destroying everything his parents tried to protect. If that unfilial son were to give one last gift to his parents.

“I’d like to make one more request.”

Cain stopped Cedric as he was leaving.

“Go ahead.”

“Please catch the real culprit who killed my parents. I suspect it was Helena’s order.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“Because I have a family now. I’m not sure if they’ll accept me again, but.”

Cain saw clearly where the blade he wielded was pointing. So from now on, he firmly resolved not to wield the sword recklessly.

“Alright. I’ll ask one last thing too. Will you answer honestly?”

Cain nodded.

“Do you miss them?”

“…”

“I think I got my answer.”

After watching Cain’s back for a moment, Cedric left.

And a little while later, Lloyd came.

“Run away! Why are you just standing here?”

He grabbed Cain and shouted.

“What about the company?”

Cain asked calmly while removing Lloyd’s hand.

“You’re talking about that now?”

“Didn’t you receive the documents? Just deny it outright. Say you have nothing to do with me anymore.”

Cain signed documents transferring all his shares to Lloyd just before carrying out the coup.

While he was dealing with Helena at the banquet, those legal procedures were completed.

“Are you really going to give up everything? You lost your title this morning, and now you’re losing the company in the evening?”

“That’s why, I feel light.”

Both body and mind.

When Cain answered nonchalantly, Lloyd threw a punch.

Cain’s head whipped to the side. Cain licked his split lip with his tongue.

“I thought you were just a bookworm researcher, but your fist is quite sharp.”

“If you give up everything, how is Miss Jane supposed to live?”

Cain flinched, not expecting Jane’s name to come from Lloyd’s mouth.

Wasn’t the relationship between Lloyd and Jane a secret?

Lloyd rummaged through his clothes. Then he pressed a letter into Cain’s hand.

“Miss Jane entrusted this to me when she left the Somnium mansion. She told me to give it to you.”

“Why only now…”

“She didn’t say to give it to you right away. She told me to watch you and give it when I felt like it.”

Cain narrowed his eyes.

Why did she leave the judgment to Lloyd?

He was curious about the reason, but the day to meet the person who could give the answer seemed far off.

“I’ll protect Heis Trading. You made me rich, so I can’t just watch you become a beggar.”

Lloyd turned around after saying that. Cain couldn’t even say goodbye as he was looking at the letter in his hand.

Jane left me a letter, he thought.

I thought she just left without a word.

His heart swelled, tightening his chest. Cain’s hand trembled slightly as he opened the letter.

The letter was full of incomprehensible numbers.

2017-05-01

1993-07-03

……

Cain ran up to Jane’s room breathlessly. He knelt down in Jane’s messy room and rummaged through the papers scattered on the floor.

Jane left a message using the method of whispering sweet nothings between the two of them.

Cain gathered the drafts of Beerstart. And with trembling hands, he searched for the letters in the pages she left behind.

“I…”

Cain took a deep breath.

“…won’t forgive you.”

A sharp pain rose in Cain’s chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the pain to subside.

You knew it anyway, didn’t you?

That it would be hard for Jane to forgive you.

Cain barely calmed his racing heart and continued decoding the cipher Jane left.

“But if you’re willing to live your whole life apologizing…”

Cain’s eyes blurred. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Please let these words be right.

Cain blinked, earnestly praying. A clear teardrop rolled down the corner of his eye.

And the message he saw in his momentarily clear vision remained unchanged.

“…come find me.”

Cain buried his face in his hands. His shoulders shook. Jane’s letter blurred with tears, and the draft of Beerstart became soaked.

Cain felt like he had finally received a perfect punishment by earning the right to be forgiven by Jane.

Because punishment can only be received if there’s someone to ask forgiveness from.

While Cain was struggling to receive punishment on his own, Jane was already waiting, prepared to forgive him.

Cain’s back heaved greatly. His crying didn’t stop easily.

Because Jane’s love was so great and deep, his affection seemed shabby in comparison.

Just then, the sound of footsteps in heels was heard.

Cain’s head slowly lifted.

Above the black shoes, the hem of a dress covering the instep was visible.

“Making someone come find you. You really are… a high-maintenance man.”

Jane had come to find Cain.

She placed her hand on Cain’s shoulder. Cain looked up at Jane while still kneeling.

“This time, really come find me. To a place where you can rest comfortably.”

Jane’s lips touched Cain’s forehead, his salty tears, and finally his lips.

As their saliva mixed, the two exchanged conversations that hadn’t yet become words.

I love you, I’m sorry, and thank you.

Instead of hearing the words he poured out with her ears, Jane kept them deep in her heart.

The day they would speak their hearts out loud would be when they were free from all their past.

Both Cain and Jane earnestly hoped that day would come soon.

fin