Helena Royal Strain killed her only blood relative and hanged herself.

It was exactly 3 months after Cain had pointed a gun at her and bound the hands and feet of the Strain dynasty.

The dynasty without an heir disappeared into the annals of history. It was a futile end.

The Reconstruction Committee seized this opportunity to declare the fall of the monarchy and the presidential system.

The revolution that almost everyone in the kingdom, except for some nobles, had longed for was finally completed.

When the revolution was accomplished, people were ecstatic.

The committee’s announcement was as surprising to the people as the creation of heaven and earth.

Every day was a festival. People flocked to the streets, drank champagne, and danced.

Friends, lovers, men and women, young and old, all hugged each other and sang loudly.

There were no incidents or accidents during the continuing festivities.

Those who had been pointed at by nobles as ignorant showed surprising unity and consideration. It was the behavior of advanced citizens.

Flags symbolizing the Reconstruction Committee fluttered everywhere in the streets.

The symbol of the Reconstruction Committee was a white dove with an olive branch in its beak.

People printed white doves with olive branches on various colored fabrics, hung them everywhere, and waved them.

“Sh-should we buy a flag too?”

Joseph, who was sitting in the carriage looking out at the noisy streets, turned to Jane. The child’s eyes were filled with a desire to jump into the lively streets.

Contrary to that, the child asked very hesitantly.

Because he knew why Jane’s attitude was calm, detached from the bustling atmosphere.

The bell announcing the people’s victory was like a sentence imprisoning the man she loved for Jane.

Cain Hastings.

Although he was a revolutionary contributor who helped bring down the Strain dynasty, he was also a collaborator of the dynasty, so he underwent a grueling trial for over a month.

Despite Cedric and Lloyd’s active protection, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the first trial.

True to being a Hastings, he didn’t beg, admitted all charges, and lastly apologized to those who had suffered because of his family.

As his former followers and admiring citizens sent petitions, his sentence was halved in the second trial.

Finally, Cain was sentenced to 1 year in prison and 5 years of house arrest.

Jane did not go to Cain’s courtroom. Instead, she heard related news from Cedric and Lloyd over and over again.

Although the sentence was drastically reduced compared to the first trial, both Cedric who delivered the news and Jane were very heartbroken.

Even when he left for the prison said to be the most notorious in the kingdom, Jane did not see him off.

Because he said he would return.

Jane’s job was to wait for him.

Cain was very sorry to leave Jane alone, but she wasn’t alone.

“Mother, are you not feeling well?”

Didn’t he leave behind Joseph, who looked at her with eyes full of affection no less than Cain’s?

If Joseph hadn’t been there too, it would have been really difficult.

Jane hugged Joseph tightly as he examined her expression.

“We should buy a flag too. It’s what your father achieved. Let’s be proud of it. Shall we buy all the colors?”

“Th-that would be really expensive, wouldn’t it? Yellow, blue, red, oh? There’s a silver flag over there too!”

Joseph wriggled out of Jane’s arms and pointed to a corner of the street.

As Joseph said, there was a silver flag shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

Jane stroked Joseph’s head and replied.

“Don’t worry about money. Your father… prepared everything.”

Shortly after Cain’s trial ended, she received a bank key for an enormous amount of money left for Joseph and herself.

It was the property that Cain had gradually organized and diverted while preparing for the operation. And he didn’t leave anything for himself. His share was all returned to society.

How far had Cain thought when he committed this act? Would there be a future where we are together in his vision?

If not, Jane would be the first to dream it.

Jane looked at the distant sky towards the prison and prayed for his peace.

* * *

“Is Joseph asleep?”

As Jane came out after kissing the sleeping Joseph’s forehead, Cedric, who had been leaning against the corridor wall, straightened his back.

“You haven’t left yet?”

“I have something to tell you.”

Jane was working for the Reconstruction Committee at Cedric’s suggestion.

It was solely for Joseph and Cain.

Because of that, Jane was busy running around while others were intoxicated with the joy of revolution.

One of the reasons she could remain calm amidst the festive atmosphere was that she had no energy to enjoy it.

“It’s late, why don’t we do it tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow I have relay meetings with the council members. Do you have time for a cup of tea, Jane?”

Cedric is much busier than Jane. Today too, he must have been running around breathlessly without time for even a cup of tea. Knowing all this, she didn’t feel like chasing him away saying it was late.

If Cedric still had feelings for Jane like before, it might have been different, but after a series of events, Cedric had completely given up his feelings for Jane.

Now he truly cherished Jane like a sister. Jane also followed him like an elder brother, and Joseph started calling him uncle.

“Let’s go to the study.”

The place where Jane stayed was a modest two-story house.

On the second floor were Jane and Joseph’s bedrooms, and a study, while the first floor had only a kitchen and a reception room.

Cedric said he would get her a bigger house, but Jane refused, saying even this two-story house was too much for her.

“This place is still the same.”

Jane’s study was simple. Cedric opened his mouth seeing the bookshelves full of walls but only one shelf filled with books.

“I should bring some books next time I come.”

“It’s okay. It’ll just be a burden later.”

Cedric, who was scanning the book spines to gauge Jane’s taste, paused.

“Are you leaving the capital?”

“Yes. As soon as the Reconstruction Committee work is finished.”

“Why?”

“There’s no reason for me to stay here anymore.”

The capital without Cain had no meaning for Jane.

It was originally the place that cast her out when the Whitney family fell, and the place she abandoned herself.

“It would be better here for Joseph’s studies too. I heard he ranked first in the academy exam.”

“That academy, won’t it close soon?”

With the royal family and nobility dissolved, the status of the school just for them was also shaken.

“That’s true.”

Jane quietly brewed tea.

“Sit down, Cedric.”

Cedric sat opposite Jane. For a while, the two just watched the steam rising from the teacups.

“Cain……”

“Cain……”

The two who spoke at the same time looked at each other and chuckled.

The fact that they longed for the same person was a great comfort to both of them.

“You go first, Jane.”

“Is he doing well?”

Jane asked the question she had been holding back without hesitation.

It had been two months since he was imprisoned in the notorious prison, and Jane hadn’t even asked for news until now, fearing she might break down if she heard he was struggling.

But today she felt she had to ask.

Because it was the day they planted the revolution’s flag in their own house.

“I heard he’s doing well. He’s in a solitary cell, so he doesn’t clash with other inmates. Seems like he’s suited for physical work.”

“Did you hear from him?”

“No. I found out through someone I know.”

“I see.”

The reason the prison where Cain was living was infamous was due to its perfect isolation from the outside world.

Except for hearing news through connections like Cedric, there was no way for inmates and their families to contact each other.

Even if someone died there due to some incident or accident, it was common not to know until the release date. There were also frequent abuses of this closed nature.

“Don’t worry too much, Jane. He’s a smart and strong person.”

Although she knew it in her head, her heart wouldn’t easily be at ease.

“I heard that if he’s a model prisoner, his sentence could be reduced.”

“It will be difficult for Cain. One year is already the maximum reduction. And by then, won’t the image of Hastings ingrained in people’s minds be diluted?”

Hastings was the pinnacle of nobility, and Cain was the owner of that family.

In this era where resentment against the nobility has exploded, it was an image better not to have.

“That’s right. After about a year……”

“In the meantime, I’m going to actively promote that Cain greatly contributed to the revolution.”

“That should be my job.”

“You’re already doing too much.”

That’s true.

In the Reconstruction Committee, Jane took on not only women’s and children’s rights advancement but also education welfare.

Jane was also sick of relay meetings.

“Did you come to tell me news about Cain?”

“That’s not it……”

Cedric removed his hands from the teacup he had been fiddling with. He moistened his lips with his tongue, wiping away the smile he had been holding.

“Whatever you say is fine. Feel free to speak.”

Jane smiled, saying there was nothing left to surprise her.

“It’s good news.”

Jane frowned. Cedric’s expression was very dark for someone delivering good news.

“What is it?”

“The Whitney family will also receive an honorary medal. Since the nobility has been abolished, they can’t receive a title, but.”

“I don’t even want that. The medal will be in my parents’ names, right? That’s enough.”

Jane was sincerely happy. She smiled as brightly as a spring flower.

How long has it been since she smiled so radiantly? Although he had only delivered news, Cedric felt greatly satisfied.

“There’s one more piece of news, Jane.”

Jane nodded, urging him to speak.

“It’s about Joseph. We’re going to officially recognize Joseph as the son of the judge.”

“You’ve already done that.”

“That’s not what I mean……”

Cedric trailed off. The smile disappeared completely from Jane’s face.

“Are you saying you’re going to remove the Hastings surname from Joseph?”