“The Duchess has come to purchase a horse.”

The employee explained while sweating profusely.

His detailed explanation included information about the refreshments prepared for Jane at the ranch and the horse recommended for her.

Even though it had nothing to do with Cedric, he listened attentively to the explanation.

He stroked his chin a few times as if in deep contemplation.

“Haven’t you chosen a horse yet?”

Cedric asked when the employee finished his explanation.

“No, not yet.”

“How about seeing them in person?”

“As you can see, my attire isn’t suitable for horseback riding. And I’m sure I wouldn’t know much even if I looked.”

“You can change clothes, and if you’re unsure after looking, you can try riding. If you’re still not sure, I can choose for you. How about it?”

Jane was very grateful for Cedric’s kindness, but hesitated to answer. The horse she was choosing was for Joseph.

‘Wouldn’t it be better for the father to choose his child’s first horse himself?’

“Jane, you don’t have to decide right away. But wouldn’t it be good to see them in person? It’s for the child, after all.”

Cedric persuaded the hesitant Jane. Jane stared blankly at the hand Cedric extended.

After contemplating, Jane shook her head.

Cedric felt bitter. He sensed that Jane had been distancing herself from him for some time.

When was it?

Was it since that late night in Rouen when he sought out Jane while drunk?

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline.”

Cedric’s expression darkened. Jane pretended not to notice the change.

“If that’s your opinion, I must respect it. But is it alright if I keep you company?”

Jane pointed to the opposite seat, as there was no particular reason to refuse companionship.

Cedric sat down and ordered tea. The capable employee quickly brought the tea.

“I’d like to talk comfortably. Would it be alright if I sent the others away?”

Cedric tasted the tea and set down the cup.

From start to finish, Cedric asked for and confirmed Jane’s opinions. His attitude was vastly different from Cain’s.

Jane gestured to Letius, who remained by her side. Cedric also sent away the employee.

Left alone, Cedric, who had been fidgeting with his jacket awkwardly, opened the conversation.

“Jane, is the Duke treating you well?”

Jane’s hand, reaching for the teacup, stopped. She straightened her back.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Just because I’ve known you for a long time.”

Cedric avoided Jane’s gaze. She sensed he was hiding something. However, Jane gave up on probing further.

When digging into someone else’s innermost thoughts, one must be prepared to reveal their own.

“Jane, is there perhaps a way I can contact you separately?”

“You can contact me through the Duke’s residence.”

“My letter didn’t reach you.”

“That won’t happen again. Back then, a subordinate mistakenly forgot to deliver it to me.”

“Jane…”

Cedric felt sorry for Jane.

He firmly believed Jane was lying, not even dreaming that she might be deceiving someone at the Hastings residence.

Deceiving the innocent Jane, are the Hastings truly beyond salvation?

After much hesitation, Cedric finally revealed a long-buried truth.

“Jane, do you know the details of the circumstances surrounding Count and Countess Whitney’s deaths?”

Jane’s face hardened at the sudden mention of her parents.

She wanted to appear calm but couldn’t. Jane clenched her fists to hide her trembling hands.

“Well, they provided war funds to the Rose Faction…”

“So you don’t know.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed.

“Is there something I should know?”

Cedric nodded gravely.

“You absolutely should know. But not here. I’ll contact you separately.”

“Cedric, tell me now.”

Jane became urgent.

Cedric behaved as if there was a conspiracy behind the deaths of the Duke and Duchess of Whitney.

Cedric looked around, conflicted.

Should he tell her what he knew here?

It was certain no one was eavesdropping, but it would be terrible if Jane collapsed from shock.

“Cedric, please.”

But how could he ignore Jane’s desperate eyes? Especially Cedric.

Just as he made up his mind, the door burst open and Joseph rushed in.

“Mo, mo, mother! I, I saw so many horses!”

* * *

While Jane was at the Two-Oh Ranch, Cain was at the security office.

“Congratulations.”

The chief of security approached Cain and offered his congratulations.

Cain stared blankly at the chief of security, unable to recall doing anything worthy of congratulations.

Feeling awkward, the chief scratched the back of his head and pointed towards the holding cells.

“You caught the remnants of the Rose Faction, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

The chief’s voice grew smaller and smaller in response to Cain’s gruff tone.

“So I’m congratulating you…”

“Well, I don’t think it’s something to be congratulated for.”

Cain had simply done what needed to be done. Catching a few remnants of the Rose Faction wasn’t a big achievement for him.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be going now. Make sure to accurately record the types and quantities of weapons found at the Rose Faction’s base.”

Although they would surely handle it well, Cain added a word out of concern.

These days, incompetent fools were everywhere.

Seeing the chief of security scurrying out to greet him amidst the commotion of interrogating the Rose Faction members, it seemed this place was particularly overflowing with fools.

“Take care!”

The chief bowed deeply towards Cain, who turned away exuding a chilly aura.

Cain stepped outside the security office, pulling out a cigar from his pocket.

It was still close to midday, despite having engaged in what amounted to a localized battle.

“Your Excellency, shall we head to Somnium House?”

Nathan, who had finished his paperwork, stood beside Cain.

“If there’s nothing else.”

Cain turned to Nathan, as if asking about his schedule.

“There are no special appointments. I’ll take you straight home.”

“Alright. You should go home and get some rest too.”

“A vacation, sir?”

Nathan’s face brightened. It was like rain in a drought for him, having followed Cain’s schedule for over a week.

This trip, in particular, had been very difficult for Nathan.

They had repeatedly missed the Rose Faction by a hair’s breadth. Continued failures ate away not only at one’s mental strength but physical strength as well.

If they had missed them again today, Nathan might have requested sick leave instead of vacation.

“Miss Scarlet did a great job.”

Nathan couldn’t hide his joy, grinning from ear to ear.

“Indeed.”

Cain responded indifferently. Nathan tilted his head at such an apathetic reaction from someone who had received help.

“Aren’t you grateful?”

Cain shrugged his shoulders.

Undoubtedly, the primary contributor to today’s Rose Faction sweep was Scarlet, who provided the information.

Cain had also been eyeing this location as a potential Rose Faction hideout for some time, but he had postponed the raid for much later.

It would have been risky to act rashly without any particular evidence of wrongdoing. Besides, there were no signs of them fleeing.

But Scarlet suddenly sent a telegram at dawn.

She said the Rose Faction would soon be moving, so if a raid were to be conducted, it would be best to do it today.

Thinking he had nothing to lose, Cain immediately mobilized the Black Hawks and left Somnium House.

And the result was a success after a long time.

“Why don’t you send her a gift? Shall I arrange it for you?”

Nathan cautiously asked Cain as he boarded the carriage.

Cain pondered with one foot on the step, then slipped into the carriage.

“Just rest well without thinking about anything. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And the door closed. He left behind a bewildered Nathan and set the carriage in motion.

It would have been proper to send a thank-you note or a gift for the help received.

But he wasn’t inclined to do so.

“The timing was suspiciously perfect.”

Moreover, the information provided today was of a very sensitive nature.

By passing the information to Cain, Scarlet had deprived Count Carelina of an opportunity to earn merit.

Even if she had chosen to turn her back on her family due to excessive affection for him, one question remained.

‘The information Scarlet brings must pass through Count Carelina’s hands. She doesn’t have the means to gather information independently.’

This meant that Count Carelina must have known that the Rose Faction would be moving today, so why didn’t he act first?

Concession?

Cain chuckled at the romantic notion.

It’s something that would never happen, even if the sun rose in the west.

He pondered from various angles but couldn’t come up with a satisfactory answer as to how Scarlet obtained the information and informed him.

As his thoughts deepened, the carriage steadily made its way to Somnium House.

“Welcome back, Your Excellency.”

Norbert came out to greet Cain. He immediately reported several matters, including the whereabouts of Jane and Joseph.

“They went to the Two-Oh Ranch?”

“Yes. If I had known you would return early, they would have waited to go together.”

Norbert expressed great regret.

When seeing Jane off, Norbert had imagined the three of them happily choosing a horse together. It would have been a picture-perfect scene, such a pity.

“I’ll let you know in advance next time.”

Cain made an insincere reply as he entered Somnium House.

He strode towards the bedroom, intending to get some rest.

“Or you could give me more detailed information about your schedule.”

While Norbert was privy to most of Cain’s schedule, sudden or top-secret appointments like today’s were not shared even with Norbert.

“I’ll consider it.”

Cain said this and was about to climb the stairs when he suddenly stopped.

Norbert, who was following behind, almost bumped his nose into Cain’s back.

“Do you have any other instructions?”

Norbert observed Cain. Cain tapped the railing with his index finger as if playing an instrument. His brow furrowed and his gaze turned cold.

Realizing that Cain was deep in thought, Norbert signaled to the bustling servants.

‘Withdraw quietly.’

In an instant, the hall, including the stairs, was emptied, leaving only Cain and Norbert.

“Come to think of it, you didn’t know either.”

“Pardon?”

Cain let out a mirthless laugh.